november 8th is almost here

it's the beginning of november, which means elections are right around the corner. next tuesday, to be more precise. i've always cherished the right to vote. in fact, i pre-registered in high school so at the first possible moment, i could cast my ballot and feel my voice was heard. but it's sad that not everyone does this. it's like voting is an extra-curricular or something. and this year, in california, every vote counts.

why? because not only do we have local elections, but the governator has put state propositions on the ballot that can affect each and every one of us. that's right. he and his buddies have spent millions of the state's and their own dollars to hold a special election. for their own interests. like for redistricting (to be determined by retired judges picked by.... the government. not our legislators whom WE elect). and making it harder for unions to lobby. and for teacher evaluation periods to be one of the longest in the country (increasing it from 2 years to 5). and for the governor to be able to edit his own budget (increase or decrease) without legislative consent mid-year. and to require all minors to gain parental consent or that of a court prior to getting an abortion. that's right, if you don't have the balls to tell your potentially abusive dad or have the money and ability to get yourself to a courthouse several times, too bad, no abortion for you. just deal.

there are a few other props, but really, these are all bad, bad, bad propositions. all of them. and yet i'm surprised by how many people are saying they don't vote. period. ever. even if they don't like arnold or bush or newsom or whoever is in office or attempting to pass new laws. why? we all got nice little voter information guides in the mail (both local and state) giving us overviews of the props. and local papers have done op-eds and investigative reporting on them. and if you don't vote, it's not like your decision counts. if only those who support arnold's props show up and vote, then they win. and if you feel like you aren't informed, get informed. read your packet. read a newspaper. check out who REALLY sponsorswhich props, and make a difference. because if you don't, then you lose. so don't be apathetic. on november 8th, let your voice be heard.

• check out this article for some "reasons" why people won't vote. or why they will.
• the california voter guide can be found here.
• if you live in san francisco, you can find your polling place here.
• the san francisco voter guide can be found here.