Leafing through my 104-page Sample Ballot and Voter Information
Packet this week, I reflected on the rewards of freedom, the joys
of democracy and the mind-numbing repetition of campaign ads on
television.
Leafing through my 104-page Sample Ballot and Voter Information Packet this week, I reflected on the rewards of freedom, the joys of democracy and the mind-numbing repetition of campaign ads on television.
But more than that, I learned something new. (Can you learn something old?)
I learned that Libertarian tax accountant Donna Tello is running for state controller. I want to learn why her parents would name her after an Italian Renaissance artist and/or a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.
I learned that I’m still immature because it’s hard not to laugh when seeing Dick Mountjoy’s name on the ballot.
I learned that we have a Lightfoot running for Secretary of State, a King running for lieutenant governor, a Barron running for controller, a Burden running for insurance commissioner, a Neighbors running for the state board of equalization, and Anthony “Hold” De Maio running for congress.
I’m not sure if this is a ballot misprint, but I think we also have an actor running for governor. What’s next, a movie star as president?
Speaking of the governor’s race, I’ve had enough of Phil Angelides walking backward in pro-Schwarzenegger commercials. I also can’t get the audio of Arnold saying “George W. Bush” out of my head. Just when I clear my mind, my 10-year-old walks around the house saying “Let’s Re-Elect George W. Bush … George W. Bush … George W. Bush” in his best Arnold voice.
On the local political scene, I mentioned in a previous column my dislike for the recorded phone messages that one local candidate was using (though I understand that it’s a cost-effective way to get the message out). After I wondered in print why he didn’t just call people himself to let them know where he stands, he called me and gave me the scoop on why he wants to “Vault” his way into the state assembly. I appreciated that.
Now, however, as we’re in the waning days before the Nov. 7 election, his campaign dirt has turned to mud and that mud is getting slung. In this case, it’s a television ad reminding voters that convicted Hollister rapist and murder Gus Marlow was at one point defended by assembly candidate and Salinas Mayor Anna Caballero, who was a defense attorney at the time.
The ad implies that Caballero is soft on crime and coddles criminals, which may or may not be true. But let’s not diminish a basic tenet of our freedom in this country – the right to be defended in court. As despicable as Marlow’s acts were – and they hit home because my sister was a friend of one of his victims and I spent a day or two in the gallery of the Visalia courtroom where my dad presided over the case in which Marlow was convicted – he deserved to have a lawyer appointed to represent him just as he deserved to go to prison.
It is fair to question the mayor’s record on crime in Salinas, but it’s not fair to essentially claim she is a friend of criminals simply because she defended them. Once again, tell my why to elect you, not why I should not elect your opponent.
Whew, sorry for straying from our ballot discussion, especially since there’s precious little time to sort out how to vote on Propositions 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 and local measures O, R, and S.
Here’s my recommendation: Register to vote by Monday, which is the deadline; pick up a voter information pamphlet and read about the issues over the next couple of weeks; then take 15 minutes out of your day and vote on Nov. 7. In the meantime, TiVo your favorite television shows and fast-forward through the commercials until Nov. 8.
Adam Breen teaches journalism and yearbook at San Benito High School. He is former editor of The Free Lance. E-mail him at br******************@ya***.com.
