Pssst... I have a secret...
By: Todd Smyth
Published On: 10/26/2006 10:42:56 AM
One of the most effective ways to get someone's attention is to pretend you have a secret you want to share with them. Republicans are using this technique to lure more conservative voters to the polls this year in Virginia. Many people already know about the anti-gay ballot measure that is intended to add hatred and discrimination to the Virginia Constitution and most people already know to vote NO to this abomination of human compassion and decency. Most good people know this is just a tactic Republicans use to get uninformed and self involved people to the polls.
However, Republicans have added two other ballot measures to attract people to the polls and they are using a different tactic with these. I have been informed these ballot measures are meaningless because they are counter to settled constitutional law. The language is confusing and most people can't make heads or tails of them. The purpose of these measures is to make up a story about them and fire people up and get them to line up at their local voting booth and oh, by the way, vote for our candidates while you're there.
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Comments
Well, well, well (Eric - 10/26/2006 2:00:20 PM)
If these measures are so secretive someone might just make something up about them.
You know, like "The second ballot measure would create a law that requires the father's consent for an abortion" or "The third ballot measure allows state authorities to monitor private phone calls and emails and bug people's homes if they have ever broken the law, including speeding tickets". And I'm sure some creative Democrats could come up with a lot better.
As long as these ballot measures are secret and confusing there are plenty of opportunities for abuse on both sides.
When I voted absentee, (mkfox - 10/26/2006 2:23:50 PM)
I had no idea about the other two. I was appaled by the one striking the state's power of incorporating churches. Madison was afraid of this very topic! Well GOP, here's another fine mess you've gotten me into! (ode to the boys up there ;) )
Yup (TurnVirginiaBlue - 10/26/2006 2:56:13 PM)
100% GOTV with flame baiting ballot measures.
Truly disgusting, but I think Democrats should use this also and they aren't.
For example, one could put on a ballot measure: the state cannot offshore outsource state government contracts.
Another would be to increase the state minimum wage and have an automatic escalator to keep pace with inflation.
Offshore outsourcing is a "rallying cry" word for most voters, so this would be extremely popular!
Great ideas TunrVirginiaBlue (bladerunner - 10/26/2006 3:02:45 PM)
That would be great if we could do some of those. I like the min wage one. I tell you the GOP knows how to nip, nip, nip and tip the scales their way. The marriage ammendment is such a piece of shit, just like George Felix Allen.
I believe we did try this (Todd Smyth - 10/26/2006 3:02:50 PM)
I think there were ballot measures proposed for minimum wage, no offshore oil drilling and a number of other liberal issues that were all shot down. But these nonsense and meaningless measures passed.
ah (TurnVirginiaBlue - 10/26/2006 3:12:22 PM)
you need to get the signatures which requires an organized effort to the level of a campaign.
People camp out in front of Wal-mart, target and so forth collecting signatures, thousands of volunteers.
We don't seem to have that kind of organized infrastructure to get the signatures (we've looked into this previously also).
Those "churches" (glorified political PACS???) do have the infrastructure.
nothing secret or appalling about q's 2 and 3 (Nell - 10/26/2006 5:20:57 PM)
The Fairfax Democratic Committee has put out an excellent piece explaining the three ballot questions, all proposed amendments to the state constitution. They recommend:
NO on 1 (marriage amendment)
[As most RK readers know, our party and candidate have an official position calling for a NO vote.]
YES on 2
YES on 3
#2 removes a section forbidding churches to incorporate. A YES vote brings the state constitution in line with existing Virginia court decisions (which followed a federal court finding the provision in the existing state constitution unconstitutional).
#3 allows localities to offer real estate tax exemptions in projects to rehabilitate neighborhoods and eliminate blight. A YES vote increases local control.
It's true that information has been hard to come by; it was only two weeks ago that I learned there were two other ballot questions. People who want to read the full text of any of the amendments can go to the Virgina Board of Elections site here.
my explanation above (Nell - 10/26/2006 5:24:41 PM)
is a summary in my own words of the Fairfax Co. Dems' argument. It may be that their document is available through their website. I'm extremely grateful to the FCDC for doing this, and hope that the word gets around the state. The state party has no official position on #2 and #3, but a staffer there forwarded me the Fairfax document when I called to ask about it.
one more note on this year's ballot measures (Nell - 10/26/2006 5:29:19 PM)
All of this year's ballot questions are proposed amendments to the state constitution, which do not reach the ballot as a result of citizen petitions, but by being approved for two succeeding sessions of the state legislature.
If, worst case scenario, the "marriage amendment" passes, it will take the same process to reverse it: a proposed amendment that nullifies the marriage amendment must be passed for two straight sessions of the General Assembly (both houses), which puts it on the ballot for the next general election, and then the voters must pass it.
Thanks, Nell (libra - 10/27/2006 2:01:11 AM)
I printed out all 3 questions a few weeks ago, to study. Took me close to a week to understand what #1 was about. As for the other two... So far, I have figured out that one is about churches and the other about taxes, but h**l if I know what a "yes" or a "no" would mean on either. And here I thought my English was pretty good for an immigrant :)