Polite Conversation

There are two things that you're never supposed to bring up in polite conversation: religion and politics. However, if the conversation is lagging, and you're attention hungry like me, you let it fly.

I'll talk conservatism to Democrats. Liberalism to Republicans. The Trinity to Jehova's Witnesses. Christ to Jews. And the deliciousness of bacon to Muslim's. Whatever. Bring it!

So just for fun, and because I haven't posted in a minute, I thought I'd give my 2 cents on the issues that are on the ballot tomorrow.

Issue 1 -

This is a proposal to issue bonds in order to make payments to veterans of recent wars. Go here for a full explanation.

Now, your Reverend is vehemently opposed to war in any of it's incarnations, be it "just" or otherwise. But at the same time, I realize that these men and women have done what they thought was best in order to help their countrymen. And even if I disagree with the reasons for it, I believe what they have done is noble.

The least we can do is to give them a helping hand in these tough times. I'm voting yes.

Issue 2 -

This is a hot one. Read the Beacon's take on it here. While they support it, they don't really give it resounding yes.

Animals are fun, they're cute, and good companions. Oh, and when cooked right, rather tasty. I don't want to see any animal tortured in order to be killed for food. It's 2009, we can do better. But at the same time, from what I've read, this "board" is going to be controlled by big Agri-business. Although it could be good to have a board to oversee the industry in Ohio. . . it's not very straight forward on how well this would work.

Voting No on this one. There are too many questions and it's not clear whether this board will help or hinder.

Issue 3 -

Oh yes. The big one. I'm so against casino's it's scary. But I'm also pro-gambling.

Hey, if you want to have a card game at your house with all your buddies, go for it! I got $20 on it! But all these companies do is bilk the poor for their money. Take a look at Detroit - wow, those casino's sure did help those cities. . . yeah right.

If I had it my way, we'd get rid of the lottery, too. They always try to push these things by saying it's "for the schools" or "it'll create jobs". First, if you need money for schools, then raise my taxes! Why do I need to "filter" my money through the casino to get it to the schools? And jobs? Um, those construction jobs will be around for what, a year? And then what? Lot's of janitors and dealers making $8.50 an hour? Wow, sounds great to me.

We voted it down multiple times before and it's time to vote it down again.

Issue 4 -

The last couple times I voted, I wondered about this whole County Engineer thing. I think part of it comes from ignorance. What does this guy do? If he's an engineer, like his title says, then I'd rather just see his resume, not his political party.

Should we really be voting for this?

With that, I'm voting Yes to get rid of the voting for the position.

Issue 5 -

A big yes on this one.

First, to all you Donny P haters, I love you. And if you can muster a fair amount of signatures to recall him, then fine. Let the people speak. But as it stood when the recall went down, it only took 2% of the city voting population to pass it.

This whole thing makes no sense. Let's fix it.

So there ya go. Love it, hate it, snuggle with it. Whatever. If you think I'm on dead wrong, let me know. I'd love to hear from you. You've got about 20 hours to try to persuade me otherwise.

But when I'm in the voting booth, making my life altering choices, the only person in there is Me, Myself, and I.

Go Cavs!

Rev.