Opinion: In today’s pages: The value of Measures A and B, voting in general, and Metrolink in particular
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Drop that pencil! Before you fill out your absentee ballot, you should know about what’s in Saturday’s pages--a handy election recap that provides you with a quick, user-friendly guide to the major issues, state and in L.A. county, city and school district, on the November ballot. You’ll get the Times editorial board’s recommendations on how to vote, and why. Confused by the two alt-energy propositions? Wondering about the gamut of bonds, state and local? All will be made crystal clear, sort of. And if you prefer voting the old-fashioned way, this is a great editorial to clip and store in your wallet for your date with the voting booth.
Today’s editorial page leads you to that recap with the last two endorsements on L.A. ballot measures. The editorial board registered a regretful No on Measure A, the tax to fund gang-diversion programs. Much as the money is needed, the city has yet to operate and effectively evaluate gang-diversion programs. Once we know the money will actually keep kids out of gangs, the board argues, it will be time to pass the tax. In contrast, the board gives thumbs-up to Measure B ...
... so that the city can capture its share of state affordable-housing bonds for families.
Moving away from elections for a moment, the board takes a moment to mourn the loss of the extraordinary Afghan policewoman Malalai Kakar, who battled criminals with the best, and particularly went after rapists, wife beaters, and other men who committed crimes against women. The Taliban, which has a different and frightening definition of crime, assassinated this brave soul.
On the op-ed page, James E. Moore II, the director of USC’s transportation engineering program, wonders whether we should scrap Metrolink rather than try to fix it. And Joel Stein registers a vote against voting:
Almost half of those who are eligible won’t vote this year, and that non-participation is a legitimate expression of feelings about our political system. You’ll be saying that none of the contenders convinced you but that your vote is available next time to someone who does. It’s what I say every week to ‘American Idol.’
But what might you want to say to a proposition that would abolish gay marriage in the state, or another to require doctors to notify parents before their teenage daughters can obtain an abortion? How do you feel about putting big construction money into the community colleges and the L.A. Unified schools, or the bazillion other items on the ballot that directly affect your lives and wallet? For that, as I said, you can turn to tomorrow’s recap, and you can always check out our online Vote-o-rama guide to get the full download -- facts, news and opinion -- on any issue. And if you’re still undecided about the presidential candidates, maybe it will help to know that the board’s endorsement for president will be published in the (coyly phrased) not-too-distant future. The board’s deliberations will begin soon, so this is the time for you to advise us on what issues you think should guide the deliberations.
Cartoon: Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press; Photo: Los Angeles Times