election '08.

some issues that are important to me..

prop 4.
Arguments in favor of Prop. 4
Notable arguments that have been made in favor of Prop. 4 include:

34 other U.S. States have notification laws in place for as long as 25 years. They have resulted in declined rates of teen abortion, STDs, and teen pregnancy.

When a minor obtains an abortion without the knowledge of a family member or guardian, her health can be endangered if health complications arise after the abortion.

If a minor becomes pregnant because of sexual violence or predation, and then has an abortion without her family's knowledge of either the sexual assault or the abortion, an opportunity to identify and stop a sexual predator may be missed, because the abortion clinic may not report the sexual crime.

Arguments against Prop. 4
Notable arguments that have been made against Prop. 4 include:

While parents rightfully want to be involved in their teenagers' lives, mandated parental notification laws don't work. No law can mandate family communication.

In the real world, some teenagers can't go to their parents because they fear being kicked out of the house, beaten, or worse. Prop 4 may force these teens to delay medical care, turn to self-induced abortions, or consider suicide.

Forced "family notification" is a lie. Right now, a pregnant teen can safely go to a trusted aunt, grandma, or an older sister. Prop 4 would close that option to teens, because under Prop 4, if a teen chooses to go to another adult, her parents would automatically be reported to authorities and an investigation would ensue.

"Mandatory notification laws make scared, pregnant teens who can't go to their parents do dangerous things."

i am voting no on prop 4

prop 8
Arguments in favor of Prop. 8
Notable arguments in favor of Prop. 8 include:

"Proposition 8 is about preserving marriage; it’s not an attack on the gay lifestyle. Proposition 8 doesn’t take away any rights or benefits of gay or lesbian domestic partnerships."

Prop. 8 "restores the definition of marriage to what the vast majority of California voters already approved and human history has understood marriage to be."

"It overturns the outrageous decision of four activist Supreme Court judges who ignored the will of the people."

"It protects our children from being taught in public schools that “same-sex marriage” is the same as traditional marriage."

Arguments against Prop. 8
Notable arguments against Prop. 8 include:

"Our California Constitution--the law of our land---should guarantee the same freedoms and right to everyone. No one group should be singled out to be treated differently."

"Equal protection under the law is the foundation of American society."

The institution of marriage conveys dignity and respect to the lifetime commitment that a couple makes. Proposition 8 would deny lesbian and gay couples the opportunity that same dignity and respect.

"The freedom to marry is fundamental to our society, just like the freedoms of religion and speech."

Laws should treat everyone equally.

It should not be up to the government to say who can and cannot get married.

When domestic parternships are held out as an acceptable substitute for marriage, this is misleading. Domestic partnerships are not a substitute for marriage.

i am voting a big fat heart felt no on prop 8