put all of your election posting here so it doesn't bother anyone else!
from @CoolerOpposide@hexbear.net:
For Agitprop purposes, I’m asking comrades to help aggregate any and all effortpost responses, critiques, or general thoughts that you have seen or written pertaining to yesterday’s U.S. election that you think have standalone value for discussion either online or IRL.
I made a post for that purpose here, and ideally it can be used not only for general discussion, but as a reference for well thought out responses in discussions about the election to save all of us some brainpower.
No shitposts please, as we’d like to highlight some comrades’ actual effort in constructing responses or analysis, but humor is 100% welcome to help make your point!
Is there anyone who doesn't mind outing themselves as living in California who wants to share how they voted on the California shit?
I was reading @ziggurter@hexbear.net's comment here and I responded:
Any Hexbear but especially Californian input is welcome.
Prop 2 is another bond, which i think is an inefficient way to fund anything. On the other hand, it’s the only way voters are allowed to influence the budget. i know some people thought the climate bond was more important, and they only wanted to approve one bond. i voted yes for it, but i can’t blame people for thinking it’s an increase in tax obligations that the government will waste.
Prop 34 is a no, and it’s written very confusingly. It’s a smokescreen to disguise the fact that exactly one organization will be affected: the AIDS healthcare foundation. Why is that? The foundation is a leading advocate for rent control measures across the state and operates affordable housing in Skid Row. 34 is a prop written by a bunch of billionaire landlords to punish the AIDS foundation.
i agree with your other prop stuff, but if you have questions about them i can answer those too
I was reluctant on 2 because I used to work at a community college back when another bond got passed. I was happy to see that it meant a much needed new building was set to be built. Even though there were time limits and stipulations on when it had to be done, they dragged their feet and it took almost a decade to happen (by that time I was gone). But I was still there long enough to watch the president of the college give himself and all his immediate associates massive bonuses. They may have done that anyway, but all the faculty (who were facing pay cuts if they weren't tenured, so most of them) said that it was the bond money that allowed the president to hand out raises to his favorite sycophants while cutting the staff and faculty. Soured me on ever wanting to vote for bonds with the purpose of improving schools. But on the other hand, the schools do need it, and if any of it really does get to them, then, probably the right thing.
And I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought 34 was written really suspiciously. I saw that there were some groups claiming exactly what you said, that it was targeting the AIDS foundation, but most of these groups have names that sound like good advocacy groups even when they're not. (Unless "family" is in the name, then it's usually a sure bet they're the vile fundamentalist rich chud-adjacent ones). Fucking slimeball shitstains though, the billionaire landlords. It will almost for sure pass.
Thank you for the response, it's helpful. I think I'll go ahead with yes on 2 but I now know it should be NO for 34.
Just look at PSL's affiliated party voter guide if you're unsure on any props
https://www.peaceandfreedom.us/index.php/news/elections-campaigns/pfp-workers-voters-guide-election-2024
Hmm. I disagree with them on the final choice for the bonds. I agree with their analysis that choosing to borrow the money from capitalists is fucking stupid, and is an absolutely unnecessary giveaway. However, I do think it is a little idealistic in the current context—where MMT is so far from the thinking and practice of like 99.999% of politicians and government institutions that it might as well not exist—to insist they not be used. In the short-term we're basically not going to get anything at all if we put a hard line on no new bonds. I DO go so far on sates taxes, which are SOOOOO fucking regressive.
I agree, bonds granting money for necessary causes is better than no money at all, if the state government refuses to provide funding otherwise. Ultimately California should just increase state taxes as required, of course. And fix the property tax loopholes