The Confusing situation in California

The State of California has to be the weirdest state in the Union. On election day, California voters were required to respond to 12 propositions for changes in their state government. Prop 8, as the voters called it, was to enact a law to eliminate the right for same sex couples to wed under California law. It was the high profile item and arguably the most important of the 12. 

The other propositions dealt with redistricting, environmental and criminal justice issues. The strangest proposition was number 2. A law defining living space for cows, pigs and chickens raised in California's farms. 

Speaking now for the citizens of that state, I guess things did not go as planned. Proposition 8 was passed by a narrow margin. Last evening, 1000 angry citizens took to the streets in protest. It seems to me to be more than a bit perplexing to have such a violent reaction to the result of a fair and proper democratic activity when the desired results, depending on your view, fail to be realized. In fact, the democratic process that was elevated to modern societies greatest acheivement, with record voter turnouts across the country for the election Barack Obama is now spurned by the citizens of California with law suits and protests.

In an attempt to clarify, i feel badly for the thousands of couples who will not not be legally wed in their home state. It bothers me greatly to see laws enacted that deny recognition for such a simple act of communion of two people like marriage. i am of the firm conviction that laws should neither create  nor deny opportunites for those that are governed. It is important for true freedom that those who are governed are allowed to choose for themselves. 

But the people of California have spoken. They have, under the protection of the federal government, the right to govern themselves with states rights as they see fit. Why is this somehow so difficult to accept in light our apparent devotion and reliance on the democratic process in this country? 

At the same time, the people of California have chosen to give the livestock of thier state a bit more living space. Taken together, this is another head-scratcher. The citizens felt more compelled to grant livestock better living conditions and simultaneously decrease that space for their fellow state citizens wishing to marry someone of the same sex. The latter happen to be human beings, not live stock. This contrast is a very strange feature of a modern society that seems all to common now.  Perhaps we, as participants of democracy,  find it difficult to answer the questions that really matter.

For those in California, frustrated with the results of Prop 8, a remidner is requried. In a Democratic society, you must take the good as well as the bad. The democratic process depends upon it. In California, the primacy of the will of the people will most likely be challenged by lawsuits and the court system. In our society today, the ability of the courts to change the will of the people is a direct threat to our democracy and it must be restrained by the willingness of the people to continue the work of democracy. My hope is that the referendum shows up again for the people of California to vote and they will choose otherwise but they must be allowed this important right for any true victory of democracy.  

WERE NOT GONNA PROTEST !!!!

Election Daze

With Nov 4th,  the United States General Election, upon us,  I am greatly relieved. So relieved in fact that i feel like i want to go out and get hammered drunk and enjoy a rowdy Tuesday. Not to celebrate any political victory but instead to welcome in the freedom from political ads and endless coverage of this democracy thing. No more force-fed political agendas and civic duty guilt trips from celebrities. I am a willing participant. I think its important to participate. At the same time i feel that the whirlwind of this  democracy love fest is tiresome and without substantial personal reward for having to endure it. 

I was not really impressed by either of this year's candidates but i went into the polling station and checked the marks anyway. I honestly feel that I am lucky enough that my life has not been drastically altered by the last 8 "years of darkeness" and which ever candidate takes the seat, any significant change will be slight and barely noticeable from where I sit. It may not be fair but it's the truth. Whomever wins this election will have their work cut out for them for sure and I'm genuinely excited to see how this new president will take up the reigns of government. 

But in the end that's all it is: Government. Those that govern the people still will do what they wish regardless of campaign promises or stated beliefs. They will do what they need to do to keep the office they have won and will side with anyone who can help them accomplish that. After all, who wouldn't do what they felt they had to do to ensure their liveli

hood. We do it everyday at work. So do those who govern. 

In the words of Jesse "the Body" Ventura, they saying goes... "In today's democracy, we have 2 choices....Pepsi or Coke. They may seem different but they are not".

How free are we to choose those who govern us when the choice has really been made for us in advance. Political parties and special interests create the candidates and that is all we have. The truth is, the media driven, dual party system is not the only way for the people to elect their government, its just all we have right now.

And Democracy was all the Founding fathers had at their disposal at the time as well. They didn't even like democracy - they preferred it over Monarchy so that's what they went with. But they knew that the people could be just as easily oppressed by the mob as they could by a king. The founders disdain for unbridled democracy is evident in the creation of the electoral college. 

I got a voting sticker at the polls but discarded it with my morning latte. What's the voting sticker about? "Oh, i'm sorry, your sticker on your garment indicates that you participated in the election. Good for you..."  I hate that crap. It's my obligation as an American to vote, even if i don't like either candidate or think it really doesn't make a difference. I don't need to be made to feel good about it. 

That's not the american way.