Since I’m almost burnt out on the presidential campaign, here’s a rundown of the ballot questions here in Massachusetts and what I think of them. We don’t have any utterly evil ones like California’s prop 8, Florida’s 2, or Arizona’s 102 (102?! how many questions do you guys have to answer?). If you live in any of those states, vote no unless you want your state to become famously homophobic.
Ballot Question 1: A Proposed Law to Eliminate the State Income Tax
This is really dumb. Sure it sounds nice at first, as would “Free Pickle Fridays,” but the more you think about it, the shittier it gets. We live in a civilized society. I enjoy having plumbing, streets, policemen and firemen, teachers, roads, etc. Basically I love everything that makes MA better than New Hampshire. Even if you eliminate the state income tax, other taxes would go up to pay for the services we need. Unlike McCain and Palin, I am aware that there are other taxes besides the income tax. Property, sales, excise, and “fees,” which are what Mittens liked to call taxes, will go up to make up the difference if this question passes.
Ballot Question 2: An Act Establishing a Sensible Marijuana Policy
Makes sense to me. Like every other state, MA is facing a huge budget shortfall. Why not save some cash by not wasting any on an unwinnable War on Drugs? We should go even further and legalize it, then tax the shit out of it. It would be an excellent way to generate revenue from all those college kids who are temporary residents of my fair state.
Ballot Question 3: An Initiative for an Act to Protect Greyhounds
I suppose this is slightly more important than an act to protect cupcakes, but I really don’t care. MA only has two dog tracks, one of which isn’t too far from where I grew up. I never went there, and based on attendance, no one else does either. But if dog racing finally disappears, the Wonderland T stop should be renamed Funkytown or something equally fanciful.