The Official You're My Boy, Blue! Voters Guide Part 1

Well, I guess my old statements about not turning this into a political blog kinda flew out the window, huh? I just can't help it. This election has seemingly turned into such a turning point for our country, I haven't been able to resist trying to get some of you to think long and hard about who and what you're voting for. I'm not trying to change your minds - well, maybe some of you - but I want you to consider carefully your choices before going to the polls tomorrow.

Now, I'm not one to tell you how to vote but... well...

I'm about to tell you how to vote. Or at very minimum, I'm about to tell you how I intend to vote and why. Maybe it'll help "light the path" for some of you or at least make you think. That's all I can ask.

So, let's dive headfirst into the Official Voter Information Guide and see what we can see.

I'll skip all the local and state offices for your benefit and stick to national candidates and the state propositions.

Prop 1 - High Speed Rail Bonds Legislative Initiative Amendment
Basically, they finally want to build that high-speed train from LA to San Francisco with the promise to add on to it later to go to other major cities. Sounds like a winner, right? While it's a tough time to add so much debt to the state's budget, there's likely not to be a better time any time soon to start up this much-needed project. I'm in!

VOTE: YES on PROP 1

Prop 2: Standards For Confining Farm Animals
Okay... the way I read this is that it'll force farms to allow their caged animals room to stand up, lie down, stretch their wings or limbs, etc. I'm all for humane treatment of animals but you have to admit, it sounds a little silly on paper. The Humane Society backs it as does the Sierra Club. A little digging makes me think it actually doesn't go far enough as it calls for "exceptions" for rodeos, fairs, 4-H Clubs, etc. The arguments against are pretty strong - but I don't know how much I believe them.

VOTE: YES on PROP 2

PROP 3: Children's Hospital Bond Act
Seriously - I may be a sap but how can you vote down money for childrens' hospitals no matter how shitty the economy is?

VOTE: YES on PROP 3

PROP 4: Waiting Period And Parental Notification Before Termination Of A Minor's Pregnancy
Also known as, "Hey, this'll get Republicans to the polls!" I hate abortion propositions - especially stuff involving minors. It's a horrible topic to have to think about. This one is particularly tricky as it basically requires parental notification for a minor to have an abortion and it SEEMS to have all the bases covered if the minor is in a bad family situation. Some argue that it's a "stepping stone" law looking to put a foot hold towards eliminating a woman's right to choose altogether. The Democratic Party mailer tells us to vote No but I'm having a hard time justifying that. I don't understand exactly why a minor can have a major medical procedure without permission anyways. But the concern of "back alley abortions" and all that is very real as well. Arrrrgh. I found a research report that shows that these kinds of law have very little effect on teenage pregnancies and the amount of parental notifications. I guess if it ain't broke, why fix it? I'm unsure on this one still but for now...

VOTE: NO on PROP 4

PROP 5: Nonviolent Drug Offenses, Sentencing, Parole, and Rehabilitation
The gist of this one is to increase the amount of criminals put into drug rehab instead of prison. It has pages and pages of details about parole and sentencing too. This is another difficult one for me because I really do support treatment over incarceration. Buuuuuuut... this one sounds like it may be going too far. I'm going to trust the parade of people coming out against it like Feinstein and Gray Davis.

VOTE: NO on PROP 5

PROP 6: Police And Law Enforcement Funding
This one looks like a lot of smoke and mirrors about fighting crime but really lacks the details to convince me.

VOTE: NO on PROP 6

PROP 7: Renewable Energy Generation
I never thought I'd vote against a law that requires more renewable energy but the list of groups opposing this one is staggering. How many propositions have you seen that has both the Democrats AND the Republicans against it?

VOTE: NO on PROP 7