at our jr league meeting last week some ladies from our State Public Affairs Committee (or SPAC) spoke about some of the upcoming propositions and gave resources on where to find more information. i always find it difficult to get clear answers on propositions and found one of their suggestions to actually have some good non-partisan information - it is the League of Women Voters and more specifically to me, the California Leage of Women Voters.
One of the things the woman from SPAC said has stuck with me - she said when she votes on a measure or proposition that requires funding or bonds or higher taxes, whatever, she asks herself, "is this necessary." Now, she finds herself asking, "can we afford it?" its not something you think to ask, but perhaps people will adjust their voting in these tighter economic times...especially in the state of california with our budget still being highly debated. in our LB Press Telegram there was an editorial written by Mitch Albom (author of Tuesdays with Morrie) who said something that i felt was simple and profound...he said, "i have never seen higher taxes result in a more efficient government" just think on that for a minute...
it is fairly easy for me as a libertarian to vote on propositions...i generally vote NO on ANYTHING requiring additional funding...makes it simple...anything that grows government - anything that hikes taxes gets a big NO from me...not like i dont read them...i do...but generally speaking they usually get a no vote from me. HOWEVER, this year i got some free time to do a little research and came across proposition 4 and as a parent, i felt it deserved to give this prop a little attention.
This is what the CA league of women voters has to say about prop 4:
A YES vote on this measure means:
The State Constitution would be changed to require that a physician notify, with certain exceptions, a parent or legal guardian of a pregnant minor at least 48 hours before performing an abortion.
A NO vote on this measure means:
Minors would continue to receive abortion services to the same extent as adults. Physicians performing abortions for minors would not be subject to notification requirements.
i think that is the best way to describe it. it is being funded by Sarah's Law...if you are wondering who Sarah is...
Sarah was only 15 when she had a secret abortion. Within days a high fever set in. No one knew why, or how seriously ill she was. By the time she was hospitalized and doctors determined she had a deadly infection from a torn cervix, it was too late. Sarah died. Had someone in her family known about the abortion, Sarah's life could have been saved.
i don't know too many parents who would NOT want to be notified if their child was receiving ANY sort of medical attention, let alone an abortion. i think this is a parent's rights issue and i am personally stunned that the current law is what it is.
Please look more into this....here are some sites:
http://www.YESon4.net
http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/title-sum/prop4-title-sum.htm
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_4_(2008)
3 comments:
This is such a tough one. I have been thinking about it constantly over the last few weeks and I just keep thinking of one scenario: "What if it is her dads baby? Does she have to tell him before she can have it done? Is her physical safety at risk?" I realize that this is a rare situation, but am I willing to risk the safety of those few?
Recently, I was discussing politics with some one from school and they said something I can't stop thinking about: to vote no means that nothing will change, to vote yes means that something will. The few girls that really make me ponder this proposition have a life that I can't even begin to comprehend. Am I ready to make it harder?
I have no idea. I appreciate your view of the topic. As a (soon to be) parent I could never imagine not knowing, or not wanting to be informed. For my own children I want this to be a law, but I am not sure if that is the case for every parent.
yeah...there are going to be exceptions to this and the proposition does take that into account:
Notice to Adult Family Member and Report of Abuse. The physician could notify an adult family member instead of notifying the minor's parent based on the minor's written statement that (1) she fears physical, sexual, or severe emotional abuse from a parent who would otherwise be notified, and (2) that her fear is based on a pattern of such abuse of her by a parent. The measure defines an adult family member as a person at least 21 years of age who is the grandparent, stepparent, foster parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, half-sibling, or first cousin of the minor. The manner of notice to an adult family member must be consistent with that required for parental notice. In addition, the measure requires the physician to make a written report of known or suspected child abuse to the appropriate law enforcement or public child protection agency. The physician would also be required to include with the notice a letter informing the adult family member about the report of abuse.
however...the bottom line on this is that it is a parental right issue and i think as parents we should be guarding our rights against this super-fast growing government of ours!
kids can't get aspirin at school, but can get help with abortions. something is wrong with that picture! I totally support Prop 4 for that reason!!!
but, be careful with the League of Women Voters. they have been known to be uber liberal.
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