Prop. 11 Redistricting
When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger championed redistricting reform back in 2003, it was easy to see it is a cynical ploy to wrest control of the state Legislature from the Democratic Party. Back then, Schwarzenegger was a polarizing, partisan figure. He’s changed a bit since then, and yet he is still dead set on seeing this done.
The governor put up nearly $2.5 million of his own money to get this measure on the ballot, arguing—as he always has—that it is a root cause of the very real polarization that often paralyzes Sacramento. This time, we believe him.
So does former state Treasurer Steve Westly, who ran against Schwarzenegger in 2006 and co-chairs the “Yes on 11” effort. Former Gov. Gray Davis, former Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg, former Santa Cruz Assemblyman Fred Keeley and Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates (all Democrats) have endorsed the measure, along with AARP, the League of Women Voters and California Common Cause.
In the short term it may in fact hurt Democratic lawmakers. In the long term, it’s good for California.
Prop. 12 Veteran’s Bond Act
Since 1922, in 26 elections, California voters have approved $8.4 billion in bonds for low-cost loans to veterans through the Cal-Vet fund. All of that money has been repaid.
Here’s how it works: The state authorizes the sale of bonds to raise the money—in this case, $900 million. That money is made available for veterans to apply for low-interest home loans. As they pay off their houses, the debt is retired. This bond will allow 3,600 California veterans to buy houses.
Our service men and women put their own lives on hold to serve the country and are currently about the only Americans doing anything that smacks of self-directed sacrifice. They should be able to relax in a room or two they can call their own once that service is done.
The Editor’s comments regarding Proposition 11 illustrate the thought processes that so many of those on the left use to guide their voting decisions;
Their’s no objective consideration of the issue.
Their’s no real political philosophy to guide their decision.
No. They make their decision reflexively, solely as a way of identifying themselves as members of a club.
They are as suggestible as the 22 year old male target audience of Bud Lite comercials but instead of being lured in by scantily clad chicks, they only need to be shown a vision of someone in that club- someone like Steve Westly or Tom Bates.
Redistricting reform was a good idea 5 years ago and it’s a good idea now.
Why do so many people have to wait for a thing to be “politically correct” before they see the light?
Arnold had 4 Propositions on the ballot in 2003. They were all good ideas. They all lost.
I guess the vast koolaid drinking electorate will never be able to figure that out for themselves. They’ll have to wait for their heroes to tell them.
Regarding Prop 11,
Who will sit on the Oversight Board, and who will appoint them?