Wow.

[learnteach]

Two women came by with 14 referendums that they wanted signatures for. I've never seen a larger load of crap, much of it wanted by the Governer, in my life. "Act to Protect Children": Increase teacher probation period from 2 years to 5 years. "Fiscal responsibility act": If the budget is not passed, the governor can just cut spending as he wishes. "Union Watchdog Law" Unions have to have inform all members of exact spending and seek their approval for every political ad. "Redistricting": Have the gerrymandering done by retired judges appointed by the governor.

The women obviously didn't know the referendums and had no emotional commitment to any of them; I think they were collecting for money.

BE CAREFUL and read these things. Oh, there was a great Lemon Law in there as part of the lead off--but why do we need more laws about cars? And I'm sure that the four pages of small print had a few surprises in them.

Comments

[loudoggeek.livejournal.com]

I'm going to have to take a close look at them but I sure hope the union one is what I think it is -- it's about time. It pissed me off to no end back when I had to pay the dues that much of that money was going to support people and causes I that I didn't agree with, but I had no choice but to go along with it.... And I know I wasn't the only one.

Go Governator!

[gizbot.livejournal.com]

Anyone know how much it costs to get something on the ballot?

I have about 100 common sense propositions, like, 'all bonds must pass by 60%' or 'redistricting must be contiguous locations'.

[whumpdotcom.livejournal.com]

I'll remember to keep the garden hose ready for when the petitioners come by.

Unfortunately, the Governor's minions are also sending petitions by mail.

Why don't they just have a referendum to turn the US into a dictatorship? It'd just save time.

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

Although, I have to say that I support the gerrymandering bill -- it's at least a change from what we know doesn't work.

But money and corruption will find their way in. They always do.

Rabid Politics

[korwyn.livejournal.com]

The rise in paid signature gathering seems to be the greatest threat to the citizens use of the process. I also find the process has become more of a maze where the objective is to create items that say and do distinctly differing things.

Referendum items I would like to see:
1) A non-binding one sheet general category included with your taxes. Data to be tabulated by the taxing authority and reported to the lawmakes as a guide to voter desires for spending. Also to be published in papers of record.
2) A institutionalized option to vote "none of the above" in all races. If None of the Above wins the next highest number of votes wins. In the best of all worlds all candidates are excluded from the race and a new election is held in 60 days.
3) A ban on paid signature gathering.

*sigh*

I got a push poll the other day that was so blatant that I wanted to scream. It sounded ok, as an automated poll till it got to the question on the Judges. The phrasing of the question was straight out of the script that the administration is trying to pass off as facts.

Why is it that we have had a death of civility and governace in congress and the state houses?