Election Eve

Posted on November 4, 2002 in Citizenship

“You should vote as if democracy itself depends on it,” says the email from People for the American Way. I intend to do just that.

I’m not going to list how I will vote, except to say that in the Orange County Clerk race, the argument that I should vote against Tom Daly because he is a “Democrat” that his opponent Bruce Peotter advances doesn’t move me — except to make sure that I know which is which for this nonpartisan office and vote against Mr. Peotter as a reactionary nutcase.

I’m also not voting for Proposition 49, the “Before and After School Programs” Initiative that Arnold Schwartzeneggar is using as a platform for spreading his fame. I heard from a young fan that Arnold showed up at the Crystal Cathedral to “testify” about what a great Christian that he is (Arnold, read Matthew 6:1). Opponents of the measure point out that it will siphon money off other programs for school children. Arnold’s merely advancing the ploy he used in Terminator 2, which is to try to pass off his brutish right wing politics as “good for kids”. (Bruce Willis is another one who likes to pull this.) It’s very clear that the mists of the good name Arnold hopes to get from championing this poorly thought out initiative have blinded him to its flaws.

Finally, in the race for County Superintendent of Schools — another nonpartisan race — her statement to the voters leads me to reject the canidacy of Katherine H. Smith:

The key to improving our schools has been to teach the basics. We also teach patriotism, civility, and respect. Insisting that students wear appropriate academic attire has fostered less violence and vandalism and has raised academic achievement. A daily “Moment of Silence” has helped students focus. We have created an environment where children can learn and teachers can teach. Teachers must be role models: professional attire for teachers will set an example for their students to follow. Clean restrooms and school campuses are now a reality as well. Greater emphasis must be placed upon trade and technology courses so that all of our students are prepared to become productive members of society. Career politicians have not fixed our schools.

As Smith herself notes: “The first rule in choosing elected officials is to watch what they do, not what they promise.” Doubtless Katherine Smith feels that she’s a superior product of the school system. So far, all Smith has done is promise. Her only “attack” on her opponent seems to be “he is a politician”. The internal contradiction of her message, talking about the recent improvements made in our schools and then saying that career politicians haven’t fixed our schools would earn her a C in composition. Do I want a person who cannot see her internal contradictions in reasoning, much less her fascism? I can hear her leading students in “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” and showing them the proper way to salute their “betters”. My vote will be for Jack O’Connell.

The only last question I have is this: is the race for Governor so tight that I should hold my nose and vote for Gray Davis instead of the Greens? A vote for Simon is a vote for Bush. In a close election, so would a vote for the Greens candidate for Governor.

Oh, for a parliamentary system!