In favor of Propositions 94-97
| By DevoPro - Feb 2, 2008 11:05:44 AM PT |
This is my first blog on the Courage Campaign and I believe exemplifies my general balance between progressive ideals and centrist realities.
Here's why I support the propositions.
1. No one measure (a source of revenue or budget cut) is going to deplete the ENTIRE 14+ Billion dollar deficit for this state. But every measure that helps needs to be considered.
2.We are not adding new casinos, allowing different kinds of gaming, etc. We are simply voting to add an additional 17,000 slot machines. Why should people go to Vegas or Reno when they ca stay here in CA.
3. Granted the employment laws are lacking, HOWEVER, these casinos are employing hundreds, if not thousands of lower income, working class California citizens and improving the lives of people living not only on the reservations but also in surrounding poor communities
4. The San Diego wildfires. Those helicopters used to fight those fires were donated by the local tribes we are voting on. $1 Million in firefighting equipment including multiple helicopters and cash were given freely with no strings attached to San Diego to support firefighting efforts.
I understand our progressive inkling to have issues with things like greed, wealth accumulation, lack of clear labor standards. But, do we want some money put into the state budget or would we prefer care for seniors, care for uninsured children, HIV/AIDS services and public parks all cut?
I'll take the gamble on the lacking labor laws that still employ California residents who othewise wouldn't have work and smaller cuts in spending on vital programs.
Here's why I support the propositions.
1. No one measure (a source of revenue or budget cut) is going to deplete the ENTIRE 14+ Billion dollar deficit for this state. But every measure that helps needs to be considered.
2.We are not adding new casinos, allowing different kinds of gaming, etc. We are simply voting to add an additional 17,000 slot machines. Why should people go to Vegas or Reno when they ca stay here in CA.
3. Granted the employment laws are lacking, HOWEVER, these casinos are employing hundreds, if not thousands of lower income, working class California citizens and improving the lives of people living not only on the reservations but also in surrounding poor communities
4. The San Diego wildfires. Those helicopters used to fight those fires were donated by the local tribes we are voting on. $1 Million in firefighting equipment including multiple helicopters and cash were given freely with no strings attached to San Diego to support firefighting efforts.
I understand our progressive inkling to have issues with things like greed, wealth accumulation, lack of clear labor standards. But, do we want some money put into the state budget or would we prefer care for seniors, care for uninsured children, HIV/AIDS services and public parks all cut?
I'll take the gamble on the lacking labor laws that still employ California residents who othewise wouldn't have work and smaller cuts in spending on vital programs.
Comments are closed for this post.
By the way, all of these casinos currently have a compact in place which requries a specific amount money be reimbursed to the state, so we lose nothing by voting no, to get a better deal on labor practices.
Under "normal" circumstances I would certainly agree that the workers' rights should be the top priority. But, this state's current fiscal crisis is not normal.
I'm more concerned with what else will be cut that will impact the working poor and middle class if we do have more revenue fed into our state's coffers.
Either way, as usual, its the working lower and middle classes that will suffer, unfortunately.