Your Placer County Ballot - My Humble Recommendations
Posted by: Jeff Flint | 01/28/2008 1:00 PM
The Placer County ballot for next week's February 5, 2008 Presidential Primary election is pretty short. It's even shorter if you don't live in Rocklin or one of the other communities with a local ballot measure.
Nonetheless, with just over a week until election day, it is time to offer our ever so humble endorsements and recommendations for the ballot. Please feel free to disregard!
President - Rudy Giuliani.
I realize that Rudy is not the most conservative candidate the race, at least when it comes to issues like abortion, gay marriage and other "social/moral/family values" issues, as well as the Second Amendment. I wish he were conservative on them too.
I also have to admit that at least part of my support for Rudy is the fact that I know him personally the best. I worked with him closely when he provided a lot of help to both Curt Pringle and Bill Simon.
However, for fiscal and quality of life issues, Rudy is a true conservative. Cutting taxes, fighting unions (at least on the bad part of their agenda), cutting spending and bureaucracy, reforming welfare, fighting crime and keeping government out of the way of economic expansion are not theories to Rudy Giuliani. He has done it. I also do not at all discount that fact that the only real proving ground for a President are executive experience and crisis experience. Rudy Giuliani has the most experience in both.
But the #1 reason I am supporting Rudy is because he speaks the most clearly to the most important issue, which is staying on the offensive in the war against Islamic fundamentalism. If we do not have a President who understands and speaks clearly on this issue, and will not back down when times are tough and media are calling for surrender, then we will lose. And if we lose that fight, then sometime a generation or two from now, all the other issues will not matter, because we will have lost all our freedoms to Islamofascists.
I am not thrilled by the campaign strategy the Giuliani campaign chose, and after tomorrow's vote in Florida, it may all be moot, but my ballot was already cast and mailed, for Rudy!
Proposition 91 - Yes
This measure protects money intended for building roads, freeways and other transportation projects from being raided when the budget gets in bad shape, such as now. Proponents of this measure have abandoned it because they reached a compromise to partially protect the funds, but I say they should receive full protection. It may not pass, but I am voting yes.
Proposition 92 - No
Ballot box budgeting is bad.
Proposition 93 - No
I am not a big fan of term limits. I think 6 years in the Assembly is too short, in particular. The proposed reform in Prop 93, a 12 year limit in which the officeholder can serve it all in one house, is a good idea. But any reform of term limits should come from the people, not politicians. And it should apply to officeholders elected after the new rules take effect. Prop 93 is deceptive and cynical. Vote No.
Proposition 94-97 - Yes
These ratify the Indian gaming agreements for Agua Caliente, Sycuan, Morongo and Pechanga. The opposition largely comes from other gaming interests, and unions who want to organize casino workers at Indian Casinos. I think the compacts allow for reasonable expansion of casinos and provide a fair share or revenue to the state. They were negotiated in good faith and the political interests of the union and competing gaming interests should be rejected. Vote Yes.
Measure E - (Dry Creek School Bond) - No
This is a $67 million school bond. This appears to be the worst of the school bonds, since mush of the money looks like it will go to short-term needs rather than long term capital projects. Bonds can be an appropriate means to finance long-term capital projects, but from what I can see, even proponents acknowledge that much of these proceeds would go to short term needs.
Measure F - (South Placer Fire Tax) - No opinion
I don't have enough information on this one. It looks like an extension of an existing tax, so it is not a tax increase per se. And no one bothered to file an opposition argument in the ballot pamphlet. So Granite Bay readers, you are on your own!
Measure G - (Loomis School Bond) - No
$17.7 million school bond. This is a retread, with voters in Loomis having rejected a previous school bond effort. As opponents have pointed out, there is no new information here to justify a change from the prior "No" vote. They have failed to demonstrate the need. The burden is on proponents to do so.
Measure H - (Clover Valley Referendum) - Yes
Much has already been written about this. It is a basic, core principal for me. Property rights. And more houses have never bothered me. I find the NIMBY mind to be one of the worst types of thinking out there. And the saddest thing is that they cannot see the utterly inconsistent, irrational thinking that goes into NIMBYism. I have yet to find a NIMBY who thinks that their house, their car, and their existence is the one that "ruins their community." It is always the house built or family that moves in right after theirs. Amazing. Please vote Yes on Measure H.
Measure J - (Rocklin Park Tax) - No
This measure extends and increases the per-dwelling unit tax in Rocklin to pay for parks and park services. It requires a two-thirds vote. If parks are such an important feature for the City Council, they should find funds in the budget. At the very least, they should justify why the per-unit assessment needs to go up.
So there you have it. Please vote next Tuesday, or, if you are like me, cast and vote your vote-by-mail ballot
Nonetheless, with just over a week until election day, it is time to offer our ever so humble endorsements and recommendations for the ballot. Please feel free to disregard!
President - Rudy Giuliani.
I realize that Rudy is not the most conservative candidate the race, at least when it comes to issues like abortion, gay marriage and other "social/moral/family values" issues, as well as the Second Amendment. I wish he were conservative on them too.
I also have to admit that at least part of my support for Rudy is the fact that I know him personally the best. I worked with him closely when he provided a lot of help to both Curt Pringle and Bill Simon.
However, for fiscal and quality of life issues, Rudy is a true conservative. Cutting taxes, fighting unions (at least on the bad part of their agenda), cutting spending and bureaucracy, reforming welfare, fighting crime and keeping government out of the way of economic expansion are not theories to Rudy Giuliani. He has done it. I also do not at all discount that fact that the only real proving ground for a President are executive experience and crisis experience. Rudy Giuliani has the most experience in both.
But the #1 reason I am supporting Rudy is because he speaks the most clearly to the most important issue, which is staying on the offensive in the war against Islamic fundamentalism. If we do not have a President who understands and speaks clearly on this issue, and will not back down when times are tough and media are calling for surrender, then we will lose. And if we lose that fight, then sometime a generation or two from now, all the other issues will not matter, because we will have lost all our freedoms to Islamofascists.
I am not thrilled by the campaign strategy the Giuliani campaign chose, and after tomorrow's vote in Florida, it may all be moot, but my ballot was already cast and mailed, for Rudy!
Proposition 91 - Yes
This measure protects money intended for building roads, freeways and other transportation projects from being raided when the budget gets in bad shape, such as now. Proponents of this measure have abandoned it because they reached a compromise to partially protect the funds, but I say they should receive full protection. It may not pass, but I am voting yes.
Proposition 92 - No
Ballot box budgeting is bad.
Proposition 93 - No
I am not a big fan of term limits. I think 6 years in the Assembly is too short, in particular. The proposed reform in Prop 93, a 12 year limit in which the officeholder can serve it all in one house, is a good idea. But any reform of term limits should come from the people, not politicians. And it should apply to officeholders elected after the new rules take effect. Prop 93 is deceptive and cynical. Vote No.
Proposition 94-97 - Yes
These ratify the Indian gaming agreements for Agua Caliente, Sycuan, Morongo and Pechanga. The opposition largely comes from other gaming interests, and unions who want to organize casino workers at Indian Casinos. I think the compacts allow for reasonable expansion of casinos and provide a fair share or revenue to the state. They were negotiated in good faith and the political interests of the union and competing gaming interests should be rejected. Vote Yes.
Measure E - (Dry Creek School Bond) - No
This is a $67 million school bond. This appears to be the worst of the school bonds, since mush of the money looks like it will go to short-term needs rather than long term capital projects. Bonds can be an appropriate means to finance long-term capital projects, but from what I can see, even proponents acknowledge that much of these proceeds would go to short term needs.
Measure F - (South Placer Fire Tax) - No opinion
I don't have enough information on this one. It looks like an extension of an existing tax, so it is not a tax increase per se. And no one bothered to file an opposition argument in the ballot pamphlet. So Granite Bay readers, you are on your own!
Measure G - (Loomis School Bond) - No
$17.7 million school bond. This is a retread, with voters in Loomis having rejected a previous school bond effort. As opponents have pointed out, there is no new information here to justify a change from the prior "No" vote. They have failed to demonstrate the need. The burden is on proponents to do so.
Measure H - (Clover Valley Referendum) - Yes
Much has already been written about this. It is a basic, core principal for me. Property rights. And more houses have never bothered me. I find the NIMBY mind to be one of the worst types of thinking out there. And the saddest thing is that they cannot see the utterly inconsistent, irrational thinking that goes into NIMBYism. I have yet to find a NIMBY who thinks that their house, their car, and their existence is the one that "ruins their community." It is always the house built or family that moves in right after theirs. Amazing. Please vote Yes on Measure H.
Measure J - (Rocklin Park Tax) - No
This measure extends and increases the per-dwelling unit tax in Rocklin to pay for parks and park services. It requires a two-thirds vote. If parks are such an important feature for the City Council, they should find funds in the budget. At the very least, they should justify why the per-unit assessment needs to go up.
So there you have it. Please vote next Tuesday, or, if you are like me, cast and vote your vote-by-mail ballot
Jeff,
Good reasons for your Rudy support.
For those who are interested, more information on Measure J in Rocklin can be found at www.rocklin-parks.com.
The measure enjoys widespread support from community leaders and others who live in Rocklin. While no one likes an increase, it is noteworthy that the tax hasn't increased from its current $30 a year in 20 years. Seniors will still be able to pay only $10 per year. The statement in favor in the voter guides details the reasons for this proposal.
"Rocklin Republican":
Please don't take this the wrong way, but since you oppose charter schools, oppose property rights, and support tax increases, exactly what issues do you agree with the Republican Party on that you call yourself "Rocklin Republican?"
Jeff
Thanks for the great recommendations. I will pass them on to my family in the area. I have to say that I am surprised you recommended Rudy. I think California will fare better under the leadership of John McCain.
I have other reasons for supporting the Senator, but looking at the social issues you cited - McCain should be more appealing to Placer County voters than Giuliani:
On Abortion
McCain has stated that Roe v. Wade is (1) a flawed decision that must be overturned, and (2) he would nominate judges who agree that the abortion question to the states.
On Gay Marriage
McCain believes that where state and local government actions to preserve the traditional family should be preserved and free from judicial interference.
On "social/moral/family values"
Hi website is pretty detailed on a variety of subjects concerning this issue.
I realize that the Senator does not have a sterling record with the Conservative base, but his public record and statements are far better for us that Rudy. I am sorry your vote has been cast, I would have tried to persuade you further.
Patrick B