Vote!

It's the right of almost every man and woman over the age of 18 to vote. A privelege. Do you understand how powerful it CAN be? I have a friend that told me once, my vote won't count, so I don't vote. I think that is an ignorant statement. And, even though I don't have very much faith in our current system of voting, that is not going to stop me from trying. After watching a short documentary film on HBO the other night called Hacking Democracy, I have serious doubts about the voting machines. But what else do we have?

I was reading over my sample ballet this morning. Since this will be my first time to vote in California, I wanted to familiarize myself with the "lay of the land" (Actually I have been reading the general election book a bit too... GEEK!) As I was looking at this, I thought, since I don't know anything about some of these candidates, would I vote for them by name or career choices? I feel like I am at the Race Track, trying to pick a winner by description on a page only!

Anyway, Here are the Candidates for Govenor:
Phil Angelides ~ Treasurer of State of CA ~ Democrat
Arnold Schwartzenegger ~ Gov ~ Republican
Art Oliver ~ Engineer ~ Libertarian
Janice Jordan ~ Counselor ~ Peace & Freedom
Peter Miguel Camejo ~ Financial Advister ~ Green
Edward C. Noonan ~ Computer Shop Owner ~ American Independant

hm... I am inclined to vote for the Comp. Shop Owner here... But I do like the sound of Art Oliver... Nice name!

And even more interesting, the Lieutentant Governer Candidates:
Lynette Shaw ~ Caregiver/Musician ~ Libertarian
Jim King ~ Real Estate Broker ~ American Independant
Jon Garamendi ~ CA State Insurance Commissioner
Tom McClintock ~ CA State Senator ~ Republican
Donna J. Warren ~ Financial Manager/Author ~ Green
Stewart A. Aleander ~ Automobile Sales Consultant ~ Peace & Freedom

and on this list? I would be inclined to vote Libertarian or Green party. (I wish more people would steer away from the two main political groups, but have a feeling that is a long time coming. Maybe my son's generation.)

Oh, get this. In California, there is a proposition up for Vote, Prop. 86, to raise the taxes on cigarettes by $2.40 a pack! $2.40 YIKES! Do they not understand that the rich aren't big smokers? And that by raising the taxes on cigarettes all they are doing is promoting crime!? That tax money isn't going to help the non-sm0kers anymore than it might help control smoking in young people. Yea, you should read the propoganda on that one.

Sighs. In a perfect world, there would be no need for governing of the people. In MY perfect world, we would all respect each other as being different, and yet the same. And treat each other with kindness and dignity. Give when we can, take when it is offered. We are all cut from the same stuff, no matter what our life experience. We all need healthy food, clean water for drinking, and clean air in our lungs. Having those things shouldn't be better for some and worse for others. But that is MY idealistic dream.

Get out there and vote people. I could use so much propaganda here ie: "Many a good men died so you could have that privelage." Or, "If you don't vote, you have no one but yourself to blame when things are not as you like them." But that's below my fine readers! Sharpen your pencils/computer skills, and Just Vote! You know you want to... ;-)

edit: added note: back from voting, and this was on my ballot as a city issue.
Shall the city of SB adopt an ordinance mandating that the SB Police give State and Federal marijuana laws the lowest law enforcement priority possible?

like i had to think about that one more than one second... giggles.