This November, California offers its residents twelve delectible ballot measures for their approval or rejection or apathy. Here they are, what the Dems say, what the Repubs say, and what I say.

1A: High speed trains. D: Yes, R: No.
A definite boon to California’s infrastructure. As someone who travels between San Francisco and Los Angeles a lot, I have to say it’s about time. Expensive, yes, but I’m happy that my taxes would go toward such a project. Me: Yes.

2: Farm animal confinement. D: Yes, R: No.
Requires farms to provide enough space for their animals to move relatively freely. Dissenters say current law already does this and thus it is unnecessary cost to the farmers and taxpayers. This is simply not the case. Me: Yes.

3: Children’s hospitals. D: Yes, R: No.
Provides lots of money to expand adolescent care in hospitals. Nay-sayers say this is advocated by the hospital lobby and would line the pockets of people who don’t need it. Invocation of children is for emotional effect. Me: Undecided.

4: Parental notification in abortion. D: No, R: Yes.
Requires parental notification and 48 hour waiting period before a minor can have an abortion. This one seems to come up every November. Me: No.

5: Nonviolent drug offenses. D: Yes, R: No.
Decreases sentences and increases rehabilitation. Prisons are overcrowded and expensive. This is not only the socially responsible thing to do, but saves a lot of money in the long run. Me: Yes.

6: Law enforcement funding. D: No, R: Yes.
I can’t understand their angle. Is it about gang violence? Overcrowded prisons? Trying children as adults? Whatever it is, it’s expensive and I’m not convinced it’s necessary. Me: Undecided.

7: Renewable energy. D: No, R: No.
One of only two measures the Dems and Repubs agree on. It’s opposed by just about everyone except the guy who wrote it. It’s by all accounts not the right way to go about promoting renewable energy. We need funding for research, not ridiculous requirements. Me: No.

8: Gay marriage. D: No, R: Yes.
Would outlaw gay marriage. Gay marriage was ruled constitutional by the California courts, but dismayed social conservatives thought it should be decided by the voters, not activist judges. Me: No.

9: Victims’ rights. D: No, R: Yes.
Unnecessary duplication of current laws. It would do little to improve the criminal justice system, and possibly even hurt it. By my estimate, this measure represents the biggest disparity in the rate of capitalization in the Voter Information Guide. This is money that can be put to much better use somewhere else. Me: No.

10: Renewable energy, again. D: no opinion, R: No.
While investment in renewable energy is important, this is also not the way to do it. This would give tons of money to already rich giant energy companies. If you’re a fan of T. Boone Pickens, vote yes. Me: No.

11: Redistricting. D: No, R: no opinion.
Of course the Republicans cannot officially have an opinion about a measure whose only result would be to benefit Republican politicians in a state where they are the political underdogs. This is a completely partisan issue, and I have to vote with my party. Anyone remember the governor’s hair-brained redistricting plan? Me: No.

12: Money for veterans. D: Yes, R: Yes.
The other measure in which the parties agree. California has had a home loans for veterans program in some form since 1922. This measure would ensure low interest rate loans for California veterans provided by the state. Me: Yes.

Happy voting!