The Election Day Blues

[knitwits1975]

OK, so it's not as bad as last year with the presidential election, but like every year, we get bombarded with TV commercials for the election. With election day less than a week away, they always get more frequent and nasty the closer we get to the Election. "Vote for John Doe or your company will go bankrupt, The environment will become polluted, and your state will go to hell". Then there's "We'll tell you the truth about John Doe. He smoked weed in college, cheated on his exams, and cheated on his wife. Vote for Adam Smith". The smear campaigns go on and on. And you get the Idea. I'm just curious of what your states might be voting on this year, if you don't mind sharing. Are there any laws, taxes, or amendments you are trying to pass or repeal. Some of the major biggies in my state are two on medical malpractice. One is designed to place caps on non monetary damages and take away much of the accountability for doctors. The other adds accountability, and imposes a three strikes and you're out type of policy, where medical licenses will get revoked when doctors screw up. It also makes the screw ups public record. My mother was twice a victim of medical negligence, so this is an issue I feel very strongly about. Another is to repeal gas tax hikes that were imposed over the next four years for road repairs. I think if it passes, we will have some trouble. The Alaskan Way Viaduct sustained heavy damage in our 2-28-2001 earthquake. We need to fix the roads, But people already feel they are paying too damn much for fuel (myself included), It will be hard to convince them to pay any more. Time will tell. The other is a statewide smoking ban. I personally am a non smoker and would prefer not to breathe other people's smoke, and I think a lot of people that smoke are very disrespectful about it. I do however think it should be up to the property owner whether to allow or disallow smoking on their premises. If they wish to allow it in their venues and I do not want to deal with it, I can always eat, drink, or bowl somewhere else. But I do not believe in forming a dictatorship. The thing that gripes me the most though is that this ban will not apply to any tribal lands, so privately owned businesses will really get screwed by this ban while the tribal lands will benefit from their loss. Please share your thoughts.

 

[spiralactivator]

I love to smoke, and it's never caused a problem when I go out. In Pennsylvania the restaurants have smoking and non-smoking sections, so nobody bothers anybody else. I'm not a bar person, but I used to frequent a nightclub that had ventilation systems (which should be in place even if no one is smoking; air circulation is very important). On this issue, any problem can be worked out between reasonable adults on their own, so I don't understand those who want to legislate the world into their own funless, sanitized vision of Utopia.

 

[knitwits1975]

Yes, and this is why I believe it is up to the business owners to decide.

 

[Brneyedgrl80]

I'm a smoker and actually prefer non-smoking establishments, simply because I hate coming home from a bar or whatnot and reeking of smoke.

But another aspect that one should look at is the health issue which is why I am also for non-smoking places. Smoke travels regardless of whether or not you have a designated non-smoking area. You can go to a bar and not partake of alcohol while somebody sitting next you is drinking, that is not the case with smoking. If the person sitting next to you is smoking, then in essense, you are smoking as well.

No one has the right to put someone else's health at risk while we all enjoy ourselves.

When I used to live in California, I had no problem stepping outside to light a cigarette. If my friends came outside to keep me company, that was fine, it was their choice. Pretty soon, Phoenix will be facing a very similar vote. They've already established non-smoking laws (including bars) in neighboring cities such as Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa and Tempe. It's just a matter of time before it hits Phoenix, and I'll be voting yes on it when it comes time.

 

[maytagbear]

Here in Ohio...

There are two disturbing elements in this election.

First one is we're going to electronic voting, and I am not pleased (but understand the rationale) behind the Secretary of State's choice of the flawed Diebold machine (Ohio company.) There have been questions of the security of the vote using the Diebold software.
I am going to miss the punch card. I have never used any other voting method since 1978 when I was eligible to vote. I have only missed two elections, and both of them were local primaries. Both due to sudden illness.

I take voting very seriously, particularly during wartime--if those brave men and women are risking their lives, the least I can do is find out what the issues are, and get myself down to the poll!
(I have a very short 4 block walk.)

The other matter is State Issue 1. It is a gutting of our tax system, much like Prop 2 1/2.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[maytagbear]

PS-

I find that I am a lot saner and happier for not watching tv. I get my news from the newspapers, NPR, and the internet.

I use my tv as a monitor for my internet service, and for home video.

I think, but cannot prove, that part of the increase in ADD/ADHD might be too much tv during childhood.
I know that if I ever become a parent (anything can happen), I would either limit my child's exposure to to tv, or not have one at all.

Lawrence/Maytagbear