Vote early and often.

[gridlore]

I'm filling out my absentee ballot (our only option, there aren't enough registered voters in our area to get a polling station) and thought I'd share some of my positions with y'all



So, here's how I'm voting in selected races and on some issues:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) Arnie has shown himself to be a moderate Republican, interested mainly in fiscal responsibility without raising taxes. He's also shown an ability to learn from his mistakes. A big selling point for me is his ability to work with Democrats as well as his own party.

Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi (D) Nothing keeps a Governor honest like a second chair from the other party.

Treasurer Claude Parrish (R) He's one of the few candidates in this race who actually has some relevant experience in the field. Also, the Democratic candidate is another Sacramento retread, and I'm sick of seeing the same guys shuffle from job to job.

Attorney General Jerry Brown (D) Moonbeam is back! I'm voting for our favorite ex-Governor/current Oakland Mayor because he has shown me that he is a hard worker and scrupulously honest. Also, his chief opponent is a right-wing loon who shouldn't be allowed within ten miles of our state Constitution.

Insurance Commissioner Dale Ogden (Libertarian) The Democrat is another passenger on the office merry-go-round, the Republican has made a career of running for offices and losing. Ogden at leas works in the industry!

United States Senator Dianne Feinstein (D) How big a lock is this? Until I opened my voter guide I didn't realize anyone was actually running against her. Lady DiFi may not be as "progressive" as some would like, but I agree with most of her votes.

United States Representative (CA 15th) Mike Honda (D) A reliable voice, and he does good work for the District. His opponent has no plan, no real ideas, and a name that sounds like Lovecraft came up with it.

San Jose Mayor Cindy Chavez Honestly, I'd prefer anyone else over these two yahoos, but this is the choice I'm given. This is a case of the lesser of two evils.

Proposition 1-A through E Yes. These measures provide bonds to do desperately needed repairs to out infrastructure.

Proposition 83 - Sex Offenders Yes. I'd prefer a measure that has "gut shoot them and leave them to die" but I'll settle for GPS monitoring.

Proposition 85 - Parental Notification for Abortion No. This is a blatant attempt to interfere in the doctor-patient relationship

Proposition 86 - Cigarette Tax Yes. I consider tobacco to be a dangerous drug. Since we can't ban it, we can tax the hell out of it.

Proposition 90 - Eminent Domain Yes. This measure would limit the ability of local governments to use eminent domain for privately owned projects.

Comments

[kengr]

I'm curious about the sex offenders thing. Way too many of those things assume that everybody on those lists is a dangerous predator. Reality is rather different.

We've got one of those parental notiofication things on the ballot here too. And the radio & TV spots just about turn my stomach.

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

http://www.voterguide.ss.ca.gov/pdf/prop83_text.pdf

It specifically targets those who prey on children, or use force.

[aurictech.livejournal.com]

Without commenting on your votes (of which some, though not all, would match my own preferences, were I a resident of San Jose, CA), I would like to mention the slogan on a button I own:

"Today is Election Day, and we urge all citizens to vote 'No' with the weapons of their choice."

Ah, the classics...

[firestrike.livejournal.com]

"Today is Election Day, and we urge all citizens to vote 'No' with the weapons of their choice." -KViSR Radio "The Voice of Anarchy"

"Even now, on the eve of Election Day, the campaign battle is undecided. But inside sources say Generalissimo Puerco's forces have a strong lead, holding 26 of 31 registered ballot stations." - Free State Radio

"We are please to announce that Generalissimo Puerco, alias Johnathan Sunshine, alias Ronald Unreasonable, Alias None of the Above, has won the election by a unanimous vote." -Free State Radio "The Voice of Reason"

"This is not a coup. Parliament still makes the decisions. We're just here to make sure they make the right ones." -Brandy Charlatan, Station Manager, KViSR Radio

Today's travel report...Small arms fire along Route 6 with bursts of heavy machine gun fire. Blast shields are required below 3000 feet." - KViSR Radio "Hot off the firing line"

"Today's forecast calls for heavy contact along the northern outskirts, strong probes throughout the neutral zone, and scattered artillery barrages throughout the evening." - KViSR Radio "All nukes, all the time"

Re: Ah, the classics...

[murbin.livejournal.com]

I have that book. A very nifty supplement.

[jeffreyab.livejournal.com]

Sounds like your district needs someone to start a voter registration drive.

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

More like a citizenship drive. Our little barrio is heavily Latino and Vietnamese.

[murbin.livejournal.com]

They may be moving to Massachusetts soon, just for drivers license and instate resident tutition at state colleges.

[drewkitty.livejournal.com]

I'd like to do a shout-out for Kennita Watson, who is a fannish retired engineer running for the State Board of Equalization on the Libertarian ticket.

I generally vote Libertarian on the "minor races" to register my dissatisfaction with the two-party system, but reluctantly voted Arnold, Barbara, Dianne . . . because despite their annoyances and quirks, we need strong players in Washington this decade.

[claidheamhmor]

I know very few of those names, but I like the way you lay things out rationally.

[murbin.livejournal.com]

Very much so. It is one of the most rational lists of cross party voting I've seen in quite some time. But then this is Doug, so I'm not that surprised.