In case you've been living under a rock for the last year, it's an election year. As has become my custom, I have reviewed the sample Madison County ballot available at the Alabama Secretary state's website and write to provide my "endorsements" (for what it's worth and for the two people who read this blog). So, here goes - in the order from the ballot:
President - Romney. This is kind of a "well, duh" for me. There is no doubt in my mind that a Romney/Ryan administration will be leaps and bounds better than the current set. The reasons are legion. Here's just one.
U.S. Congress, AL-5 - Mo Brooks. Mo has been a great congressman and is a good friend. I whole-heartedly endorse his re-election.
Chief Justice, Alabama Supreme Court - Bob Vance. Despite, my natural inclination to support my Party's nominee, I can't support Roy Moore. I believe his actions the last time he was Chief Justice should have resulted in his disbarment and disqualify him from serving as a judge. Judge Vance is a good and fair judge. I think he would do a fine job and would not have an agenda. However, I think Moore will probably win.
Many of the other judicial spots are not being opposed, so I will vote for the incumbents. (The same with Dale Strong for County Commission Chairman.) There is one exception. Please, please, PLEASE do NOT vote for Linda Coats for District Judge. Write someone in, anyone. I will be writing in Chris Messervy, the person who won the Republican Primary. What the state party did by removing Chris and placing Coats, a poor choice, on the ballot was disgusting.
Public Service Commission - Cavanaugh. I'm not a huge Twinkle fan, but Baxley has had her time. She's old and a democrat.
Madison County Probate Judge - Patty Demos. Beyond, being the Republican, Demos is an attorney. Ragland has no legal training. I don't say that to be condescending or elitist, but the Probate Judge has enough responsibilities for which legal training really is needed that having an attorney in the office will help it run more efficiently
County Commission District 3 - Sisk. It's time for the Commission to be representative of a Republican county.
There are a lot of Constitutional Amendments on the ballot this year - a function of the nature of our state's constitution. You can find some more information on these amendments here, here, and here.
There are a lot of Constitutional Amendments on the ballot this year - a function of the nature of our state's constitution. You can find some more information on these amendments here, here, and here.
Statewide Amendment 1 - No. This amendment would extend payments to the Forever Wild Land Trust for 20 years. This sounds nice, but the state is having budget problems. I may change my mind, though, since the amendment just extends payments being received from the oil and gas trust fund.
Statewide Amendment 2 - No. This amendment would allow the state to incur more debt. On principle, I think that it a bad idea.
Statewide Amendment 3 - Yes. This would set aside a historic district in Baldwin County, without any addition tax expenditures.
Statewide Amendment 4 - Yes. This is principally a feel good amendment to remove racist language from other parts of the State's Constitution.
Statewide Amendment 5 - Yes. This amendment effects the friendly transfer of liabilities from the Prichard Water and Sewer Board to Mobile.
Statewide Amendment 6 - Yes. This is an Obamacare opt-out. It would prohibit mandatory participation in a Federal health care system. It is a challenge to the overreach of Obamacare and should be supported.
Statewide Amendment 7 - Yes. This amendment would protect the right of secret ballot in labor votes regarding whether or not to unionize.
Statewide Amendment 4 - Yes. This is principally a feel good amendment to remove racist language from other parts of the State's Constitution.
Statewide Amendment 5 - Yes. This amendment effects the friendly transfer of liabilities from the Prichard Water and Sewer Board to Mobile.
Statewide Amendment 6 - Yes. This is an Obamacare opt-out. It would prohibit mandatory participation in a Federal health care system. It is a challenge to the overreach of Obamacare and should be supported.
Statewide Amendment 7 - Yes. This amendment would protect the right of secret ballot in labor votes regarding whether or not to unionize.
Statewide Amendment 8 - Yes. This amendment would limit and peg the pay of members of the Alabama legislature to the median income in Alabama and would prohibit the legislature from setting its own pay.
Statewide Amendment 9 - Yes. This one is a little confusing, but, best I can tell, it removes obsolete provisions from the corporation law, while preserving the right of the state to level business privilege taxes and pass other laws related to corporations.
Statewide Amendment 10 - ???, but probably yes. This is another doozy. It has very confusing wording. As best I can tell, it modernizes the state banking system, including removing the gold standard.
Statewide Amendment 11 - I think, yes. This amendment prohibits any town located entirely outside of Lawrence County - i.e., Decatur - from imposing any municipal ordinance on Lawrence County. Apparently, the police jurisdiction of Decatur currently reaches into Lawrence County.
Local Amendment 1 - Sure. This local amendment applies only to Madison County and would create a procedure whereby dogs may be declared dangerous and put down.
There you go. Take them or leave them, those are my recommendations. However you choose to vote, please just vote. It is one of our most valuable rights. Good luck.
