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Notebook

A Modest Proposition – Eric Panzer

Haiku Corner – Connie Wang

2006, By the Numbers

DumbAss!

Focus on California

Arnold: We Won’t Get Fooled Again – Nicole Thomas

A year ago, the choice between California State Treasurer Phil Angelides and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hardly would have been in question. Schwarzenegger was a disaster with one of the lowest approval ratings of any California governor in history. Though Californians liked him well enough just after recalling former governor Grey Davis, Schwarzenegger’s overhaul of worker’s compensation, opposition to same-sex marriage, vetoes of a minimum wage increase, lack of success in repaying our deficit, and utter failure to gain popular support for last year’s Special Election made his ratings plummet. [more]

Choice Couldn’t Be Clearer in Lt. Gov. Race – Scott Lucas

The choice in the race for Lieutenant Governor: either a crazy man or one who played football for the Bears as a student here. [more]

Prop 85: Deja Vu All Over Again – Sarah Gold

My introduction to Proposition 85 was at the California Democratic Party Convention in Sacramento last spring, when kelly green stickers emblazoned with the words, “NO, AGAIN!” began to dot the delegates’ lapels. The stickers struck me as vaguely familiar in style and color, which was, I soon realized, their intention. The color was the same, the font was the same, and the message was the same, for this time around only the number had changed: merely five months after being defeated fifty-three to forty-seven percent in last November’s Special Election, Proposition 73 had been reincarnated as Proposition 85. [more]

Propositions 1A-E: Investing in California’s Present and Future – Katie Borofka

The “Rebuild California” package is designed to reinvigorate social programs and infrastructure. This package will ultimately lead to a stronger economy, better education, and a higher standard of living for Californians. [more]

Fighting for Congress in the Bay’s Backyard – Andrea Olson

Whenever I blow the seeds off of a dandelion, I wish for only one thing: that Democrats will take back Congress this election year. For too long Republicans have been using their majority not to “ensure domestic tranquility” or “promote the general welfare”, but to push their private agenda and wield their power in a way that has hurt our country deeply. No Republican is guiltier of such abuse of power then Congressman Richard Pombo (R-Pleasanton). And more importantly, no one is better suited to take his place this November than Jerry McNerney. [more]

Saving Our Streams: Yes on 84 – Sarah Edwards

Rarely does California entertain a ballot proposition with such widespread support as Proposition 84, the Clean Water, Parks and Coastal Protection Bond of 2006. Both Phil Angelides and Arnold Schwarzenegger have endorsed this $5.4 billion bond measure; many water districts, local governments, elected officials, and environmental and conservation groups join them in their support. [more]

Don’t Be Fooled: Prop 88 A Bad Deal – Annette Konoske-Graf

Proposition 88 is nothing more than a rogue ballot measure that fools the innocent voter with promises of “education funding.” [more]

Big Step in the Right Direction: Yes on 87 – Nicole Thomas

Voting “yes” on Prop 87 should be a no-brainer. We all know that we must start finding new, efficient energy sources that will replace petroleum as a major source of energy. Prop 87 promises to cut petroleum consumption by a fourth by funding people to research alternative energy sources, more efficient alternative energy vehicles, and more efficient technology. It also provides money to educate and train those who want to help in this very important research. [more]

National Perspective

Getting Inside the Conservative Mind: The Frames and Rhetoric of the American Right – Nathan Schneider

The year was 1992. In his speech to the Republican National Convention, Vice President Dan Quayle asked: “Why should the best people be punished?” The alleged injustice he was lamenting was the idea of a progressive tax system, in which a taxpayer’s rate varies based on what they can afford. Clearly, he was assuming two things: that taxes are a form of punishment, and that those being taxed the most are somehow “the best people.” Where do these ideas come from, and why does his claim seem so unreasonable to progressives? [more]

15 Steps to Winning the House – Eric Lopez

The leaves are falling, the weather is getting colder, and Karl Rove is running smear campaigns, so it must be election time again. For the first time in twelve years, Democrats have a very real shot at capturing the 218 seats needed to establish a majority. With 203 Democrats and 232 Republicans currently occupying the People’s House, Democrats need to pick up 15 seats to make Nancy Pelosi the next Speaker of the House. [more]

Winning Back the Senate – Eric Lopez

While retaking the Senate is definitely a trickier proposition than winning control of the House, it is certainly doable. With Democrats currently holding 45 out of a hundred seats, we need a net gain of six to gain control of the chamber. A tough proposition in any year, 2006 is such that we might just pull it off. [more]