Month: October 2016

Ethan Explains California Proposition 65 and 67

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Ethan Explains California Proposition 65 and 67 – Plastic Bag Ban Money

This is numbers 15 & 16 of 17 of the California statewide ballot initiatives in 2016 that I’ll cover. Both are related to the California statewide plastic bag ban and what to do with the money. Proposition 65 is the “Dedication of Revenue from Disposable Bag Sales to Wildlife Conservation Fund Initiative.” Proposition 67 is the “California Plastic Bag Ban Veto Referendum.”

Proposition 65 sends the money that grocers collect, by law, for the paper bags and sends it to the California Treasury for management by the Wildlife Conservation Board.

Proposition 67 lets the grocery stores keep the money.

Since the plastic bag ban was to help save the oceans and environment from plastic pollution, doesn’t it make sense to spend the money on environmental programs?

I never understood why grocers were forced by law to charge for the brown paper bags. Why not let them compete and make it a value added service? Instead it became a government mandated revenue stream. I want to keep plastic bags out of the ocean, the beaches, and the rest of the environment. But, since our legislators decided on forcing a charge for paper bags, let that money go to environmental programs.

I say YES to Prop 65 and NO to Prop 67.

Tune in to The Ethan Bearman Show Monday through Friday, noon to 2 p.m. on KGO 810 – www.kgoradio.com

Ethan Explains California Proposition 64

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Ethan Explains California Proposition 64

This is number 14 of 17 of the California statewide ballot initiatives in 2016 that I’ll cover. Proposition 64 is the “Marijuana Legalization. Initiative Statute.” Also known as the “California Marijuana Legalization Initiative.”

Is it high time for reefer madness to end?

Medical marijuana is already legal. We all know many people who smoke or consume cannabis recreationally. Why not remove the criminal element?

Legalize, tax, regulate. Sensible, no? Like Washington and Colorado have already shown us.

This initiative would allow Californians 21 years of age and over to possess up to one ounce of weed, have six plants for growing, tax sales at 15 percent, and limit ads targeted at minors.

All attempts for the past 45 years to stop people from consuming cannabis have failed. Stop supporting the cartels.

One area that does need to be addressed is Driving Under the Influence (DUI). I am concerned about that now and California needs a standard in place to address this problem. BTW, I discussed this on my KGO Show with Todd Mitchem from Colorado. Take a listen HERE.

It’s also important to note that not only has prohibition not worked, in Washington and Colorado usage rates have NOT gone up since legalization. This simply removes the criminal element.

And if you want a deeper look at the failed drug war, grab a copy of my book Liars & Whores: How Big Government and Big Business Are Working to Save Their Own Assets, Not Yours

I say YES to Proposition 64.

Tune in to The Ethan Bearman Show Monday through Friday, noon to 2 p.m. on KGO 810 – www.kgoradio.com

Ethan Explains California Proposition 63

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Ethan Explains California Proposition 63

This is number 13 of 17 of the California statewide ballot initiatives in 2016 that I’ll cover. Proposition 63 is the “The Safety for All Act of 2016.” Also known as the “Background Checks for Ammunition Purchases and Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban.”

Who doesn’t want to reduce the murder rate?

Proposition 63 claims to reduce gun crimes in the state of California by requiring background checks for the purchase of ammunition, banning possession of large capacity magazines, increasing penalties for theft of firearms, and requiring reporting for those thefts.

Requiring background checks for the purchase of ammunition

This is a newer approach by gun control advocates. The claim is that a criminal in possession of an illegal firearm still needs to buy ammunition. If we make the purchase of ammunition more difficult, they will commit fewer crimes with firearms. On the face of it, that appears logical. However, Illinois has already had this type of rule in effect for years. Yet, we consistently hear about the out of control murder rate in Chicago. The law doesn’t stop criminals and this approach hasn’t worked in Illinois other than inconveniencing legal firearm owners.

Banning possession of high capacity magazines

California banned the purchase of high capacity magazines in 2000. They are magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Proposition 63 seeks to outlaw them completely, including possession. So, a firearm owner who legally purchased on before 2000 will be required to dispose of it or sell it out-of-state if this initiative passes. The argument for this is that no reasonable person needs this kind of firepower. And the argument against is that these are used for sport shooting and jam quite frequently so any criminal who uses one has a significantly reduced chance of success. I am neutral on this argument.

Increasing penalties for theft of firearms

Right now in California, due to Prop 47, theft of a firearm valued less than $950 is petty theft. The maximum penalties for most petty theft convictions are a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000), up to six (6) months in county jail, or both. And right now, maximum penalties for petty theft are not happening. Proposition 63 will recategorize ALL firearm thefts to felony with up to 3 years in prison, as they were before Prop 47. I strongly support this portion of the initiative.

Requiring reporting for firearm thefts

Under this initiative, sellers of ammunition would need to report a theft or loss within 48 hours. Individuals would be required to report a theft or loss within five days to local law enforcement. Right now, many criminals are acquiring their firearms through theft, like the Kate Steinle killer. In order to help law enforcement track stolen firearms a reporting requirement is a sensible approach. Plus, any rational firearm owner would want law enforcement to know the date their weapon was stolen so if it is used in a crime in the future, they aren’t a suspect. This section is entirely logical.

The problem with Proposition 63, like so many others, is that instead of focusing on a single issue, many are combined into one. I can support portions of this initiative, but not others. Further, this is a political move by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom to burnsih his anti-gun credentials before the 2018 gubernatorial election. Infringing constitutional rights without evidence to support the intended conclusion sits poorly with me. Properly use the legislature to pass the reasonable sections.

I say NO to Proposition 63.

Tune in to The Ethan Bearman Show Monday through Friday, noon to 2 p.m. on KGO 810 – www.kgoradio.com

Ethan Explains California Proposition 62

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Ethan Explains California Proposition 62

This is number 12 of 17 of the California statewide ballot initiatives in 2016 that I’ll cover. Proposition 62 is the “Death Penalty. Initiative Statute.” Also known as the “Repeal of the Death Penalty Initiative.”

Does anybody actually like the death penalty? The purpose of the death penalty is to apply the ultimate retributive justice to the most vile offenders against society.

Think of brutal serial killers who murder many and terrorize whole communities. Those people are why we have the death penalty.

Proponents of Prop 62 argue that the death penalty is costly and justice isn’t served when people stay on death row for decades. True. However, the reason they are on death row for decades is because of the people who are against the death penalty. See the circular logic there?

Look, California is not Texas or Oklahoma. Two states where it seems like there is a blood-thirsty approach to the death penalty and retribution. California is a restrained state when it comes to applying for the death penalty.

Further, I’d like our prosecutors to have the discretion to apply for the death penalty in the cases of the most egregious murderers. Plus, if it deters even one killer, it is worthwhile.

I say NO to Proposition 62.

Tune in to The Ethan Bearman Show Monday through Friday, noon to 2 p.m. on KGO 810 – www.kgoradio.com

Ethan Explains California Proposition 61

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Ethan Explains California Proposition 61

This is number 11 of 17 of the California statewide ballot initiatives in 2016 that I’ll cover. Proposition 61 is the “State Prescription Drug Purchases. Pricing Standards. Initiative Statute.” Also known as the “Drug Price Standards Initiative.”

Who doesn’t think drug prices are too high here in the USA? With the Pharma Bro, Mylan, and so many other drug pricing scandals, many of us are conscious of the problem.

And let’s not forgot how those drug prices play into our ever soaring health care premiums and deductibles.

So, here in California Proposition 61 is an attempt to rein in drug prices for state agenices by tying prices they pay to the VA. Seems logical to find the lowest government price in the USA and make state agencies pay that same, low price.

Except it doesn’t.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has a special deal with the pharmaceutical companies to ensure low drug prices for our military veterans who heeded the call of our country. This initiative might impact that contract and availability of drugs.

 

Worse yet, there will be an endless flurry of lawsuits over this which will drag out for many years and likely cost millions, if not tens of millions of dollars to fight.

Finally, Prop 61 only helps a couple hundred thousand to maybe a million Californians, not the 37 million who live here. Another special interest grab benefitting the few on the backs of all of us. If you really want to fix this problem, fully repeal the Prescription Drug Marketing Act signed into law in 1988 which banned the re-importation of USA made drugs from countries like Canada where they have lower, fixed prices on pharmaceuticals.

I say NO to Proposition 61.

Tune in to The Ethan Bearman Show Monday through Friday, noon to 2 p.m. on KGO 810 – www.kgoradio.com

Ethan Explains California Proposition 60

Posted in Politics

Ethan Explains California Proposition 60

This is number 10 of 17 of the California statewide ballot initiatives in 2016 that I’ll cover. Proposition 60 is the “Adult Films. Condoms. Health Requirements. Initiative Statute.” Also known as the “Condoms in Pornographic Films Initiative.”

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) rates in California are the highest they’ve been in 25 years, according to the Los Angeles Times. We have a strain of gonorrhea that has become antibiotic resistant, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. And while HIV rates are slowiy declining, 1 in 8 people infected have no idea, according to AIDS.gov.

Yet actors in adult films, colloquialy porn, generally don’t wear condoms.

A UCLA study found that 1 in 4 porn actors has had gonorrhea or chlamydia and a study published in the Journal of the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association found that porn actors have more STDs than Nevada prostitutes.

Seems like a problem ripe for a solution.

So, a proposition stating that actors must use protection and get tested regularly would be logical. But, Proposition 60 is not that answer.

Here we have an initiative that was likely written or underwritten by some attorneys who are looking to cash in on a massive new set of lawsuits. This thing is written essentially deputizing every Californian to look into the porn industry and report every potential violation. Worse, there is so much money built in to every violation that this thing is a potentially massive windfall for the attorney or attorneys who become the leaders in suing for this new cash industry.

Really, wrangling the STD problem IS a major public health concern that we do need to continue to focus on, but this is not the answer.

I say NO to Proposition 60.

Tune in to The Ethan Bearman Show Monday through Friday, noon to 2 p.m. on KGO 810 – www.kgoradio.com

Ethan Explains California Proposition 59

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Ethan Explains California Proposition 59

This is number 9 of 17 of the California statewide ballot initiatives in 2016 that I’ll cover. Proposition 59 is the “California Overturn of Citizens United Act Advisory Question.”

Money in politics is corrosive to a democratic system as the person with the most money can buy the most influence.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission was ruled on by the United States Supreme Court in January of 2010. This ruling said money is equal to speech and protected under the First Amendment. Further, “the government may not keep corporations or unions from spending money to support or denounce individual candidates in elections. While corporations or unions may not give money directly to campaigns, they may seek to persuade the voting public through other means, including ads, especially where these ads were not broadcast.”

Bad news for our country, right?

But Proposition 59 doesn’t fix this ruling. It is an abuse of the ballot initiative process by crowding the ballot with a non-binding advisory that changes nothing, nothing about money in politics.

As I argued in my book, “Liars & Whores: How Big Government and Big Business Are Working to Save Their Own Assets, Not Yours,” money is not speech. From the book:

Money is not equivalent to speech. Money is a substitute for bartering goods or gold. Money and bartering alike are methods of economic transaction, not forms of speech. If you traded a goat for a sheaf of wheat, would you consider that speech? Or how about an iPad for an Xbox, still speech? Corporations, unions, and non-persons should not be able to participate in political campaigns as individuals.

What I also find interesting is the volume with which my friends on the left argue against Citizens United, yet they leverage it to their advantage every bit as much as my friends on the right. Take a look at what OpenSecrets lists, you’ll see just as many liberal groups with money as conservative.

Again, Proposition 59 solves nothing and is a simple grandstanding move.

I say NO to Proposition 59.

Tune in to The Ethan Bearman Show Monday through Friday, noon to 2 p.m. on KGO 810 – www.kgoradio.com

Ethan Explains California Proposition 58

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Ethan Explains California Proposition 58

This is number 8 of 17 of the California statewide ballot initiatives in 2016 that I’ll cover. Proposition 58 is the “California Non-English Languages Allowed in Public Education Act (Senate Bill 1174.)”

Education in California has its share of challenges. Making sure all children are proficient in English when they graduate high school is critical for their ability to function in our society. This includes kids whose first language is not English.

Californians approved Prop 227 back in 1998 to ensure that non-native English speaking children had full immersion to learn English. This was in response to certain districts, educators, and activists undermining or failing to teach English as a Second Language (ESL).

What we’ve found in the meantime is that the severe measures of Prop 227 are not always effective. And it has taken away local control for choosing the best methods of teaching ESL.

Proposition 58 modifies Prop 227 to allow local control and flexibility to choose what the local parents and educators deem best for their children. Most importantly, Prop 58 does NOT remove the English language proficiency requirements.

Further, Proposition 58 requires no additional or new funding.

Last, having as many bilingual or multilingual children as possible only strengthens our country, our economy, and gives us advantages on the world stage. We want to be the best, right?

I say YES to Proposition 58.

Tune in to The Ethan Bearman Show Monday through Friday, noon to 2 p.m. on KGO 810 – www.kgoradio.com

Ethan Explains California Proposition 57

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Ethan Explains California Proposition 57

This is number 7 of 17 of the California statewide ballot initiatives in 2016 that I’ll cover. Proposition 57 is the “California Parole for Non-Violent Criminals and Juvenile Court Trial Requirements Initiative.”

Prison overcrowding reached a crescendo resulting in federal court rulings to lessen the overcrowding in California. Governor Jerry Brown and the legislature passed AB109, prison realignment. That wasn’t enough so in 2014 there was Proposition 47, with a misleading title and facts no thanks to Attorney General Kamala Harris.

The governor and others claim we need to let even more “non-violent” criminals out of prison with Prop 57.

The problem is that within all of these “non-violent” criminals are a number of criminals interested in committing violent and property crimes. Crimes rates in both categories are up approximately 10% since Prop 47 took effect. That rise makes California the outlier in the United States as other states continue to see a drop in crime, ours is going up.

Even worse, take a look at what crimes will be recategorized as non-violent. According to the Riverside Country district attorney, Michael A. Hestrin, these will become lesser crimes in California and eligible for early release: Rape by intoxication (refers to a circumstance in which the victim was under the influence), Rape of an unconscious person, Human trafficking involving a sex act with minors, Assault with a deadly weapon, Drive-by shooting. Hostage taking, Supplying a firearm to a gang member. Hate crime causing physical injury, and many more.

Do you think those crimes should be reduced in severity and become eligible for early release?

I think California needs to pause in experimenting with recategorizing crimes and allowing so many people out of prison and jail.

I say NO to Proposition 57.

Tune in to The Ethan Bearman Show Monday through Friday, noon to 2 p.m. on KGO 810 – www.kgoradio.com

Ethan Explains California Proposition 56

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Ethan Explains California Proposition 56

This is number 6 of 17 of the California statewide ballot initiatives that I’ll cover, Proposition 56, “Cigarette Tax to Fund Healthcare, Tobacco Use Prevention, Research, and Law Enforcement. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.”

I hate smoking, it’s gross, it stinks, and it’s bad for your health. I am also sick and tired of you dangling your beloved cigarette out the window in traffic so I have to inhale that stench. Hot box in your car if you love smoking so much.

This initiative is supposedly to stop kids from smoking and to fund Medi-Cal and other health programs. While more expensive cigarettes will deter some kids (a big win), the rest of it falls apart.

Cigarette sin taxes fail because the dependency on a dwindling revenue stream, as people stop legally purchasing those smokes, becomes a problem.

Also, higher cigarette taxes increase illegal smuggling, thus funding criminal enterprises.

Last, this is an exceptionally regressive tax since 26.3% of smokers are below poverty level, according to the CDC. Think they’ll all quit?

I say NO to Proposition 56.

Tune in to The Ethan Bearman Show Monday through Friday, noon to 2 p.m. on KGO 810 – www.kgoradio.com