Wow. Did you ever imagine we would be where we are today, on the precipice of electing an African-American president to the White House?

Everything changes for the better with Obama’s election. Remember the hope we all felt on election night in 1992? The despair as the vote count dragged on in 2000? The horror as John Kerry was seemingly robbed of his victory by voting irregularities in 2004?

Combine the intensity of those emotions and magnify them a thousand times over, and that’s how we’re going to feel the evening of Nov. 5 with an Obama victorty.

It’s not over until it’s over, but the odds are that Barack Obama will be elected President of the United States this coming Tuesday. Instead of digging our heals in to stem the tides of destruction that Bush unleashed, we’ll be a new era of possibility. The advances our community can achieve with this new president will move us faster and farther than we’ve come up until now.

Nothing is for sure, and it’s important that everyone vote.

Especially imperative right now is our community’s campaign against Propositon 8, the California initiative that would ban same-sex marrige in the state.

As we go to press, Equality California, which is running the campaign against Prop 8, has announced that internal polling puts the race at a “dead heat.”
BUT, they say, the Yes on Prop 8 people have raised $2.2 million in the most recent reporting period, and we have raised only $252,000.

Without another $3 million to saturate the airwaves in the next five days, we’re going to lose. It’s that simple.

We can’t afford to lose Prop 8. All of us have to dig deeper than we already have. Go to www.NoonProp8.com Web site and give every penny that you can, and then some. So much depends on this.

On the national scene, San Franciscans will again cast our ballot for our representative in the United States Congress. Nancy Pelosi has been re-elected to this position with huge majorities every year since we won the office.

This year she faces a significant challenge from peace activist Cindy Sheehan, the mom of a U.S. soldier serving in Iraq who was killed.
Pelosi has made history by ascending to the post of Speaker of the House, the second most powerful position in the country, after the President. It was a proud moment for her, for her constiuents and for the country when she became Speaker.

It’s been painful to watch the Democrats take the thrashing they have taken from the impotent Bush presidency, and a little hard to comprehend.

We hope that in this next term, with an Obama leading the country, Congress will step up to plate and enact the measures that a huge proportion of Americans want, like getting us out of Iraq as soon as possible. Top of the agenda also has to include repeal of the Patriot Act, return of habeas corpus, an end to wiretapping, closing of Guantanemo, repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, enactment of an inclusive Employment Non-Discrim-ination Act, a meaningful Let America Vote measure that would actually protect our votes as opposed to repressing them.

The list of what we need is much longer, so much damage has been done. Somewhere in there, our priorities - the priorities of the American people - have gotten lost to the climate of Washington politics.

Nancy Pelosi is routinely trashed for being a “San Francisco liberal.” Now, working with President Obama, we have an opportunity to break the strangehold of the right, and show the country just how much “San Francisco liberal” can work to the benefit of all.


California Propositions:

Prop 1A: High Speed Rail - Yes
If you’ve ever tried a “quick flight” to Los Angeles, you know there isn’t any such thing. A 50-minute plane ride can easily stretch into a six to seven hour journey, when you ad in traffic on both ends and routine airport delays. A high speed train would be different. It would avoid the messes of LAX and SFO. And it would be considerably more fuel efficient than air travel. High speed rail is the wave of the future. Trains like this are operated successfully all over Europe now. This would be a huge bonus for California. Vote yes.

Prop 2: Farm Animals - Yes
It’s about time somebody took the issue of animal cruelty head-on. While many of us (meat-eaters) avoid some of the obvious abusively-produced foods like foie gras and crated veal, the fact is that modern factory farming, which produces most of our food, is riddled with needless cruelty inflicted on all animals in the name of profit, and the belief that somehow their pain doesn’t matter. It does. (You know all those studies about chemicals we release in our bodies when we’re in pain or frightened? Is there any reason to expect it’s different for animals? How does that affect the food we eat if it’s infused with those chemicals before it’s harvested?)

The fact is, we need to move to national standards of food production which include organic farming and cruelty-free animal farming. If there are uniform standards, competition is fair, and whatever extra costs there are will be applied equally. And that’s not to mention how much healthier we’ll be no consuming chemicals, and how much better we’ll be as a people to not tolerate cruelty of any kind in our midst.

Prop 3: Children’s Hospital - Yes
There’s concern that because of the economy, voters will automatically reject this measure. But this is obviously a need waiting to be filled. Vote for Prop 3.

Prop 4: Parental Notice for Abortion - NO
Why don’t these parental notification people go away? This is the third time we’ve had to vote on this. It was wrong in the previous two elections, and it’s still wrong today. As much as most any parent would want to be able to talk through an abortion decision with their teenager, for some kids, that’s just not safe. The risk to teens of further abuse, of back-alley abortions, or being forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term, is just too great. Vote No on Prop 4.

Prop 5: Non-violent Drug Offense - Yes
This is a desperately needed step in the right direction. Prop 5 overhauls California’s treatment of non-violent (therefore victimless) drug offenders, beefing up the drug diversion system, offering educational alternatives for drug parolees, and bringing the possession of small amounts of marijuana to the level of a traffic ticket – better than the misdemeanor status currently employed. For those old enough to remember the ‘60s, did you really think that in the 21st Century marijuana would still be criminalized and our state prison system would be overwhelmed with drug offenders? Prop 5 helps us along the road to the ultimate stance of any sane society: education and rehabilitation for people who have problems with drugs, and everyone else is just left the heck alone.

Prop 6: Prison Funds - No
Did you know that prisons are the biggest growth industry in California? Remember that old saw about getting what you pay for? Is there any justice in locking up such a huge percentage of our population? Do you realize that we’re in the toilet with the most repressive regimes on earth in terms of our prison statistics? Aren’t we just a little bit wiser than that? Please stop funding prisons. Let our money go to education and other decent early intervention programs. Vote No on 6.

Prop 7: Energy Proposal - No
While this seems like a good beginning for developing energy alternatives to coal, oil and nuclear fuels, it’s just not a well-written measure. Ultimately, the loopholes will create more problems than they solve. It also would eliminate the possibility of public power in San Francisco. This is definitely the wolf in sheep’s clothing ballot measure of this election. Vote No on Prop 7.

Prop 8: Same-Sex Marriage Ban - NO
It’s impossible to express how important it is that our community defeat Proposition 8. One little mentioned fact: in 1995, when the state of Hawaii was about to legalize marriage – which was way before this was on anyone’s radar – they had a statewide ballot measure to ban gay marriage, which in that time won easily. Residents of the LGBT community in Hawaii reported a significant increase in anti-gay hostility, homophobia and violence after that passed. It feels like that here in California now. Prop 8 has given all the homophobes license to hate. It’s scary and sad to see that much hostility openly and cravenly directed at us.

So that’s the negative. On the positive side, it will do so much for us to retain marriage rights in California. Our lives, our movements, the perception of our humanity by everyone else, will never be the same. There’s a reason Focus on the Family, that right wingnut “christian” group, has called this their “Armageddon.” Everything changes – for the better – for us when Prop 8 is defeated. Go to www.NoonProp8.com now to give more money. The campaign still needs volunteers for the last week of the election. Take Tuesday off and volunteer if you can. We need to pass Prop 8. If you haven’t joined the hordes who are already volunteering, do it now. You are needed. This will be close. Every person counts.

Prop 9: Criminal Justice Reform - No
This is another attempt to lengthen prison sentences and crack down harder on criminal offenders. Enough, already. Why has our prison population ballooned so radically in the last couple of decades. See the argument for Prop 6 above. Vote No on 9.

Prop 10: Environmental Bonds - No
On its surface, this looks like a good thing. Buts there’s also a good reason this propositions is opposed by the Sierra Club, League of Women Voters, California Nurses Association, California Federation of Teachers, and a lot of labor groups. It sets lower standards than advisable for “clean energy,” and much of the money from this initiative would further stuff the pockets of Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens. While we’re happy Mr. Pickens has finally jumped on the alternative fuel bandwagon, perhaps he could part with a few of his own billions for the cause, rather than milking the California taxpayers for some extra cash.

Prop 11: Redistricting - NO
Since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said this is his Number One priority in this election, you can be sure that it’s not good for Democrats, or regular folks in general. This is another dead horse he keeps beating, hoping to take control of the state legislature back for the right wing by another scheme to redraw districts in California. Just imagine where we’d be politically right now if Democrats didn’t control the Assembly and Senate in California. Do NOT give this power back to the governor. Vote No on 11.

Prop 12: Veterans Bond - Yes
It’s ironic that while Republicans like to carry on about their abiding love and respect for veterans, they often vote against veteran benefits. Did you know that John McCain has a worse record of supporting veteran benefits than Obama. Of course our country should offer loan assistance to vets for their homes and businesses. It’s the least we can do for them. Vote Yes on Prop 12.
San Francisco Propositions

Prop A: General Hospital Bond - Yes
SF General is desperately in need of rebuilding. Vote Yes for Prop A.

Prop B: Affordable Housing - Yes
This is an equivocated Yes: If there’s anything San Francisco needs, it’s affordable housing. Anyone who has lived here for any length of time, can see what’s happening to San Francisco: it’s become a district for upper-middle class white people. What’s always made our city great is it’s diversity, and that includes classes and ages of people and all types of families. And nothing brings its cutting edge to San Francisco like the young people that come to our city; it’s harder all the time for them to settle here. The equivocated part of this voice is that funding will be achieved through budget set-asides.

Sooner rather than later measures need to be taken to loosen the strangehold set-asides have on our budgeting process. But until that day, our housing needs are crucial. Vote Yes on Prop B.

Prop C: Commission Restrictions - No
There’s got to be a better way to eliminate conflict of interest situations than the sweeping restrictions of this initiative. Vote No.

Prop D: Fix Pier 70 - Yes
This is really a preliminary step to final development of Pier 70. The revenue from hotels and restaurants on the sit will go to fix the Pier. It’s a great idea for San Francisco’s waterfront. Vote Yes.

Prop E: Signatures for Recall - Yes
This will bring San Francisco recall provisions in line with statewide standards. It helps protect us from frivolous recalls, which really haven’t been a problem for at least 30 years, but it can’t hurt. Vote Yes.

Prop F: Even Year Elections - No
No way. Think about this: we have 22 propositions to vote on in San Francisco alone in this election cycle, and another dozen at the state level, not to mention the numerous other elected slots between Supervisors, College Board, School Board, etc. etc. etc., there are to decide in this election. Think about all the money and work you’ve devoted to Prop 8 (What??!!! You haven’t??? Go to www.NoonProp8.com and donate NOW, before you read another word.) Now imagine if on top of all of that you had to think about electing a mayor. What a pain in the ass that would be. As it is, there has to be something to cut back on the number of ballot initiative on every ballot. This is absurd. Vote No on Prop F.

Prop G: Retirement Credit - Yes
Yes. This evens the playing field for San Francisco employees who took parental leave before 2003. A yes vote is only fair.

Prop H: SF Clean Energy - Yes
Heard enough about this one? Most of what you’ve heard in the campaign funded by PG&E is just not true, especially the part about a blank check to the Board of Supervisor. All of the appropriate safeguards about this are built into the proposition. What this does is set San Francisco on the path to much cheaper publicly-owned power. That is as it should be. Don’t let PG&E buy your vote. Vote a hearty YES! on this proposition. You might make a note to that effect when you send in your next payment to the folks at PG&E. Truly we hope their days are number as controllers of the power grid in San Francisco.

Prop I: Independent Rate Payer - Yes
This would establish an an Office of the Independent Ratepayer Advocate for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and would be a new avenue for city residents to contest the price we pay for utilities in San Francisco. There has been no formal opposition to this proposition. It can only help. Vote Yes.

Prop J: Historic Preservation - Yes
This would establish a commission to make decisions about historical preservation in San Francisco. It would be useful to have a commission devoted to these questions as they arise. As it stands now, achieving historical status is a labrynthine challenge, and the good guys don’t always win. This will be an improvement on the current situation. Vote Yes.

Prop K: Legalize Prostitution - No
This is a really, really, really tough thing to say No to. Laws against prostitution are as stupid as laws against any victimless crime, like, say marijuana. The problem with Prop K is that it happens in a vacuum, without any needed protections for prostitutes. Specifically, there is a lot of concern – within the profession – that Prop K offers no protection against human trafficking. Much of what it does is important, ultimately making it safer for women who work as prostitutes. They should bring this back to the ballot on the next go-round with appropriate protections in place, and then we’ll suggest an enthusiastic yes. But for no, it has to be No on Prop K.

Prop L: Community Justice Center - No
We’ve already funded a Community Justice Center. This is on the ballot because of a war between the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors. This is a completely unnecessary proposition. Vote it down on principle.

Prop M: Protect Tenants - Yes
While the folks against this measure claim that San Francisco law already provides protection against tenant harassment, the fact is that tenants get harassed routinely, and added protection can only help. We’ve all heard lots of stories of tenants been hounded out of their rentals. This plugs a hole in the fabric of SF tenant law. Vote Yes.

Prop N: Property Transfer Tax - Yes
This plugs a loophole in the San Francisco property tax structure. A worthy endeavor. Vote Yes.

Prop O: 911 Response - Yes
Another useful revision to the tax structure in San Francisco. Vote Yes

Prop P: Transportation Authority - No
This is a very bad idea. It takes away civilian oversight over MUNI, a disastrous proposal. It politicizes MUNI to a scary degree. We have a functioning Transportation Authority in San Francisco right now. Leave it alone. Vote No on P.

Prop Q: Payroll Tax Reform - Yes
This proposition offers a leg up for small businesses, by closing a payroll tax loophole currently in the city tax structure. Vote Yes on Q.

Prop R: Oceanside Water Treatment - No
If anyone deserves to have a sewage plant named after him, it’s George W. Bush. It does have a nice ring to it. And it would be another fun round of national publicity about those wacky San Francisco voters if it passes. The only problem with this idea is that we’ll remember him every time we drive past the sewage plant. I’d just as soon forget. Vote No on Prop R.

Prop S: Budget Set-Asides - No
This proposition says no more set-asides unless the set-aside identifies a new funding source. This may be a step in the right direction (see Prop B), but it’s a band-aid to a system that needs major surgery. Enough with these piece-meal solutions. This problem needs to be addressed completely. Vote No on S.

Prop T: Substance Abuse Treatment - Yes
It’s a well established fact that every dollar spent on substance abuse treatment saves a lot of money in the long haul. This simply requires San Francisco to make sure it’s substance abuse treatment programs are staffed and funded to meet demand. This helps everyone in the city – people with drug problems will not prey on others to support their habit. A good idea. Vote Yes on Prop T.

Prop U: Iraq Policy Statement - Yes
This asks our elected reps from San Francisco not to vote for funding for anything in Iraq except bringing the troops home. This should pass by a huge majority. We need to stop pouring our money down the drain, killing Iraquis and killing young soldiers. Vote Yes on Prop U.

Prop V: JROTC Policy 7- No
This policy statement calls for the people of San Francisco to have the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program operate in the San Francisco schools. This is in response to the school board eliminating the program, primarily because it was anti-gay, and also because San Francisco is generally not supportive of the military. The fact is, JROTC is a pipeline for military service. The claim in San Francisco is that most of its JROTC students go on to college, not into the military. Then perhaps the school board needs to prioritize a similar alternative which is not militaristic in nature. Bay Times recommends No on Prop V. But it’s important to remember that we don’t exist in a vacuum. The campaign against V has not readily addressed the concerns in the African-American and Chinese communities in particular that support JROTC as one of few viable options for their kids. The campaign can’t end if V is defeated. Our next step has to be to establish something better for our youth.

National:
President: Barack Obama
Congress, 5th District: Nancy Pelosi
Congress, 12th District: Jackie Speier

Statewide:
State Senate, District 3: Mark Leno
Assembly, District 12: Fiona Ma
Assembly, District 13: Tom Ammiano

California Propositions:
Prop 1A: High Speed Rail - Yes
Prop 2:    Farm Animal Protection - Yes
Prop 3:    Children’s Hospital Bond - Yes
Prop 4:    Parental Notice for Abortion - NO
Prop 5:    Non-violent Drug Offenses - Yes   
Prop 6:    Prison Funds - No
Prop 7:    Energy Proposal - No
Prop 8:    Same-Sex Marriage Ban - NO
Prop 9:    Criminal Justice Reform - No
Prop 10:  Environmental Bonds - No   
Prop 11:  Redistricting - NO
Prop 12:  Veterans Bond - Yes

San Francisco Board of Education
Rachel Norton
Sandra Fewer
Norman Yee

Community College Board
Natalie Berg
Chris Jackson
Milton Marks
San Francisco Supervisors
District 1    Eric Mar
District 3    Denise McCarthy
District 4    Carmen Chu
District 5    Ross Mirkarimi
District 7    Sean Elsbernd
District 9    David Campos
District 11  John Avalos


San Francisco Propositions
Prop A:  General Hospital Bond        Yes
Prop B:   Affordable Housing        Yes   
Prop C:   Commission Restrictions        No
Prop D:  Fix Pier 70            Yes    Prop E:  Signatures for Recall        Yes    Prop F:   Elections in Even Years        No
Prop G:  Retirement Credit            Yes
Prop H:  SF Clean Energy            Yes
Prop I:    Independent Rate Payer        Yes
Prop J:   Historic Preservation        Yes   
Prop K:  Legalize Prostitution        No
Prop L:  Community Justice Center        No
Prop M: Protect Tenants            Yes
Prop N:  Property Transfer Tax        Yes
Prop O:   911 Response            Yes
Prop P:  Transportation Authority        No
Prop Q: Payroll Tax Reform        Yes
Prop R:  Oceanside Water Treatment    No
Prop S:   Budget Set-Asides        No
Prop T:  Substance Abuse Treatment    Yes
Prop U:  Iraq Policy Statement        Yes
Prop V:  JROTC Policy Statement        No