Schwarzenegger Opposes Prop 19

We need a "mainstream" politician to risk public backlash and say how he really feels about marijuana. I expected Arnold to be the one!






Shame on Arnold, Jerry Brown, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer for opposing this righteous proposition.

Endorsements: the Other Candidates

OTHER CANDIDATES

Secretary of State - Debra Bowen

Since I'm the only California citizen to read the "Official Voter Information Guide" that Bowen put together, I know she's doing a good job. It's a boring read, but hey... it's politics.

Controller - John Chiang

I don't know much about the incumbent, except this: when the Governator attempted to reduce thousands of state employees' pay to minimum wage, Chiang refused to do it. That shows character (not to mention big balls).

Treasurer - Bill Lockyer

Another incumbent. He also served as Attorney General. We think he has ambitions.

Attorney General - Kamala Harris

Delgadillo already lost once to Jerry Brown. I like Kamala, who has done a solid job as San Francisco's district attorney. She's from Oakland, too, and you know what that means. Street cred.

Insurance Commissioner - Dave Jones

OK seriously, I don't usually dig this deep, so I'm just going to trust the endorsement of a few publications that I read and trust. They say Jones is our guy.

As to the local races, you're on your own. Cheers.

Candidate Endorsements

CANDIDATES

Governor – Jerry Brown

In 1975, Brown succeeded Ronald Reagan as Governor of California. He supported environmental issues, repealing sneaky tax breaks for oil companies and sponsoring the first-ever tax incentive for rooftop solar panels. He also increased the state’s funding of the arts by over 1300 percent, appointed more women and minorities to office than any previous governor, and drove to work in a Plymouth rather than a chauffeured limousine, as Reagan had done. At the same time, Brown earned a reputation as a strong fiscal conservative; his restraint and smart budgeting resulted in a $5 billion state surplus, the LARGEST IN RECENT HISTORY.

After 8 years of fiscal irresponsibility under the inexperienced Governator, we stand to benefit from getting a political veteran back in office.

On Meg Whitman, I have no doubt of her tremendous success as a businesswoman. How else could she afford to burn a record-breaking $119 million of her own stash, just to get elected? At a net worth of $1.3 billion, do you think Meg Whitman gives a shit about issues like immigration, education or the environment? I don’t. Actually, I know she doesn't, because she never voted before 2002! How can her tough talk on illegal immigration be genuine, when she employed an undocumented nanny for 9 years? Then, when she fired her nanny for being a political liability, it just made her look like a jerk.

Bottom line: Whitman is a political phoney whose top-to-bottom approach may help CA’s mega-rich and mega-corporations, but does nothing to address the plight of working people.

Lieutenant Governor – Gavin Newsom

First of all, it would be cooler if Governors & Lt. Governors ran on the same ticket, like Presidents and Vice Presidents. But they don't, so I'm voting for the handsome, media-darling candidate, Gavin Newsom. His good looks and towering height will add visibility to this low-profile post, which consists mainly of sitting on boards, committees and councils that the Governor doesn't have time for.

US Senator – Barbara Boxer

I like Boxer. She opposed the Iraq war before we invaded, unlike Feinstein, Clinton and all the other spineless politicians who lacked the courage to say, “Bush – you’re full of shit.” She also wrote the law allowing airline pilots to carry guns in the cockpit. Call me crazy, but I think pilots should put a hole in anyone trying to hijack their plane. In any case, Boxer has a solid record on jobs, the environment, education and everything else that matters. I intend to vote for her.

I don’t know why anyone would vote for Boxer’s opponent, Carly Fiorina. While campaigning, Fiorina cites her experience as former CEO of Hewlett Packard. But according to Portfolio.com, she ranks #19 in the 20 worst CEOs of all time. After laying off 30,000 employees to cut costs, brokering a hugely unpopular merger, and overseeing a 50% drop in the company’s value, HP finally ousted her in 2005. And, like Whitman, she is another political phoney who doesn’t even vote. In her own words,

"I'm a lifelong registered Republican but I haven't always voted, and I will provide no excuse for it. You know, people die for the right to vote. And there are many, many Californians and Americans who exercise that civic duty on a regular basis. I didn't. Shame on me."

Carly, I don’t blame you. If I paid myself a $20 million severance from the company I’d just floundered, I wouldn’t find time to vote either. But… I am voting, and not for you.

Official Endorsements

STATE PROPOSITIONS

Prop 19 – Legalize Marijuana

YES

Tobacco and alcohol kill over 500,000 Americans every year. Yes, five hundred thousand. Marijuana, on the other hand… well, let’s put it this way. I can’t find conclusive evidence that it’s ever killed anybody. Marijuana should be legal because it’s safer than every legal drug out there, including oxycontin and all that prescription shit. You don’t want your kids smoking weed? Then hide your stash better.

Don’t be a dick. And don’t listen to the opposition’s scare tactics – I’ve read their rebuttals, it’s all bullshit from scared, status-quo preservers (like Dianne Feinstein). If they oppose legalizing marijuana out of concern for public safety, then why aren’t they fighting to criminalize tobacco and alcohol, the real killers? God forbid anyone might get lazy, giggly, or the munchies.

Vote YES. Half of CA already smokes it anyway, so what’s the difference? Also, our bankrupt state stands to benefit from a new source of tax revenue.

Prop 20 - Redrawing Districts

NO

What the hell is the Citizens Redistricting Commission, and why should I give them the power to re-draw my district? I don’t trust them. I don’t trust the politicians either, but at least I can vote them out for their shenanigans. And in a state with more Democrats than Republicans, why would we leave re-districting to a committee with an equal number of both? I thought Republicans were against affirmative action. I say no more unnecessary committees, especially ones that operate outside of voters’ jurisdiction.

Prop 21 – Vehicle License Fee for Parks.

YES

If I’m willing to pay an extra $18/year to fund national parks & wildlife conservation programs, then you should be too. Stop being a cheap-ass who thinks driving around in a gas-guzzling SUV has no consequences. It’s $18. Anyone who votes NO on Prop 21 is an animal-hating cretin who cares more about saving a buck than preserving the state’s underfunded national parks.

The opposition insists that “special taxes” tie the legislature’s hands when it comes to budget matters. You know what? They’re right. But I’m pro-park. And pro-condor. So YES I shall vote.

Prop 22 – Prohibit State from Borrowing Local Funds

NO

This is another stupid law that sucks, so I’m voting NO. Prop 22 would “prohibit the state from borrowing or taking funds used for transportation, redevelopment, or local government projects and services.” A bankrupt state has larger concerns than a “local government project” or “redevelopment.” One example that comes to mind is education. Vote NO to the selfish local cats who want to fill their coffers at the expense of the greater good.

Prop 23 – Suspends Air Pollution Control Laws

NO

A couple of Texas oil companies bankrolled this proposition, which suspends our tough new anti-emissions law and ties its re-implementation to unemployment levels. Huh? What a crock. California’s AB 32 law requires major emitters to report and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Let’s keep it that way. This has nothing to do with unemployment.

Prop 24 – Restore Business Taxes

YES

Prop 24 repeals 3 special interest tax breaks that were pushed through in our latest budget.

I’ll save you the details, but it’s basically a bunch of legalized accounting loopholes that allow businesses to lower their taxes (especially large businesses). Dude, just pay your taxes like everyone else.

PROP 25 – Simple Majority to Pass Budgets

YES

Has the California legislature ever passed a budget on time? Has it ever accomplished anything, period? No, but seriously… it’s because we require a 2/3 majority on every budget-related vote. Prop 25 will change that. Things might actually start happening in Sacramento, and that would be good.

Vote YES.

Prop 26 – Two-Thirds Vote for Fees

NO

I usually oppose measures that big oil companies, like Chevron and Occidental Petroleum, support. This particular measure would require a 2/3 majority vote to impose fees on companies that pollute our state. Let’s say you’re dumping toxic waste into our rivers. Or spilling oil into our oceans. If so, than a simple majority vote should suffice to hold you accountable. You got that, BP? Force companies to pay for their own mess. Vote NO.

Prop 27 – Eliminates State Commission on Redistricting

YES

If you read my rant on Prop 20, then you know how I feel about the the Citizens Redistricting Commission. I say, eliminate them. Vote YES.