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Voter Recommendation Summary for California’s November 6, 2012 General Election

Voter Recommendation Summary for California’s November 6, 2012 General Election

Last updated November 2, 2012 at 5:04 a.m. PT.

BALLOT MEASURES

There are extremely good and extremely bad ballot measures for this election.

Here are recommendations for California statewide Propositions 30 – 40; Los Angeles County Measures A, B, and J; and El Camino Community College District Measure E, followed by a brief summary for selected ballot measures.

Check back before you vote for any updates.


Summary Information:


Please vote "YES" on Propositions 32 and 35, and
"NO" on all others, including all tax and bond measures,
all Los Angeles County measures (except neutral on
L.A. County Measure B requiring condoms for adult movies),
and El Camino Community College District Measure E.

Taxes are unreasonably high. We’re forced to pay for
wildly excessive and unsustainable government employee
salaries, raises, benefits and pensions; massive welfare
fraud (at least 25 percent, billions of dollars per year
statewide); and K-12 education costs for illegal alien
children who are not supposed to be in California
(about 40 percent, $20 billion per year).


Prop #  Vote     Type of Measure / Subject / Measure Web Site

30      NO       Constitutional Amendment
Income and Sales Tax Hikes (Jerry Brown)

Tax hikes will only be used to pay for wildly excessive and
unsustainable government employee union and manager
salaries, benefits, and pensions that are bankrupting cities,
counties, and the state.

http://www.StopProp30.com/

31      NO       Constitutional Amendment
Two-Year Budget Cycle & Related Governance Changes
(California Forward)

32      YES      Statute
Prohibits direct union and corporate contributions to
political candidates, and prohibits automatic payroll
deductions for political purposes (Paycheck Protection).

Employees and other individuals can still make voluntary
contributions to candidates of their choice.

Necessary to help prevent city and county bankruptcies
due to wildly excessive and unsustainable salaries,
benefits, and pensions given in exchange for union
campaign contributions.

Government employee unions contributed 98% of
the $43 million in campaign money to defeat it.

http://www.YesProp32.com/

33      NO       Statute
Auto Insurance Price Setting: Driver Coverage History
Proposition 33 repeals consumer protections provided
by Proposition 103. It allows insurance companies to
charge more for auto insurance if you let your
policy lapse for any reason.

34      NO       Statute
Repeals Death Penalty in all cases, no matter how many
victims, and even if murder prison guards or other
prisoners while serving a life sentence for murder.

Prevents saving money by using the threat of a
death penalty to get murderers to plead guilty and
avoid an expensive trial in return for a life sentence.

Put on ballot by long-time death penalty opponents.

35      YES      Statute
Human Trafficking: "Californians for Sexual Exploitation Act"

36      NO       Statute
"Three Strikes" Dilution

37      NO       Statute
Genetically-Engineered Foods: Mandatory Labeling
This is a Trial Lawyers Full-Time Employment Act.

It is a scam designed to allow trial lawyers to extort
money from farmers and grocers using shakedown
lawsuits even when there are no injuries or damages.

http://www.NoProp37.com

38      NO       Statute
Income Tax Hike: Education (Molly Munger)

Taxes are already excessive and tax hikes will chase
more businesses, jobs, and taxpayers out of the state.

39      NO       Statute
Taxes on Multi-State Businesses: Single Sales Factor

Taxes are already excessive and tax hikes will chase
more businesses, jobs, and taxpayers out of the state.

40      NO       Referendum
Overturn Citizens Redistricting Commission State Senate Plan
(A "NO" vote is a vote to overturn the gerrymandered
redistricting plan.)
 

Los Angeles County Ballot Measures:

 A      NO       Advisory Vote
Advises changing the Los Angeles County Tax Assessor
from an elected position to an appointed position
not accountable to the voters and taxpayers.

 B      NEUTRAL  Ordinance
Regulation of adult movie industry requiring
condoms for adult movies, public health permit,
proof of blood borne pathogen training course.
Will likely chase adult movie industry to other
counties.

 J      NO       Tax Increase
Measure J is another 30-year sales tax hike after the
previous 30-year sales tax hike approved as Measure R
in 2010. It is dishonest and deceptive to ask for yet
another 30-year sales tax increase in only two years.

Measure 30 will also increase the sales tax if it passes.

California will have the highest sales tax in the
country, pressuring consumers to purchase over
the internet from other states and countries,
reducing sales tax revenues.
 

El Camino Community College District Measure E:

 E      NO       Bond Measure
Measure E is $350 million in new bond debt, probably
costing about $700 million with interest.
Bond measures create additional debt and require
taxes to pay principle and interest. Bonds often
cost double the amount borrowed with interest.



President / Vice President: Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan The economy, jobs, business climate, $16 trillion national debt, reduced national defense, and foreign policy all indicate it is time for a positive change in the White House. President Obama's presidency has been a re-run of a bad movie: Jimmy Carter's failed presidency with a failed economy, high unemployment, failed domestic policy, and failed foreign policy. Many people are calling President Obama's presidency "Jimmy Carter 2.0". President Obama's actions follow a clear pattern to:
  1. Weaken and undermine America;
  2. Weaken, undermine, alienate, and antagonize longtime American allies; and
  3. Strengthen, help, and embolden America's enemies and competitors.
Be sure to see the movie, "2016: Obama's America". It is a documentary movie that clearly explains what makes Obama tick, and how his upbringing and mentors shaped his world view and his view of America's future as a downsized, less powerful, less influential, and less important player on the world stage of nations. For more information, also see: Obama's Record: Investor's Business Daily series of editorials

United States Senator: Elizabeth Emken Her opponent Dianne Feinstein is 79 years old and will be 85 at the end of her six-year term if she is elected. Feinstein is rabid enemy of the Constitution, Second Amendment, self-defense rights, and property rights. She also has been at the center of much corruption. Feinstein may be suffering from onset Alzheimer's Disease. She has refused to participate in any debates or public appearances with Elizabeth Emlkin.

United States Representative: Bill Bloomfield Bloomfield is a former Republican who ran as an independent. He is somewhat liberal, but not as extreme as his opponent, Henry Waxman. Waxman iis at best a socialist if not an outright Marxist. He is a self-described "progressive". Waxman does not respect individual liberty and property rights.


Detailed Information:

CLICK HERE to go to the Detailed Voter Recommendations for California’s November 6, 2012 General Election.


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Voter Recommendations for California’s November 6, 2012 General Election

Voter Recommendations for California’s November 6, 2012 General Election

Last updated November 2, 2012 at 5:04 a.m. PT.

BALLOT MEASURES

There are extremely good and extremely bad ballot measures for this election.

Here are recommendations for California statewide Propositions 30 – 40; Los Angeles County Measures A, B, and J; and El Camino Community College District Measure E, followed by a brief summary for selected ballot measures.

Check back before you vote for any updates.


Summary Information:

Please vote "YES" on Propositions 32 and 35, and
"NO" on all others, including all tax and bond measures,
all Los Angeles County measures (except neutral on
L.A. County Measure B requiring condoms for adult movies),
and El Camino Community College District Measure E.

Taxes are unreasonably high. We’re forced to pay for
wildly excessive and unsustainable government employee
salaries, raises, benefits and pensions; massive welfare
fraud (at least 25 percent, billions of dollars per year
statewide); and K-12 education costs for illegal alien
children who are not supposed to be in California
(about 40 percent, $20 billion per year).
 

Prop #  Vote     Type of Measure / Subject / Measure Web Site

30      NO       Constitutional Amendment
Income and Sales Tax Hikes (Jerry Brown)

Tax hikes will only be used to pay for wildly excessive and
unsustainable government employee union and manager
salaries, benefits, and pensions that are bankrupting cities,
counties, and the state.

http://www.StopProp30.com/

31      NO       Constitutional Amendment
Two-Year Budget Cycle & Related Governance Changes
(California Forward)

32      YES      Statute
Prohibits direct union and corporate contributions to
political candidates, and prohibits automatic payroll
deductions for political purposes (Paycheck Protection).

Employees and other individuals can still make voluntary
contributions to candidates of their choice.

Necessary to help prevent city and county bankruptcies
due to wildly excessive and unsustainable salaries,
benefits, and pensions given in exchange for union
campaign contributions.

Government employee unions contributed 98% of
the $43 million in campaign money to defeat it.

http://www.YesProp32.com/

33      NO       Statute
Auto Insurance Price Setting: Driver Coverage History
Proposition 33 repeals consumer protections provided
by Proposition 103. It allows insurance companies to
charge more for auto insurance if you let your
policy lapse for any reason.

34      NO       Statute
Repeals Death Penalty in all cases, no matter how many
victims, and even if murder prison guards or other
prisoners while serving a life sentence for murder.

Prevents saving money by using the threat of a
death penalty to get murderers to plead guilty and
avoid an expensive trial in return for a life sentence.

Put on ballot by long-time death penalty opponents.

35      YES      Statute
Human Trafficking: "Californians for Sexual Exploitation Act"

36      NO       Statute
"Three Strikes" Dilution

37      NO       Statute
Genetically-Engineered Foods: Mandatory Labeling
This is a Trial Lawyers Full-Time Employment Act.

It is a scam designed to allow trial lawyers to extort
money from farmers and grocers using shakedown
lawsuits even when there are no injuries or damages.

http://www.NoProp37.com

38      NO       Statute
Income Tax Hike: Education (Molly Munger)

Taxes are already excessive and tax hikes will chase
more businesses, jobs, and taxpayers out of the state.

39      NO       Statute
Taxes on Multi-State Businesses: Single Sales Factor

Taxes are already excessive and tax hikes will chase
more businesses, jobs, and taxpayers out of the state.

40      NO       Referendum
Overturn Citizens Redistricting Commission State Senate Plan
(A "NO" vote is a vote to overturn the gerrymandered
redistricting plan.)
 

Los Angeles County Ballot Measures:

 A      NO       Advisory Vote
Advises changing the Los Angeles County Tax Assessor
from an elected position to an appointed position
not accountable to the voters and taxpayers.

 B      NEUTRAL  Ordinance
Regulation of adult movie industry requiring
condoms for adult movies, public health permit,
proof of blood borne pathogen training course.
Will likely chase adult movie industry to other
counties.

 J      NO       Tax Increase
Measure J is another 30-year sales tax hike after the
previous 30-year sales tax hike approved as Measure R
in 2010. It is dishonest and deceptive to ask for yet
another 30-year sales tax increase in only two years.

Measure 30 will also increase the sales tax if it passes.

California will have the highest sales tax in the
country, pressuring consumers to purchase over
the internet from other states and countries,
reducing sales tax revenues.
 

El Camino Community College District Measure E:

 E      NO       Bond Measure
Measure E is $350 million in new bond debt, probably
costing about $700 million with interest.
Bond measures create additional debt and require
taxes to pay principle and interest. Bonds often
cost double the amount borrowed with interest.



President / Vice President: Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan The economy, jobs, business climate, $16 trillion national debt, reduced national defense, and foreign policy all indicate it is time for a positive change in the White House. President Obama's presidency has been a re-run of a bad movie: Jimmy Carter's failed presidency with a failed economy, high unemployment, failed domestic policy, and failed foreign policy. Many people are calling President Obama's presidency "Jimmy Carter 2.0". President Obama's actions follow a clear pattern to:
  1. Weaken and undermine America;
  2. Weaken, undermine, alienate, and antagonize longtime American allies; and
  3. Strengthen, help, and embolden America's enemies and competitors.
Be sure to see the movie, "2016: Obama's America". It is a documentary movie that clearly explains what makes Obama tick, and how his upbringing and mentors shaped his world view and his view of America's future as a downsized, less powerful, less influential, and less important player on the world stage of nations. For more information, also see: Obama's Record: Investor's Business Daily series of editorials

United States Senator: Elizabeth Emken Her opponent Dianne Feinstein is 79 years old and will be 85 at the end of her six-year term if she is elected. Feinstein is rabid enemy of the Constitution, Second Amendment, self-defense rights, and property rights. She also has been at the center of much corruption. Feinstein may be suffering from onset Alzheimer's Disease. She has refused to participate in any debates or public appearances with Elizabeth Emlkin.

United States Representative: Bill Bloomfield Bloomfield is a former Republican who ran as an independent. He is somewhat liberal, but not as extreme as his opponent, Henry Waxman. Waxman iis at best a socialist if not an outright Marxist. He is a self-described "progressive". Waxman does not respect individual liberty and property rights.


Detailed Information:

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Vote “NO” on Measure P, the Fire Union’s Initiative

by Michael D. Robbins
Director, Public Safety Project, PublicSafetyProject.org

Below is the content from the front side of an information flyer distributed to residents city-wide in El Segundo, California, on April 8, 2014, the Sunday before the April 10, 2012 General Municipal Election. However, the actual flyer was titled: Vote “NO” on Measure P, and Against SCOTT HOUSTON !

The back side of the flyer provided information on Scott Houston’s true ideology, politics, and track record.

A list of information sources for this flyer and a summary of the election results and lack of union electoral success follow the flyer content below.


Vote “NO” on Measure P, the Fire Union’s Initiative

Background

  • Measure P is the Fire Union’s Initiative – They put it on the ballot to maximize their salaries and job security at our expense in lives and money
  • Disbands our Local City Fire Department for at least ten years under state law
  • Forces our City to contract with L.A. County for significantly reduced fire & paramedic services in a One-Sided Contract that gives L.A. County ALL of the Bargaining Power
  • L.A. County will Unilaterally set the Contract Price, Terms, and Service Level

Service Cuts

  • Cuts number of on-duty Firefighters by 31%, from 16 to 11 – a staffing level even Fire Union President Christopher Thomason admitted was unsafe (on 1/18/11)
  • Eliminates TWO of our THREE Paramedic Rescue Squads
  • Permanently eliminates ALL three of our City-operated Paramedic Ambulances – The L.A. County Fire Dept. DOES NOT operate Paramedic Ambulances
  • Forces residents to use Out-of-Town Private Ambulance Companies – with Significantly Increased Hospital Transport Times and Patient Fees
  • We Need Our Paramedic Ambulances Most – Each year there are 0 or 1 major structure fires, but an average of 758 Paramedic Ambulance Hospital Transports
  • Delays Emergency Response – Routes 911 calls through TWO Dispatch Centers
  • Firefighters serving El Segundo will routinely be sent Out of Town to other L.A. County cities, far more often than out-of-town firefighters will come to El Segundo

Other Issues

  • We already have 70 plus Firefighters Available under Existing Mutual Aid Agreements with L.A. County and South Bay cities
  • 70 Firefighters Responded to the 3/13/11 helicopter crash at Raytheon Bldg. E1
  • No Accountability – Insulates Firefighters and Paramedics from Accountability to any City Official – they will Report to a Remote L.A. County Fire Chief in Gardena
  • Lose Ability to Control Costs – Prevents reduction of Fire Union Excessive and Unsustainable Salaries and Benefits costing $150,000 to $335,000 per employee
  • All El Segundo Fire Dept. Vehicles and Equipment become L.A. County Property
  • Any Cost Savings from Measure P will be Temporary, will result from Drastic Emergency Service Cuts, and will go to Pay for More Big Police Union Pay Raises

This flyer is a response to late campaign mailers and late campaign contribution reports.
Check the PublicSafetyProject.org web site for documentation & responses to any last-minute hit pieces.
Authored by Michael D. Robbins. Not authorized or endorsed by any candidate or committee.
Paid for by Michael D. Robbins, P.O. Box 2193, El Segundo, CA 90245. 4/6/2012 Rev. 4


Information sources for this flyer include:

  • Results from Public Records Act requests by Michael D. Robbins;
  • Text of the Measure P voter initiative petition circulated by the El Segundo Firefighters’ Association (union) members;
  • City Attorney’s Impartial Analysis of Measure P written for the Sample Ballot/Voter Information Guide;
  • The Feasibility Study for the Provision of Fire Protection, Paramedic and Incidental Services for the City of El Segundo by the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County, approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors 8-17-2010;
  • A press conference held by El Segundo Fire Chief Kevin Smith on March 13, 2011, across the street from the helicopter crash site at Raytheon Company (legacy Hughes Aircraft Company) Building E1 on El Segundo Blvd., attended by Michael D. Robbins;
  • Answers to questions asked by Michael D. Robbins of El Segundo City officials including City Council Members Carl Jacobson and Suzanne Fuentes;
  • Direct observation and photographic and video documentation of Los Angeles County paramedic service operations by Michael D. Robbins; and
  • Analysis by Michael D. Robbins and David Burns.

Election Results:

Measure P, the Fire Union’s Initiative, was defeated with 90.1% voting “NO”. Also, the two City Council candidates endorsed and funded by the El Segundo Police Officers’ Association (the police union) – Scott Houston and former City Clerk Cindy Mortesen – were defeated.

The El Segundo Fire Union probably spent more than $100,000 on their Measure P campaign. The union membership voted on December 6, 2011 to provide their professional campaign consultant Frank Caterinicchio with a $75,000 campaign budget. The union hired an attorney to draft the Measure P initiative and petition, and to file a lawsuit against the City and appear in court in an attempt to change wording in the City Attorney’s Impartial Analysis. The union spent money sending out Measure P campaign mailers. And the union hired a professional polling company to do an initial telephone push-poll and two tracking push-polls of El Segundo voters, with numerous questions related to Measure P and public perception of the fire union and the various City Council candidates. The cost of polling increases as the number and complexity of the poll questions increase.

The union even offered to pay for the cost of an early Special Election within a few months in May or June of 2011, that would have given the union a significant unfair electoral advantage, but after much public pressure was applied, the City Council voted 3-2 to put Measure P on the ballot for the regularly scheduled April 10, 2012 General Municipal Election, allowing sufficient time to run an effective low-cost grassroots campaign against Measure P. The cost of the grassroots campaign against Measure P was insignificant. Continue reading

Posted in California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo News, Elections, Firefighter and Police Union Compensation and Pensions, Firefighter Union Corruption, Government Employee Compensation and Pensions, Measure P - Firefighters Union Initiative, Political Corruption, Politics, Union Corruption | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Vote “NO” on Measure P, the Fire Union’s Initiative

Video – Scott Houston in Raising Taxes 101 – El Segundo – Public Safety Project – T0758



Scott Houston in Raising Taxes 101


El Segundo City Council candidate Scott Houston has completely misrepresented his true record, politics, and agenda. Houston is a Progressive (ultra-liberal, big tax-and-spender), not a fiscal conservative. He even described himself as a Progressive when he previously ran for another position.

Houston claimed in his campaign literature that he is for “low taxes”. However, as demonstrated by the video above and the links to the official El Segundo City Council meeting minutes below, Scott Houston urged the City Council to raise not one, but two taxes during the recession, at the August 3, 2010 El Segundo City Council meeting.

Houston urged the City Council to put both a Utility User Tax (UUT) and a hotel Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) hike on the November 2, 2010 ballot for the legally required voter approval. Houston then criticized Councilman Carl Jacobson for opposing tax increases in favor of controlling city government spending.

And without any proof, Houston claimed these tax hikes would not impact any businesses. However, representatives of the businesses that would be adversely impacted spoke, providing facts that proved Houston was either ignorant or intentionally lying.

Clearly, Houston was in lock-step with the fire and police unions, urging the City Council to increase taxes to help pay for the huge pay raises of more than 15 to 23 percent given to those unions during the recession.


The August 3, 2010 El Segundo City Council meeting minutes state, at the top of page 4:

“Scott Houston, Resident; spoke in favor of placing a TOT and UUT increase on the November ballot.”

“Marsha Hanson, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce; addressed the chamber’s concerns regarding the proposed UUT and TOT increases. The Chamber urges Council to find new spending reductions.

“Joe Hardy, Hacienda Hotel; spoke regarding the UUT proposal and stated that slowly increasing taxes on the business community was not the solution to the budget deficit.”

“Lily Craig, Chevron; spoke regarding the UUT proposal, and stated that slowly increasing taxes on the business community was not the solution to the budget deficit.”

“Mike Robbins, Resident; spoke against raising any taxes, and employee compensation.”

You can read the August 3, 2010 El Segundo City council meeting minutes yourself on the official City of El Segundo web site at:

El Segundo City Council Meeting Minutes Index
http://www.elsegundo.org/depts/elected/minutes.asp

El Segundo City Council Meeting Minutes for August 3, 2010
http://www.elsegundo.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=8044


VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:Continue reading

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