Here is a very simplified version of the November 2008 Propositions you will find on the ballot. This will effect your life significantly if you live in California and this is actually more important than voting for the President as YOUR VOTE MEANS A HELL OF A LOT MORE.
Everyone is aware and active about Prop. 8 and for good reason... but remember, we are in an extremely fragile economic state and if we don't start paying attention to where our money is being spent, it won't make a difference who can and can't get married, because we'll be at war against ourselves stealing each others SPAM.
The majority of proposition are geared towards and supported by interest groups who are behind them to make money. Occasionally, something worthwhile comes along, but more often then not... something sounds good, but it's not what it's painted out to be.
These opinions are based on ideas that a Barack Obama/democrat would most likely support, but if something doesn't sit right, I urge you to follow the links I have added as they open up to lots more information.
Here you go:
YES * 1A - California High Speed Rail Bond. S.B. 1856.Pretty simple & straight forward - 2.5 hour train from LA to SF - economical, creates jobs, it's about time!!
More info:
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_1_(2008)YES * 2 - Treatment of Farm Animals. Statute.This one should be a no brainer... gives chickens enough room in their cages to turn in a circle. Not much freedom, but a little bit better than nothing.
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_2_(2008)
NO * 3 - Children's Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program. Statute.Don't fall victim to the special interests group that will make money by expoilting the term 'Children's Hospital' - at the end of the day, we don't need more money for Children's Hospitals. If we're going to put more money into health care, put it into improving health care. This is not the answer.
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_3_(2008)NO * 4 - Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy. Constitutional Amendment. (third attempt at Proposition 73)Again, this should be a no brainer. Any time they try to mess with abortion, the answer should be no as far as I'm concerned.
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_4_(2008)YES * 5 - Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation. Statute.This is really one of the key voting issues worth backing on this ballot in my opinion. This is the first significant reform in the sentencing practices for nonviolent offenders in years and it stops a significant amount of our tax dollars from being spent on people who smoke pot. It promotes treatment over jail time. At the end of the day, it depends how strongly you feel about light-weight drug users and the dangers they impose upon society, and how much you want to spend on treating it.
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_5_(2008)NO * 6 - Criminal Penalties and Laws. Public Safety Funding. Statute.This is a bit of a toss up for me as it is hard to decipher what the real outcome will be. On one hand it sounds good to have more significant measures taken to diminish gangs and kids entering gangs, and putting more money into police and sheriff's departments. However, when the LA Chief of Police is not for it, there must be a reason.
For me the main issue is, the money to fund this bill is being diverted from our education programs and in my opinion, our education programs need a hell of a lot more work than our legal system.
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_6_(2008)NO * 7 - Renewable Energy. Statute.When there is a renewable energy proposition with tons of commercials and yet the Green Party and CA Solar Energy Industries Association doesn't support it there is a reason. I am the first one ready to vote my rights away for renewable energy, but let's do it properly this time, not go to Iraq again looking for Bid Laden. Every major newspaper in CA is against this, and most journalists I know are incredibly in support of the GREEN MOVEMENT. This is a shit prop.
http://californiaphoton.com/policy/propositions/prop7/analysis.html http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_7_(2008)NO * 8 - Eliminates Right of Same-sex Couples to Marry. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.No need to explain this.
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_8_(2008)NO * 9 - Criminal Justice System. Victims' Rights. Parole. Constitutional Amendment and Statute.This is a bill funded primarily by a single wealthy man who has had to distance himself due to drug charges, which is somewhat ironic. This one is really on you and how you feel about our legal system. Personally, I don't feel we are in a state of danger where we need to be spending more money cracking down on parole 99% of the time and I don't feel it's worthy to jusitfy diverting millions of dollars to impose a heavier weight on 100% of the people when less than 1% are deserving of it.
Read more if you are still unsure...
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_9_(2008)NO * 10 - Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy. Statute.AGAIN - this is a tricky one because everyone wants to be using renewable energy... I warn and urge you to think twice about this one... The massive amount bond money placed into the system will benefit a very few companies and not the average consumer.
The chief backer and bill payer for the measure is T. Boone Pickens, the folksy Texas oilman and apostle for energy independence who founded a firm that just happens to supply natural gas for cars and trucks.
The Daily Democrat is opposed, saying, "if Pickens can sucker a majority of California voters to back Proposition 10, he'll make out like a bandit.
THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER!!
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_10_(2008)NO * 11 - Redistricting. Constitutional Amendment and Statute.Your call... if you're a democrat in california it's probably better to leave it as is because this is an area that will always be influenced by the empowered party and even if there's a supposed bipartisan group focusing on it, there will always be something influencing it. Your call really.
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_11_(2008)NO * 12 - Veterans' Bond Act of 2008. S.B. 1572.Again, this is exploiting the idea of suffering veterans. The Federal System can take care of it since they are responsible for it. All 'veterans' regardless if they ever actually served or left the country can exploit it. Read into it more if you're not convinced.
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_12_(2008)