Oct.

29, 2008 A9

EDITORIAL BOARD
GENNY MCLAREN, Managing Editor
KATY SWEENY, News Editor

2008 elections MEGAN WILSON, Opinion Editor

endorsements
CONNOR RAMEY, Sports Editor
KENNA HUNT, Entertainment Editor
NICOLE WILLIAMS, Features Editor
ELYSSE BONNER, Photo Editor
WALTER FOLEY, Chief Copy Editor
ELIZABETH VARIN, Online Editor
ROODY VAZQUEZ, Video Editor

STATE REPRESENTATIVE • 2ND DISTRICT UNITED STATES PRESIDENT / VICE PRESIDENT CHICO CITY COUNCIL

Jeff Morris (D)
The state representative works in the House
of Representatives, so this nomination is on a
federal — rather than state — level. The U.S.
Congress has a larger jurisdiction. California has
53 representatives, which is the highest amount in
the House. The number is based on population.
Jeff Morris has jumped onto the “change”
bandwagon. Incumbent Wally Herger is out
of touch with students’ and young people’s
needs, and Morris has a fresh voice and a new
perspective. While sitting on the Trinity County
Committee board of supervisors, Morris helped
save a failing hospital, which shows he knows how
Barack Obama and Joe Biden City Council candidates differ from most
candidates because they are not allowed to run
in the typical bipartisan format. Voters are able
M ind (Education): Obama
wants to implement a to choose four candidates for City Council.
refundable credit for attending
college. The first $4,000 of a E ar (Foreign policy/diplomacy):
Obama would use direct
college education would be free
for students who volunteer at least
diplomacy to constrain Iran’s
role in Iraq, encouraging Iran to
Andy Holcombe
100 hours. That money will cover cooperate with the United States The Editorial Board has unanimously
two-thirds the cost of average through nonmilitary means. decided to support Mayor Andy Holcombe.
tuition. He also plans to free money He has been mayor since 2006 and, as such, he
for financial aid by using public
loan providers.
understands Chico, its residents and its needs.
He believes in the students’ rights to have their
voices heard — treating the students as an
integral part of the community, rather than a
H eart (Health care):
His plan ensures all
Americans will be able
separate entity.

to work under pressure and fix financial crises

— California could certainly use some help like
S mile (International
unity): A Pew
Research Center study
to choose their health
care coverage through Ali Sarsour
their employers, private
that. Trinity County was one of the counties hit shows traditional allies health plans, the federal As a former student of Chico State,
hardest by the summer fires. Morris’ efficiency in in Europe, Asia and government or the Ali Sarsour has watched the university
South America expect
dealing with the situation displays his knowledge states. His plan improves evolve in juxtaposition with the city. While
changes in U.S. foreign the current insurance
of sustainable practices, which is something the and domestic policies Sarsour wants to preserve the character of
system and creates a
university strives for. “If Obama became public health plan for
the city, he supports sustainable growth for
president, half the those without coverage. the city of Chico — encompassing housing
negative views of He will try many practices and new building projects that
the world would strategies and be guided include green technology.
STATE ASSEMBLY • 3RD DISTRICT disappear right from the by results not ideological
beginning,” said Rubens convictions.
Mickey Harrington (D) Barbosa, a former
Brazilian ambassador to
Ann Schwab
the U.S. Vice Mayor Ann Schwab is already directly
The state assemblyman serves on the lower involved with Chico State, acting as a full-time
House of the California state Legislature. Together,
the Assembly and the Senate work together to
W atch (Timetable for Iraq):
The proposed schedule
would remove military troops
manager for CAVE, so she knows how to
interact with students. Co-owning a business
make bills into laws. California has 80 members in from Iraq within 16 months, with located in downtown Chico, her relationships
the state Assembly, most of whom are Democrat. M oney (Economic policy):
Obama will pay for
investments by cutting spending,
total removal by 2010. America
would still have a presence in
already combine both the university and
community, representing the needs of the
Iraq in order to target remnants
While neither of the candidates impressed us, finding new revenue and of al-Qaida, protect U.S. citizens
students as well as residents.
we have chosen Mickey Harrington. On his Web prioritizing. He will protect the tax and support Iraq’s security
site, he outlines a brief to-do list, which puts a
priority on higher education. He wants to make
cuts for the middle class but repeal
tax cuts for oil and gas companies
and for the wealthiest Americans.
forces.
Jim Walker
achieving a degree more attainable and affordable. Jim Walker is a Chico native and a
We oppose Dan Logue because of his aggressive graduate of Chico State who wants to increase
partisanism. While Harrington’s views fall directly communication between the university and
within the liberal-Democrat party lines, Logue
rhetorically condemns the opposing viewpoint at
F eet (Environment): Obama will enact an economywide policy
to reduce U.S. carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. He will
devote resources toward the development and deployment of
the community by developing a relationship
with President Paul Zingg and the various vice
a time when the state needs to do more to foster low-carbon technologies and the economic challenges imposed on presidents. His attitudes regarding never being
unity between the two sides in order to improve industrial sectors. His energy and global warming agenda includes satisfied with the status quo imply positive
the state’s various ills. modifying cars and fossil fuel use. results from his term on the City Council.

PROPOSITION 1A
Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act
NO PROPOSITION 7
Although various support groups for this proposition can be found on Facebook, at $9.95 billion
the proposition is too expensive and there is no guarantee the project will be finished. The
state has more important priorities to concentrate on. Furthermore, funding for the new form
of transportation would come primarily from selling bonds and with the state’s economy in a
downturn, bonds are an unreliable source of capital. You can’t make any money from bonds if
no one is willing to buy them from you.
Renewable Energy Generation Initiative
YES
Opposed by many environmental groups, Proposition 7 increases the required ratio of renewable
energy generated from public utilities and extends them to local companies. Some groups say
it will work to underscore many green efforts. However, this proposition is a step forward in
sustainable energy production because penalties for not complying with the regulations would
encourage utility producers to comply, essentially driving a change in our reliance on limited
resources.

PROPOSITION 2
Standards for Confining Farm Animals Initiative
YES PROPOSITION 8
Some argue that the passing of this proposition will increase the prices of eggs, but the demand for
eggs is relatively inelastic. The passing of this proposition is a step in the right direction for humane
farming practices. Although California isn’t the biggest producer of veal or pork products, our state
is the eighth largest economy in the world and other states look to us as an example.
Eliminates Right of Same Sex Couples to Marry Initiative
NO
Voters outlawed same-sex marriage in a 2000 initiative, but the California Supreme Court ruled
that marriage is a fundamental right, which cannot be legally taken away from its citizens. Voting
yes on the measure would keep civil rights in a stagnant state and permit political intolerance
rooted in religious ideals.

PROPOSITION 3
Children’s Hospital Bond Act
NO PROPOSITION 9 Criminal Justice System,Victims’ Rights, Parole — Constitutional Amendment and Statute
YES
This proposition allows the sale of $980 billion in bonds to expand children’s hospitals and will Some editors identified with increasing victims’ rights, but others were wary of the power the
cost taxpayers $2 billion over the next 30 years — or $66.7 million per year. In 2004, California amendment could have over the fairness of the judicial system. The measure may also prevent
voters approved a similar proposition authorizing $760 billion worth of bonds. Half of those parolees who return to jail from obtaining legal counsel. Some editors thought this could be a
have yet to be sold. form of justice, while others found it a violation of the Sixth Amendment.

PROPOSITION 4
Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy
NO PROPOSITION 10
We support a woman’s right to choose, even if she’s a teenager. If you’re old enough to make the
decision to have sex, you are old enough to decide whether to terminate a pregnancy. Requiring
the parent or guardian of a minor to be informed will only lead to back-alley abortions and unsafe
practices.
Alternative FuelVehicles and Renewable Energy Initiative
NO
Once again, the expectance of bonds to solve our various societal ailments is unreliable and
inefficient. If passed, the measure would authorize the sale of $9.8 billion (interest included) in
bonds to fund rebates to the buyers of alternative fuel vehicles.

PROPOSITION 5
Nonviolent Drug Offenses, Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation Initiative
YES PROPOSITION 11
This proposition requires that drug crimes be treated with probation and rehab treatment,
rather than jail time. It also shortens parole for many nonviolent property crimes when drugs are
involved. These methods are more effective than putting drug offenders on a “time out.” Drug
addiction is a psychological disorder that needs to be treated, rather than rigidly punished.
Alternate FuelVehicles and Renewable Energy Bonds Initiative
YES
On average, district boundaries are drawn to consolidate incumbent power, so these 14-person
citizen groups are a way to bring equality to the process. Although the groups are not in charge
of drafting the boundaries for all political boundaries, putting the power in the hands of voters
increases the amount of civic participation and encourages public interest in the process.

PROPOSITION 6
Police and Law Enforcement Funding Criminal Penalties and Laws
NO PROPOSITION 12
This proposition is a mess. It would make various criminal justice changes related to such things
as parole agent caseloads and use of hearsay evidence. What does that even mean? Again, we need
rehabilitation, not imprisonment. Passing propositions 5 and 6 would loosen and stiffen penalties
for drug offenses at the same time.
Veterans’ Bond Act of 2008
NO
This measure extends a state program, which gives veterans access to low-interest mortgages.
Approved by Californians 26 times in prior elections, this initiative also tenders the use of
unreliable bonds to finance something primarily important.