My Vote in California

I already have a pretty good idea of who I'm going to vote for here in Hawaii but I still plan to spend a couple hours researching before I vote tomorrow. I have a feeling, however, that you, with your job and all, are too busy to spend much time researching on a Tuesday. Since I pay a lot more attention to this political crap than you do, I thought I'd go over the California ballot and let you know how I would vote and why.

Just so you know, when you see something in pink, you can click on it and it will take you to a website where you can research my claims. You can judge my sources for yourself.

Federal Government

Senate: Barbara Boxer (D)

All Senators are inherently icky, with the glaring exception of Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Barbara Boxer is probably owned just as much as any other Senator by big money and big business. I would still vote for her though. She is a big advocate for renewable energy and has been since way before it was cool. She also has proven to me that she will fight when something truly disgusting is being done to our country. For example, she voted against the Iraq War and she has been one of the most outspoken opponents of BP and the entire oil/death industry. Out of the two women currently serving California in the Senate, she is by far our best representative (Diane Feinstein is a war profiteer and operates only on behalf of the rich, but she's safe until 2012). I'd give Barbara Boxer another go.

House of Representatives: Henry Waxman (D)

Every single person in the House of Representatives can be thrown out on their asses every 2 years, something that very few people who I know understand.

You, my dear sister, are in District 30. Your current congressman, Henry Waxman, is one of my favorite Congressman; that's saying a lot considering I detest 90% of them. He was one of the very few people in Congress who actually took on the Bush Administration as they were taking a collective piss on our laws. He investigated war profiteering, the Pat Tillman case, the fired attorneys, the muzzling of scientists who had evidence of global warming, election fraud, and he looked into no-bid contracts for deepwater oil drilling before the Deepwater Horizon even broke ground. I would definitely keep him.

California State

Governor: Jerry Brown (D)

I'd like to vote for Laura Wells (G). She is my top pick for quite a few reasons. She supports single payer health care (where health care is paid for by the government just like the police and fire departments), instant run-off voting (where you rank your candidates instead of picking just one in order to prevent situations just like this one), and she wants to establish a state bank so that us peasants have somewhere else to keep our money other than the giant evil banks.

The problem is that she won't win because she's not a Democrat or Republican and we still have too many people in our country that will only vote for those two parties. That's why I'd have to vote for Jerry Brown.

I realize I'm a part of the problem by not voting for Laura Wells, but the reason is that Meg Whitman would be an absolute disaster and we simply can't let that happen to California. We all know that Whitman is rich as hell and buying her own seat, but that's only part of why she's awful. She's awful because she wants to do nothing to curb global warming, she's deeply financially connected to Goldman Sachs (which might be the most despicable group of thieves in the world), she doesn't want high speed rail in California (because traffic is such a breeze), and she was so un-interested in politics during her lifetime that she didn't bother to vote for 28 years.

Jerry Brown, even though he's my second choice, is not a bad choice. He already was the governor of California and we had a budget surplus during his term. As governor, he was the first to offer a tax incentive for roof top solar and that was way back in 1977. He supports high speed rail in California and as Attorney General, he took on the banks for screwing over people by messing with their mortgages. I think my favorite thing about him though is that when presented with all the expensive perks that come with being Governor, such as a huge house and a personal limo with driver, he passed on them. Instead, he rented an apartment and drove his own car. It's that kind of humbleness that tells me that he's not a corporate hack and gives me hope that he'd actually be thinking of people like us, instead of the super rich, when making big decisions.

Leiutenant Governor: Gavin Newson (D)

Gavin Newson is the current mayor of San Francisco and I've actually known of him for a pretty long time. He's a supporter of instant run-off voting, he made same-sex unions happen in San Francisco, he's a supporter of universal healthcare, and he signed up San Francisco for the Kyoto Protocol at a time when the Bush government was telling the world to go F themselves. I've heard him on radio station interviews and have liked him every time. I'd definitely like to see what he'd be able to do for us in a more powerful position.

Secretary of State: Debra Bowen (D)

California has a big problem with voter disenfranchisement and I think it's important to note that Debra Bowen is aware of it. She ordered a review of all the scary electronic voting machines which were switching people's votes and when she discovered the glitches, she shut some of them down (not an easy thing to do to big companies during the Bush years). Also, her record has her scoring very high with consumer protection groups, environmental groups, health, and labor groups. She scores low with gun owners, conservatives, and big business.

I like her.

Controller: John Chiang (D)

He took on The Terminator when Arnold wanted to slash all state workers paychecks to minimum wage. That's good enough for me.

Treasurer: Bill Lockyer (D)

As far as I can tell, Bill Lockyer seems to be the most experienced person running for Treasurer. What I liked about his experience the most is that he has taken on the big corporations time after time for various acts of evil. Since I consider corporations, and their purchasing of our government, to be the most dangerous threat facing the United States, I really like to see corporate ass kicking on a resume. I would definitely give Bill Lockyer another term.

Now I know that I'm listing a lot of Democrats, but I am reading the profiles of the other candidates. When looking into the things that Robert Lauten (the American Independent candidate) supports, I was directed to a website that contained a picture of President Obama with a Hitler mustache. Some of these people and their positions are absolutely insane!

Attorney General: Kamala Harris (D)

Honestly, I would vote for her because the Republican running against her believes in both the 3 strikes law and the death penalty. I do like some things about her though. She's got a target on her back from the big businesses in California and that's always a good sign. She also recently promised to fight Prop 8 if elected. Good enough for me.

Insurance Commissioner: William Balderston (G)

It was really hard to find any information at all about this race, which is pretty concerning. However, with the limited amount of information I had, I was able to figure out that Balderston is as wary of big corporations as I am. Considering the health insurance companies are some of the biggest and scariest of the big soulless companies, this is exactly the type of ball buster that I want in power. He also said he wanted to end the wars. That tells me he's a hippie. Sold!

State Senate, District 26: Cindy Varela Henderson

This was another area where it was really hard to find good information. I picked Cindy Varela Henderson over Democrate Curren Price because she stated that her goals were to close corporate tax loopholes (which would be HUGE in helping California's budget crisis), strengthening public schools, and green technology. If I were to name the top three priorities for me, it might very well be those. My choice really isn't much more refined than that.

Propositions

Proposition 19: Legalize it!

Hell to the yeah!

Proposition 20: Redistricting of Congressional Districts

I'm always nervous when "redistricting" is suggested. Redistricting is what Tom Delay did in Texas, when the Republicans re-drew the map of who votes in what district to favor themselves. It is done all over the country, by both parties, to protect incumbents from getting thrown out of office by their unruly constituents. Proposition 20 takes the re-districting process away from politicians and gives it to a 14 person commission made up Democrats, Repubs, and non-party people (party poopers, if you will). No longer allowing politicians to pick and choose who their voters are sounds like a great idea to me.

Yes.

Proposition 27: Eliminate State Commission on Redistricting, Consolidates Authority for Redistricting with Elected Representatives

I know I skipped a few here but this is directly related to Proposition 20. It's related because it does the exact opposite. It would eliminate that commission I just told you about, which we voted to create just two years ago. I'm insulted that this proposition is even on the ballot, as is just about every newspaper in California.

This one's a No, with an extra extension of the middle finger to the "Elected Representatives" who want to "Consolidate (their own) Authority".

Proposition 21: $18 a year in extra vehicle fees for free entrance to CA State Parks

This one is pretty straight forward. When the budget crisis got really severe a few years ago, a lot of state parks had cut staff so severely that they shut down, which hurts the citizens of California by not allowing them to enjoy the parks and by stunting tourism. I find that to be a real shame. I think there is some justice in charging car drivers (who are polluting the air) an extra fee to allow California to take better care of the pieces of nature we've set aside because they are spectacular.

For me, it's a Yes.

Proposition 22: Prohibits the state from taking funds from transportation, redevelopment, or local government services

The state definitely raided the funds of local governments in the last few years, that is for sure. The problem with this proposition is that it protects these areas while others are left to be raided. Yes, gas taxes should be spent on transportation infrastructure and I'd like to see local taxes to go local government, but what about education? Our public schools have been going to shit since the 1980's. What about health care programs? That federal health care bill wasn't nearly good enough and we're still going to need state money; especially now through 2014 when the new federal health care bill goes into effect. What about the state parks? They've been raided enough too.

I understand the frustration by local governments but I don't think it's a good idea to dictate to the people responsible for making a budget what they can and can't prioritize.

No on 22.

Proposition 23: Suspend the Global Warming Act of 2006 until unemployment drops to 5.5%

This is the corporate douchebaggery that makes my blood boil. The idea behind it doesn't even make sense, unless you are a huge corporate polluter that wants to spit out any reason you can think of to get the Global Warming Act suspended. By setting a goal of reducing carbon emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, California has created plenty of new green jobs. It takes people to create new technology, design it, make it, sell it, and install it. A green transformation of this state and country is probably the best economic decision we could make. Never mind the fact that we, as humans, need reduce carbon emission so that we don't render ourselves extinct. On a purely economic level, this act would harm us immensely if our goal is to reduce unemployment.

Absolutely not.

Proposition 24: Stops corporate tax breaks by repealing one of the Governator's laws

When I look at corporate tax issues, I always ask myself if it is a break that I would get myself, as a tax paying citizen of the United States. For this proposition, here are the most important bullet points:

- It stops businesses from shifting losses by getting refunds from prior tax years.
- It stops corporations from sharing tax credits with affiliated corporations.
- It stops allowing corporations to decide how they will be taxed.

I think all these changes are fair. I can't go back to my 2008 tax year to get money back if I had a bad year in 2010. I can't give you my tax credit because I got more than I could use. I can't choose how I will be taxed.

Why should they?

Yes on 24.

Proposition 25: Budget will be passed with a simply majority instead of 2/3 votes, as it is now

I was torn on this one until I saw the list of "people" who are the biggest contributors against it. Chevron is #1. Chamber of Commerce (big business) is #2. Also on the list: Phillip Morris (tobacco), Conoco-Phillips (oil & gas), Occidental Petroleum, Shell Oil. The argument presented most often against it was that it might lead to higher taxes. Boo f-ing hoo. Pay your share.

Yes.

Proposition 26: Requires that certain fees be passed by a 2/3 super-majority. Fees include those "that address adverse impacts on society or the environment caused by the fee-payer's business"

These business people have no shame. Basically, it's is designed to make it harder for us to impose fees on big companies that do harm to society and the environment. Bastards aren't even hiding it; they put it right in the title. The same list of evil that paid for Prop 25's opposition has paid for the promotion of Prop 26. Check out the long list of groups that are against it.

So over these corporations. No. No. No on 26.

And 26 is my favorite number. Jerks!

That's about it! Happy voting day!

Creamed Spinach

This is one of my new favorite side dishes. I found it in a cookbook that I bought on sale for under $5 called Best Recipes of the Great Food Companies. This one is titled Creamed Spinach a la Lawry's in the book but I'm annoyed with the inappropriate use of 'a la' so I'm not going to call it that.

I cooked this recipe first after I found my new ghetto cookbook largely because this creamed spinach recipe is served at The Prime Rib on La Cienaga in Los Angeles. Obviously, I've never eaten at The Prime Rib because I'm a cheap ass but any restaurant on Restaurant Row is probably amazing, which they'd have to be to afford the rent. I bet this creamed spinach is about $7 per serving if you were to get someone else to cook it for you, but thanks to me, you can cook it at home and be sure that it's only 2 points per serving :)

Creamed Spinach
Total points = 14
6 servings = 2 points per serving

Ingredients

4 slices of bacon, finely chopped = 5.5 points
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup all purpose flour = 2 points
2 teaspoons Lawry's Seasoned Salt
1/2 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Lawry's Garlic Powder with Parsley
1 1/2 cups milk = 3.5 points
2 boxes (10 oz each) frozen spinach = 2 points
(Optional) Fresh basil and extra bacon for garnish (don't forget add bacon points!)

Preparation

- Cook and drain spinach.

- Chop 4 pieces of cold bacon as small as you can. Chop more if you want bacon on top. Don't forget to add up the points!

- Chop 1/2 an onion into tiny pieces.

Directions

1) In medium frying pan, cook the bacon on medium-low heat until it is almost crisp.

2) Add onion to bacon and cook until the onion is floppy.

3) Move the pan to a cold burner.

4) Add flour, seasoned salt, seasoned pepper, and garlic powder with parsley; blend well.

5) Gradually stir in the milk.

6) Return the pan to the hot burner and cook over low heat until thickened.

7) Add spinach and mix well.

8) If too thick, add additional milk. Remember to add up the points for the extra milk!

9) (Optional) Garnish with fresh basil and additional bacon.

10) Serve and eat :)


I'll post a picture the next time I make it. Enjoy!

Death of the Freak Bug

Warning: Language may not be suitable for all audiences