What are your state's "hot issues?"

[sezjasper]

I got my specimen ballot in the mail yesterday and once again I am annoyed by the so-called important issues that make it on to the ballot, while there are so many REAL issues that we citizens never get to vote on. Here in Maryland, the life-or-death issues are whether to allow table games at our casinos, and whether to allow gay couples to marry. As an example of a REAL issue, how about letting us vote on where our tax dollars go...especially when so many of them are diverted to other countries while there are people here in need? Why don't we ever get to vote on stuff like that? I can't be the only one who ever asked this question, can I?

Just curious...what are the "important" issues in other states?

 

[sezjasper]

No doubt for every dozen people you will end up with a dozen different ideas about government spending. But I firmly believe in "majority rules" and if the majority of voters want tax dollars spent on (to use your example) public schools, then so be it. I also believe in accountability, however. Here in Maryland we have this issue where dollars raised by gas tax and set aside for infrastructure repairs were pilfered by another (unnamed) agency(ies). Now, we have potholes and bridges ready to fall down, and no money to spend on the repairs, so our governor's solution is higher gas tax. What about the "stolen" money? To me, this is something to get upset about, not whether gay people can marry. I just don't understand the priorities in this country.

 

[cupman]

In any case I don't mind spending a few extra dollars to ensure that our population is educated. Sometimes there's a bigger picture you need to see and look past yourself.

 

[mom'sfolly]

Lordy people, you all need to keep paying for education, and hopefully lobby for some basic civics courses as well.

While I certainly sympathize with the idea that we should all be able to check off what our tax dollars go to, it will never work that way. It may work that way at a very small level, and it usually does in small towns and school districts. However, you can't pick and choose on everything.

Also, majority rules usually means that a minority is getting trampled somewhere. That is why we have things like the Bill of Rights, the Americans with Disabilities Act and integrated schools. At one time the majority said that blacks and women couldn't vote. Even further back, you couldn't vote unless you owned land.

 

[Baymule]

I did not see any Hot Buttons on the ballot. Voted early. Not that we don't have issues from time to time, just not this time. A big stink a few years ago was voting to go from a "dry" county to a "wet" one. Meaning there was no alcohol sales in the county anywhere and the drinkers wanted to buy a beer without having to go to the next county. It passed and now the grocery stores are well stocked with wine and beer. Have to go to the liquor stores for the hard stuff.

There was a retarded fellow in town that would walk or hitch hike to the nearest liquor store over 12 miles away. He didn't make it to see the county go wet. It seems on his way back to town one time, he was drinking his beer, probably because it was so heavy to carry all that way, and he stepped out in front of a truck. Townspeople pitched in to pay for his funeral.

 

[sezjasper]

might not be a big issue to you, but being able to decide who I wish to marry is a big issue to me.

To me as well, and going over my original post I can see that I worded it poorly. I believe that everyone should have the right to enter into a civil union with the partner of their choice, but in the case of gay individuals, this highly personal decision becomes a legal issue. The issue is on the Maryland ballot now to try to reverse the earlier decision legalizing gay marriage. With all the problems our country has, I cannot understand why so much time and effort is spent trying to persecute a group of people who are only trying to enjoy the same rights and privileges that the majority take for granted.

 

[MamaRoo]

Gay marriage and legalizing marijuana.Fortunately last year we passed the law that removed liquor sales from state control or that would be here as well.

 

[MamaRoo]

As an example of a REAL issue, how about letting us vote on where our tax dollars go...especially when so many of them are diverted to other countries while there are people here in need?

I'm curious, since foreign aid consists of less than 1.5% of the US budget, why do you feel that's too much?

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1258

13% of US budget goes to safety net programs in the US.

 

[oldrooster]

I'm curious, since foreign aid consists of less than 1.5% of the US budget, why do you feel that's too much?

with our current debt load as a nation can we afford one dime? an argument could be made for that.
issues here are like elsewhere jobs, healthcare debate, money (spending on what where) who said or did what and why I am the better canidate and so and so is a liar....

 

[sezjasper]

I'm curious, since foreign aid consists of less than 1.5% of the US budget, why do you feel that's too much?

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1258

13% of US budget goes to safety net programs in the US.

Even 1.5% of a huge number is still a huge number. Ditto for the 13% to safety net programs that all too often turn into life entitlement programs. My point is that every taxpayer who contributes to the pot should have a vote in how the money is spent, and not just through their elected officials, either!