Here's my current thinking on this year's California ballot propositions:

• Proposition 1A: Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century

  My vote: NO
  Reason: I really like the idea of a highspeed rail line, and agree with practically all the arguments put forth by proponents. But I plan on voting against it because I don't think it's realistic. Estimates are that it could cost the tax payers up to $81 billion over the next 20+ years, and I think we'll be lucky to have any rail line, much less one that can actually transport people from SF to LA in under 3 hours. As a country, much less a state, we do not have the technical knowledge or ability to successfully take on and complete a project of this scale and scope. A failed and expensive project will only hinder future options to improve public transportation.
  What I would support: I'm for "release early, release often." I would support some initiative that breaks down the process into smaller steps, with checks along the way, as well as a clear plan to accomplish what has never been done in the US (remember, we couldn't have gone to space without the German scientists).

• Proposition 2: Standards for Confining Farm Animals

  My vote: NO
  Reason: I like animals, and I think we should be nice to them. But I'm also pragmatic, and know we eat animals for fun and profit... and protein. The burden this proposition would place on consumers and food producers simply isn't worth the slight feeling of fuzziness some people might get.
  Alternative: Generally, happy animals are also healthier (themselves, and to consume), tastier, and greener. However, such livestock may be more expensive to grow, and hence more expensive to buy. I might support a proposition that would help tip the economic balance more in favor of such sustainably grown (and incidentally happier) livestock.

• Proposition 3: Children's Hospital Bond Act

  My vote: YES
  Reason: By default, I'm in favor of helping hospitals, and I haven't heard a good counter argument.
  

• Proposition 4: Abortion Waiting Period and Parental Notification Initiative

  My vote: NO
  Reason: This is just a thinly veiled affront to women's right to choose. Supposedly the goal is to ensure adequate care in the event of a botched abortion, and to ensure incidences of sexual abuse are reported to authorities (if medical professionals neglect their legal requirement to do so). While I agree both ends are worth striving for, I don't believe parental notification is the best answer.

• Proposition 5: Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act

  My vote: YES
  Reason: I think treatment and rehabilitation is more effective than incarceration, and I don't think we have much to gain from keeping non-violent criminals in our overtaxed prisons.

• Proposition 6: Safe Neighborhoods Act

  My vote: NO
  Reason: I don't think funding prisons by taking money away from education and health care, or sentencing harsher punishment to teenagers, really lead to safer neighborhoods.

• Proposition 7: Renewable energy

  My vote: NO
  Reason: When the Republican, Democratic, and Green parties, along with PG&E and the Sierra Club oppose something, you don't really need much else of a reason.

• Proposition 8: Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry

  My vote: NO
  Reason: People have the right to believe what they will, and religious institutions have the right to preach what they will. But as long as we have a secular government, laws should be guided by reason, and strive towards equality and liberty for all.

• Proposition 9: Victims' Rights and Protection Act of 2008

  My vote: NO
  Reason: It seems like the "victims rights" portions overlaps with a law that already exists, and the rest seems to be about lengthening the cycle between parole hearings, ostensibly to save money. I think paroles are an important facet of our criminal justice system, and don't think we should deny prisoners the chance to have their case heard simply for the sake of saving a few bucks.

• Proposition 10: California Alternative Fuels Initiative

  My vote: NO
  Reason: It's heavily funded by corporations (including Chesapeake Energy, of which I am a shareholder) which makes me suspicious. On the other hand, the Union of Concerned Scientist and the Sierra Club are against it, so that's all the reason I need.

• Proposition 11: Voters FIRST Act,

  My vote: YES
  Reason: Apparently the current system's broken, so let's change it and see if it gets better. Things won't get better if you don't change anything.

• Proposition 12: Veterans' Bond Act of 2008

  My vote: YES
  Reason: I'm for supporting veterans, and there's basically no cost to tax payers.