Okay Party People, we have a vote coming up in California and you need to get a jump on it.

A few people have asked me lately for whom and what I’m voting in the upcoming California election.  At first, I had misgivings about sharing that kind of information because everyone’s vote should be private and no one should be unduly influenced.  However, it seems that there are several difficulties folks have that cause them confusion and therefore not to vote at all.  I completely understand that.  It is quite easy to enter a state of analysis paralysis, or to distrust “information” you are given, and rightfully so.

Those of you who know me well know I have fairly distinct thoughts on politics based on my own personal experiences as well as research, discussions with my Constitutionally-oriented husband, and discussions with others who are in my circle of influence whose opinions I deeply respect based on their education and experience–emphasis on education and experience.

We all know that in the world of politics, or any world for that matter, few things are guaranteed and rarely is anything or anyone what it or he/she portends to be.  But we’ve been so divided over single issues born of things like religious fervor, lobbyists, and the loud minority of racists and misogynists (let’s just be honest here), that as one friend pointed out to me, we really need to get our ducks in a row rapidly to avoid another proverbial electoral shit show.  Given that I really do my homework, and given that I have a following that actually listens to me, I will venture out and share who and what I intend to vote for in the California elections, the first of which is JUNE 5, 2018.  Here’s the short list* in the order of the ballots A and B:

California State Governor: Gavin Newsom
California State Lt. Governor: Eleni Kounalakis
Secretary of State:  Alex Padilla
Controller: Betty T. Yee
Treasurer: Fiona Ma
State Attorney General: Xavier Becerra
Insurance Commissioner: Ricardo Lara
Board of Equilization Member, District 3: Nancy Pearlman
U.S. Senator: Diane Feinstein
U.S. Representative, 26th District: Julia Brownley
Member of the State Assembly, 44th District: Jacqui Irwin
Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. 4: Caleb Donner
Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. 6: Derek Malan
State Superintendent of Public Instruction: Lily Ploski
County Superintendent: Stanley C. Mantooth (no choice)
Supervisor, 4th District:  Bernardo M. Perez
Assessor: Dan Goodwin (no choice)
Auditor-Controller: Jeffery Burgh (no choice)
County Clerk and Recorder: Mark Lunn (I hate this guy, but no choice)
District Attorney: Greg Totten (no choice)
Sheriff: William “Bill” Ayub (no choice)
Treasurer-Tax Collector: Steven Hintz (no choice because who actually wants to do that?)
Measure 68: Yes
Measure 69: Yes
Measure 70: No
Measure 71: No
Measure 72: Yes

I have made all of these assessments thoughtfully, but DO NOT TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.  LOOK IT UP AND DO YOUR RESEARCH.  However, if you find yourself lacking time, this is just my opinion, and while it is an educated one, it is still just an opinion, but it might help you out.

REGARDLESS, GET OUT AND VOTE.  PLEASE.  I’M BEGGING YOU.  VOTE.

*FULL DISCLOSURE: I am a liberal.  I used to be a Republican until the party lost its collective mind.  I stand with anyone who will assist in enacting sensible gun laws.  I stand behind a woman’s right to choose.  I stand with those who support agencies like Planned Parenthood because, quite honestly, I’ve never had an abortion but they were there for me when I had no insurance and provided some of the best health care services I’ve ever received.  I stand with those who want to enact sensible ways of reforming how our veterans are treated medically and psychologically.  I stand with those who try to simplify laws that govern small businesses and reduce the many burdens on them so they can thrive.  I also stand with those who want to keep stricter rules in place and close loopholes for big businesses that can afford attorneys and accountants to find and exploit loopholes.  I stand with those who wish to treat immigrants and those requesting asylum fairly.  I stand with those who seek to protect our environment and our national parks.  I stand with those who have the intestinal fortitude to stand up for those without a voice in our system.