KRON4 Makes Jay Leno-esque Argument For Eradicating the Ballot Measure System
At the risk of sounding un-democratic, we hate the whole voter-approved proposition system and we think you do too. Even the most educated voters don't tend to know enough about both sides of issues -- particularly when it comes to esoteric accounting procedures and the issuing of multi-billion-dollar bonds -- to vote intelligently, let alone voters who don't like to read, or think. Prop 8, and all similar discriminatory propositions in the state's history (Prop 6 in 1976, which figured in the Milk film, and Prop 14 in 1964, which was overwhelmingly approved and which allowed landlords to discriminate based on race) are perfect examples of how easily the system can be abused, and how dangerous a role it can play.
And when the state decides to have a special election -- like the one we're having next week, on May 19, in which there are only 6 propositions that no one has even heard about because barely anyone has bothered to spend money on ad campaigns -- it begs the question, why do we even bother having an elected legislature if we still have to vote on all the big decisions?
If you have the time or inclination and if you've already lost the paper thing they sent in the mail, here's a link to your handy voter guide. We're guessing only about 10% of you are going to even remember to vote next Tuesday, and of those a few percent won't even show up to cast your ballot because you don't have time to read the shit you'd need to read to vote in an educated manner. But please feel free in the comments to tell us we're insane and that you love voting on every fucking school and bridge bond measure that you know nothing about.
In the look-how-dumb-everyone-is style of The Tonight Show, KRON4 took a camera out on the street to demonstrate just how clueless everyone is about the propositions on the ballot next week. Please enjoy.