For all two of you who check up on this...
I am shifting operations to word press!
Not only are they also free - I can make a few cents here and there, and get a little random exposure. Don't worry - the address is still as simple as ever:
http://skepticconservative.wordpress.com
please read, comment, and share your opinion. Thanks!
-Doug
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Proposition Results
Since they have been so hard to find, I will put these up for easy viewing.
California 2008 General Election Propositions
Prop 1A (High speed rail): YES
Meh. Fine, it passed. At least it's mostly funded by private industry, but keep an eye on it. We don't want it to become another Big Dig (boston).
Prop 2 (Humane Treatement of Farm Animals): YES
Nice to see this one pass. And you got 7 years to get ready farms. Not that bad.
Prop 3 (Children's Hospital Bonds): YES
Disappointed. The Children's hospitals have always spent their money recklessly and asked tax payers to bail them out. They need to be held accountable at some point.
Prop 4 (Parental Notification of Minor's Abortion): NO
Another disappointment. If she is a minor this decision is too important to be left solely in her hands. Her family deserves to know - the majority of cases are not abusive families, and this prop had protections.
Prop 5 (Non-violent Drug offender early release & Parole): NO
Glad to see this fall. It needs refinement, as worded it was too open to exploitation.
Prop 6 (Police funding): NO
Another plus. This sort of budgeting should not be in the hands of voters.
Prop 7(Money for Renewable Power): NO
It was a scam, and voters didn't fall for it. Very positive.
Prop 8(Gay Marriage Ban): YES
This represents a return to 2000. From here, we need to make a solid compromise: Keep marriage as it's own, and make a standard for gay unions, with it's own title, and the same benefits. This way everybody's happy.
Prop 9(Crime Victim's rights): YES
Bad. This one was redundant and has now added a lot of lawyer speak to the constitution. Very exploitable.
Prop 10(Other Energy Bill): NO
Soundly defeated. Another energy scam that didn't deserve passage - there's better ways.
Prop 11(State Legislature Independent Redistricting): YES
Very good. While far from a perfect solution, it was imperative that we get the state legislature district drawing out of their hands. When they failed as badly as they did last budget round, they should NOT be allowed to draw their own election districts which would stand for 10 more years.
Prop 12(Home loans for Veterans): YES
Neutral. While I have concerns for the veterans who may be vulnerable with these loans, and I think that this could've been done better, it's a positive for them. They need all the help they can get and I'm willing to cede that.
California 2008 General Election Propositions
Prop 1A (High speed rail): YES
Meh. Fine, it passed. At least it's mostly funded by private industry, but keep an eye on it. We don't want it to become another Big Dig (boston).
Prop 2 (Humane Treatement of Farm Animals): YES
Nice to see this one pass. And you got 7 years to get ready farms. Not that bad.
Prop 3 (Children's Hospital Bonds): YES
Disappointed. The Children's hospitals have always spent their money recklessly and asked tax payers to bail them out. They need to be held accountable at some point.
Prop 4 (Parental Notification of Minor's Abortion): NO
Another disappointment. If she is a minor this decision is too important to be left solely in her hands. Her family deserves to know - the majority of cases are not abusive families, and this prop had protections.
Prop 5 (Non-violent Drug offender early release & Parole): NO
Glad to see this fall. It needs refinement, as worded it was too open to exploitation.
Prop 6 (Police funding): NO
Another plus. This sort of budgeting should not be in the hands of voters.
Prop 7(Money for Renewable Power): NO
It was a scam, and voters didn't fall for it. Very positive.
Prop 8(Gay Marriage Ban): YES
This represents a return to 2000. From here, we need to make a solid compromise: Keep marriage as it's own, and make a standard for gay unions, with it's own title, and the same benefits. This way everybody's happy.
Prop 9(Crime Victim's rights): YES
Bad. This one was redundant and has now added a lot of lawyer speak to the constitution. Very exploitable.
Prop 10(Other Energy Bill): NO
Soundly defeated. Another energy scam that didn't deserve passage - there's better ways.
Prop 11(State Legislature Independent Redistricting): YES
Very good. While far from a perfect solution, it was imperative that we get the state legislature district drawing out of their hands. When they failed as badly as they did last budget round, they should NOT be allowed to draw their own election districts which would stand for 10 more years.
Prop 12(Home loans for Veterans): YES
Neutral. While I have concerns for the veterans who may be vulnerable with these loans, and I think that this could've been done better, it's a positive for them. They need all the help they can get and I'm willing to cede that.
Obama wins
Obama won.
And it was a hard fought battle, but first thing's first. This represents a moment of great maturity in our nation. Step back, both liberals and conservatives, and consider what has happened: America, a country that has had considerable racial strife in it's past, has just elected it's first African-American president.
Most of you who know me know that I had a lot of concerns about this man. He still has so many unknowns, so many odd views, things that worry me. But, I also consider myself an American before I label myself as a conservative, and above all else I respect our constitution and system. The people have spoken, and they chose Obama. I commend him for his victory.
A lot of people are worried now. We face the prospect of higher taxes, increased government, and legislative agendas that will try to mold our lifestyles. Congress has swung into the hands of democrats - but take heart. This election does not represent a swing to the left in the opinions of America, but rather - a rejection of the republican party. The shunning of a party that no longer cares about it's founding ideals and it's base. This is something I am almost positive Obama has realized.
If you haven't already, I encourage all of you to listen to Obama's acceptance speech. Not once did he mention ambitious social agendas, partisanship, or how evil the other side was. It was a speech asking for our support, and understanding. What I took away from his speech was that he knows that America is a country of moderates, and that there are many conservatives still out there. He will remember us, and respect our views - if you take him at his word.
Obama's major challenge will be keeping congress under control - just take a look at the current congressional leadership. They represent the factors in the democratic party that have nearly hijacked it, and forced them to the hard left. Bernake, Schumer, Barney Frank, Pelosi - they are nearly foaming at the mouth, eager to nationalize health care, try the bush administration for war crimes, force through union agendas, raise taxes, cut military spending - you name it. They will be pushing Obama to accept their views - and we will truly know where Obama stands with his response.
If Obama pushes hard left, he will alienate all the people who took a chance by voting for him, and he knows this. Keep this in mind, as we go through the following months. Hard times are ahead, but there is reason for hope. But all that aside - even though I am giving Obama a chance, I will be scrutinizing his actions. If he fails to follow through, and takes us to the radical left, I, and many others, will hold him accountable.
It's not over. Far from it. But pay attention, and keep informed, and give Obama time to prove himself.
For all of you who voted, congratulations. Even if you lost, your voice was heard, and it made a difference.
And it was a hard fought battle, but first thing's first. This represents a moment of great maturity in our nation. Step back, both liberals and conservatives, and consider what has happened: America, a country that has had considerable racial strife in it's past, has just elected it's first African-American president.
Most of you who know me know that I had a lot of concerns about this man. He still has so many unknowns, so many odd views, things that worry me. But, I also consider myself an American before I label myself as a conservative, and above all else I respect our constitution and system. The people have spoken, and they chose Obama. I commend him for his victory.
A lot of people are worried now. We face the prospect of higher taxes, increased government, and legislative agendas that will try to mold our lifestyles. Congress has swung into the hands of democrats - but take heart. This election does not represent a swing to the left in the opinions of America, but rather - a rejection of the republican party. The shunning of a party that no longer cares about it's founding ideals and it's base. This is something I am almost positive Obama has realized.
If you haven't already, I encourage all of you to listen to Obama's acceptance speech. Not once did he mention ambitious social agendas, partisanship, or how evil the other side was. It was a speech asking for our support, and understanding. What I took away from his speech was that he knows that America is a country of moderates, and that there are many conservatives still out there. He will remember us, and respect our views - if you take him at his word.
Obama's major challenge will be keeping congress under control - just take a look at the current congressional leadership. They represent the factors in the democratic party that have nearly hijacked it, and forced them to the hard left. Bernake, Schumer, Barney Frank, Pelosi - they are nearly foaming at the mouth, eager to nationalize health care, try the bush administration for war crimes, force through union agendas, raise taxes, cut military spending - you name it. They will be pushing Obama to accept their views - and we will truly know where Obama stands with his response.
If Obama pushes hard left, he will alienate all the people who took a chance by voting for him, and he knows this. Keep this in mind, as we go through the following months. Hard times are ahead, but there is reason for hope. But all that aside - even though I am giving Obama a chance, I will be scrutinizing his actions. If he fails to follow through, and takes us to the radical left, I, and many others, will hold him accountable.
It's not over. Far from it. But pay attention, and keep informed, and give Obama time to prove himself.
For all of you who voted, congratulations. Even if you lost, your voice was heard, and it made a difference.
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