In this historic election year, we can do better. Economic meltdown, a chance to reform the administrative branch, Tampa Bay in the World Series—obviously this year is huge. It's time for us to demand that our government take us into account for once when crafting policy. We have to stand up to support those initiatives that will make California a better place. We also have to stand up to oppose initiatives that won't, such as Proposition 10.
Proposition 9, the "Victims' Bill of Rights Act 2008: Marsy's Law," is an unnecessary, costly and ill-conceived proposition that erodes criminal justice with little addition to existing victims' rights.
For years, social conservatives feared that homosexual marriages would crumble the long-standing institution of heterosexual unions, hence the creation of laws such as the Defense of Marriage Act. However, in reality there has been no discernible impact on traditional marriage. With gay marriage legalized, society and the institution of marriage have not disintegrated.
As global warming continues to threaten the earth and we face high gas prices, it has become the general consensus that it's time to push for more renewable energy. With Proposition 7, California will produce 50 percent of its energy through renewable resources by 2025. This is the push we need.
"Costly. Ineffective. Unproven. Wasteful. Dangerous." These are the words that the No on 6 Campaign has been trying to get across to voters. The reasoning behind Proposition 6, like many other ballots before it, strikes a chord with voters on a first reading. Tougher sentences and more funding for law enforcement will keep hardened criminals off our streets and kids safe, right? But what if it's not just "hardened criminals" that are affected? In fact, people could be put behind bars for something like failing to update a current home address.
Proposition 6, also known as the Safe Neighborhoods Act, will combat the rising crime rate and fix the flaws in California's prison and law enforcement systems.
Drug use has always been a controversial issue in California. Over the years, questions have been raised about legalizing marijuana and what kinds of treatment or punishment the state should offer to certain types of drug offenses. Proposition 5 is an initiative that should seem familiar to us. In the 2000 election, Proposition 36 was passed, which sought to institute a drug diversion program that rehabilitated people convicted of non-violent drug possession crimes. According to a study by the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Program, taxpayers received $2.50 for every dollar they invested in running the programs set forth by Proposition 36, proving its effectiveness. Thus, it saved the state money that would have been spent on incarcerating non-violent inmates.
In the real world, parental notification laws do not work because they cannot solve family problems or build better communication within families. If Proposition 4 passes, instead of communicating with their families, many pregnant, scared teenage girls will seek unsafe, illegal abortions or do something even more drastic.
One of the most important propositions on the ballot this year is Proposition 4. If passed, it would require parental notification and a waiting period when a minor wishes to get an abortion. The law would also have exceptions that allow another adult relative to be notified in lieu of a parent when there may be abuse in the home. Under the current law, a girl of any age can get an abortion without parental notification or consent.
Imagine this: You have just been arrested for drug possession by a police officer. You are surprised, scared out of your mind, afraid of receiving a long sentence and are running out of options. Proposition 5 wants to give you two solutions: rehab in exchange for prison or a shortened sentence based on a new set of criteria for punishment. Sounds nice, right? Wrong. In accordance with Proposition 36, Proposition 5 will continue to allocate spending on rehab programs for convicted drug users. According to a UCLA study done on Proposition 36, many of the drug users on parole either have never showed up for treatment or failed to finish their programs. Almost $460 million a year would be set aside for these already faulty programs with Proposition 5, and with California's increasing deficit and the nation's unstable economic standing, this is not the best investment.
Proposition 3, the Children's Hospital Bond Act, is one of those important initiatives. Children's hospitals treat the most serious and deadly diseases and conditions, including cancer, heart defects, diabetes, sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. The number of children who need care in California is growing, but the space and equipment to treat them are not.
Proposition 2 is a veiled attack on corporations and the farming business. Ostensibly to protect "animal rights," the proposition's central "reform" is an increase in the size of animal pens by 2015. The reality is that such a requirement is too costly and defeats the causes it purports to defend.
I love meat. My affection for barbecue lies on the border that separates obsession from creepy. The sizzling noise of a cooking cow is on my iPod. I tell you this so that when I explain that I support Proposition 2, also known as the Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act, it is not because I think those delicious meals on four legs need our protection. Proposition 2 needs to be passed purely as a matter of public health and safety.
Despite all the frills there are to living in Southern California, one issue that cannot be denied is the state government's apathy toward pedestrians who are outside of its most metropolitan areas.
