For those of us in Liberty, you can find your voting location and a sample ballot here. For those outside of Liberty, I would suggest looking at your county's website for your voting information and sample ballot. If you take even a quick look ahead of time, it should help alleviate any potential confusion when you actually get to the polls in the morning.
As usual, I have found it extremely difficult to determine whether or not the judges up for approval are originalists or agenda-driven activists. Over the past few years, the only thing I've figured out is to go to their previous court opinions and read them, and try to interpret those. Of course, not being proficient in legalese, that is of limited help. My plan is to vote no on all of them, just on principle. For any of the good ones, sorry. Let it be a message to somehow make that information more accessible to the public. (Oh wait, that's probably intentional, isn't it? Thus my no vote...)
There are several big questions and amendments on the Missouri ballot this time around, and I always find it necessary to get some explanation on them. Absent my own educated opinion, I try to find some opinions of other people who are experts and do understand these things. Fortunately for people like me, the St. Louis Tea Party has offered a statement on each of them:
NO on Prop B
Vote “NO” to defend Missouri against animal rights extremism! A “yes” vote will amend Missouri law to require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each dog under their care with sufficient food, clean water, housing and space; necessary veterinary care; regular exercise and adequate rest between breeding cycles. The amendment further prohibits any breeder from having more than 50 breeding dogs for the purpose of selling puppies as pets. The amendment also creates a misdemeanor crime of ‘puppy mill cruelty for any violation. As great as this language sounds, the problem with voting “yes” on this amendment is that the domestic pet industry is already monitored with laws regarding all of the above. This proposition is not really about dog breeders as it states, but it is actually an attack against all the freedoms of personal property rights and agriculture by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). This extremist group is determined to destroy our food sources and the enjoyment of animals as they play on the heart strings of voters. Their radical agenda includes threatening the eating of meat, wearing leather, the elimination of hunting, fishing, aquarium trips, medical research and the elimination of all domesticated animals and family pets. A “no” vote will not change the current Missouiri law regarding dog breeders. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes. This statutory provision was proposed by a citizens Initiative Petition. Go to: http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2010petitions/2010-085.asp to read the full context of this statutory provision.
YES on Prop A
Vote “YES” to limit your local government from imposing income taxes. A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri law to repeal the authority of certain cities to use earning taxes to fund their budgets. A “no” vote will not change the current Missouri law regarding earnings taxes. If passed, this measure will impact taxes by removing the ability of cities to fund their budgets through earnings taxes. This amendment was proposed by a citizens’ Initiative Petition. Go to http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2010petitions/2010-077.asp to read the full text of this proposed Missouri state statutory provisions.
YES on State Constitutional Amendment 1
Vote “YES” to hold county assessors accountable! A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to require assessors in charter counties be elected officers. A “no” vote will not change the current requirement for charter counties. To see the full context of this proposed amendment, go to the official website www.senate.mo.gov/09info/pdf-bill/tat/SJR5.pdf.
YES on State Constitutional Amendment 3
Vote “YES” to prohibit sales taxes on your home. A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to prevent the state counties, and other political subdivisions from imposing any new tax, including a sales tax on the sale or transfer of homes or any other real estate. A “no” vote will not change the Missouri Constitution to prevent the state, counties, and other political subdivisions from imposing a new tax on the sale or transfer of homes or any other real estate. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes. This amendment was proposed by a Citizens. Initiative Petition. Go to http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2919petitions/2010-046.asp to read the full text of this proposed amendment to the Missouri Constitution.
For what it's worth.
Final thought for the moment. You already know my opinion of how important this election is. I'm not going to offer a blanket encouragement for everyone to go vote. Voting from ignorance is what brought us President Barack Obama. Normally I would say that everyone who feels that they understand the issues and candidates and can offer at least a cursory explanation of where they stand should go vote. If you can't name where each candidate stands on things like bigger/smaller government, raising/cutting taxes, and Obamacare, you probably should just stay home since you clearly haven't bothered to invest in even a few minutes' research about this critically important event.
This year gives us a small exception to that rule. We've had Democrat-only 'leadership' for the past two years, so if you think that the direction we're heading is wrong and you're ready for a change, it's easy to walk in, vote straight Republican, and deliver your message. In elections where Congress and the White House are split between the parties you can't adopt this policy, but this year it's perfectly valid (in my humble opinion).
Either way, tomorrow begins a new phase. We need to keep an eye on the corruption and election fraud, and stop it wherever possible at all costs. We'll have to watch the lame duck Congress to see what tone they set - will they accept the rebuke from the nation or will they flip the bird and pass as much damaging legislation as they can while they're still in office? Will the Republicans walk the talk, or will it prove to be empty and traitorous rhetoric?
Tomorrow we'll start to learn some answers. Do your part.
No comments:
Post a Comment