On November 8th we Californians
in West Marin will be voting on 17 propositions, in addition to choosing
a candidate for President, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the
California State Assembly, a Marin Superior Court Judge, and a Supervisor for
our district. Based on your
political orientation, you probably already know how you will vote on many of
these candidates. But – how will
you figure out how to vote on the 17 propositions? Direct democracy in
California has made our choices more plentiful, and also much more
difficult. You may remember on
past ballots that you can read careful, reasoned arguments by the League of
Women Voters. Who are they,
and how did this come to be?
The League of Women Voters was
founded in1920 during the convention of the National American Woman Suffrage
Association. The convention was held just six months before the 19th amendment
to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote after a
72-year struggle. The League was designed to help 20 million women carry out
their new responsibilities as voters. From the beginning, it has been an
activist, grassroots organization whose leaders believed that citizens should
play a critical role in advocacy. It was then, and is now, a nonpartisan
organization. It takes a stand on issues, but does not endorse candidates. However,
League members are encouraged to be political themselves, by educating citizens
about, and lobbying for, government and social reform legislation. For example, the League is for
universal healthcare, campaign finance reform, action on climate change, gun
control and abortion rights.
Most of the League’s work is done
by volunteers, both women and men. This year, members in all 50 states are
working on registering new voters and getting out the vote. You can use the League's website for information in every state.
About those 17 Propositions: you will see the League’s
recommendations for at least 11of them on the ballot that will be mailed to you
before the election. For the 6
that are not included, you will need to look at the arguments pro and con and
their authors on your ballot. In addition to the League’s analyses, you
can go to their website votersedge.org to find out who contributes to all
the propositions, and the amounts.
For example, Proposition 56 would increase the tax on cigarettes by $2
per pack, to fund healthcare, tobacco use prevention, research and law
enforcement. The Yes campaign has
raised $17 million , mainly from hospitals and health care organizations, which
are listed, with amounts given.
The No campaign has raised $35.5 million, entirely from tobacco
companies. Proposition
61 would restrict the amount any state agency could pay for drugs to what is
paid by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Opponents of 61 have out contributed supporters by 15 to
one, and are many of the country’s large pharmaceutical corporations. Supporters include Bernie Sanders,
Robert Reich, the California Nurses Association, and many country Democratic
parties. Contributions so far
exceed $68 million; money spent on this proposition may exceed any amount spent
so far in California history.
Here’s another
one, to make you laugh, or cry, before you finish reading.
Proposition 60
will require performers in adult films to use condoms during the filming of
sexual intercourse. Funding
for support exceeds that of the opposition so far. No on 60 contributors
include Californians Against Worker Harassment and the Free Speech Coalition. Yes funds are from the AIDS Foundation.
When you make up your mind about this one, think about sexually transmitted
disease, AIDS, pregnancy, and the positive influence on viewers of seeing
condom use, or at any rate knowing about it.
You can support
the League of Women Voters online, or become a volunteer. I’m so glad
women got the vote , about 100 years ago, after a huge struggle. The League has
been going ever since.
Sadja Greenwood MD, MPH back issues on this blog
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