Prop 1A California High Speed Rail Bond
It’s time to stop talking about climate change and start doing something about it.
The $10 billion bond on the November ballot will help build the first leg of the long-awaited California High Speed Rail, from San Fran to Los Angeles. We know it’s not going to be the panacea of global warming and high gas prices, and we’ve heard the opponents argue it’s a boondoggle that will break the state’s bank.
But it’s time to put our money where our mouth is. California’s bullet train could lead the way to other smart transportation alternatives across the nation. Plus, it’s just damn cool.
Prop 2 The California Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act
Who doesn’t cringe at the horrific footage of drooling, bleary-eyed, immobilized factory farm animals? Proposition 2 would allow us to have happy animals and eat them, too.
The act makes it a misdemeanor for California farmers to tether or confine their livestock in any way that prevents them from doing basic low-impact aerobics moves—lying down, standing up, fully extending limbs and turning around freely. This of course would eliminate common farming practices such as battery-caging chickens and keeping calves and pregnant sows in small crates, which produce maximum yield for minimum overhead—and often prevent some animals from ever walking.
One serious downside to this proposition is that it would hurt California egg farmers. That’s why poultry producers have mounted the greatest outcry against passage, arguing the conversion will be too expensive and markets will be flooded with unsafe eggs from Mexico.
However, the act would not go into full effect until Jan. 1, 2015, giving farmers time to adjust their facilities and practices. Beyond the logistics, this is just the way the wind is blowing these days. Florida, Arizona, Colorado and Oregon already have similar legislation, and universities, restaurants and grocery stores are increasingly demanding products from animals living relatively normal lives. Criminy, even Burger King is giving preference to cruelty-free critters.
Best vote yes and usher in a new age of happy meals.
Why does it matter that it will hurt egg farmers? You just made your case for the welfare of living beings, then pity the people who profit from aforementioned abuse? Oh, boo hoo, Cletus has to shell some extra money to at least mildly respect the creatures he exploits and then kills.
This state is so heavily in hock that I recommend a “no” vote on any tax/bond propositions. Sacramento [and Washingoton] needs to get their shit together before I vote to give them any more money. I notice that the Metro editorial board never met a tax increase that they didn’t like and this shows in their endorsements.
That said, before voting on 1B, read the following:
http://ti.org/antiplanner/?p=512
http://ti.org/antiplanner/?p=513
http://ti.org/antiplanner/?p=514
http://ti.org/antiplanner/?p=520
Proposition 1A—No NO NO.
This project is nothing but a boondoggle, that will end up like the light rail system in San Jose—2 to 3 times over budget and serving about 1/3 the number of riders they project.
Look who is leading the charge here. Quentin Kopp, promoter of the BART to SF airport extension which is a disaster and Rod Diridon, who some call the farther of the light rail system in San Jose.
How many times are we going to let these politician sell us a project which won’t deliver the goods. boy can they promote. They have already spent $60 million and 10 years and have yet to put down a single foot of track. And the voters of California are going to let them have control of $10 billion. No way.
Just Vote No On Prop 1A
A definite yes to Prop. 1A! A modern, European-style train depot at Diridon station comes included! Along with peripheral development and BART, high-speed rail could be a major boon for downtown San Jose.
#5 Joseph Jones: quintessential NIMBY from San Carlos who has no vision whatsoever. Where’s your proof for all your false accusations anyway? i.e. it will be over budget, won’t serve many riders, a “boondoggle,” blah blah blah..
#3 HJ: just plain no vision.
People, these hard economic times won’t last forever, and what better way to get California’s economy humming again then investing in infrastructure. Prop. 1A/High-speed rail equals JOBS, JOBS, JOBS! YES TO PROP. 1A!
I urge a YES vote on Prop 2 because it is one small step closer to the oversight, and accountability of the people handling and processing our food, as well as requires humane treatment of animals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqPJsfjjyZU
Prop 2 will:
1.) It will make your food safer. It is important to care about how the way animals you eat are handled, fed, and treated. Farm animals are kept in crowded and filthy conditions. Many of them are sick. They are fed chemicals and steroids to make them grow faster and produce faster, and are given antibiotics that will most certainly affect your health, your children’s health, as well as your pets.
2.) If you remember, recent salmonella out breaks came from farm animal’s feces running into the irrigation system for crops.
3.) Don’t forget mad cow disease came from feeding beef cows the ground up remains of dead animals.
4.) When animals raised in these farms die, they are used in pet food, and in compost in fields where vegetables are grown for our consumption.
5.) Bird flu is another result of over crowded conditions on these farms, and another reason to Vote YES on 2!
For years now, many caring farmers have already begun raising cage free, steroid free, and antibiotic free hens. (Their eggs are fresh and delicious.) They do charge a little more for them, but I’m willing to pay the increased asking price because it helps farmers offset their cost to provide a much healthier and humane product. Also, Trader Joes carriers some excellent Kosher meats, as well as, some meat free products that are delicious. In many cases the Kosher meats are cheaper than the non-Kosher, and are incredibly tasty. Please vote YES on Prop 2!
Tony-
I take it you’re with the Building and Trades Council?
Plenty of reasons for high speed rail, but jobs isn’t one of them. It creates jobs in construction, and loses them in the rest of the economy because you have to take money from everything else to pay off the bonds.
#5 – Tony D
Instead of getting “California’s economy humming again and then investing in infrastructure”, why don’t we invest in the infrastructure that’s already here and broken before “investing” in new technologies with iffy demand/return?
First things first.
No on 1A.
#8,
I was thinking the same thing the other day as I drove into downtown from the airport. Market Street southbound is so potholed and poorly patched that my bumpy ride in would’ve felt familiar to a 19th century farmer coming into town on his horse-drawn wagon. What a great impression it must make on those conventioneers we’ve spent so much to bring here.
If we give these elected idiots enough money eventually we’ll be able to ride into town on BART and then make our way on dirt and gravel streets to the closed public pool or park of our choice.
#7 Greg Perry,
You know damn well our state can afford the Prop. 1A bonding and that it won’t hurt the general fund. Nice try at using the politics of “fear” in your opposition.
#8 RIPp, We’ve built light-rail, Hwy’s 85/87, widened 101, upgraded 237, new interchanges at 85/101, carpool lanes, I could go on and on…it’s time for high-speed rail!
#9 FF, again going back to the small town thinking of potholes and cracks in the road. Dirt and gravel streets?!! We live in San Jose, not San Juan Bautista! Give us all a damn break!
It’s time to start thinkin long term with an extra 400,000 people living in San Jose over the next 30 years. Yes to Prop. 1A and Measure B!
#10-Tony D.,
I’d rather have and support High Speed Rail, than Bart! And since I love to travel, but am not a big fan of flying, High Speed Rail sounds even better!
Tony D #10:
Do you even know how bonding works? I suspect not when you make claims such as the one above stating “You know damn well our state can afford the Prop. 1A bonding and that it won’t hurt the general fund.”
The state papered over $15 billion in the red just a month ago, and we just barely squeeked out enough bonds to pay the bills through the beginning months of next year. California’s credit rating is one of the worst of the 50 states, and just above junk bond status, menaing the cost of credit is significantly higher even in good credit markets. (which Wall Street is clearly not experiencing these days)
Bonding is borrowing. And borrowing means you pay it back plus interest. According to the LAO, California’s 2007/2008 budget accounted for over $4.4 billion in bond debt service payments, and does not account for the close to $60 billion authorized but yet unsold bonds out there, which will bring the total annual debt service (from the general fund) to over $9 billion. The estimate for 1A alone is that the debt service over the life of the bond will be twice the authorized amount.
Borrowing has a cost, and that cost must be born by someone. The state is so near fiscal ruin it would be comical if the situation wasn’t so dire, and yet people such as yourself go on with your little “dime a day” bullshit and blow forth your ignorant beliefs that we somehow have this infinite pool of money floating around for the taking.
You are right about one thing though, it is time we start thinking long-term. In fact, that kind of thinking is long overdue.
We both apparently agree that the state needs more long-term thinking in its planning. The difference between you and I however (well, thankfully for me there are many) is that I believe in doing so responsibly and in a manner that is beneficial to all.
You and your BART cronies casually agree to a plan to throw away taxpayer dollars for your own short-sighted agendas and then get ticked off when someone, or fortunately in this case many someones, have the audacity to call bullshit. In both instances (1A and Measure B), the bonds/taxes called for do not come close to covering the stated needs for the projects. I persoanlly like the idea of highspeed rail from up and down the state, but not without a reasonable, well-thought out and responsible plan for how to pay for it.
I don’t think the financial criss will go on forever Tony, however I do think it is short-sighted, borrow-happy ignorance such as that on display by you and others that got us into this mess in the first place, and that you will bring us all back down if your reckless agendas go unchecked.
You may be willing to mortgage our and our children’s future even further, but the rest of us living in the real world of today’s financial crisis would prefer our leaders learn from their mistakes and ensure that it never happens again.
Are you getting paid to be this way or is ignorance truly bliss in your world?
Then You know what Mark G., maybe we shouldn’t do anything?! Let’s henceforth not spend any more money on infrastructure and transportation improvements, because we are all cheap A$$‘s hell bent on saving our precious “dimes.” The current financial crisis will last forever, and California’s population won’t change one bit over the next 20-30 years. In your world Mark, the status quo costs nothing, so let’s keep it that way. By the way smart guy, building new roads and expanding our already congested airports to accomodate CA’s future population is going to run $80-100 billion (at least). Makes BART and high-speed rail look like bargain’s. HOW THE HELL DO WE PAY FOR THAT?!!! Anyhow, you think our state is in fiscal ruin now…imagine the cost of doing nothing.
Prop 1A,
High Speed Rail: A toughie!
There should be a better option to travel from SF to LA besides car, Greyhound, Amtrak United or SW. Long ago there used to be overnight steamer service, but no more.
I’ll vote for Prop 1A, but HS Rail won’t be a panacea.
I’ve taken ICE (German Intercity Express) between Nuernberg and Hamburge long ago via 1st Edition. Smoking seats had LCD screens showing films (soundtrack only in German). Interactive screens in the vestibules. Running on its own exclusive tracks (never any freight trains) which were fine-tuned, the ride was ultrasmooth. With over 12,000 HP accelleration was quick, you were pushed into the seat. Unlike any other train I’ve ridden this machine just felt like it wanted to get up and go, kind of like a small jet taking off.
Last year rode the 3rd edition from Stuttgart to Amsterdam. Again the ride was smooth and fast. We hit 300km/hr (186 mph) a few times, but no interactive screens and no movies. What I missed was the view out. Often we rode in a ditch or past soundwalls or through long tunnels cutting through hillsides so you couldn’t see much. Everythng went by so fast and within seconds it was obscured.
Actually preferred taking slower trains, the older equipment with windows that opened, feeling the breeze.
If Prop 1A passes, OK with me.
If defeated then I hope Amtrak gets upgraded with additional trains to LA, rather than just one Coast Starlight.
Two other improvements:
Double track most of the routes. Keep heavy freight trains that beat up the rails off the new track so Amtrak can go faster than snails. On-time scheduling would be greatly improved, no longer at the mercy of UP freight trains.
Electrify all track in Califoria. This would save much diesel fuel for use by trucks, reducing the cost of fuel for truckers.
Since the locomotives all use elecric motors just add a pantograph and shut off the diesel generators.
But I would keep comfortable Amtrak equipment and service, the double-decker cars with very comfortable coach seats, plenty of space downstairs for bicycles, the lounge cars with big windows and movies at night, the diners with reasonably priced meals and open seating, the children’s story telling and generally very friendly and helpful staff. They could add a smoking car at the end to eliminate the rush out the door at every stop for those that can’t stop puffing.
That would be a major problem for the HS train where each stop would only be a couple of minutes.
PGP3