I'm always suspicious of "think of the children" rhetoric in political propositions. The justification for the proposition reads exactly like scaremongering prohibition propaganda.
Imagine trying to ban all sugary alcoholic beverages, because you're afraid "candy flavoring" will make alcohol seem more appealing to children. If "candy flavored" controlled substances were such a danger to kids, why is 90% of Bevmo inventory candy flavored?
But also,
Nicotine products can help manage adhd for adults who can't access conventional adhd medication (maybe their insurance won't cover it, or maybe adderall is dangerous for them to take because it puts them at risk for heart problems, etc.)
Obviously nicotine products come with health risks, but frankly? It's debatable whether vaping is more dangerous to your health than taking an amphetamine pill every day.
I think adults who are using nicotine products to manage their neurological disorders and stay functional should have access to nicotine products that don't taste like shit.
okay this is 100% how I am voting -- this is not what the Democrats are doing, persay, or what progressives in general are doing, not what CalSERVE is doing, nope, just me me me.
Prop 30: Yes
Prop 31: No
Prop 32: No
Prop 33: No
Prop 34: Yes
Prop 35: Abstain
Prop 36: Yes
Prop 37: Yes
Prop 38: Abstain
Prop 39: Yes
Prop 40: Yes
Longer version under the cut.
Prop 30: YES
If you're a University of California, California State University, or California Community College student who votes NO on Prop 30, you are hurting yourself and you are hurting all of your fellow students. WE WILL FACE A 20% TUITION HIKE IF THIS PROPOSITION FAILS.
It is actually that simple. It raises taxes on people who make $250,000 or more a year, and raises sales taxes a bit, yes. But I would rather have the burden on the wealthy (and a little bit on everyone else, since sales tax DOES affect poorer folks more than it affects richer folks) than have a burden on students who are ALREADY PAYING TOO DAMN MUCH FOR AN EDUCATION.
If Prop 30 doesn't pass, we're closing the door to a lot of great potential students for the sake of the well-off.
Prop 31: NO
I just don't see the benefit of a Two-Year State Budget Cycle, it just seems more confusing and chaotic. Things vary year-to-year, and this was only supported by one organization, which makes me wary. Additionally, Republicans are in favor and Democrats are opposed.
Prop 32: NO
This proposition DISGUSTS me. It appears to be trying to make campaign finance reform, when it is honestly just making it nearly impossible for unions to donate money. It has to do with banning payroll contributions for "both corporations and unions" but guess what? CORPORATIONS DON'T USE PAYROLL CONTRIBUTIONS. UNIONS DO. The corporations will easily find ways to continue to donate money, and unions will have their hands tied.
It's bad enough, in my opinion, that corporations can donate tons of money -- but to make it even HARDER for unions and workers and normal people? VOTE NO ON PROP 32.
Prop 33: NO
Prop 33 is only sponsored by Mercury Insurance so it just seems like a huge monopoly waiting to happen. I don't see any benefits and it just seems like a way to make a certain group of people pay more. I don't know what group that is, but I just don't like this proposition.
Prop 34: YES
YES YES YES A THOUSAND TIMES YES. This proposition would make California forgo the use of the death penalty.
Look, even if you don't mind that OUR GOVERNMENT KILLS ITS CITIZENS, the death penalty costs us TONS of money every year, and the convicts still live a long time before they're put to death. It's a huge financial burden, and that money could go to rehabilitation or education.
Oh, and also, I don't think the state should kill people. But you know. Whatever.
Prop 35: Abstain
It doesn't exactly do what it pretends it would, but I cannot bring myself to vote against increasing punishment on sex-traffickers.
Prop 36: YES
Prop 36 would reform the "three strikes" law. The "three strikes" law is fucked up. Basically, if you commit three criminal offenses, you're sent to prison for life. Again, HUGE WASTE OF RESOURCES.
Oh, and if you care about people's lives... this "three strikes" bullshit means that people have to spend their LIFE in jail for stealing twice and being arrested for possession once. FOR LIFE. The punishment should fit the crime -- vote yes on Prop 36.
Prop 37: YES
This proposition would require companies label their food if it has GMO's (genetically modified organisms).
Look, I don't know how I feel about GMO's, but dammit, I like informed consumers. People have the right to know what they're putting in their bodies -- this won't make a stigma about GMO's, it's just a fact. You have to say how many calories are in the food you're selling, that hasn't deterred people from buying high-calorie foods! INFORMATION IS GOOD.
And just think about the future -- maybe 20 years from now we find out that GMO's actually, generally, make people live longer. Great!! Good thing I knew I was eating GMO's. Maybe we find out GMO's are somehow harmful -- well, good thing the companies labeled that their products had GMO's so I don't sue them.
Informed consumers = good. Vote YES on Prop 37.
Prop 38: Abstain
This is just funded by ONE individual, and I would prefer money be shared with UCs, CSUs, CCs, and K-12, not just K-12 schools. One tax increase is enough -- and we need to vote YES on Prop 30.
Prop 39: YES
Closing tax loopholes to make more green jobs? Yes please.
Prop 40: YES
Republicans are fucking stupid. They whined about how the redistricting wasn't fair, boohoo -- then they put this on the ballot and now they won't even campaign for it because they realized it was a waste of time. If this doesn't pass, WE WILL HAVE TO BE REDISTRICTED AGAIN. UGH. THESE NEW DISTRICTS ARE GREAT. VOTE YES ON PROP 40.
