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By Tom Cushing

About this blog: The Raucous Caucus shares the southpaw perspectives of this Boomer on the state of the nation, the world, and, sometimes, other stuff. I enjoy crafting it to keep current, and occasionally to rant on some issue I care about deeply... (More)

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Ballot Follies, and the great Candidate Challenge

Uploaded: Apr 18, 2015

Hark! For I have received my mail-in ballot for the Extra-special State Senate run-off election of May 19th. It is not to be confused with the Super Duper Measure A education tax election of May 5th.
This is because why would you hold just one odd-scheduled election in which nobody votes, when instead you can conduct two?

Otherwise, we might have to settle for a system in which the Governor appoints officials to state elective office to serve out unexpired terms, and all ballot measures are voted-on only in general elections ? and what fun is that?

Anyway, the State Senate balloting pits two registered Democrats against each other. In my neighborhood, that means that each is striving mightily to act as little like a Democrat as humanly possible. Mr. Glazer's popular (around here) opposition to BART strikes has been well-documented, and yesterday I received a glossy flyer from Ms. Bonilla that bragged about how she'd defied those "liberal judges" in doing something-or-other.

And no, I don't know what she did, because I didn't read it. Do you hear that, candidates? I hereby commit myself to Not reading any of the crapola you send me through the mails. None of it -- nada. This series of elections has already destroyed more forest than the Yosemite Rim Fire of a few years ago. Most of it has been breathless distortion, unworthy of serious attention. Please stop it.

In fact, I will go that commitment one better. I hereby pledge my vote in the great, Extra-special State Senate Run-off of 2015 to the candidate who ? between now and election day -- sends me FEWER mailings that are either pro-candidate or anti-opponent. I do not care whether they come from the campaigns directly or their formally, legally, yeah-right unaffiliated PACs ? both species go right into the recycling piles. You may email me, facebook me, or even call me (although, yuck), but don't send me any more postal nonsense, lest you drive me to your opponent.

My current tally has Ms. Bonilla ahead '3' to Mr. Glazer's '8' since the run-off campaigns commenced. Who's with me?

Comments

Posted by American, a resident of Danville,
on Apr 19, 2015 at 8:21 am

I must have drank too much Guiness last night as I actually agree with you on something other than dog rescue or the A's!! What an absolute waste of money! Why not just have whoever got most votes in election win? Why need for two top run off? Everyday I get election propaganda that goes straight in the trash. Funny thing is both claim to be " against government waste".
As to teacher union propaganda " claiming no new taxes", sleazy used car salesman rhetoric as actually will create tax that will end if not passed. If government took expense of election & stamps citizens use to mail in ballot, could raise more money for things really need, like more police, etc.

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Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Apr 19, 2015 at 4:38 pm

FYI: There are creative folks that recycle junk mail and sell the recycled paper for arts/crafts, stationary, etc.

You can look it up online and view various ways to make money from recycled political junk mail.

It's an excellent project for all grade levels, families, artists, etc.

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Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Apr 19, 2015 at 4:43 pm

Recycle junk mail to control garden weeds: Web Link have fun...mulch it!

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Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Alamo,
on Apr 20, 2015 at 10:44 am

Thanks for the link, cholo. Most of the campaign detritus I'm getting is thick, glossy paper and heavily inked, so I'm not certain the mulching option works well. Anybody have relevant experience?

BTW, that website entry linked to another that made reference to a do-not-mail list from the Direct Mail Assn. The link there did not work, but this one does: Web Link . It gives you options to be deleted from several species of junk mail (none of them political puffery or hit pieces); I have no idea how effective it is, but I did register and dropt-out.

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Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Apr 20, 2015 at 4:48 pm

A very useful resource if you're interested in composting: Web Link

I like this guy: Web Link

Most home composters mostly use paper with soy based ink that's non-toxic.

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Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Apr 20, 2015 at 5:11 pm

The Mobile Mill offers classes and she's really friendly & knowledgeable: Web Link

She is an excellent resource for schools and community groups/young and old interested in learning how to make handmade paper.

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Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of another community,
on Apr 22, 2015 at 3:49 pm

Update, 4/22: Bonilla 7, Glazer 12.

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Posted by Voter, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Apr 23, 2015 at 3:24 pm

Apparently, you are intentionally confusing the uninformed and soft-headed, by 'tricking' them into voting for public union strikes and strikers!!!
Most mainstream voters want to END public union strikes, in which case they would be voting for Glazer.

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Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Alamo,
on Apr 23, 2015 at 3:41 pm

@voter: I understand from the multiple exclamation points that you feel very strongly about your statement, but I am the one who's confused about what it means, exactly. Who am I tricking, and how?

Here's what the blog says about BART strikes: "Mr. Glazer's popular (around here) opposition to BART strikes has been well-documented, ... " Is that not an accurate statement of Mr. Glazer's position on the subject?

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