Pondering What I Can Afford With the Ballot Measures

Mr. Jeromy Rogan, the Blogmaster of http://roguesyarn.wordpress.com made a comment on this blog that got me to really ponder about what measures on this election's ballot, Terri and I could afford.

Mr. Rogan was very thoughtful with his question and I attempted to answer his question with a comment of my own.

Mr. Rogan got me pondering about all ballot measures that might impact my future income, my taxes, and how much voting for measures may cost Terri and me.

There are measures that won't necessarily cost me money like Proposition 8 or perhaps Proposition 11.

I think it might be a good idea for all of us to ponder what we are willing to charge ourselves when we vote for measures that will eventually cause us to provide funds to, from our own wallets and purses.

I wrote about three measures on the earlier post, and dealt with only those three.

Now I am pondering all the Propositions and considering what I am willing to pay for and what I do not wish to pay for.

What we all will be willing to help pay for is reflected in what we vote support for, via each Proposition or Measure.

I must ponder these Propositions and Measures based on my particular circumstances as all other voters should ponder them using their own personal circumstances.

We should also understand that we all are members of different types of communities. We should respect that all voters are members of many different types of communities in their living situation, working situation, social situation, and all aspects of life.

In my pondering, I have selected to vote for Propositions and Measures that I feel would be ones that I can afford and the ones that benefit the many communities I belong to.

Here is my personal take on what I am willing to pay for and how it may benefit some of the communities Terri and I belong to.

Proposition 3, "Children's Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program. Initiative Statute."

I am very willing to be taxed to help ensure better conditions for children who have to use eligible hospitals. It is good for my social community, and it helps children.

Proposition 6, "Police and Law Enforcement Funding. Criminal Penalties and Laws. Initiative Statute."

This increase in taxes for me is more necessary than I would like, but I am willing to help pay for what is called for.

Proposition 12, "Veterans' Bond Act of 2008." I don't ever remember voting against bond acts that go to support veterans.

Simply put, "I are one" and veterans deserve my dollars, whether it hurts my wallet or not.

These three Propositions are the only ones I am basing my vote on due to what I am willing to be taxed further for.

I am not going to vote on other measures based on whether I can afford them, but I will vote on the measures because of what their merits may be.

Most of the other Propositions and Measures, I will be voting NO on.

I do not get to vote on Los Angeles City Measure A, the initiative that would call for a $36.00 annual "tax" on parcel owners in the city of Los Angeles to deal with keeping kids out of going into gangs and getting current gang members out of gang activities.

If I did have the chance to vote on that Measure, I would also accept the annual fee or tax by voting YES on that measure.

There are two Measures that I have great concern about that I want to mention and urge your pondering on.

Measure J, "Local Community College Classroom Repair, Public Safety, Nursing and Job Training Measure."

If I could afford this Measure, I would vote YES on it, in a heartbeat.

I think the expenditure of $3.5 Billion Dollars may very well be necessary at this time, but it is a Measure that I cannot afford to add to what I am willing to spend during this election cycle.

Great things may be happening at L.A. Harbor College, but my budget this election, doesn't allow for voting Yes on this measure.

I hope it may come up again during and election cycle where I can afford to increase my tax burden and where there may be fewer ballot measures asking for my taxes.

Measure Q, "Safe, Healthy, Neighborhood, Schools Measure."

I am not going to spend any real time and effort other than stating that if anyone in the Harbor Area votes YES on this measure, they are doing more disservice to the kids attending LAUSD schools than they are benefiting them.

I want this measure to go down in flames and tell LAUSD that, "Enough is enough!"

SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS! Are they NUTS?

O.K., I'm much calmer now.

I don't know of any other election where I have considered my wallet more.

Maybe it is because for the first time since about 1971, my situation is so dramatically changed.

It is perfectly reasonable and realistic to ponder that others in the communities I belong to have very different views than I have and I really respect that.

There are many folks who can afford to support more Propositions and Measures and many folks who can afford fewer Propositions and Measures.

I hope you all ponder what you are willing to be taxed more for and how your wallet might impact your votes.

Measure R, "Traffic Relief, Rail Extensions, Reduce Foreign Oil Dependence."

This is an admirable Measure, but unfortunately, one that I don't feel I can afford right now.

I have traveled on light rail lines in the area and I think that they are needed and should grow in length of journeys, number of trains, and ridership.

But I don't think our area cannot afford an increase of 1/2 cent per dollar. The current economic conditions may warrant the desperate need for inexpensive and reliable public transportation, but it may be too late in this current state we all are in, to try and build more onto what we may simply need to do our best to protect.

I hope you all ponder all the Propositions and Measures, along with the candidates.

Please 'vote down the ballot' and look at all races and issues and make your own personal determinations as to what is best for you and your communities.

Just please, vote NO on Measure Q!