BALLOT PICKS NOVEMBER 3, 2020!

 

STANISLAUS COUNTY

GENERAL ELECTION

NOVEMBER 3, 2020

Below are my picks for the statewide midterm election. I’m not telling people how to vote, this is how I will be voting. This isn’t set in stone. It’s still a week away and a lot can still change my mind.

FEDERAL

PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT-JO JORGENSEN/JEREMY “SPIKE” COHEN, LIBERTARIAN

Dr. Jo Jorgensen, who was Harry Browne's running mate in 1996, is an academic and entrepreneur who doesn't have the slightest hint of scandal in her personal history. She is a mother and grandmother who will restore class, decorum and civility to the White House and work hard to make America a happier and freer place. The running mate, Spike Cohen is a very persuasive communicator of libertarian ideas and his command of social media is very impressive. We have the Golden Ticket!

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 10-BLANK.

The incumbent is a servant of Bay Area interests. Unfortunately his opponent has adopted Trump's strategy of appealing to fear and bigotry to win votes in previous elections. When called out on it, stupidly denied it and then tried scrubbing certain questionable posts from his social media. Neither candidate is worthy of my vote and this race is one of many reasons why we need to junk the top tier runoff system and allow alternative party candidates to compete in general elections.

STATE

MEMBER OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 21-JOEL GUTIERREZ CAMPOS, REPUBLICAN

I checked Campos out and he's legit. A National Guardsman who genuinely loves his community and will represent US in Sacramento.

JUDICIAL

JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT-JOHN R MAYNE

Broad legal experience in both civil and criminal law. When picking a judicial candidate, that is the FIRST thing to look for.

SCHOOL

STANISLAUS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TRUSTEE AREA 4-BLANK

School boards are largely ceremonial and the people who run for them are doing so for the rėsumé bullet points.  All they do is rubber stamp whatever the teachers unions and Sacramento gives them.  So with that rare exception, I generally leave such spaces blank.

YOSEMITE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT TRUSTEE AREA 7-BLANK

See above.

MEASURES SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS

PROPOSITION 14. AUTHORIZES CONTINUING STEM CELL RESEARCH. INITIATIVE STATUTE-NO.

In 2004, the people of California voted to give $3 billion for stem cell research (read killing pre-born babies in the name of “science”). $2.1 billion of this money went to beneficiaries with links to the board that doles out the money. Even people who support such research were disappointed with the squandered money and scant results. This new bond costs $5.5 billion and will lead to tax increases to pay back the bond plus the $2.3 billion in interest.

PROPOSITION 15. INCREASES FUNDING SOURCES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES BY CHANGING TAX ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT-NO.

This eliminates Prop 13 (1980) tax protections for commercial and industrial property. The resulting tax increases will result in smaller businesses and even some regional chains going out of business and more unemployment.

PROPOSITION 16. ALLOWS DIVERSITY AS A FACTOR IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, AND CONTRACTING DECISIONS. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT-NO.

I remember what it was like before Prop. 209 (1996). I also remember Modesto Junior College ignoring Prop 209 anyway and knowing in advance that my applications for financial aid and scholarships were going to be denied because the walls of the Financial Aid office were plastered with posters reading “Affirmative Action Is Justice” in Spanish. Affirmative Action is reverse discrimination. Hiring and admissions policy should be based solely on merit, NOT race, sex and sexual preference.

PROPOSITION 17. RESTORES RIGHT TO VOTE AFTER COMPLETION OF PRISON TERM. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT-NO.

A felon loses his liberties because he has lost the trust of society. Parolees, especially those who were convicted of violent offenses (nonviolent felons such as drug dealers and car thieves already have the franchise) should not be given the franchise until their sentences are complete.

PROPOSITION 18. AMENDS CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION TO PERMIT 17-YEAR-OLDS TO VOTE IN PRIMARY AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS IF THEY WILL TURN 18 BY THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION AND BE OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT- NO.

I remember being 17. I was precocious and mature for my age. Most 17 year olds of this generation are not me at that age. Most of them have no real world experience. They are ill-informed on the issues and not mentally equipped to handle tough election decisions. Teenagers who wish to participate in politics should certainly be able to participate in other ways, but voting is for adults.

PROPOSITION 19. CHANGES CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX RULES. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT-NO.

An inheritance tax hike that tampers with Prop. 13 (1980.) Not just no, HELL NO!.

PROPOSITION 20. RESTRICTS PAROLE FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES CURRENTLY CONSIDERED TO BE NON VIOLENT. AUTHORIZES FELONY SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES CURRENTLY TREATED AS MISDEMEANORS INITITATIVE STATUTE-YES.

I worked in retail between 2010 and 2017. I saw firsthand the aftermath of Prop 17 (2017) with the increase in shoplifting. People coming in the store, helping themselves with whatever they wanted and walking right out with ear-to-ear meth mouth grins knowing they would get away with it and the police wouldn't even bother with it. This will reduce street crime by increasing penalties for theft and fraud. That Governor Moonbeam opposes Prop 20 (2020) is reason enough for me to vote YES!

PROPOSITION 21. EXPANDS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS' AUTHORITY TO ENACT RENT CONTROL ON RENTAL PROPERTY. INITIATIVE STATUTE-NO.

This will only worsen California's housing problem by drying up the housing supply wherever rent controls are imposed. This will turn all of California into San Francisco.

PROPOSITION 22. EXEMPTS APP-BASED TRANSPORTATION AND DELIVERY COMPANIES FROM PROVIDING EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TO CERTAIN DRIVERS. INITIATIVE STATUTE-YES.

AB 5 effectively ended independent contracting in California. The only problem I have with Prop 22 is that it doesn't repeal this stupid law in its entirety, but we take our victories when and where we can get them.

PROPOSITION 23. ESTABLISHES STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR KIDNEY DIALYSIS CLINICS. REQUIRES ON-SITE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL INITIATIVE STATUTE-NO.

The increase of occupational licensing requirements for dialysis clinics would decrease the number of those clinics while resulting in price increases for a treatment that people depend on for survival.

PROPOSITION 24. AMENDS CONSUMER PRIVACY LAWS. INITIATIVE STATUTE-NO.

A government growing revenue generation scheme. Also the text of the law is 50 pages long and it's supported by Tom Steyer's brother.

PROPOSITION 25. REFERENDUM ON LAW REPLACED MONEY BAIL WITH SYSTEM BASED ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND FLIGHT RISK-NO.

The cash bail system is a process that has worked well for centuries. It worked well enough that American governments carried it over from the Anglo Saxon system. This replaces a tried-and-true system with a costly new system where computer algorithms managed by bureaucrats decide who will be released before their trial. This was tried before in New York City and it failed.  Another bad Jerry Brown idea that needs to go.