I get more opinionated than usual. There's another chance for Florida to fuck up election coming up. There are a lot of proposed Constitutional amendments on it.
This Is, in general, Bad.
Constitutions aren't intended to be easy to amend -- and they did that on purpose; it's just that, as you'd expect from watching us become a third-world state in the last couple elections, we didn't do it as well as some.
Amendment 1 - Capital Punishment
Times says No.
I like this one, actually, and most especially the part that says that any ex-post-facto decision that a specific *method* of execution is unlawful shall not automagically commute a sentence of death -- a sentence, let us remember, imposed by a jury.
Yes.
Amendment 2 - Amendment Price Tags
Times says No.
I disagree. There are already ways to find out this information when the amendment is one proposed by the Legislature -- *their* work product is public, unlike that of citizen committees and coalitions. I recommend a Yes on 2.
Amendment 3 - Miami-Dade Home Rule
Times says Yes.
I say: who cares? Sure, vote yes...
Amendment 4 - Government in the Sunshine, Damnit!
Times says Yes, and I strongly agree.
This amendment would require a supermajority vote of the Legislature to pass a bill making an exemption to the laws requiring government records to be publicly accessible.
Amendment 5 - There Is No Amendment Number 5
No, I'm not kidding.
Amendment 6 - Smoking in Restaurants
Times says Yes, and I strongly disagree.
Times also says:
"We think it should be a restaurant owner's right to determine if he or she wants to make a restaurant smoke-free," said Warren Husband, the association's general counsel. Under current law, a restaurant can reserve up to 35 percent of its space for smokers.
But that argument ignores the rights of those who work in restaurants and customers who have no smoke-free alternatives. Those people are forced to risk their health, and that is too great a price to pay.
Oh, I get it: customer can vote with their feet to eat at non-smoking only places, but employees can't?
To quote Bill Cosby: Ri-i-i-i-i-ght!!!
Times neglects to note that this has been through the legislature several times and failed to pass.
Amendment 7 - The Old People Contruction Amendment
Times says No.
So do I.
This is the sort of thing that might make a good law -- though it requires more thought than it's obviously been given -- but sure in Hell doesn't belong in the Florida Constitution.
Amendment 8 - Pre-K
Times says Yes.
This is where it gets rough, folks.
The definition of a principle is something you stand for even when it cuts against you. I'm really not convinced that this, even if it's a good thing -- which almost everyone seems to agree it is, even me -- belongs in the Constitution.
If the people of the state of Florida think that citizen initiatives are a Good Thing -- and they clearly do -- then they need to enact *one* more amendment: one that permits citizen legislative initiatives. Until then, put this one off: No.
Amendment 9 - Class Size
Times says No.
I agree.
But not for their reasons.
Talk to most any parent and you'll hear the concern: How can my kindergartner pay attention with 26 others in the same room?
I did it. All the way through high-school. Didn't seem to hurt me none. Those other kids didn't cause much trouble... cause the teacher told them to shut up.
And they did.
Next?
Amendment 10 - Pregnant Pigs
Times says Yes.
Unh unh.
The argument that this amendment does not belong in the Florida Constitution is misguided. The same could be said of the anti-smoking amendment on this year's ballot and of the net fishing ban approved by voters several years ago. The only process citizens have to address needs that have been ignored by the Legislature is through a constitutional amendment, and lawmakers have not been responsive on this subject. Besides, who would argue that stopping animal cruelty and protecting the state from an environmental disaster are not worthy subjects?
Worthy of constitutional treatment? Me, that's who.
Their argument, above is misguided, for the reasons I myself have set out above.
Amendment 11 - Board Of Regents
Times says Yes.
This one hurts, too. I should really say no here, on principle. But there's no other way to spank the Legislature for screwing up. So I'll say No, and you go ignore me.
But whatever you do, Vote!
And don't forget to watch for real time election results on the 5th.
