Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Rise to Vote, Sir

The "Don't Tread On Me" flag flies for election day.

Even though we just moved, I figured out where and how to vote in my correct precinct. Who is this responsible citizen I have become?

I don't know your views, but I have had enough of the rightwing crazy train and I'm looking to unseat those pachyderms. I also liked a pamphlet we received in the mail regarding our local propositions.

Proposition 1 for Recreational Projects is cool because they include a map with every facility they plan to build or improve along with trails and other projects in the valley. Their is an itemized list of the exact work to be done and the allocated cost. The decision is to either finance the projects (locking in prices at current rates) or pay-as-we-go (in which case we are subject to higher market prices as time goes on). The proposition is well put together.

Proposition 2 is to decide if we would like the county to spend $48 million on buying "open space," basically to prevent the land from becoming completely covered in churches, Starbucks and Walmarts. For $6.50 per year, they have my vote. My kids need somewhere to play besides parking lots.

Proposition 3 is the big one they advertise on television. It is basically a request to stockpile money for future road and rail projects. No project has actually been proposed, and once there is a proposal it has to be approved through several channels. Roads and trains are convenient, but I'm afraid I cannot support this plan to stockpile money without any idea of what it will specifically be spent on. Proposition 3 should be more like Proposition 1. Then I would support it. But if you ask me, the last thing you want to do is hand a giant pile of unspoken-for money to politicians and developers. It raises the state sales tax .25% and is estimated to cost the average household over $100 per year.

Without voting, we don't have any say at all. It's worth a try.

3 comments:

Native Minnow said...

You'll be happy to know that I was the first person to vote in my precinct this morning. I like to think that I set the tone for the election.

Our propositions seemed much more interesting than yours. Here are the big ones:

4. Should we ban smoking in all areas where minors are allowed (restaurants, schools, etc.), but not where they are not allowed (casinos, bars, brothels, etc.)?

5. Should we ban smoking everywhere except gaming areas in casinos (including bars, brothels, strip clubs, etc.)?

7. Should we legalize the Mary Jane?

Native Minnow said...

You'll be happy to know that it will no longer be legal to smoke indoors in Nevada. It will also remain illegal to smoke weed.

ShootingStar said...

Tues. when I voted, an old man, who had a wrinkly short neck like a turtle ducking into its shell, asked me did you vote the right way?

"I sure did," I said, "did you?"

"Of course I did," he said.

I had a suspicion that his RIGHT way might have been different than mine.