The Freedom Minute

Recommendations for May 19th Special Election

Local Races

City Attorney – Vote for Carmen Trutanich. His opponent, Jack Weiss, was our council member and was pretty much the worst representative you could imagine. He’s in bed with all the political elites in City Hall and has waged a deceptive smear campaign against Trutanich. Don’t reward him. Trutanich will be an independent prosecutor and work best for the people of Los Angeles.

Council District 5 – Vote for David Vahedi. Between Vahedi and his opponent Paul Koretz, there is no doubt that Vahedi is the better choice. Koretz is a career politician and would simply be a continuation of the status quo. He moved into the district just so he could run for the open council seat being vacated by Jack Weiss. I’ve listened to both men at various candidates forums and I’m convinced that Vahedi will be a much more independent voice and bring the possibility of real change. I also believe he will be more open to input for the constituents. He’s also a real grass-roots candidate having served on his local neighborhood council for many years.

Here’s what you need to know about the Propositions

Vote NO on all

Prop 1A – This purports to impose a spending limit on the budget process. However, unlike a “real” spending limit, Prop 1A ties spending to prior revenue. That means that as long as the legislature raises taxes, they can keep adding to the budget. That’s no limit at all. California needs a spending limit imposed on the budget, but this is not it This prop would also extend the taxes already imposed during the last budget crisis. Taxes in California are already the highest in the nation by far. We don’t need higher taxes, we need to cut the budget and impose some spending restraints.

Prop 1B – This prop only takes effect if 1A also passes. It would funnel revenue back into school funding, but at an increase to the current levels. Much of the problem from school funding in California is a result of the outlandish benefits we are obligated to pay to retired teachers and other support personnel. These benefits are way above the benefits received by workers in the private sector. The reason our schools are starved for funds, is not because we don’t spend enough on education, it’s because of all the other obligations that siphon off money that would otherwise go to the classrooms.

Prop 1C – Allows the legislature to borrow against future lottery earnings. This is another smoke and mirrors move to cover up our huge deficit. The money will eventually have to be paid back with interest. We don’t need more debt.

Prop 1D – Siphons money from a dedicated account into the general fund. Another smoke and mirrors move to cover up our huge deficit. It’s just more creative bookkeeping so our politicians don’t have to make the hard choices and they can punt the problem into the future.

Prop 1E – Pretty much the same as Prop 1D but with a different dedicated account.

Prop 1F – This is a cynical attempt by one politician, Abel Maldonado, to make it appear as though he’s doing something to help the budget crisis, but it’s a sham. Abel Maldonado was the final republican vote to raise taxes during the recent budget crisis. He previously made a pledge when he was running for office that he would not vote to raise taxes. In some back-door wheeling and dealing, Maldonado switched his vote for personal gain. One of the things that he got was this proposition put on the ballot so he could have some political cover. The proposition would never actually do anything and is simply one of those “let’s pretend we’re on the side of the people” deceptions. Don’t fall for it.

May 18th, 2009 Posted by freedomminute | Ballot Initiatives, Election, Local Government, State Government | no comments