Glimmers of Hope in the CA Special Election: The Vote Heard Around the World
We can hope that history records today as the start of the tax revolt of 2009 with the Vote Heard Around the World in San Francisco County.
For those of you who are unaware, today, May 19, 2009, the state of California held a special election with a bunch of propositions to increase fees and taxes in order to cover the state’s massive deficit, caused by out-of-control spending on behalf of the state government – Republicans and Democrats are all to blame for California’s huge budget mess.
Today, the citizens of California had a clear choice: Close the budget gap by enacting more fees and taxes, or close the budget gap by closing down government services. After all, Governor Schwarzenegger made it perfectly clear that the state was going to have to make serious cuts if these ballot propositions failed. One might make the argument that Californians also felt an option on the table was that if they didn’t fund it themselves, then the federal government would write them a check – but that is so despicable that I won’t even assume that the liberals out in CA would try to avoid paying taxes themselves, since they seem to think taxes for the rest of us are something we should be proud to pay.
Regardless of what motivated the voters to vote the way they did, I see glimmers of hope coming out of this election – true glimmers of hope, not the glimmers of hope Barrack Obama talks about in the economy. These are the glimmers of hope that show people are taking a stand – they have had enough, and they are saying “when.”
With 80.5 percent of the precincts reporting as of the time I write this, almost a full two-thirds of the people have voted against fees, taxes, and spending that will strap the backs of the citizens of California with so much weight that they will not be able to lift themselves out of the recession. (Note: This is important to the rest of us because CA’s economy is the 6th largest economy in the world – by itself! CA tanking is bad for us all.)
They voted no to the ridiculous propositions for the “Rainy Day” Budget Stabilization Fund, the Education Funding Payment Plan, the Lottery Modernization Act, the Children’s Services Funding, and the Mental Health Funding. All of these by more than 60%. And, to the proposition on whether or not elected officials salaries should be frozen, Californians voted approximately 75% that elected officials’ salaries should be frozen.
But we can’t count our chickens before they’re hatched. 19.8 percent of the votes still need to be counted. However, what struck me was not so much the total vote count as the count in one particular county.
San Francisco County, recognized around the nation, if not around the world, as one of the most liberal, if not THE most liberal, counties in the United States, with 100% of its votes counted, has voted against taxation (with the exception of education), and in favor of freezing the elected officials’ salaries.
I would have voted against all of the propositions to raise taxes, including education; however, if education is the one place where San Franciscans waivered, then I salute them. They voted against taxation (except for education) with “No” votes ranging from 53% to 58%. That is ASTOUNDING for this counting. Absolutely astounding, and a true glimmer of hope.
The education proposition passed 52 to 48, but in the liberal’s shining city by the bay, this is not a dramatic victory. After all, Barrack Obama received 84% of the vote only 6 short months ago.
Winning 52 to 48 is not really a victory when you consider how badly Barrack Obama beat John McCain in this county. The propositions that did fail with “No” votes ranging from 53 to 58% of the vote, however, should be hailed as the “vote heard around the world.”
No matter what the final statewide outcome, today was a fantastic day for America because of the results of the voting in San Francisco County.
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Oh come on, Dan. People of at every political spectrum (liberal or conservative) have common sense. When times are good, we may have different ideas on what to do with the money. But when times are bad, everyone have common sense to see that balance budgeting and cuts are necessary. You make it sound as if these “liberals” are always bent on taxing everyone and somehow it’s a miracle that they managed to grasp the concept of a balanced budget and sacrifice.
At the core, most Americans I know are practical common sensed people. Although there are exceptions, most people are not so bent on enlarging social programs or so bent on enlarging national security programs that they fail to see the common national interests. I respect the American people for that, and that is why I have faith in our political processes.
This article, though educational, highlights to me the degree to which you over simplify and cartoonize folks with more liberal and progressive ideology. For me, even though I don’t agree with overly conservative ideologies, I also don’t think they are incompetent of passing common sense initiatives.
Dat, it was just over 1 month ago, on April 15th that people around the nation gathered at what they called “Tea Parties” to show their distaste for taxes, and to send a message to the government that it was time to stop the rampant spending which would ultimately put the United States government in the same position that the California government is in today.
On that day, April 15th, liberals across the country (including their news station – CNN) were bashing these Tea Parties as “conservative” propaganda trumped up by the vast right wing conspiracy, funded by deep-pocketed right-wing individuals and corporations.
So, why is it that when people went to the streets, that this was just some massive right-wing conspiracy and foolish, but when liberals in CA vote along the same lines as those who protested on April 15th, the ideas expressed on the April 15th now become “common sense” ideas?
It seems to me that there are some inconsistencies. Either the ideas that out-of-control spending is wrong and that high taxation is bad for the country are products of the vast right-wing conspiracy, or they are common sense. You can’t have it both ways.
Dan, I think you’re missing the gray and moderate zone here. Not all “liberals” thought the Tea Parties was a “right-wing conspiracy”. Network news sometimes just want to stir people up and get ratings. Most people I know thought the Tea Party was a very patriotic expression of concern for national interests. I am also concerned about the way our government is spending tax dollars. In these difficulties times, we are forced into uncomfortable policy maneuverings that should give anyone who is even mildly risk averse goosebumps.
The point here is that just because someone does not cling to the right all the time or the left all the time, does not make them inconsistent or wishy washy in their positions. Maybe they are just consistently in the middle … and I believe that is where most Americans lie. Yes, the extremes always make the loudest noise and take the most attention … but I believe most people are concerned about the basics in life.
To any extent … I appreciate your perspectives and passion to drive America in the right direction. It is the same spirit that drove many Americans to vote for Obama. The complexities of the world means there will always be different views … but if “rise of reason” is a genuine name … then rational reasoning should unite people at some common grounds. Cheers.