The Sacramento Bee (6.1.10) - "Little evidence in Washington that 'top 2' primary moderates politics"
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/06/01/2789318/little-evidence-in-washington.html
Proposition 14 is a June 8th California ballot measure that, if passed, will eliminate partisan restrictions on primary elections. The article above is a lame attempt by some analysts to apply the effects of Washington's newly implemented "open primary" system to California elections. Why would somebody even try to compare Washington state politics to California?! Obviously the effects of an election-type law are going to differ from state to state, especially when one state has a fraction of the other's population. California, in spite of its financial issues, is still a contender on the global economic scene. Voters, legislators, and politicians here are constantly on the cutting edge of political and economic decision-making. I'm not trying to sound arrogant here, I'm just trying to explain why I think this writer was comparing apples to oranges.
Here's why I think open primaries are a good idea for California, and maybe even most states. The truth is that the party lines are currently dissolving due to a general sense of dissatisfaction with the government. This isn't unusual--political parties often change their ideals and names as society progresses and certain issues become more or less relevant. Often times people forget that the parties have gone through several changes even in the relatively short timeline of American history--remember the Federalists, Anti-Federalists, and Whigs from high school history? Issues that the Democrats and Republicans have been battling over for years are simply becoming irrelevant, and no work is getting done because our old-fashioned partisan politicians are refusing to find new and innovative compromises. Recent scandals, media hype, and the recession have also been serious blows to voter morale, and many people are choosing to no longer affiliate themselves with either party.
This brings me to current election rules. For the primary gubernatorial election next Tuesday, each party will be allowing only their own registered members to vote for their own candidates (the Democratic party also allows registered Independents to vote). Someone like me, who has declined to register with a political party, will not be permitted to vote for any candidate until the general election in November, unless you request a ballot by mail directly from the party you wish to vote for.
After the voting takes place, there is one winner from the Republican party and one Democratic winner. That's basically it. While non-affiliated candidates usually have not had a good chance at winning in the past, is it really right to cut off any chances of them running in the general election? And what if two candidates from the same party could possibly be serious contenders in the race? Doesn't matter--only the finalist from each party may run in the general election. Our modified primary system simply does not allow for an underdog victory, and instead drives a wedge between the already floundering and overly regulated parties. Prop. 14 would result in one universal ballot for all registered voters, as well as ensure that the top two vote recipients in the primary election go on to be the general election candidates, regardless of party. It makes sense when you really think about it...why shouldn't the winners really be the winners?
Opponents of this measure are trying to say that it simply won't make a difference--that the candidate with the most money will win the election no matter what. I'm going to have to agree to disagree, on the grounds that I believe that is a complete insult to the intelligence of the Californian voter. Ad campaigns and media attention are a big help to those running for office, but the last time I checked, the vast majority of people identify more with a candidate's basic values than how many commercials they have on the air.
Prop. 14 is a good sign for young people because, if it passes, it will help California prepare for a truly bipartisan government in the future, if not multi-partisan. The Millennial generation already shows great potential to bridge party gaps on many controversial social issues, including gay rights, drug policy, and racial interests. The Millennials, I believe, will draw their own party lines years down the road, but until then, we need a "fair-and-square" voting system in which moderate and non-affiliated candidates will have a chance to change the way the government operates. The change will be eventual--California elections will probably still be Democrat vs. Republican for a number of years--but without Prop. 14, we might never get the chance at all. If we're electing the next executive for our state, I'd rather have a winner than a finalist, wouldn't you? This is another culture shock I can definitely get behind.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Legalize It!: Today California, tomorrow the world.
The Fresno Bee (6.1.10) - "Poll: California voters favor legalizing pot."
http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/06/01/1953398/poll-shows-california-voters-favor.html
"Legalize It!": Now that there is officially decriminalization legislature on the November ballot in California, this has become a serious political issue rather than a battle cry for hippies. It makes sense to legalize when you think about the facts: firstly, marijuana is California's biggest cash crop. A properly regulated and taxed business market for the plant is likely to save the state's economy and create jobs that span income brackets, from agricultural and transportation workers to lawyers and politicians. All of this without adding to the technological hierarchy that has thrown the business world off-balance for years! Second, Nixon's "drug war" has corrupted the law enforcement system. Thousands of federal prisoners are behind bars simply for marijuana charges. This leaves no room for the real criminals (sex offenders, armed robbers, etc.), and also makes it easier and more profitable for law enforcement officers to go after a pot smoker than a rapist at large. Third, the herb contains safe and therapeutic chemicals called cannabinoids which have been proven to soothe ailments from back pain to glaucoma and from anxiety to AIDS. It has also been proven that these chemicals have never caused death by toxicity (a statement that neither the tobacco industry nor the alcohol industry can make). Overall, the facts behind legalization show economic and political soundness.
Considering the possibility of legalization, proponents in California have also looked into the social effects of marijuana use. Researchers have already concluded that use of the herb does not contribute to addiction, mental disorders, long-term brain function impairment, aggressive behavior, or sexual assault. In fact, some groups such as SAFER go so far as to state that marijuana has the capacity to replace alcohol, which is known to cause many of these social and psychological problems, for people who enjoy using a "recreational substance" in their free time (http://www.saferchoice.org).
The medical marijuana movement in California has proven that thousands of people can use the herb and still contribute productively to society, including students, attorneys, and business executives, all the while managing chronic pain, anxiety, migraines, and negative side effects associated with several diseases.
The legalization movement is a culture shock in many ways. The government has manipulated the press and scientific reports on marijuana since the 1940s, and only now is all the true information being revealed to the public. Many older people who remember the "Reefer Madness" era are going to need lots of convincing by the time the election comes around, but once the facts are publicized and people realize that the herb is not a narcotic, acceptance will start to grow, and if California succeeds in legalizing it, other states will follow. The federal decriminalization of marijuana is actually a possibility for my generation, and I couldn't be more thrilled.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/06/01/1953398/poll-shows-california-voters-favor.html
"Legalize It!": Now that there is officially decriminalization legislature on the November ballot in California, this has become a serious political issue rather than a battle cry for hippies. It makes sense to legalize when you think about the facts: firstly, marijuana is California's biggest cash crop. A properly regulated and taxed business market for the plant is likely to save the state's economy and create jobs that span income brackets, from agricultural and transportation workers to lawyers and politicians. All of this without adding to the technological hierarchy that has thrown the business world off-balance for years! Second, Nixon's "drug war" has corrupted the law enforcement system. Thousands of federal prisoners are behind bars simply for marijuana charges. This leaves no room for the real criminals (sex offenders, armed robbers, etc.), and also makes it easier and more profitable for law enforcement officers to go after a pot smoker than a rapist at large. Third, the herb contains safe and therapeutic chemicals called cannabinoids which have been proven to soothe ailments from back pain to glaucoma and from anxiety to AIDS. It has also been proven that these chemicals have never caused death by toxicity (a statement that neither the tobacco industry nor the alcohol industry can make). Overall, the facts behind legalization show economic and political soundness.
Considering the possibility of legalization, proponents in California have also looked into the social effects of marijuana use. Researchers have already concluded that use of the herb does not contribute to addiction, mental disorders, long-term brain function impairment, aggressive behavior, or sexual assault. In fact, some groups such as SAFER go so far as to state that marijuana has the capacity to replace alcohol, which is known to cause many of these social and psychological problems, for people who enjoy using a "recreational substance" in their free time (http://www.saferchoice.org).
The medical marijuana movement in California has proven that thousands of people can use the herb and still contribute productively to society, including students, attorneys, and business executives, all the while managing chronic pain, anxiety, migraines, and negative side effects associated with several diseases.
The legalization movement is a culture shock in many ways. The government has manipulated the press and scientific reports on marijuana since the 1940s, and only now is all the true information being revealed to the public. Many older people who remember the "Reefer Madness" era are going to need lots of convincing by the time the election comes around, but once the facts are publicized and people realize that the herb is not a narcotic, acceptance will start to grow, and if California succeeds in legalizing it, other states will follow. The federal decriminalization of marijuana is actually a possibility for my generation, and I couldn't be more thrilled.
First Post: Personal mission statement
I used to blog on facebook Notes but I think people started getting pissed off. I guess that's what I get for letting my political views spew on the internet. I decided to create my own blog in order to keep my freedom of speech from scaring away my social networking "Friends". This will also allow me to exercise some of my newfound journalism skills in a more mature setting and expose myself to the blogging community.
First a little background on myself: I'm an 18 year old student fresh out of my first year at San Diego State University (GO AZTECS!). I grew up in Sacramento, and after finally escaping the nightmare that was Catholic education, I discovered my love for all things political. Now I am working toward a Poli Sci bachelors degree as well as interning for the summer at Goddard Claussen, a strategic advocacy firm about a block from the state capitol building. As far as personal advocacy goes, I'm the SDSU spokesperson for Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), two groups that support fairer drug policies in schools as well as the general social acceptance of marijuana as a "recreational substance". Drug policy has become my passion, both because of my personal experiences and the overall cultural impact that drugs and recreational substances have on our society as a whole. I plan to work in Sacramento after college, hopefully in lobbying or journalism, and also plan to someday run for public office.
My purpose for this blog is simple: I believe that our nation's government officials have all but turned this country upside down with restrictions, taxes, and other manipulatory measures to ensure their own political success rather than the well-being of the American people. However, as a representative democracy, we are failing to stand up for our own liberties because the generation in power has boxed themselves into an overtly polar party system and used the press rather than objective education to influence voters. While this has been working for years, 18-25 year olds are the next wave of voters and politicians. The "Millennials", as we have been nicknamed, share social and political views that are much different from our parents'. I believe that we are the generation that will put an end to the problems we are experiencing not only federally, but especially in California at the local level.
Many of my opinions call for drastic changes in the government, and while many people tell me I should think smaller and be less outspoken, I disagree. The only way to save California and the American society, I believe, is through "Culture Shocks" (hence the name for my blog). Through working at Goddard Claussen, I recently viewed poll results that showed an 88% disapproval rating for California legislators, the lowest rating ever recorded. This is rock bottom, and only culture shocks can save us now.
Feel free to follow and comment on any posts. I will be respecting First Amendment free speech on this blog as well as friendly debate.
I will be updating as often as possible. Hopefully I get some readers on this and help people form their own opinions, especially since it's an election year and a lot of issues are on the table.
Happy reading!
p.s.: Here's an interesting article I read recently regarding our generation's admirable social views!
http://www.slate.com/id/2255104
First a little background on myself: I'm an 18 year old student fresh out of my first year at San Diego State University (GO AZTECS!). I grew up in Sacramento, and after finally escaping the nightmare that was Catholic education, I discovered my love for all things political. Now I am working toward a Poli Sci bachelors degree as well as interning for the summer at Goddard Claussen, a strategic advocacy firm about a block from the state capitol building. As far as personal advocacy goes, I'm the SDSU spokesperson for Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), two groups that support fairer drug policies in schools as well as the general social acceptance of marijuana as a "recreational substance". Drug policy has become my passion, both because of my personal experiences and the overall cultural impact that drugs and recreational substances have on our society as a whole. I plan to work in Sacramento after college, hopefully in lobbying or journalism, and also plan to someday run for public office.
My purpose for this blog is simple: I believe that our nation's government officials have all but turned this country upside down with restrictions, taxes, and other manipulatory measures to ensure their own political success rather than the well-being of the American people. However, as a representative democracy, we are failing to stand up for our own liberties because the generation in power has boxed themselves into an overtly polar party system and used the press rather than objective education to influence voters. While this has been working for years, 18-25 year olds are the next wave of voters and politicians. The "Millennials", as we have been nicknamed, share social and political views that are much different from our parents'. I believe that we are the generation that will put an end to the problems we are experiencing not only federally, but especially in California at the local level.
Many of my opinions call for drastic changes in the government, and while many people tell me I should think smaller and be less outspoken, I disagree. The only way to save California and the American society, I believe, is through "Culture Shocks" (hence the name for my blog). Through working at Goddard Claussen, I recently viewed poll results that showed an 88% disapproval rating for California legislators, the lowest rating ever recorded. This is rock bottom, and only culture shocks can save us now.
Feel free to follow and comment on any posts. I will be respecting First Amendment free speech on this blog as well as friendly debate.
I will be updating as often as possible. Hopefully I get some readers on this and help people form their own opinions, especially since it's an election year and a lot of issues are on the table.
Happy reading!
p.s.: Here's an interesting article I read recently regarding our generation's admirable social views!
http://www.slate.com/id/2255104
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