November 9, 2006

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Which races and/or propositions do you feel strongly about this election? Which ones do you think are the most confusing?
(Asked at Fire Station #22 on Bose Lane to people waiting in line to vote)

“It angers me that Philip Morris actually spent more than $50 billion to defeat Prop 86, and it hired a nurse for its commercial. I don’t know how they can put a nurse in there when health-related organizations [that look out for our own good] are sponsoring it. I find a majority of the propositions confusing. ”

Leslie Lynch, 45
Almaden / Consultant


“I am most passionate about two areas, Props 86 and 87 and the governor’s race. Basically I’m angry at who is funding the opposition to 86 and 87—it’s the oil companies and cigarette companies. As for the governor’s race, I don’t like the way Angelides is campaigning. It’s been purely negative from the start. All he’s done is complain, he’s never said what he would or wanted to do. I don’t find anything confusing.”

Carl Schiefer, 45
Almaden / Fund raiser for schools


“The governor’s race is most important to me. We watched a lot of TV ads and we never got Angelides’ positions, just what he is against. The whole voting experience is scary, but I didn’t realize that you don’t have to vote for everything.”

Kellie Quist, 18
Almaden
Freshman at Santa Clara University and first-time voter


“The governor is the key race because the results will directly affect other propositions and measures. The propositions in general are confusing. They usually tie in measures that aren’t related. So sometimes, you’re voting for something that you really don’t want. Even if you understand it, you may not support the whole thing.”

Jeff Elliott, 61
Almaden
Manager, industry-analyst relations


“I’m passionate about the tobacco tax—the anti-smoking proposition. Most confusing are a lot of the propositions and bond measures. You’d like to have the money [to fund these things] but eventually you have to pay it back."

Brenda Paciolla, 47
Almaden
Accountant


“The mayoral race. It’s an important thing to be concerned about—especially living in the city. I think most of the propositions are confusing because the ads are confusing. You see one ad that says ‘vote for this,’ and then a couple of minutes later another ad that says, ‘don’t vote for it.”

Ron Polon, 65
Almaden
Finance director


"All of the propositions are really good, but I think I’m most passionate about 87. I think it’s a good idea to see what other energy options are out there. I don’t think we have all the facts. Whatever we can do to clean up the environment, we aren’t going to have oil forever. I think Measure A is the most confusing. I don’t quite understand how all those things are distributed.”

Sara Hanlon, 21
Almaden
Dancer


“From my perspective, the Rebuild California propositions 1A through 1E, make the most sense. I’m not for or against [most of the propositions]; I’m in the middle. I don’t like to see taxes increased. We just moved here from Idaho where taxes are a lot lower!"

Jay Knowlton, 55
Almaden
Assistant controller