How I voted on the propositions…

Prompt: Voting Absentee?
Music: Jason Mraz – Lucky (ft. Colbie Callait)
And etc: ZAP (t)

Two weekends ago, my dad took me to Santa Clara’s voting office or whatever it’s called so I could vote early. Since I didn’t know much about most of the propositions and people running for local offices, my dad offered me his cheat sheet (aka his ballot, his opinions, and my mom’s instructions for local government positions). It was actually really cool sitting in the car discussing propositions with my dad; the car ride was extra long because he thought I needed ID but I left mine in my dorm because I thought I didn’t need it (turns out I didn’t), so we drove home and added 30 minutes round trip. XD

Of course, I’ve heard plenty on certain propositions at school, especially 4 and 8. What resulted was a really interesting discussion with my dad, where he just kept throwing thoughts and possibilities at me, but in the end let me make my own decision. I ended up voting roughly as follows:

1A – No. Based on my dad’s argument that with the economy in recession, we shouldn’t be borrowing money from the future.

2 – Yes. What’s it to me to pay a little extra for the expensive food? Personally I think the arguments that we’ll be importing from Mexico are ridiculous. I think I will purposely buy California produce, and so much of the country relies on us that I think there won’t be a choice.

3 – No. Again, because bonds are just a way to borrow money from the future.

4 – No. My roommate justified a no vote to me pretty well, plus my discussion with my dad made me think about the supposed consequences and actual consequences if it passed.

5 – I don’t remember how I voted on this one. I might’ve left it blank because I didn’t understand it.

6 – No. Again, because it’ll cost the state money that it doesn’t have. Basically, no matter how good an idea something is, the reality remains that we have to prioritize when we don’t have money. You should care less about whether your food is organic or not when you’re starving to death.

7 – Yes. Even though this costs the state money, I went for yes on this one because I believe the reliance on foreign oil, and on oil in general, is something that has to change. Plus, I might possibly end up in alternative energy research, so having money would be nice.

8 – No. Hell no. Does the phrase “Jim Crow Laws” ring a bell?

9 – I think I voted no, again because it costs the state more, albeit indirectly. Notifying victims –> fewer paroles –> more prisoners left in prison –> more money to maintain prisons.

10 – No. Not only is this about bonds, I also believe that the initiative to build alternative fuel cars needs to come from the car companies themselves. Current car companies need to realize the need to change their direction, and the pressure for that should come from us, the consumers. We live in a free-market economy (theoretically), so let that work itself out.

11 – Holy shit yes. Screw you gerrymandering politicians.

12 – No. Because of bonds, again.

I am proud to be a voting American.