Basic Rules for Filling Out Your Ballot

These are the basic rules of the Dad Guide. Most of the suggestions in the guide are derived from here, but there are some important exceptions.

After you’ve read these rules, you can go back and read the current and past issues of The Dad Guide which are archived on the main page.

Propositions

1. When in doubt, vote NO!

   This is the most important rule. If the application of the following rules don’t provide any guidance, then this rule becomes the tie-breaker.

2. With friends like this...

   Look at who wrote the arguments for and against the proposition. See who you agree with. For example, if the author is from something like “The Sierra Club,” that’s an argument in favor of the position. If the author is related to the “Libertarian Party” then that’s a reason not to support that position.

   However, you need to be careful because every year there is an extremely stupid initiative where the Libertarians are actually correct.

3. Typography

   Look at the arguments for and against the Proposition. The argument which uses more of the following:

   • SENTENCES OR PHRASES WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS
   • Sentences or phrases written in italics
   • SENTENCES OR PHRASES WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS AND ITALICS

   is usually not worth voting for. It should be noted that all caps and italics together are a double NoNo.

4. The Dennis Rule

   What Would Dennis Do?

   There is a lot of stupid junk on the ballot, but when you boil it down, the question is: is it about people or property? Who pays, all of us or the rich people?

Partisan Candidates

1. Democrat

   The Dad Guide recommends voting Democrat in every partisan race.

   When there is no Democrat running, choose the least offensive Republican. For example:

   • Gray Davis over Dan Lundgren
   • Bill Clinton over Bob Dole

   Until a viable third party is created, there is no other real option here. See the Green Party notes below for more information.

2. Republican

   Due to the fact that California has quasi-open primaries, occasions arise when voting for a Republican candidate may be considered. The 2000 primary was one such example where having John McCain winning the “beauty contest” was desirable.

3. Green

   Until the Green Party establishes a real foreign policy, the Dad Guide cannot recommend voting for their candidates.

   Sorry, but “WTO and IMF are evil” doesn’t quite count.

   Obviously, this rule only applies if the office in question is one which requires a defined foreign policy. For local and state offices, voting Green is acceptable. But you still have to weigh the benefits of voting Green with the possible side-effects of not voting Democrat.

Judges

1. Public Defender

   Candidates whose prior experience is as a public defender are usually preferable to those who have served as prosecutors.

2. Tough on Crime

   Candidates whose position explicitly states that they are “tough on crime” suffer a similar penalty in support.

Enjoy reading the rest of the Dad Guide. Have fun filling out your ballot!

: archive : about :