Vote or Else: Stand Up and Be Counted in California
October 28, 2005
The special election in California on Nov. 8 is a test to see if you really care about democracy.
You better care.
If you do, you’ll vote, no matter what the issues. You might care so much, you decide to vote absentee, just to make sure your vote gets counted.
If you don’t care, you’ll ignore the date, toss out the ballot instructions that came in the mail, and go about your business that day.
Bad move. Don’t give in to the urge to ignore it all.
What you’re really doing is relinquishing your voice to that tiny minority of people who will vote and determine all sorts of issues from abortion to prescription drugs.
It isn’t really the way to run a democracy. But that’s what Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s way has been.
The true way in our democracy is representative government. That’s where you can vote, or not vote, for a politician.
They represent all the people (statewide, or just those in their respective districts). But they are beholden to you. That’s the way ballot-box democracy is supposed to work. We entrust our interests to the politicians.
The constitution is not about “we the voter.” It’s “we the people.”
You don’t have to be a voter when things work well in a representative government.
But when things don’t work well, you have to be a voter — or else.
Or else? Or else, you are out of the loop.
Special elections occur because the representatives have failed us, especially on serious and contentious issues. When majorities cannot be established, and compromise cannot be had, then the cynical types kick into gear.
Under the guise of “putting the issue before the people,” advocates pay huge sums to get ballot initiatives signed and placed before voters in these “special elections.”
It’s a way to impose unpopular issues on the whole, without fair discussion, or oversight. Oh, there are campaigns where rhetoric is bandied about. But there’s no process to undo ballot measures that suddenly don’t do everything intended.
The property tax law, Proposition 13, is the best example. It served a handful of older homeowners who benefited — but screwed everybody else. Ever wonder why your older neighbor who has lived in one place more than 30 years pays zip on property taxes? Meanwhile, you, who scraped up your down payment, are paying $6,000 and up in property taxes.
Blame Prop. 13, which had repercussions on school funding as well. The low performance and ranking of California schools began when Prop. 13 kicked in.
Now we can’t undo it without a major fight no one is willing to make.
That’s what happened when representative government failed, and a loud minority took it to the voter. The minority won and we’ve been paying for it ever since.
So now we have a special election that people are just getting around to. The ads will come fast and furiously, some more deceitful and misleading than others. And many of us, just trying to keep up with the pace of life, family and kids, may be all too willing to throw up your hands and ignore it all.
Don’t.
It’s no longer representative government. It’s majority rule — but for those who vote.
And if you don’t vote, you may as well be invisible.
Want to count? Get out there and mark your ballot.
I don’t care what you vote for.
But if you want to know how I’ll vote, here are some suggestions:
Prop. 73 — Parental notification on a minor’s abortion — NO: This is complicated. I’m against abortion, but I will fight for a woman to make her own choice. That is, if she’s an adult. If she’s a minor, parents should be informed. Still, this is not worthy of a constitutional amendment. There are better solutions, like counseling teenagers before a pregnancy or at the time they make a decision.
Prop. 74 — How not to get rid of bad teachers — NO: Measure allows for the unfair removal of teachers from schools. Advocates will say more than doubling the probation time for new teachers, and having the ability to remove bad teachers from lifetime jobs are good things. But all Prop. 74 does is empower the bad school managers, takes away fairness and allows for people to be fired unfairly. There are better solutions.
Prop. 75 — Limit on political contributions of unions — NO: An attempt to cut the power of unions. Bogus issue. Corporations don’t consult employees who they will contribute to. Why should public employees’ unions be forced to act differently?
Prop. 76 — Balances state budget by cutting schools — NO: This will cut school funding by $4 billion. Once again, there is a better solution.
Prop. 77 — Redistricting — NO: Really bad. It’s hypocritical that this is put before voters in a special election. If this plan to redistrict is accepted, voters will have no right to approve any new election districts decided by non-elected retired judges.
Prop. 78 — Limited drug prescription plan — NO: A counter-measure by drug companies to confuse voters. Vote Yes on 79 instead.
Prop. 79 — Drug prescription plan for all — YES: A more responsible solution to low-cost prescriptions for a greater number of Californians.
Prop. 80 — Lower electric rates — YES: Do you want the blackouts of the past to continue? Consumer groups back this. You should, too.
What’s so special about a special election? It’s on the verge of being undemocratic, unless you make it a point to vote. Nov. 8.
Reach Emil at emil@amok.com.
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