What's in your ballot?

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

This is the only political campaign I have ever donated actual money to, because it will likely set a precedent for the rest of the nation. I am glad to know you will be voting yes.

I'll put your dollars to good use. Thank you.

...

on a different note, here are a couple endorsements from a local paper. I got a chuckle...

Initiative 517

No

This initiative is another steaming turd from right-wing profiteer Tim Eyman, who makes a nice living for himself running initiatives that pander to voters by promising to reduce taxes (then pissing off voters because those initiatives wind up gutting stuff people love, like money for schools). And I-517 is Eyman's most self-serving initiative yet: It makes it cheaper and easier for him to run even more initiatives! I-517 would double the length of time allowed to gather signatures from six months to 12. It would also force sensible people who want to ask gullible people not to sign one of Tim's stupid initiatives to stay 25 feet away from his signature gatherers. Even business owners could be thrown in the slammer for attempting to bar aggressive signature gatherers from private property! It's stupid, it's unnecessary, and it will just lead to more stupid, unnecessary Eyman initiatives making it onto your ballot. Vote no on I-517.

and

Advisory Votes No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, No. 6, and No. 7

Maintained

What a stupid fucking waste of time. These measures are the zombified corpses of another Eyman initiative, which required a two-thirds majority of the legislature for any tax increases. That initiative was struck down in court as unconstitutional, but the part of the law requiring a nonbinding "advisory vote" every time the legislature passes a tax increase, or even closes a tax loophole, stumbles on. That's what these are: nonbinding advisory votes. They're totally meaningless. But they're compelling reading! Take, for example, No. 5: "The legislature extended, without a vote of the people, the insurance premium tax to some insurance for pediatric oral services, costing an amount that cannot currently be estimated, for government spending." Then you're asked if this law should be repealed or maintained. But even if "repealed" takes 100 percent of the vote... the law will be maintained. Don't give Eyman the satisfaction of sending an antitax message. On all of them, vote "Maintained." And fuck Tim Eyman.

SonofV and I have voted, now I'm headed over to Mom's place to help her vote, and I've contacted BelovedDaughter to remind her that her ballot's due today.

That's four votes for 522 (I hope/expect) and four against 517. Plus mayor, etc...

[Lamplighter]

V, FYI, for the past couple of weeks the advocates for HR 522,
the "genetically engineered food labeling measure, has been running
just one specific tv ad in the Vancouver/PDX area.
I believe it will be extremely effective.

It is a spokesman for Consumer Union (Consumer Reports)
putting CU's own reputation on the line by contradicting
each of the mega industries' bullet points.

* Consumer Union has long advocated this kind of labeling
* milk, meat and human food will be labeled, dog food will not
* the labeling will be accurate and informative
* the labeling should not increase food prices
* Washington will lead the nation in this effort
*** Vote YES on 522 ***

The industry opposition (fear - fear - fear) ads came out early and frequently.
This CU ad is running only in the last couple of weeks until voting today.

I think it will be very interesting to see the outcome - I'm guessing it will pass.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

V, FYI, for the past couple of weeks the advocates for HR 522,
the "genetically engineered food labeling measure, has been running
just one specific tv ad in the Vancouver/PDX area.
I believe it will be extremely effective.

It is a spokesman for Consumer Union (Consumer Reports)
putting CU's own reputation on the line by contradicting
each of the mega industries' bullet points.

* Consumer Union has long advocated this kind of labeling
* milk, meat and human food will be labeled, dog food will not
* the labeling will be accurate and informative
* the labeling should not increase food prices
* Washington will lead the nation in this effort
*** Vote YES on 522 ***

The industry opposition (fear - fear - fear) ads came out early and frequently.
This CU ad is running only in the last couple of weeks until voting today.

I think it will be very interesting to see the outcome - I'm guessing it will pass.

That ad from the CR guy played here too. Looks like 522 is headed to defeat. There are maybe 250k votes outstanding and a deficit of about 100k votes. We'll see.

[Lamplighter]

[glatt]

Glad we dodged a bullet in Virginia. It was much closer than it should have been.

I just saw that the race for Attorney General is real close. Only 55 votes difference. That will cause a recount.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by glatt

Glad we dodged a bullet in Virginia. It was much closer than it should have been.

I just saw that the race for Attorney General is real close. Only 55 votes difference. That will cause a recount.

NYT exit poll says 53% of white women voted for Cuccinelli.