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Statewide referenda
NO ON 1
We might just say “Duh” and leave it at that, but it’s not enough. It is, in fact, kind of sad that we actually need to explain our support of protecting equal rights for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation. Civil marriage is a legal institution whose rights and responsibilities should be extended by the government to everyone. Religious marriage is a spiritual and clerical tradition whose undertaking should be administered by each congregation and faith according to its own beliefs. The law passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor allows for both of those things, and should be upheld. Anything less is separate and necessarily unequal. We should not repeal equality.
NO ON 2
While this appears to reward people for buying newer and more-efficient cars, it will actually mean that people who can afford to buy new and hybrid cars won’t have to pay their fair share of taxes. We applaud the idea of supporting improved efficiency in our state’s vehicles, but this method of doing so will deprive cities and towns of money, requiring them to raise property taxes to make up the difference.
NO ON 3
To teach our children to succeed, Maine’s schools need more and better teachers and equipment, not more administrators. School-district consolidation, while admittedly difficult for some communities, is a way to reduce administrative and overhead costs without affecting teachers or students.
NO ON 4
State and local spending should be limited to what makes sense, and should be restrained by practicality. This proposal, more commonly known as “TABOR II,” would limit government spending according to outside factors which have little relation to local realities. And anytime the people’s elected representatives wanted to consider spending a little more, all taxpayers would have to foot the bill to have an election about it. If you don’t like government spending patterns, we already have elections where you can express your views. We don’t need more elections.
YES ON 5
Marijuana is an effective drug for some patients, and people whose doctors want them to be on marijuana should not be treated like criminals for it. This will establish a system by which legitimate patients can acquire and possess their medication, without being hassled by police or hauled into court.
YES ON 6
While borrowing more money during a recession may seem counter-intuitive, it actually makes good sense to do it now. Not only do we need the additional spending these bonds will allow to support jobs and improve our state’s transportation network, but the cost of borrowing money is low these days.
NO ON 7
Municipal clerks do sometimes struggle with their workload during the couple of weeks a year when citizen petitions are turned in, but amending the state’s constitution to accommodate their needs goes a bit overboard.
Portland local races
DONOGHUE FOR CITY COUNCIL
Kevin Donoghue’s public-policy experience will be crucial as the city deals with complicated economic, crime-related, and development issues. Donoghue is nothing if not dedicated, and his ubiquitous presence at local meetings and events speaks to his commitment to fostering community.BRYAN FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Ed Bryan is an involved parent with lots of hands-on professional knowledge about school budgets and education funding. His energy and expertise will be invaluable as the city’s schools face continuing budget struggles.LEVINSKY FOR WATER DISTRICT
Ken Levinsky’s interest in reducing the interflow of human waste and stormwater runoff, which results in contamination of Casco Bay, is admirable, and correctly identifies one of the major water-quality issues our region faces. And his desire to protect the high-quality water supply we have at present should not be discounted.
Related:
Pot Edward Island, Unchecked power and secrecy — not gays — are the church’s problem, Question 2 backlash heats up, More 
- Pot Edward Island
It seems modern-day islanders have discovered another way to smile through the summer and avoid the blues during the bleak local winters.
- Unchecked power and secrecy — not gays — are the church’s problem
Presenting more evidence that it just doesn't get it, the Vatican recently issued new so-called, "psychological screening guidelines" to weed out priest candidates with "psychopathic disorders," but only those related to sexual misconduct — specifically homosexuality.
- Question 2 backlash heats up
Since Question 2 was activated on January 2, it's been difficult to walk the streets of Massachusetts without encountering red-eyed hordes of marijuana-blazing vagrants.
- Return of the big fatty
It's nice to know that Michael Phelps isn't the only prominent athlete getting the shaft lately for sparking up.
- Courthouse marriage
While political analysts understandably regard elections and politicians as the key forces of social change, nongovernmental forces are the ones that most often actually influence and transform our culture.
- Gender balance
Diversity isn’t even just about being open-minded. In the end, it’s about fairness.
- Hemp — the law, the musical
When liberal congressmen like Barney Frank begin co-sponsoring bills with libertarians like Ron Paul, there must be something funny in the air.
- Play-by-play
On the front lines at the gay-marriage hearing
- Do it like we used to do
There's a lot to be said for what opponents of same-sex nuptials call "traditional marriage."
- Legalize pot now
The Obama administration, already overtaxed with two foreign campaigns, made headlines this past week when the White House's newly minted director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy called for an end to the "War on Drugs."
- Gay deceivers
The California State Supreme Court just upheld Proposition 8, denying gay people the right to marriage. This should disabuse the complacent of the illusion that the religious right has relinquished its death grip on America. So, too, should Kirby Dick's documentary about the homophobic power of closeted right-wing politicians in America.
- Less
Topics:
This Just In
, Elections and Voting, Politics, Public Finance, More
, Elections and Voting, Politics, Public Finance, Marijuana, Federal Budget, Referenda, Government Spending, gay rights, Kevin Donoghue, Kevin Donoghue, Less
