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For those who will be voting in the general election (I hope all of you will), here is a breakdown of the propositions which will be on the ballot. I've also listed how I plan to vote on these items, and the reasons behind my decision.
Proposition 100 (Protect Our Homes Act): Would prohibit the state or any government entity from imposing new taxes or fees on the sale, purchase, transfer or other conveyance of any interest in real property (such as homes and other real estate).
I'm voting YES because homeowners already pay enough in property taxes every year ... and any new taxes on real estate transfers or sales would be an extra burden to people, especially in the current economy. Besides, it would be yet another way for the government to grab more of your hard earned money & spend it frivolously.
Proposition 101 (Freedom of Choice Health Care Act): Would prohibit restrictions on a person's freedom to choose a private health care plan. It would also prohibit: interference with a person's or entity's right to pay directly for lawful medical services, penalties or fines for choosing to obtain or decline health care coverage, or for participation in any particular health care system or plan.
I'm voting YES because this would allow continued control of our own health care choices without interference from any government bureaucracy. As a nation, we are on the path toward socialized health care ... but the majority of people already have private health care coverage which they are satisfied with. This initiative would prevent Arizonans from being forceably switched to any kind of universal health care enacted on a national level.
Proposition 102 (Marriage Protection Amendment): Would amend the Arizona Constitution to define a valid or recognized marriage as only a union of one man and one woman.
I'm voting NO for many reasons. First, a similar proposition was already defeated by Arizona voters in 2006. The people who are pushing this on us again are a small band of religious fanatics and social conservatives who won't stop until this is enacted into law. Second, the Constitution shouldn't be about taking away freedoms ... but this measure will do just that. Third, there is already an Arizona law that prohibits same sex marriage in Arizona. Even so, if gay people want to get married, how would that affect everybody else who is married?! The supporters of this ridiculous, bigoted initiative need to protect their OWN marriages, and quit nosing in on other people's private matters!
Proposition 105 (Majority Rules Initiative): Would provide that an initiative measure that establishes, imposes or raises a tax, a fee or other revenue or mandates a spending obligation on a private person, a labor organization, other private legal entity or this state shall not become law unless the initiative measure is approved at the election by a majority of qualified electors registered to vote in the state.
As appealing as this sounds, I'm voting NO. The proposition's title is actually quite hypocritical because it would prevent the majority of the voting populace from deciding taxation measures. Basically, the registered voters who don't bother to vote automatically get counted as NO votes. So if you choose not to vote for whatever reason, the passage of Proposition 105 would automatically choose a NO vote for you. This is NOT what a "majority rules" is all about.
Proposition 200 (Payday Loan Reform Act): Would expand the payday loan industry to practice in the state indefinitely. Also, the fees which these lenders are allowed to charge would drop from $17.65 to $15 on a $100, two week loan. Lenders would not be permitted to roll over the principal into extended loans and would have to offer consumers repayment plans.
I'm still undecided on this, but I'm leaning toward NO. Even though I'm not an advocate for consumer protection, I don't like the way these places are exempt from Arizona law of exceeding the 36% interest rate that is already in place. I think these loan places do nothing except loan sharking. Besides, they are often located in the lower income sections ... and can be an eyesore/devaluation to nearby neighborhoods & businesses.
Proposition 201 (Homeowners Bill of Rights): Would guarantee a 10 year warranty on new homes, make homebuilders correct construction defects or compensate the homeowner, guarantees that homeowners can participate in choosing contractors to do repair work, and gives buyers the right to cancel within 100 days and get back most of their deposits.
I was undecided about this at first, but I'm likely going to vote NO. Although the initiative is well intended, it is being sponsored by labor unions who are trying to chip away at Arizona's right to work laws. One of the reasons I still like Arizona is the fact that we have a limited presence of unions. I don't want to see their presence increased. Furthermore, the passage of Prop. 201 could increase litigation, which would tie up the courts even further, and result in increase costs for the builders and homeowners.
Proposition 202 (Stop Illegal Hiring Act): Changes current Arizona law that prohibits employers from intentionally or knowingly employing an alien who is not authorized under federal law to work in the United States. The definition of "knowingly employ an unauthorized alien" would be changed to require actual knowledge by an owner or officer of the employer.
This is another initiative that SOUNDS good ... but it really needs to be read into further to understand its intentions. With that said, I'm voting NO. When the initial law was passed, you could report a business that violated the illegal hiring law & remain anonymous. Prop. 202 mandates that citizen complaints against businesses be signed and dated instead of being anonymous. Even though fines & loss of licenses are the punishment for employers who violate the law, there are too many businesses which are exempt, such as restaurants, hotels and retail chains.
Proposition 300 (Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers): Would increase the salary of legislators from $24,000 to $30,000 per year.
I'm voting NO. The job of a Legislator is part time ... and the job that they have done in approving budgets has been lousy. Besides, the majority of people who work regular jobs aren't seeing their wages increase. Why should the Legislators get an increase?!
Valley Native, i am voting the same way you are for the exact same reasons. Proposition 102 is a joke and should NOT be passed. Prop 102 came up because of the whole gay situation in the united states. It's stupid and to tell me gay people are evil. I work with a few and they act just like one of the guys, except they like guys
I want a law to be passed that human's the age of 18 or higher can marry any other human 18 or older, no matter of sexual orientation.
We aren't talking about people getting married to dog's, kid's, or javelina's. We are talking about two human adults getting together.
Proposition 102 (Marriage Protection Amendment): Would amend the Arizona Constitution to define a valid or recognized marriage as only a union of one man and one woman.
I'm voting NO for many reasons. First, a similar proposition was already defeated by Arizona voters in 2006. The people who are pushing this on us again are a small band of religious fanatics and social conservatives who won't stop until this is enacted into law. Second, the Constitution shouldn't be about taking away freedoms ... but this measure will do just that. Third, there is already an Arizona law that prohibits same sex marriage in Arizona. Even so, if gay people want to get married, how would that affect everybody else who is married?! The supporters of this ridiculous, bigoted initiative need to protect their OWN marriages, and quit nosing in on other people's private matters!
Thank you! My thoughts exactly. This prop and the people pouring MILLIONS into getting this passed (so far $6.9 mil) disgust me to no end!! The churches with several signs on their property should be boycotted (Calvary). What a disgrace this is. Haha, can you tell I'm a little passionate about this one?
Valley Native, i am voting the same way you are for the exact same reasons. Proposition 102 is a joke and should NOT be passed. Prop 102 came up because of the whole gay situation in the united states. It's stupid and to tell me gay people are evil. I work with a few and they act just like one of the guys, except they like guys
I want a law to be passed that human's the age of 18 or higher can marry any other human 18 or older, no matter of sexual orientation.
We aren't talking about people getting married to dog's, kid's, or javelina's. We are talking about two human adults getting together.
Excellent statements. I also have worked with many gays in my lifetime, and I found the majority of them to be hard working, successful, intelligent, and quite entertaining at times. Also, contrary to what some believe, they usually keep to themselves or their own kind. They're not out molesting children or making passes at every member of the same sex.
Regardless of how anybody feels about homosexuals, the whole idea of amending the Constitution to "protect" a private matter like marriage is ridiculous. The so called "sanctity" of marriage among heterosexuals has produced a 50%+ divorce rate ... and a good share of the remaining 50% have experienced infidelity or other problems that have threatened to break up marriages. So the problem with marriage is the institution itself ... not a few gays getting hitched. People who are worried about the institution of marriage breaking down need to improve their OWN marriages & their own lives, and quit targeting gays.
I differ on Prop 300. Arizonans always seem to vote down pay raises and they always get what they pay for. $24K is not enough when one looks at the real amount of time one has to devote to the job. I think the current low pay rate actually encourages elected officials to consider other less moral sources of "income". In other words, it allows them to be bought. We don't need that.
I really hope this state rejects Prop 102 this time around too. I see it as an attempt to elevate heterosexual love to a higher level than homosexual love because bigots can't accept them as equal. I guess they think that if they have what two gay people can have, it somehow taints the merchandise. By affirming that marriage is restricted to heterosexuals has an air of superiority to it, in my opinion. I hope sensible people will prevail and reject all attempts at adding hatred to the state's Constitution.
good to read your viewpoints on the propisitions . a breath of fresh air from the crap being jammed down our throats . i just love how the real agenda is disgiused in the booklet i received .
For what it's worth, this is how I voted. I've already put my ballot in the mail, so there's no risk of my changing my mind.
Prop 100 -- prohibits all new property taxes
No -- Imposes a rigid limitation that may not reflect conditions in the future.
Prop 101 -- health care choice
No -- This seems a thinly veiled attempt to rule out any sort of single-payer, universal health care.
Prop 102 -- defining marriage as "one man + one woman"
No -- There is no need to write discrimination into the state constitution.
Prop 105 -- requiring majority of all registered voters (as opposed to those who actually take the time to vote) to pass any statewide tax increase
No -- Non-voters choose to abstain from the process; their failure to vote should not be misconstrued as "no" votes.
Prop 200 -- payday loan regulation
No -- This is an attempt by the payday loan industry to set up its own mild regulatory framework in the hope of preventing more stringent regulation by the state legislature. It's astroturf all the way.
Prop 201 -- "homeowner bill of rights"
No -- This one looked good at first glance, but it actually seems an attempt to ensure unionized workforces in homebuilding.
Prop 202 -- revises employer sanctions law
Yes -- The current law is well-intentioned but too rigid. This revision restores balance and the presumption of innocence.
Prop 300 -- legislator salaries
Yes -- One of the reasons so many of our current legislators are so mediocre is that the salary ($24,000) is so low. Increasing the salary to $30,000 is a small step toward attracting higher caliber people to the legislature.
102 - YES, the foundational principles of this country must be protected. did you know the new US $1 coin no longer has "in god we trust" on it. thats wrong.
201 - YES
100 - doesnt matter. ban a tax here and they'll find another place to recoup that tax. "tax" is a cockaroach, it only hides and never goes away.
300 - I agree with it's intentions, not sure if it will work
i see lots of "union" arguments for 201. well, in retrospect, a home built by union workers will be a home of much higher quality, something new home buyers want, and something the lenders are now demanding to protect their interests, etc. AZ will never become unionized (unless democrats take over this state).
102 - YES, the foundational principles of this country must be protected. did you know the new US $1 coin no longer has "in god we trust" on it. thats wrong.
I honestly don't see what the two have to do with each other.
I honestly don't see what the two have to do with each other.
which two?
102 and this country's founding principles
102 and the $1 coin
or
$1 coin and this country's founding principles
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Valley Native ,
