One of the amazing things about writing here for all these years, is the web of connections that have been formed, and the friendships that have been nurtured by the words shared across miles. I have written and written here, and I flatter myself that I'm pretty good at putting thoughts into words. I am not, however the only one who is capable of writing eloquently and convincingly. Here is an awesome piece, put together by randygirl, arguing for the defeat of California's Proposition 8. She makes the case far better than I could -- and SHE lives there. We, on the other hand, live here -- in a nation that still does not allow for equality for all those adults who would create legal, loving families. Proposition 8 will be a tragedy for California and for our nation. Go read and then do what you can do to make sure that marriage equality becomes the way it is across California and our nation.
swan
ok i am a little confused here about your election......
ReplyDeletethe basics i get.. vote for a party and a president...
BUT what are all these "propositions".. you mentioned an 8 this morning and a #6 something?? (i can't find the exact reference now)
are you voting on referendums at the same time you are voting on members of government??
if so .. my god.. how do you keep it all straight??
morningstar (owned by Warren)
LOL! Yes, morningstar, my dear friend -- we are voting on candidates for political office at every conceivable level from president to city council to judge to (in some places) dog catcher. At the same time, across the country, citizens are considering a host of ballot initiatives, state-level constitutional amendments, and legislative referendums that address the broadest imaginable range of civic issues. Candidates may or may not be listed with a party affiliation. It is common for positions like judges and county level offices to be considered to be non-partisan. The result is that if one believes that a party affiliation gives some pertinent information about a candidate, it is often a serious research process to discover what that affiliation might be. Likewise, ballot initiatives can be generated in a variety of ways, and it is often difficult to determine exactly which individual or group is behind the ballot language that is printed on the final document. In every municipality and village and town, people will be handed ballots that run to five or six or ten pages in length. It is simply the way our system works. The business of trying to be an informed participant in the process is daunting, hence our reliance on prepared, and previously researched "cheat sheets" that we can rely on when we get into the voting booth.
ReplyDeleteSo... Proposition 8 is a California ballot initiative that would write into the state's constitution a definition of marriage that specifically includes those who are in same-gender relationships. It would cancel the California Supreme Court decision that declared that marriage is a civil right and cannot be denied on the basis of gender. Across the country, activists working for marriage equality are watching that vote very carefully because losing this battle in California will jeopardize progress being made all across the country. It is a huge, big deal.
Here in Ohio, Issue #6 is about the establishment of a Gambling Casino. It is about job creation and revenue generation and the quality of life in the state. It isn't of nearly the "legal" significance of a Proposition 8, but it very well might be a huge factor in the economic well-being of our state for many years to come.
There. American civics lesson 101. Aren't you sorry you asked?
swan
LOL... actually swan no i am not sorry i asked... i am boggled though!! it is so much to keep on top of... so much to inform oneself of.. wow !!!! i thought it was bad enough to understand our parties stand on issues and figure out who was running in my area !!!!
ReplyDeleteThough.. i must admit to have one election that covers everything is a great idea.. and what a money saver.. we had our second election in two years... and it ain't gonna last.. now our provincial government is murmuring about an election.. and god help us the municipal folks will probably get on the band wagon too... all that wasted money - when we could do it all in one foul swoop....
thanks for the civics lesson.. something i obviously needed..
morningstar (owned by Warren)
Thanks for your kind comments on my writing, swan. I feel very strongly about Proposition 8, and am literally terrified that it will pass. Recent polls show that the YES vote (which will strip the right to marry from same-sex couples) is at 48%, the NO vote (Equality for everyone) is at 45%, with 7% undecided. The other side only needs 50%+1 to win, so we've been having peaceful demonstrations and carrying signs and trying to inform people as much as possible, to get people to vote NO.
ReplyDeleteFor anyone who is curious, this Proposition has major funding by the Knights of Columbus, which is a Catholic group, and groups from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, commonly referred to as the Mormon church.
Here in CA we receive free Voter Information Guides when we receive our polling location information, which explains each proposition with a paragraph of argument from each side and the fiscal impact of the passage of the proposition, as well as a short paragraph of info on each candidate running. Interestingly, if Prop 8 passes (bad!), there is a potential revenue loss over the next few years of several tens of millions of dollars to state and local governments.
Whatever reason you need, Cali voters, vote NO!
(and love to you, swan!)