It's time to
look for whom I shall vote for in the Recall Election, as I just got
the brief Voter Information Pamphlet. Since there are so many
candidates and there was so little time to create the booklet, there
are no candidate statements. I'll just visit their web sites and have a
look around, in the order listed on the Alameda County ballot, though I
will skip over serious candidates so that all the nutjobs are out of
the way first.
Bryan Quinn (Republican). 20-year old kid whose sole platform is to
have California declare bankrupty, which would presumably solve a lot
of our financial woes. ==> Clueless.
John "Jack" Mortensen (Republican). A contractor. Claims to be a
"renegade" Democrat (apparently hasn't changed his party affiliation
with the Secretary of State). No proper web site. Lots of ideas but no
political experience. Apparently wants to use graduate and post
graduate poli-sci and econ students to help him run the state. ==>
He doesn't know what he's doing.
Jeffrey L. Mock (Republican). Four points. Two are pro-manufacturing
companies (make sure they can sell their products and ease regulatory
burdens). No fault workers compensation insurance (pro-business I
suppose). Promote power generation using renewable energy. ==>
Typical Republican, but why should I vote for him over a real
politician?
Bruce Margolin (Democrat). (1) Legalize Marijuana and tax its sale and
distribution. (2) Pardon people imprisoned for non-violent marijuana
charges. (3) Lawsuit against US Government to stop dictating marijuana
policy to our state. (4) Promote the holistic health care industry. (5)
Tax cuts for environmentally friendly businesses. (6) Reduce vehicle
license fee to $35. (7) Track down "lost" lottery money that is not
making it to our schools. ==> I violently disagree with points 1
through 3. The rest are just feel good things that don't help.
|
Gino Martorana
(Republican). Main platform is to enforce immigration laws. All
forgeign workers issued an ID card and allowed to stay for one year
only (mostly aimed at Mexican workers). I think what he wants is more
documentation and not so many undocumented illegal immigrants. People
can come in, just register first. Also supports single payer universal
healthcare. ==> Uhm, is either issue all that important? I'm all for
people emigrating to the US, but should that be your campaign platform?
Paul Mariano (Democrat). Seems that as governor, he will appoint Gray
Davis as his chief of staff and let him maintain leadership of
California in all but name. ==> Seriously, if 51% of people don't
want Davis as governor, we shouldn't vote for a man who'll just
effectively put Davis back in.
Paul "Chip" Mailander (Democrat). One page web site, which makes it
look like you're not serious. Wants to go through California laws and
repeal as many as possible in an effort to simplify government.
Something about accountability but I don't think he actually said
anything concrete. ==> Although laudable goals, I don't think he's
serious about this.
Dennis Duggan McMahon (Republican). He's all for school vouchers.
==> I think school vouchers are a bad idea.
Mike McNeilly (Republican). Has no web page I could find.
Mike P. McCarthy (Independent). (1) Repeal tripling of vehicle license
fee (does that really need to be your number 1 issue?). (2) Reduce
Workman's Compensation insurance costs. (3) Rescind energy contracts
Davis signed to end energy crisis. (4) Reduce taxes. A lot. (5) Stop
government waste (easier said than done). (6) Education. It's a nice
word but apparently no concrete plans. (7) Improve water and air
quality (uhm, that's a local government thing). ==> Uncomfortably
vague. And way too much US flag imagery on the web site.
|