Category: Politics

There is nothing more grand than deciding on how your money is to be spent by random strangers.

05/15/08

SF: Prop C – Forfeiture of Retirement Benefits for Conviction of a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude in Connection with City Employment

Shall the City prohibit San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System members who are convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude in connection with their employment from receiving any retirement benefits funded with employer contributions?

At first glance, Proposition C looks like an open-and-shut case. Employees who are convicted of committing fraud or stealing from the City should not receive any benefits from the City.
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05/15/08

SF: Prop B – Changing Qualifications for Retiree Health and Pension Benefits and Establishing a Retiree Health Care Trust Fund

Shall the City increase the years of service required for new City employees and certain employees of the School District, the Superior Court and the Community College District to qualify for employer-funded retiree health benefits, establish a separate Retiree Health Care Trust Fund to fund retiree health care costs, and increase retirement benefits and retirement cost-of-living adjustments for certain City employees?

I am confused as to why this measure needs to be voted on in an election.
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05/14/08

SF: Prop A – School Parcel Tax

The June 3 elections are almost upon us. Time to read up on the various propositions on the ballot before doing the deed.

Starting off with Proposition A:

To enhance quality educational programs for children; attract and retain quality teachers and staff by increasing salaries; provide teachers with additional compensation for extra work at hard-to-staff schools and in hard-to-fill subject areas; and increase teacher training, resources and classroom support, technology, innovation, and accountability, shall the San Francisco Unified School District be authorized to levy $198 per parcel annually, adjusted for inflation, with mandatory citizen oversight?

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02/19/08

What is a Super Delegate?

The Democratic Nominee race seems to be going down to the wire between Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama. With a slim margin of delegates between the two candidates, the power held by super delegates have become a popular topic on political shows. The news programs have emphasized super delegates as having the voting power to swing the Democratic primaries to either candidate. But what is a super delegate and who are they?
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02/4/08

Election Ruminations and Predictions

We are on the eve of Election Day. After much deliberation and consultation with the Oracle (a magic 8-ball), I am set on how I will vote tomorrow in the polls. The only decision left is on when I will vote–early in the morning or immediately after work.

Primary Election

Democratic Party
Obama’s message of change really resonates with what I am currently looking for in a candidate at this time. Edwards resigned and Clinton seems to flip-flop on a lot on issues.
Vote: Obama
Prediction: Clinton

Republican Party
McCain is running away with this one.
Vote: Republican Party does not let unaffiliated voters vote
Prediction: McCain
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02/2/08

Choosing a Political Party

There use to be two political parties to choose from, the Democrats or the Republicans. Everyone knew where the two stood on issues and those who followed each party fell into two distinct categories. Democrats were the working class, the poor and the minorites. Republicans were the business owners, the rich, and the retirees. Now, the Democrats and Republicans have flip-flopped on issues so much, their differences have been blurred. With the Bush vs Gore elections and Gore’s subsequent loss due to the Independant Nader, other parties besides the big two have become relevant in the political scene.
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01/31/08

SF: Prop B – A New Deferred Retirement Option Program for the SFPD

The City is currently short 200 to 300 police officers in their force. Another 500 or so are up for retirement this year. Even with the increased pay offers and the high demand, there are just not enough recruits coming out of the Police Academy to cover the deficit.
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01/31/08

SF: Prop A – Clean and Safe Neighborhood Park Bonds, 2008

To my surprise, there are a couple of bonds measures that affect the residents of San Francisco to be voted on along with the primaries and State propositions.

Proposition A calls for issuing general obligation bonds worth $185,000,000 to be used to improve and repair the City’s public parks. This bond is the first step in the City’s 10-year Capital plan to renovate and retrofit the City’s infrastructure; the plan was passed by the voters last year. The funds generated from the bonds will be used in the following ways:
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