Not that there’s a lot of difference, lately…

Why have newspaper circulations been dropping?  Oh, no reason….

There are 11 propositions on the ballot.  I oppose #7, which allows members of the State militia, etcetera, to hold other civil offices — there are other measures which are less pro-graft (given that Guard units are generally hag-ridden by local politicians already, #7 is a baaaaad move), and more pro-veteran that are deserving and you might look at.

However, three propositions in specific affect almost every citizen in the State, are overdue, and are greatly deserving of passage:

Prop 2:  “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property’s value as a residence homestead.”

Not an issue for a lot of people, but critical for others:  this is a protection against citizens being screwed by the decision of a local and largely-unaccountable city planner, who currently can simply cherry-pick the highest tax value, and go from there.  This proposition is directly to counter abuse by the State and its Officers.

Prop 3.  “The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad-valorem tax purposes.”

Tired of your local city consistently appraising your house at 30k more than it’s actually worth?  This is the beginning of getting that practice nuked.  Vote for it.

Prop 11:  THE BIGGIE

“The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of public blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature’s authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity.”

This is critical.  These off elections have low turnouts, and the prevention of eminent-domain abuse (which, it may surprise you, is rampant in Texas) needs to be brought to the politicians’ attention as an issue the citizenry cares about.  If they see a high turnout and overwhelming votes on this matter, they WILL sit up and pay attention.  If this passes over unnoticed like a fart in a hurricane, the developers who’ve been misusing the government to rob people legally will also sit up and take notice.

… that we’ve learned almost nothing.  The same partisan political paralysis that had folks using the threat of terrorism is still endemic, while whose who would like to actually solve problems have about as much power as the stereotypical Iranian Moderates.

Truthers to the left of me, Birthers to the right….

Wife just came down with the flu.

No, not a bug.  The actual flu.  Poor gal’s been sick or otherwise out of it for nearly a month solid. 

::Goes off to prep the water crackers, etc.::