Some people bemoan the fact that we face so many initiatives on the ballot. I don't. I like the idea that people can get a measure onto the ballot when the politicians are too cowardly to act, or are in the pockets of the corporations. So let's count our blessings.

Measure I (eye): Recommend a YES vote. This measure would create a County commission for parks and open space. It would develop access to publicly owned lands for hiking and other recreational uses. The funding was approved already (from the tourist hotel tax).

Propositions 1 (A through E): Recommend a NO vote on every one. These would authorize hundreds of political pork barrel projects. Moreover, because of the interest cost on top it means we would be paying twice as much or more for everything. The total cost would go from $34 billion to $68 billion, or more. We can't go on forever paying twice as much for everything we need.

Proposition 83: Your choice.

Proposition 84: Once again, a bond issue proposal, which with interest costs will cause us to pay twice as much for projects. Vote NO.

Proposition 85: Your choice.

Proposition 86: Your choice.

Proposition 87: Vote YES. This proposition would levy a tax on the oil producers which would be used to develop alternative energy sources for automobiles. The oil companies are making unprecedented profits, gouging us at the gas pump. This tax would take some of their profits to develop other ways of propelling automobiles. We must pass this measure because it would reduce the impact of global warming and reduce our dependency on Middle East oil.

Proposition 88: Your choice.

Proposition 89: Vote YES. This is a great proposition. We all know that politicians are bought by large corporations, and they pass laws and bond issues which benefit their wealthy contributors, rather than the average family. This proposal would provide public financing, although in pennies, for good candidates who could represent us. A short step toward election reform, the most serious fundamental problem facing our democracy.

Proposition 90: Vote NO. We are for preserving private property rights, but this measure goes way too far. If your neighbor decided he wanted to build 1000 homes and the County would approve only 600, he could sue the County for the loss of income from the 400 units denied. Dozens of screwball projects. Millions of dollars. We recommend a NO vote.