Prop 100: Illegal Immigrant Criminal Bail

Prohibiting of bail for any illegal alien immigrant charged with a felony offense (scope defined by the Legislature). Seems like immigrant bashing to me, and I am voting against, as it doesn't change the laws already on the book.

Prop 101: Local Property Tax Levies

Michael at Blog for Arizona says: An illegitimate legislative grab for power over local taxing authorities. Punishes localities which have not used the full extent of their taxing authority and could unduly limit the taxing authority of fast growing regions. Substitutes mindless flat formulas for the judgment of our local elected officials. Bad policy, bad politics, bad for Arizona. Anything that transfers such control up the ladder is not good IMV, thus, I am voting NO.

Prop 102: Illegal Immigrant Civil Lawsuits

A terrible measure, as it parlays anti-immigration sentiment into a free pass for corporate interests to abuse and exploit, and gives no recourse for the application of injustice. Vote NO.

Prop 103: English as Official Language

Not the way a free state should handle these sorts of questions. Instead of following xenophobic and ethnocentric examples of French Canada, let the free market sift the language question out. Another knee jerk anti-immigration appeal that seeps into another agenda. Vote NO.

Prop 104: Municipal Debt

Sounds like a good idea to give local governments more flexibility in financing projects other than parks and playgrounds.

Prop 105: State Trust Land

Like the smoking initiatives, this one seems a counterattack to Prop 106, which is the better of the two.

Prop 106: Conserving Arizona's Future

Backed by an assortment of organizations, from all slants of political persuasion. Vote YES.

Prop 107: Protect Marriage Amendment

Backed by militant right wing conservatives and radical fundamentalist Christian extremists, this is the anti-gay-marriage amendment. Whilst I am no supporter of gay marriage, this is nothing but hate mongering in action, will have negative repercussions for folks who are not gay, and in no way really addresses the ills that plague marriage. A strong NO.

Prop 200: AZ Voter Reward

I've written of this proposition already — at first, I was opposed, but the more I think of it, I am inclined to vote for it. With all the vote supression going on, is a measure to encourage voting so bad? Yes, I understand the charge that it will bring more unknowledgeable folks to the polls, but it isn't like the people voting already have a good grasp of the issues. Vote YES.

Prop 201: Make Arizona Smoke Free

I think it's a worthy goal. Sorry, all my friends who continue to puff away. Maybe it will lengthen your life if you are prevented from lighting up, but more essentially, spare the innocent from the health ills of second hand smoke.

Prop 202: Raise Arizona Minimum Wage

Long overdue. If you agree that a minimum wage is a necessary thing (and I realize there are Libertarians that buy into the flawed notion that it isn't and would like to return our nation back to the times of the Gilded Age), then you must wisely assess that the mark needs to be raised, and that it is about showing dignity and respect for workers at the bottom of the economic chain. This, IMV, is the real family values issue. And recent studies have illustrated that other states that have raised their minimum wage have not seen spates of job loss as opponents have charged. Vote YES.

Prop 203: Early Childhood Development and Health Fund

Prop 204: Human Farms

On this one, I agree with Sheriff Joe Arpaio and am voting YES.

Prop 205: Switch to Mail-in Ballots, Close Polling Places

An unnecessary proposition and a total diversion from rectifying real problems with transparency and accountability in the voting process.

Prop 206: Tobacco Company and Alcohol Company Anti-Smoking Plan

Same as Prop 201, except would except bars and restaurants, which is the same as what is today IMV.

Prop 207: Private Property Rights Protection Act

A reaction to the recent Kelo amendment, and I am inclined to say yay, but I understand it's a trojan horse, and supported only by out of state interests. Up in the air on this one still.

Prop 300: Illegal Alien Public Program Eligibility

Another part of the illegal alien backlash. Not really going to stem the flow of illegal immigration, just a feel good measure that's really hate filled. Vote NO.

Prop 301: No Probation for First Time Methamphetamine Offenses

NO, shuffling drug abusers into overcrowded prisons on first offense is not a restorative approach.

Prop 302: Raise State Legislator Salaries

Yes, though it's not a strong yes.

Some other scorecards you can review:

Blog For Arizona: Arizona Ballot Measure Guide 2006 for All Propositions
Andrew Tallman Views on the Ballot Propositions

Now I turn the light on the races for state offices.

Governor

An easy choice — incumbent governor Janet Napolitano (D). It is quite refreshing to have a governor for the first time in a over a generation that (a) has not been convicted of federal fraud and extortion, (b) impeached for grievous wrongdoing or (c) embroiled in financial scandal that ended up costing Arizona taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. On the contrary, Napolitano has served Arizona admirably, and shown true leadership. While I don't agree with her on a number of issues, she's been a role model for good governorship.

Secretary of State

Jan Brewer (R) has illustrated that she is a hardened foe of transparency and accountability in the elections process, instead, preferring to commit coverup in deferrence to the vote counting machine distributors. I'd like to cast my vote for Ernie Hancock (L), as opposed to throwing the vote to Israel Torres (D), who may not have a any real chance to win either, given the public indifference to serious security problems with voting machines. Torres has been invisible, seemingly drawing less attention than the Libertarian Hancock, who is a familiar voice to Valley AM radio listeners.

Attorney General

Terry Goddard (D) has proven to be a capable office holder, exercising his position in non-partisan fashion. He deserves another term.

State Treasurer

Dean Martin (R) might be the only Republican next to a checkmark (well, actually here, it's a completed bar…) on my ballot this year. Martin sounds earnest in his desire to clean up the mess left by disgraced former state treasurer David Peterson. Questions of ethics may dog Martin too.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Elect Jason Williams (D) over the ethically challenged incumbent Tom Horne (R).

Here is the full candidate slate but I am breaking this down into three separate pieces — federal office, state office, and the numerous ballot propositions, which make the Arizona ballot the weightiest in the nation, at least for the 2006 election campaign.

For the first installment, focus is on the federal offices in play.

U.S. Senator

A total no-brainer. Let's see, we can opt for the slick talking lawyer man who has served as the ultimate rubber stamp for a neoconservative administration embroiled in a culture of corruption and state of denial, but most notably, engaged in an illegal, immoral, unconstitutional invasion of a country that posed no threat to the United States. Jon Kyl (R) may not fit the standard profile of the predatory attorney type, but favorable illusion aside, fact is, he has served the role perfectly. Time after time, siding with corporate interests over the health of the working Arizonan — whether it be allying with insurance giants or throwing weight behind Wall Street predators seeking to siphon retiree money into their own coffers.

Jim Pederson (D) is the answer and will serve Arizona in admirable fashion. But in all honesty, even if Pederson was not the solid candidate he is, he'd have to be seducing underage Congressional pages for me not to vote for him over the vile Kyl.

U.S. Representative District No. 1

It's time to oust one of the most corrupt members of Congress, a carpetbagger who should be sent back to his Virginia home. Let's put in the honorable Ellen Simon (D) to restore dignity and respect to this Arizona congressional district.

U.S. Representative District No. 2

While Trent Franks (R) may waltz to victory, given the Democrats indifference to this race, it won't be counting a vote from yours truly. Franks represents the worse in contemporary Republican politics, with his vile hate mongering and extremist stances. John Thrasher (D) gets my vote.

U.S. Representative District No. 3

John Shadegg (R), just like John Kyl, has been one of President Bush's biggest rubber stamps. Time to alleviate him of his sycophantic duties. Herb Paine (D) will do the office justice, and if you don't like Paine, cast a vote for Libertarian Mark Yannone. Additonally, Shadegg swore to abide to a 6 year term limit when initially voted into office in 1994, but then broke that pledge.

U.S. Representative District No. 4

Ed Pastor (D) wins this gerrymandered district handily.

U.S. Representative District No. 5

Give 'em hell Harry. Hopefully incumbent J.D. Hayworth's (R) district will express their desire for honest government and dump J.D. and his infantile antics. Even the Arizona Republic, despite its endorsement of Bush lackeys Shadegg and Franks, calls out Hayworth and terms him "the Bully" and recommends voters cast their ballots for former Tempe mayor Harry Mitchell (D).

U.S. Representative District No. 6

Jeff Flake prevails here, and while I don't see eye to eye with Flake on his positions, it must be acknowledged that he represents his district ably, and I admire his steadfastness to his principles, even when they bump up against the neoconservative agenda.

U.S. Representative District No. 7

Raul Grijalva will continue to serve his constituency well.

U.S. Representative District No. 8

Hopefully, if polling bears true, Gabrielle Giffords (D) will emerge victorious over the hate monger Randy Graf (R), as Graf has hitched his chariot to a one issue, anti-immigration crusade. While many Arizonans are concerned over the rampant illegal immigration crisis, they in good conscience should not succumb to the eliminationist rhetoric forwarded by Graf and the white supremacist militia groups.