May 2006
For Catholic Diocesan Newspapers

Steve Pehanich
Executive Director
Catholic Charities of California

Not Another Election So Soon?

The political parties are holding conventions. Buttons sprout on lapels. Ads claim to uncover the "truth" about issues. Elected officials announce new projects. And the junk mail really grows.

In other words, it is an election year.

As a political science major, I enjoy debating issues and I take voting seriously. But by November we will have had eight statewide elections in four years. Even I'm a little fatigued.

We are "blessed" this year with a June primary—which many people will ignore—and a November general election, where many will complain about the lousy choices they have, lament the lesser of two evils and say it's time for a change.

And, then there are initiatives.

In California, with enough money, you can get just about anything on the ballot. With a little more—well, actually a few million dollars which is more than the average voter has—you even have a good chance of getting it passed.

We have a very over-used and abused initiative process in this State. What is otherwise an excellent tool is often usurped by the very "special interest" we love to hate.

With the advent of the internet, it is now possible to get even more information and misinformation on issues that ever before.

How do you sort it all out? Everyone has a spin.

I've never been one to follow one party or another, and don't know if I've ever voted a straight party ticket, so that simple route to making decisions is out.

Have you ever sat down to read the entire ballot handbook from the Secretary of State? I skim it, but found I have to do a lot of work to validate the claims. Whatever the proponents say the opponents say the opposite. It's not much help.

As voters, our responsibility is to gather information, slog our way through the hype, and make an informed decision on candidates and issues.

As Catholics, we have additional responsibilities—laid out succinctly in Faithful Citizenship, a guide to political responsibility developed by the U.S. Bishops.

The document has solid guidelines to help us weigh our decisions. Does the issue support the life and dignity of the human person? Does it promote family? Does it support the poor and vulnerable, the right of workers, and protection of God's creation?

In June—in additional to federal, state and local candidates—two issues will be on the ballot: Prop 81, bonds for libraries, and Prop 82, preschool for all. Neither issue is as plain or simple as it looks.

Both represent good goals—reading and education. Bonds are a good way to finance long-term activities—like libraries and affordable housing—not so good for other needs.

The preschool issue is a great example that even simple ideas require careful analysis.

Prop 82 provides little preference to the poorest children and may give no assistance to private and religious schools. Each side presents persuasive points to reinforce or refute each of these claims.

Proponents say that dollars invested in education provide long-term benefits.

Opponents say that the new $2.4 billion state-run program created by the initiative will increase pre-school enrollment but only by 4% or 5%. That's a lot of money for a small improvement.

Decisions on these propositions will depend on how you feel about a new state program, mandated spending, private and public schools, educational opportunities for the poor, and a host of other issues.

I'll often look at the supporters and opponents of a measure. Are they people I know and trust? Do they have an axe to grind? Are they hiding behind a confusing name?

And the ultimate question: who benefits financially?

Following the money can be frustrating, even if you consult the California Secretary of State's website of political donors. If you cannot find out who is paying for a campaign that is an immediate red flag.

Being an informed voter takes some work, but not as much as you might think. My prescription for staying sane during an election year:

• Watch only recorded television until November so you can zip through both political commercials and the usual kind—neither is reliable. (Better yet: since West Wing has been cancelled, unplug the TV.)

• Throw all the political mailers in the recycle bin and never, ever bring them into the house.

• Collect buttons as memorabilia to sell on e-bay in twenty years when we can all say remember the good old days.

• Scrutinize claims with as much diligence as they deserve. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. Silly claims deserve none.

• Follow the money, wherever it leads.

• Read, listen, discuss and watch reasonable analysis - not shouting pundits. This eliminates vast reaches of the television and radio spectrum.

• Use a compass, Geiger counter, lie detector, or anything else handy to determine the spin in every statement. The less spin, the better.

• Finally, above all, pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance. That's always good advice in any endeavor.