Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg's opinion on ballot measures

[realFedUp]

Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg's analysis of the Nov 8 special election

(got this through a list)

Hi everyone-There are only four weeks to go until the so-called "special" election. And the big worry is
that only reactionary people will vote! I can tell you for a fact, that this may be one of the more important California elections in recent years.
You see, the corporate take-over of California is what is being proposed. Several of the Governor's measures, all sponsored and paid for by members of the corporate elite of California and the United States have several goals. First and foremost they do NOT want to be bothered having to work with the pesky legislature. So, they propose something they call "Live within your means." This measure makes the Governor a King where matters of money are concerned. It also trashes the Prop. 98 guarantee for Public Education. What that means is that the Governor can unilaterally determine how to cut the budget if the legislature cannot get a 2/3 vote to do so. And that means that the Republicans will NEVER vote for a budget if there is a Republican Governor who will be able to cut anything he wants, however he wants, without the approval of the legislature. It means that the legislature is irrelevant to the budget process.

Regardless of what you feel about the current Governor, it is not hard to believe that at some time, some Governor will slash health care, human services, and public education because he/she needs no one to approve. Checks and balances were set into the California constitution to prevent one-man rule. This election could overturn this.

Then, of course there is the redrawing of district election lines. No state uses retired judges. In fact almost all of them do it the way we in California currently do it. That is the legislature, with the signature of the Governor, writes a plan every ten years. Both sides have to agree. When they cannot agree, a lawsuit puts it into court, and then an active judge will make the changes necessary to make it fair. Think about retired judges. Currently almost all of them are going to be Anglo males, largely drawn from the men appointed by Governors Wilson and Deukmejian. This does not sound "non-partisan" to me.

All in all, it is just a power grab. Even the so-called Prop. 78 "drug savings" measure is paid for by the biggest pharmaceutical companies and would be entirely voluntary on their part. The real savings toconsumers would come from Prop. 79 and the drug companies are spending millions to stop this good measure.

This ballot has something to hate for everyone. One proposition tries to kill off the voice of public employee unions by making it harder to get an OK from members to use money collected to lobby or support candidates. Another tells a young person who wants to teach that they will have absolutely NO job protection for five years! No other job in the state is treated like that. Talented young people with about $100,000 in debt from five years training at a University will not likely choose teaching because of this uncertainty.
And of course, no assault on our rights would be complete with an attempt to limit a woman's right to choose. So here is how I am going to vote:

Prop. 73 NO Prop. 75 NO Prop. 77 NO
Prop. 74 NO Prop. 76 NO Prop. 78 NO

That is six big NO's on the November 8th ballot. There are actually two good measures and they are, of course, at the very end. They are Prop. 79 YES; and Prop. 80 YES.

I am voting YES on Prop. 79, because it would require the drug companies to negotiate a real deal with the
state of California that would cover Medi-Cal recipients, and the savings would also be passed on to all Californians in lowering the drug costs for them as well. And Prop. 80, I am voting YES because it would re-regulate electricity in California so we don't end up with blackouts and with the gaming of our system by Texas Oil and Gas, and Electric company traders like Enron, etc.

So, be sure to vote on Tuesday November 8th! Vote absentee, or go to the polls. But VOTE! If we fail to show up, those who want corporate rule will win by default. This is why they wanted a $50 million special election. They knew there was no urgency. They want this vote because they believe we won't go to the polls and a very small minority of reactionary voters will be able to carry the vote on these draconian measures.

If you want more detail on these measures, go to the website: www.speakoutca.org. There you will find background info, and a printable voting guide to send to your family and friends, and co-workers. Remember, friends don't let friends neglect their civic duty. Especially when so much is at stake.

If you would like to hear more in person, I am having a community meeting at Logan Elementary School on October 27th, Thursday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. And if you want to help defeat these measures, call SEIU Local 347, at [phone] to join me in walking precincts. Or you can phone voters by calling [phone] ext. 40 and ask for Norma Lopez. I'll see you there too.
Warmest regards, as always,

Jackie

P.S. Remember If you can not attend the community meeting www.speakoutca.org has information on all of the
initiatives and a downloadable voters guide in english and soon in spanish as well! The "Special" Election is on Tuesday November 8th!

[99Pancakes]

1. That's the American Way!

You tell 'em, Jackie:
Nix the first six; yes on the last two.

[realFedUp]

2. I have a friend who says no on 80 also....

I deleted her e-mail before I could copy
what her reasoning is.