tjg_marantz wrote:Okay I have a question. I our election, we had 1 question, who the fuck was gonna win. We had 4 or 5 options and that was it.
All these propositions you guys are voting on... euh, how can I put this? Shouldn't the guys that were elected be making these decisions??? I mean, essentially, you elect people to make these decisions no? *headscratch*
Also, is that PDF ballot representative of all ballots? Fill the arrow type? And these are the ballots people have trouble filling out? If so, in what sense? Can't draw a straight line or...?
Help a frenchie out.
I don't know if the proposition concept started in California, but I think it did. It was little used until Californians passed what was known as Prop 13, which limited property taxes and began a nationwide move to limit property taxes. The proposition concept was written into the California constitution in the 1930's, I think, but was little used until then.
Now, it is the way special interest groups attack each other. It has become the tool for environmental groups to raise money for projects thru state bonds, it is how moral items (gay marriage, right to parental notification etc) are argued.
In my opinion it has become a way for the state government to avoid things. Let people pass a proposition if they want it. This years Rail bond is an example of that. And people are really stupid. California has passed so many bond issues that we really should have the cleanest water in the world by now.
But what about the cost. I believe I heard that maybe as much as 8-10% of the state budget now covers indebtness caused thru bond issues voted on in propositions. Things are changing slowly, many were voted down this year. Many people (like me) vote no on anything that involves money.
The system has gone from a tool to a monster.