Yes on Prop 29

California Proposition 29 proposes a $1.00 increase in taxes per pack of cigarettes.  The money from this new tax would go to funding cancer research, tobacco reduction programs, and law enforcement against the improper use of tobacco.

If it is passed at all.

The money of big tobacco is ardently against Prop 29, which will appear on California's June 5 ballot.  Phillip Morris and RJ Reynolds tobacco companies have committed over $30 million to stop this measure.  They know that this proposition has the potential to significantly reduce their profits.  If enacted, Prop 29 will help reduce incidences of smoking and improve cancer research.  We need funds for this now more than ever because of the fiscal crisis in California, making it impossible to use other state funds for Prop 29 target areas.  Therefore, we must pay for it in other ways.  In having the smokers themselves pay for it, we make cigarettes more expensive and fund health programs relating to tobacco use.

With the passage of Proposition 29, we can look forward to a healthier population.

We Need Fair Elections

With the Citizen's United v. Federal Election Commission, Corporations can give unlimited money to Super PACs.  In this election year, we are now seeing that this means a future of auctioning of elected positions.  Money wins elections, and with the unlimited spending of special interests groups, the people have much less of a say now in elections.  Those who run the most commercials and get the most press coverage are those with the most money, and they are more likely to win.  We need spending caps on elections to ensure that all candidates have a chance to compete for a spot in government.  We need the people's representatives in government, not the special interests' representatives.