Things are changing rapidly in this election cycle. In November it was generally reported that Giuliani had a 2 to 1 lead over his Republican opponents in California.
As of this week Romney and McCain are running in a dead heat, according to Rasmussen Reports, with each polling 38%. Mike Huckabee is a distant third at 10%, Ron Paul picks up 6%, and 6% say they'll vote for some other candidate.
And, on the Democratic side, Barack Obama who, at one time, was 30 points behind Hillary Clinton, is now also in a dead heat. Rasmussen's Sunday survey shows that Obama holds a statistically insignificant one point lead over Clinton, 45% to 44%.
It is important to note that for both the Republican and Democratic races, the delegates will be divvied up by congressional districts. It is not a winner-take-all situation statewide.
There are two propositions of some significance. One would appear on the surface to lower the term limits from 14 to 12 years for state legislators. However, some of those voting for it may be surprised to discover, if they ever do, that the fine print will actually extend the term for three dozen politicians who, otherwise, would not be able to run for reelection next year.
The other propositions of significance would allow the doubling of the number of slot machines in four of the states largest casinos in return for much needed additional taxes to be paid to the state. Beyond the debatable question of imposing a greater gambling burden on a population that may be dealing with a recession - a fact that no one has thought to express - the advertising for these propositions has been riddled with conflicting claims. On the pro side are the Indian casinos and on the con side are the California race tracks and the Vegas casinos. In the case of every claim being made, one side or the other - or possibly both - are flat out lying.
The point being made here with respect to both of these issues, is that the system of having propositions on the ballots leaves much to be desired, and generally the public has no idea where the truth actually lies when it examines the claims.
And now, back to the race, as they get ready to thunder out of the gate.
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Comments: 36
I think the race between Clinton and Obama depends a lot on how the young voters turn out and vote. I hope they will actually do it this time. I have liked the Clintons but I think we need someone who can unite the country. They are a divisive factor. They bring too much baggage of the past with them. But is the Mrs. gets nominated, I will support her.
I talked to my kids about the prop on the ballot, and they say it doesn't force anyone to go to a casino (they don't) and play the slots. The prop just provides for more machines in existing casino locations where people pay to play.
On the other hand, they praise the proposition system because it is the only way that issues the people care about , like tax relief, can be addressed. It seems that the Democrat controlled legislature refuses to vote on these issues and doesn't respond to petitions and initiatives from the people.
They see special interest props as just the price the people have to pay for access to the legislative process because the legislature (controlled by the party of the "little people") won't listen to them.
I'll let you know tomorrow.
I am your candidate for the "American Party".
I have *no* connections to oil, big money, or Oprah.
I am like you. Not rich and working a regular job.
I would like your vote.
I dare you to think outside the box!~
This is an unpaid, unsolicited, un-funded, non-tax money financed, appeal for your vote.
I am Eric Spindler and I approved this comment
Seriously, I agree with your apparent opinion that it's a free country and if they're dumb enough to gamble money they can't afford - which is the case all too often in these close-by casinos - particularly if they are desperate - they deserve what they get. However, there are other losers as well - the families - the wives and the children.
This in turn places a burden on society, and my point is, that this may not be an appropriate time to add to that burden, or an appropriate way for the state to try to dig itself out of the hole it's in.
Both our Federal government and our state governments have been borrowing money to pay down debt for years now. This is a completely insane way to run a country or a state. We all know that this is the path to ruin and everyone in our country and our state of CA have allowed this to happen by electing repubs to run things. This is exactly how fiscally conservative they really are... NOT at all!
So my point is that now our state and fed gov's are financially strapped. And what that means is that our taxes will have to be raised to pay the shortfall (which will be huge and growing the longer we don't address this problem). The money has to come from somewhere so why not from the casinos? I don't care if they increase the number of slot machines on the floor from 50 to 100. Let the Indians make some more money if it means I won't have my property tax and our state-wide taxes increase.
I just don't believe the government should be legislating rules for our personal behavior. If someone wants to gamble they will gamble, no matter where they have to go to do it. It's not my job to stop them, it's their personal choice to gamble.
What do you all think about this issue?
D.........................
We have in Ca. the four Indian yes or no
are you turning into a point ho ??
Those of us from NY (my original hometown) have known what a fraud and buffoon this clown has always been. I have posted several articles to prove that matter previously. And others have done the same. This is why that azzhole dropped in popularity.
Imagine! Up to just a few days ago he was crucifying McLame and is now wiping his butt. And his wife is an even bigger fraud than he is:
Judi G = Total Fraud!
We have become so fixated on our loathing of taxes (the price of civilization) that we are making a lot of very silly public policy decisions in an effort to minimize taxation.
We don't pay for anything else we purchase in this manner, why should we pay for the trappings of society this way?
But why, may I ask, should those of us who understand why taxes are important (me & you, Rory) and those of us who know that borrowing money to pay down debt is a recipe for financial failure (me, and most people with a brain and a bank account - unless they happen to be republicans)... well, why should we be forced to pay more in taxes than the people who actually elected the criminals who have continued to lie to their public for almost 8 years now? Why don't we just allow the republicans to pay the tax increase because it was their stupidity that got us into this mess in the first place? That seems much fairer to me.
If someone wants to gamble that's their personal decision. If someone wants to throw their money away on buying a lottery ticket, well, that's yet another way to gamble. Why can't we allow our state government to profit from their failure to make a good choice? I"m not their mommy or daddy, and I'm not the police of them. Let them gamble and let the state make a little extra so my tax increase won't be quite as high as it would otherwise be.
Taking this point about gambling one step further.... with this reasoning then we should not allow anyone who is perceived to be overweight to purchase a Big Mac & fries. After all, what they are putting in their bodies is bad for their health and only creates more health problems which is a bigger burden on our health system, such as it is, and a bigger burden for all of us. What's the difference? Both gambling and obesity are bad for an individual and bad for society as a whole. So why is eating what you want okay yet doing what you want with your money not okay?
Right now:
- Obama is ahead in Ala, Conn, Del, Ga, Ill
- Clinton is ahad in Mass, Mo, NJ, OK, Tenn
- McCain is ahead in Ala, Del, Ill, Mo, NJ, OK, Tenn, and a win is predicted for him in Conn.
- Romney is ahead only in Mass by 52%
- Huckabee is ahead in Ga only
At this point it looks like the final will be McCain/Clinton, but Obama seems to have long legs. No one can say we didn't have a lot of choice in this election!
It looks like Hillary and McCain pulled it out in California. Dont know how the delegate split works there. Obama owned the Idaho caucus about three to one!
AHHnald will have to continue borrowing money to pay down the state debt he helped build like no one before him putting our state into further financial ruin.
The next time a repub tells you he's a conservative challenge them on fiscal responsibility. They have no answer because they all know that what the repubs in power now are doing is (A) not conservative by any stretch of the imagination, (B) wrong, (C) insane.
Hey jJack - you have a lot of nerve calling David a point ho. After all, your a money ho - trying to solicit money for your so-called run for the Presidency. What a joke you are! Let us know where we can all send you our checks.