It should come as no surprise to my loyal Hip Hop Is Readers that I'm a Democrat. Like many people my age, I spend plenty of time watching Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Bill Maher, but I also read the op-ed articles of the New York Times, Washington Post, New Yorker, Newsweek and a few others. I spend lots of time hanging out at political sites like the Huffington Post, Crooks & Liars & Daily Kos and I've got tons of subscriptions to YouTube users who upload all things political. I make an effort to check out C-Span once in a while and I'm almost constantly listening to Air America Radio. In short, I'm something of a political junkie. Not too extreme though - trust me, I've seen worse!I've always been pretty outspoken about my political opinions - sometimes to the dismay of some of my readers! Sorry. But in keeping with this tendency, I've decided to indulge all my fellow voters -- who may either agree or disagree with me -- in posting my choices for '08. That's right: I'm giving you all a rundown of the votes I'll be placing tomorrow morning when I step in that booth and make history. Many of these picks are standard, run-of-the-mill choices. So be it. Some of them might surprise you... or not. But here they are. First and foremost, my pick for the next President and Vice President of the United States of America! ;D
President and Vice President:
BARACK OBAMA & JOE BIDEN
United States Representative (30th District)
HENRY A. WAXMAN
State Senator (23rd District)
FRAN PAVLEY
Proposition 1AI am voting YES on Proposition 1A because it is a step in the right direction for California, a step into the future. Prop. 1A would begin the construction of a 220 mile/hour train connecting from San Francisco to Los Angeles via San Jose and Fresno. The trains will be powered by renewable electricity (thumbs up!) and should bring California over 160,000 new jobs within the coming decade.
Proposition 2I am voting YES on Proposition 2 because it is what my dog would want me to do! Proposition 2 mandates that farmers must allow their animals (such as cows, chickens and pigs) enough room in their cages to move around, stand up or sit down and stretch their legs or wings. Because farmers aim to make a maximized profit, they stuff as many animals as possible into tiny, overcrowded cages. I think this is beyond wrong! It's gut-wrenching to watch and it shouldn't be happening, be it a human being or an animal. I wouldn't be able to look my dog in the face if I voted NO on Prop. 2. I'm not a vegetarian, but I do believe that animals should be treated with dignity.
Proposition 3I am voting YES on Proposition 3 because it provides funding towards the expansion and renovation of children's hospital facilities across the state. Who would want to vote against the Proposition? Do it for the children! The children! Ohhhh, think. of. the. children!!
Proposition 4I am voting NO on Proposition 4 because it would force pregnant young women who may have abusive relationships with their parent(s) to inform their parents of an abortion. I'm not pro-abortion because I think it's a good thing to do, but I'm also pro-choice. I believe in a woman's right to choose what's best for her. On the topic of abortion, no one else has put it so eloquently and poignantly as Joe Biden: "It's a personal and private issue. For me, as a Roman Catholic, I'm prepared to accept the teachings of my church... But that is my judgment. For me to impose that judgment on everyone else who is equally and maybe even more devout than I am seems to me is inappropriate in a pluralistic society."
Proposition 5I am voting YES on Proposition 5 because it puts a priority on helping nonviolent offenders in becoming productive members of society rather than locking them away in prison. In essence, it puts the correction in correctional facility. This Proposition would help drug addicts recover from their addiction. Overall, it would save California over $1 billion a year!
Proposition 6I am voting NO on Proposition 6 because it would force juvenile offenders into adult courts and would mandate longer prison sentences. This in turn would take billions of dollars out of the state budget at a time when we need it most! I say NO to expanding our prison complex. The CA Democratic Party is opposing this Proposition.
Proposition 7I am voting NO on Proposition 7 because it is poorly written and contains unrealistic timetables. It's got the right motives, but not the right writing. In the long run, it would cause more harm than good.
Proposition 8I am voting NO on Proposition 8 because it is a violation of people's rights. Regardless of whether or not you're pro or anti same-sex marriage, Proposition 8 proposes discrimination. If Proposition 8 passes, it would be the first time in history that a constitutional amendment would rescind human rights. 'nuff said.
Proposition 9I am voting NO on Proposition 9 because like Prop. 6, this would expand the prison complex. Simply put, this is an unnecessary Proposition.
Proposition 10I am voting NO on Proposition 10 because T. Boone Pickens can suck my D***! This is the guy who sunk John Kerry's 2004 campaign with those Swift Boat ads; now, in 2008, he still stands by them. I just don't trust this guy. I think he's got sneaky, ulterior motives. If that weren't enough, he wants to take $5 billion for his own companies. Not cool.
Proposition 11I am voting NO on Proposition 11 because it is biased redistricting which would favor Republicans. It undermines Black and Brown Californians. Though we need redistricting reform, this one's awful.
Proposition 12I am voting YES on Proposition 12 because it would renew a home loan program (from 1922) for veterans. This Proposition would enable veterans of current wars to get affordable loans. Support the troops!
...and that's it! Be informed, be persuaded - but don't be brainwashed! Vote for what your conscience tells you. This year, we've got the opportunity to vote not only for ourselves, but for the coming generations. Think carefully... and act! The time is now.
Once again, here are some of the tunes I'll be bumpin' during the next 24 hours:
