October 2008Too Many Initiatives, Not Enough TimeMassive financial melt-downs, huge federal and state budget deficits, Middle Eastern Wars, and a vice-presidential candidate with the least amount of experience in United States history: it’s hard not to feel like we’re living in a period of governmental collapse. Amidst this public sector apocalypse comes local ballot initiatives A through V, along with a dozen state initiatives. It’s nearly impossible for a single individual to develop well-informed opinions about this many proposed laws, particularly in a period in which most of our political attention is focused on perhaps the most important presidential race in the last half-century. Normally the View would provide recommendations on how to vote on the myriad of candidates and initiatives on the ballot. Unfortunately, this election your small community newspaper doesn’t have the capacity to examine the choices to a level that would merit comprehensive endorsements. We encourage you to look to trusted friends and local civic groups, particularly the Potrero Hill Democratic Club, for ballot advice. The View isn’t opinion-less, though: some candidates, and initiatives, are too attractive to pass unremarked, while others run against our basic values. Here’s our picks: Candidates United States President/Vice President: Barack Obama/Joseph Biden. United States Congress, District 8: Nancy Pelosi. State Senate, District 3: Mark Leno. State Assembly, District 13: Tom Ammiano. San Francisco Propositions A, San Francisco General Hospital Bonds: Yes. C, Prohibiting City Employees from Serving on Boards: No. D, Pier 70 Waterfront District Development: Yes. E, Changing the Number of Signatures to Recall City Officials: No. J, Historic Preservation Commission: Yes. M, Changing the Residential Rent Ordinance to Prohibit Specific Acts: No. California Propositions 1A, High Speed Rail Bonds: Yes. 4, Waiting Period/Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy: No. 8, Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry: No. Although the View is inclined to endorse Proposition H, the San Francisco Clean Energy Act, the initiative is sufficiently contentious for us to leave best judgments to our wise readers. On the pro side, the initiative would put in a place a process that could lead to cost-effective municipalization of our electric distribution system, which is currently controlled by monopolist Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). As proponents suggest, publicly-owned utilities tend to offer better rates and more user-friendly customer service than investor-owned utilities. On the con side the City has more pressing priorities than taking on PG&E, which will sink tens of millions of dollars into stopping a public takeover. An effective public power campaign requires a thoughtful strategy and a unified political leadership to succeed, neither of which is extant. Still, it’s hard not to want to keep the possibility of a public take-over of our electric distribution system in play.
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This Month's StoriesPotrero Hill Recreation Center a Big Draw for Locals Slowing Economy Puts Rehabilitation Nonprofit on the Brink Potrero Hill Doctor Resuscitates the Lost Art of House Calls Potrero Hill Baby Boomers Gather for Second Reunion Innovation Considered Critical for Regional Economy High Efficiency Toilet Program Saves Low Income Families and Small Businesses Water and Money Fighting Hunger One Tree at a Time in West Africa City Fees, Fines and Charges Rising Rapidly Water Conservation Trainee Works to Overcome Life’s Challenges On-going Features
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