Ben-B-Bloggin

So yesterday I sent my official early ballot form to Arizona, I hope it arrives on time. What an accomplishment, I mean its so much work to vote.

For most of the ballot I just voted party lines or guessed right on the spot, I know I’m a bad voter, but when I got to the propositions some of them really made me chuckle, so much so that I decided to look them up and see what they are al about. The first of these being Arizona prop 200. This one said something along the lines of:

Proposition 200 would establish a $1,000,000 prize to be awarded to a randomly selected person who voted in the primary or general election. Anyone who voted in the primary or general election would be automatically entered in the drawing for the prize money, and if a person voted in both the primary and the general election, that person’s name would be entered twice in the drawing. If more funds are available, more prizes would be awarded. The Arizona State Lottery Commission would administer the fund. The Voter Reward Fund would receive 20% of unclaimed lottery prizes under Proposition 200.

Ok fine, so voter turn out has gotten so low that now bribes are needed to get people to vote. Proponents saying that adding a lottery would increase voter turnout and the opponents stating that it would turn voting into a shame that people would only come for the free lottery ticket and that they don’t care about the issues on the ballot. Is US voting already a shame anyway, I mean look at the last couple of years. Hey, if you are so desperate that you need a lottery ticket so bad, you are willing to come out and vote, then you are the type of person that needs to be voting anyway! So why not, why not offer a little incentive to come out and vote.

As for me, I’m going to vote regardless of a free lottery ticket or not, so for me I might as well get a free lottery ticket while I’m at it. I voted yes to prop 200.

Next, was the kicker, Prop 204, now where did this come from, and why is it on the ballot anyway. Can’t my local representative make this decision in the senate or something, what are those guys doing all day long.

Proposition 204 – proposed by initiative petition relating to farm animals PROHIBITS CONFINING PREGNANT PIG OR CALF RAISED FOR VEAL FOR ALL OR MAJORITY OF A DAY IN A MANNER THAT PREVENTS LYING DOWN AND FULLY EXTENDING LIMBS OR TURNING AROUND; PROVIDES EXCEPTIONS, INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION, RODEOS/FAIRS, LAWFUL SLAUGHTER AND RESEARCH, VETERINARY PURPOSES; ESTABLISHES MISDEMEANOR PENALTIES AND FUNDING FROM FINES.

A “yes” vote shall have the effect of establishing misdemeanor fines and penalties for tethering or confining a pregnant pig or a calf raised for veal for all or a majority of the day in a manner that prevents the animal from lying down and fully extending its limbs or turning around freely but excepts transportation of the animal, rodeo and fair exhibitions, lawful slaughters, research, veterinary

Purposes and the seven day period before a pig’s expected date of giving birth.

A “no” vote shall have the effect of not changing the existing laws regarding the manner in which pigs and calves are raised.

Ok, so me, being the responsible voter I am, went to both websites to see the point of each side. Well the yes website is not the best website on the planet (sort of like mine), I didn’t feel like reading countless articles on animal cruelty or endorsements but it seems the vegans are made as hell. On the otherhand the No’s website say vote no because it will raise the price of meat, in which lead to farmers losing their jobs because meat is too expensive. Since I don’t eat Arizona meat, I don’t think it’s exported to Germany, I say let the pregnant pigs go on a walk.

That’s it for today. Happy Halloween!
I’ve added some new pictures to my photo ablum.

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