2010 General Election - Part 3

This is Part 3 of my analysis of the 2010 General Election from Orange County, CA.  The following is a list of how I am voting on some of the Statewide and Local offices:

Governor

Chelene Nightingale (AI) -- Jerry Brown's failed policies have already been implemented and were harmful to the welfare of CA.  What's worse, by his own admission he's a big fat liar.  Meg Whitman's "hispandering" is attrocious.  Her positions on issues are as varied as the weather from day to day.  I cannot in good conscience vote for her when there's a significantly better, consistently conservative candidate on the ballot who recognizes what the problems are and has clear-headed solutions in mind.

As an aside, I am tired of playing the "vote for a third party candidate is a wasted vote" game.  That is a self-fulfilling prophecy.  It is only the case when people of conscience buy into it and don't vote their conscience.  I'm also tired of being pandered to in the primary and taken for granted once the candidate I voted for is in office.  Christians are paid lip service by Republican candidates and then ignored once they are in office because the GOP candidates know they will always get the Christian vote.  From now on, I want candidates to earn my vote.)

Lt. Gov.
Jim King (AI) -- In my opinion, there's no way any Conservative in good conscience can vote for the tax traitor Abel Maldonado.  With Mike Villines, this guy sold out the taxpayers of CA when he broke his pledge not to raise taxes by casting the deciding vote to raise taxes by $12 billion in 2009.  What sweet deal did he get in exchange for his treachery?  The position of Lt. Governor of a bankrupt state.  I cannot reward him for that!  That's why I'm voting for King.

Sec. State
Damon Dunn (R)

Controller
Tony Strickland (R)

Treasurer
Robert Lauten (R)

Atty. General
Steve Cooley (R)

Insurance Commsr.
Richard Bronstein (L) -- Mike Villines is another tax traitor.  Along with Albel Maldonado, he raped the taxpayers of CA for $12 billion and sold his soul for the Insurance Commisioner seat.  I cannot in good conscience reward him with my vote.  And I certainly can't trust him to maintain ethical oversight of the insurance agencies of CA.

More to follow...

2010 General Election - Part 2

This is Part 2 of my analysis of the 2010 General Election from Orange County, CA.

Propositions

Summary
Prop 19:  NO
Prop 20:  YES
Prop 21:  NO
Prop 22:  NO?
Prop 23:  YES!!
Prop 24:  NO!
Prop 25:  NO!!
Prop 26:  YES
Prop 27:  NO

Rationale

Prop 19:  NO -- A Yes vote would result in greater proliferation and availability of marijuana in CA.  Children will be able to much more easily acquire it without breaking the law.  It will be virtually impossible for the State to regulate or enforce any controls when marijuana is grown in private individuals' backyards.  Alcohol and marijuana are not the same:  Alcohol is intoxicating when abused and consumed in excess. The sole purpose of smoking pot is to get "stoned."  It's interesting how militantly opposed to tobacco smoking our society has become, while at the same time so strongly in favor of pot.

Prop 20:  YES -- I'm somewhat torn about this one.  On one hand I'm not convinced that this "Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission" is truly independent. How are they held accountable? How are they protected against political influence?  Theoretically, we should be able to hold our Representatives accountable by recalling or not re-electing them should they violate our trust.  However, when it comes to re-districting, this doesn't seem to work, and allowing the Fox to guard the hen-house is not a reasonable solution in the first place.  The Commission already exists for State districts; this measure just expands the juridiction of the Commission to Congressional districts.  Every Conservative I know is in favor of this one.  I lean in favor of it, but not strongly.  The NO position is endorsed by the California Teachers' Association, the Sacramento Bee, and the Sierra Club...Even more reason to vote YES.

Prop 21:  NO -- The State of CA is virtually broke.  Due to the depression, revenue is down. But CA overspent on unnecessary projects and now is scrambling for money.  Rest assured, legislators will find my a myriad of ways to squeeze more money out of the taxpayers. Let us not foist another tax increase upon ourselves!  There are other, more appropriate options for the State Parks:  1) Transfer the Parks under Private ownership and control, or 2) Fund the really important Parks from current revenues (if they're really necessary, they'll find a way to do this), or 3) Drop the rest entirely and let private parties buy up the land.  Go away you money-sucking leeches!  A No-Brainer.

Prop 22:  NO? -- Still undecided on this one.  But, based on the Ground Rules above, my default position for propositions is NO.  On the surface, this looks like a good prop--it claims to prohibit Sacramento from raiding Local sources of revenue.  But Conservatives are mixed on this, as there are reportedly other unsavory provisions hidden within.  I will continue to study this issue; If my vote changes, i'll update this post.

Prop 23:  YES!! -- Temporarily (unfortunately, not permanently) suspends implementation of AB32, the "Global Warming Final Solutions Act."  That legislation is not only unnecessary but, even worse, is an attempt by the CA government to overreach, and impose restrictive regulations in the name of "climate change."  The effects will be to drive the nail into the coffin of the CA economy. If AB32 goes into effect, jobs will be lost and, I suspect, we will witness another mass exodus of employers and taxpayers out of CA to other, more friendly states.  Too bad Prop 23 bill only temporarily suspends this insanity.

Prop 24:  NO! -- California already has about the worst business climate in the nation. Employers and employees have left CA in droves to seek greener pastures elsewhere.  While other states are trying to lure employers, CA is trying to drive them out by increasing their taxes.  Businesses do not pay these taxes--we do:  through increased prices, lower wages (or fewer jobs), and lower investment returns (i.e., 401(k) value).  Another No-Brainer.

Prop 25:  NO!! -- This Proposition is not about passing an on-time Budget.  Removing the 2/3 requirement from passing a Budget deprives us of an essential Check and Balance in our Legislature.  If this prop passes, liberal legislators will be able to pass through extravagant spending with no opposition. And to pay for this, they will be able to more easily foist upon the taxpayer all sorts of new "creative" tax schemes (described as "fees," "assessments," and what have you). The fact that all the Teachers' Unions are in support of this prop is another strong motivation to oppose it.  This is about the biggest No-Brainer on the ballot.

Prop 26:  YES -- Call a Tax a Tax.  Currently, government officials across the state have been raising taxes on us by disguising them as "fees."  This Proposition helps re-classify as taxes those revenue increases that are actually taxes, making it more difficult to enact without a public or 2/3 majority vote.  I'm voting YES to stop this insanity.


Prop 27:  NO -- A Yes vote would rescind the current re-districting scheme and restore the original, politician-led re-districting that results in gerrymandering districts for state offices in order to keep politicians in power.  While I'm not convinced about the aforementioned "Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission," I also know that the politicians can't be trusted to do this themselves.  I'm voting NO to leave it as it is.

Part 3 will be a brief analysis of my votes for State and Local offices...

2010 General Election

As everyone is fully aware from the yard signs, attack ads, and sound-bite debates, Election Season is almost over.  In fact, with only one week left to go before the General Election, now is the time to figure out how you're going to vote (if you haven't already).  I live in Orange County, in southern California--once a bastion of Conservatism in a largely Left-leaning state.  Now, it seems, I'm one of the few traditional conservatives left.  In case you're interested, here's how I'm going to vote, along with some of my rationale.

First, I'll start with the CA State Propositions and local Measures.  This first post outlines the Ground Rules for how I vote.

Propositions 

Ground Rules:  I largely follow my good friend Brant's groundrules for voting on Propositions. (His explanations are great! Read them.) These lay a groundwork for my vote and help to break ties. In summary, the rules are as follows:

1. Default position is NO.  New laws generally restrict liberty.  Therefore, the burden of proof for the necessity of a law lies with the proponents of the measure.
2. Bond measures are held with even greater suspicion.  Bonds are a way for the government to take out a loan on the backs of the tax-payers. California already over-spends and over-taxes. If our legislators haven't already budgeted for it, then we probably don't need it.  The burden of proof is especially high for the proponents. I have never voted in favor of a bond measure.
3. Measures similar to other measures already passed are held with greater suspicion.  How many times have we had new measures to "fix the schools" or "clean up the enviornment?"  If the previous measures didn't work, what's so special about this one?
4. NO on anything that attempts to raise money for vital services.  Politicians can't be allowed to pay for their pet projects with budgeted revenue and then cry to the taxpayers that there's no money left to cover vital services like fire and police. Voting yes gives in and lets the politicians have their way with the taxpayers.

The next post will provide my brief analysis of each proposition and measure. Stay tuned...

Is there Anyone Brave Enough?

...in the US House or Senate to stand up to President Obama and say, to his face, the same things this British member of the European Parliament said to PM Gordon Brown?



Daniel Hannan, Conservative MEP for South East England, gives a speech during Gordon Brown´s visit to the European Parliament on 24th March, 2009.

The Barracuda

Here are a few descriptions I heard or read about Governor Palin's speech last night at the RNC, from both conservatives and mainstream media alike:

"Stunning." "Phenomenal." "A home run." "Elegant." "Poised." "Connected with middle America." "She was impalin!"

In my opinion, Sarah Palin knocked it out of the park last night. She had a tall order to fill. She had to do exceptionally well, to convince America (and her numerous vitriolic critics) that she is a force to be reckoned with, that she is qualified to be where she is, and that she deserves some respect. I believe she did all that and more. And she left the opposition and critics scrambling.

And, in the midst of all this, her teleprompter broke. Nevertheless, Palin continued, unfazed, to deliver her exceptional speech without any interruption. (Compare that to how Obama reacted when his teleprompter went out.)

A Modern Proverbs 31 Woman

On the Frank Pastore Show yesterday, Rebecca Hagelin, VP of Communications for the Heritage Foundation, said the following:

"Sarah Palin is the modern Proverbs 31 woman."

Thoughts?

Pelosi Condemned by Catholic leaders

US Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, has recently been chastised for speaking on theological positions about which she, apparently, knows very little.

"Pelosi Gets Unwanted Lesson in Catholic Theology"

I'm no Roman Catholic, but abortion is one issue where the Protestant Church stands side-by-side with Rome. And the US cardinals, archbishops, and bishops have emphatically taken Pelosi to task for her ignorant attempt to defend abortion a la St. Augustine.

UPDATE: Excerpt from the Bishop of Fargo's letter of condemnation:

The Christian teaching on abortion throughout history is unchanged. Human life from the moment of conception is to always be respected, treated with dignity, and protected. Catholics who support so called abortion rights support a false right, promote a culture of death, and are guided by the “father of lies” rather than by the light and truth of Jesus Christ. Out of respect for the teaching of Jesus Christ and the Church, any Catholic who supports abortion rights has placed himself or herself outside of visible unity with the Church and thus should refrain from receiving Holy Communion. Catholics have a responsibility to study the teaching of the Church on human life and when life begins. This teaching is affirmed by revelation and is a basic truth of natural reason. I ask all of you in your presentations, teaching, or preaching to state the truth of this teaching in an unequivocal manner.

(h/t: www.townhall.com)

Letter to Governor Schwarzenegger

I just wrote a letter to the governor, infuriated with his most recent activity in supporting the homosexual agenda in California's public school system. At the urging of Brant, I include it here:

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,

I write to you with great dismay, frustration, and anger at your recent actions of signing into law SB777, AB394, AB102, and AB14. It is entirely disappointing to me that you apparently lack the moral compass to guide you in the way of objective Truth and Goodness and, instead, you have taken the path of political expediency, cowing to the pressures of immoral activists who wish to impose their deviant agenda upon our culture, beginning with the public school system.

Thanks to your actions, the minds of impressionable, tender young children will be forever molded into conformity with the agenda of those who worship at the altar of themselves, whose only creed is "tolerance and acceptance of all"--all that is, except those who still believe in moral absolutes. Increasingly more deviant, immoral practices are being accepted in our society (and now, thanks to you, taught in the schools) as "good," "right," and "healthy," while the millenia-old, biblical convictions that these activities are absolutely, morally wrong and evil are trampled underfoot as "outmoded," "archaic," and simple-minded. Contrary to what you might think, our children and our society will suffer as a result.

As a result of your actions, you have alienated yourself from your core constituency--secular social conservatives and Evangelical Christians of all stripes--you have betrayed our trust, have stolen our children's innocence, and have offended us greatly. Your action to support bills which take away freedom of private institutions (e.g., clubs, charities, and hospitals) to uphold their core convictions on moral issues also a disgrace to the freedoms which our nation's Constitution guarantees. In short, you have introduced moral danger and depravity to our children, robbed private enterprise of its freedoms, and brought shame upon our great state.

Governor, with all due respect, I must state that I, my family, my church, and my friends are ashamed of your actions, and I deeply regret having had any part in giving you the mandate to represent and serve me in the highest office of the state. If it were possible, I assure you that I wouldn't make that mistake again.

Sincerely,

Van
Orange County

Here is a link to the story, and here is a link to some video clips of indoctrination of young children going on in other parts of the country and which will now very likely occur in California in a matter time. (And you know what they say: "As California goes, so goes the nation.")

If you want to write the Governor your own e-mail to express your dissatisfaction, you can do so here.

WHY?

Why do we even allow this man in to the USA? In a country where we don't even allow our own citizens to travel to places like Cuba, we're letting this terrorist-condoning hater of the free world in to our own nation to speak out against it? What is our problem?

Oppressive Tobacco Tax

Congress is currently considering jacking up the federal tax on tobacco again. This time it will result in an increase of over 20,000% on cigars, as well as an equally oppressive increase on pipe tobacco.

There is no other product or transaction in the IRS code with anywhere near the oppressive and punitive levels proposed in this increase. Even if you don't enjoy a good cigar now and then, oppose this tax on principle. Because once the greedy legislators run out of revenue from tobacco (and this increase will probably force domestic tobacconists, manufacturers, and growers out of business), they'll feel compelled to come after your hobby.

Follow this link. At the site you will find a form that enables you to quickly and easily send a message to the President, your two Senators, and your Congressional Representative. Do your part to prevent oppressive taxation! (h/t Nathaniel)

Prohibition

A town in Georgia is going to have a referendum to allow the townsfolk to decide on whether to ban all sales of alcohol.

The problem with alcohol (like most other societal problems) is not the alcohol. The problem is people. Those who misuse and abuse any divinely-given blessing from God should be held responsible for their actions. If you ban alcohol, tobacco, firearms, knives, automobiles, and chainsaws, people are still going to find ways to demonstrate their depravity. Christians, of all people, should know this.

What I want to know is where pious, conservative Christians can go to help the ban fail.

Lest We Forget

In the midst of all the recent hubbub about President Bush's commutation of Scooter Libby's prison sentence, let us remember that it is the privilege of the President to commute or pardon individuals who he believes were treated unjustly. And before we go around pointing the finger at Bush for "subverting the rule of law," let us not forget the 61 commutations and 395 pardons of convicted criminals that were granted by former President Clinton. If you don't like Bush's commuting the sentence of a clearly politically-motivated and questionable conviction, then you have to also decry the hundreds of commutations and pardons of your own party's Chief Executive.

Presidential Administrations Matter

Here's some confirmation from the dark side of society. It's an excerpt from an interview today with Jenna Jameson, who is considered, according to the article, "the world's most famous porn star."

PR.com: "Do you find that the climate of the adult industry changes when there is a Republican administration versus Democratic?"

Jenna Jameson: "Absolutely. The Clinton administration was the best years for the adult industry and I wish that Clinton would run again. I would love to have him back in office. I would love to have Al Gore in office. When Republicans are in office, the problem is, a lot of times they try to put their crosshairs on the adult industry, to make a point. It's sad, when there are so many different things that are going on in the world: war, and people are dying of genocide...I look forward to another Democrat being in office. It just makes the climate so much better for us, and I know that once all our troops come home, things are going to be better and I think that getting Bush out of office is the most important thing right now."

Oh and, by the way, Ms. Jameson supports Hillary Clinton for President in 2008.

(source: justhillary.com)

Black Tuesday

Today I'm suffering from the agony of defeat. In yesterday's election, out of the 49 persons or propositions I voted on, only 22 went the way I voted (45%). If that sounds pretty good, out of the 23 races I particularly cared about, only 8 went the way I voted (35%).

I have been saying to friends and family for several years now, the Republicans in Congress have squandered away their opportunity to enact conservative reforms that their electoral base was anticipating. So really, now that they've lost the House and probably the Senate as well, I think I can say they had it coming. And, truth be told, America has the leaders its deserves.

What grieves me the most, however, is the stupidity with which Californians seem to vote when it comes to the state propositions. Here are a few that went down the wrong way:

• 85 -- (FAILED) What parent in their right mind wants their teenage daughter to be taken from them by the public school, a college boyfriend, or a sexual predator to have a surgical procedure performed on them without their consent (much less their notification)!? (Apparently 54% do.) Nevermind that this surgical procedure takes the life of their baby grandchild and endangers the physical and emotional well-being of their own daughter. George Orwell's future is becoming our own present, by the express will of the people. (Hey stranger, please come take my children from me and do what you want with them--I really don't care.)
• 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 84 -- (PASSED) Together, these four bond measures will result in 77.9 billion dollars that has to be repaid by the government. If the government doesn't have the money now, they won't have it in the future either. Who will pay this outrageous fee? The same brain-dead people who voted for the measure!
• 90 -- (FAILED) This measure tried to protect Californians from seizure of private property brought on by the unconstitutional (and nonsensical) Kelso decsion of the U.S. Supreme Court. I guess Californians don't mind greedy "Big Business" coming and taking away their homes and churches for its own personal gain.
• M, O -- These three additional county measures will cost the taxpayers additional untold millions. (Not to mention the incessant traffic congestion brought on by additional inadequte road "improvements.")

The only real evidence of any possible remaining brain-activity in the electorate was its vote denying: 1) the $2.60/pack tobacco tax (Prop 86); 2) the $50 "for the children" property-tax surcharge (Prop 88); 3) the additional $4 billion gasoline tax (Prop 87); and 4) Taxpayer-funded political campaigns (Prop 89).

This election makes it increasingly clear that I am not a man of this world. Which shouldn't suprise me. The Bible makes it perfectly clear that Christians are "strangers and exiles on the earth" (Heb 11:13), that "our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil. 3:20), and that we look forward to "a better country, that is, a heavenly one" (Heb. 11:16), to a "city that has foundations whose designer and builder is God" (Heb. 11:10).

Furthermore, bad election results help remind us that it is our sovereign God who "removes kings and sets up kings" (Dan 2:21) and "rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will" (Dan. 4:17). This is imporant, lest we begin to think that we can save the world through our political efforts.

While we await the great and glorious day of our Lord's appearing, Christians must press on, striving to be salt and light in a decaying and dark culture. The only thing that can truly change the current course of our culture toward Gomorrah is the saving power of the Gospel. My prayer is that the results of this election will cause our nation's Christians to remember this fact, and that we will be emboldened to preach the good news and live out our vocations in society such that we may have a preserving and healing influence upon it. Even so, come Lord Jesus!