Florida Sample Ballot Discussion Thread(No. 1) - (Vanity)

Official Sample Ballot General Election, November 2, 2004 | 10/16/04 | Supervisor of Elections, Kathy Dent

[Se7eN]

I just recieved my sample ballot in Florida, and thought it would be a good idea to discuss the consitutional amendments proposed within it. If it's ok with the moderators, I'd like to do one per day until the election. Some of the interpretation is lost on me, and I assume that others may suffer the same. Without further ado.

No. 1 Constitutional Amendment Article X, Section 22.

Article X Miscellaneous

Section 22. Parental notice of termination of a minor's pregnancy. The legislature shall not limit or deny the privacy right guaranteed to a minor under the United States Constitution as interpreted by the United States Supreme Court. Notwithstanding a minor's right of privacy provided in Section 23 of Article I, the Legislature is authorized to require by general law for notification to a parent or guardian of a minor before the termination of the minor's pregnancy. The Legislature shall provide exceptions to such requirement for notification and shall create a process for judicial waiver of the notification.

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I don't want this thread to be a strong-arming of telling people how to vote it, but rather make a case for or against if possible.

[Se7eN]

Constitutional interpreting veterans keying in to describe what the proposed amendments really mean are welcome. Discuss ;)

[PaxMacian]

VOTE NO on all amendments.
Leave legislating to the legislators.
Long live the Republic!

[G.Mason]

Ra^ther simple.

If your a pregnant kid vote against it.

If you are a loving parent vote for it.

[spacejunkie]

Vote YES on 3....that limits the amount an atty can make on contingency cases....

[Se7eN]

Pax, you bring up a good point. What happens if all the proposed amendments fall through? Do the legislators get a chance to repass it on their own effort?

Is this just an attempt to see where people stand on some issues to guide legislation? I'm not really too versed in legislation and have a basic understanding of the Consitution based on reading the FAQ at usconstitution.net(which is one of the reasons I started the thread).

[PaxMacian]

Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Psalm 139:13
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 :I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 :My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 :Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Galatians 1:15
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,…

Isaiah 49:1 :
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

Matthew 18:5
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Deuteronomy 30:19
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and
death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."

Proverbs 6:16 There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood

Exodus 20:13
Thou shalt not kill.

[NonValueAdded]

Se7eN, see these discussion threads already in progress:

Florida Amendments / Election 2004 Discussion Thread

Florida Judges / Election 2004 Discussion Thread

We don't have one covering the candidates, so feel free to ask questions on this thread. Anything in particular you want to cover?

FRegards, NVA

PS I'm gonna start marking all similar threads with the keyword Florida2004 so that a simple search can find them.

[SE Mom]

Pro - The Florida Legislature

Con - ACLU/Planned Parenthood

Arguments for and against the amendment.

State Rep. Sandra Murman, R-Tampa, spearheaded the measure, which would force pregnant teens seeking an abortion to tell their parents. "We are empowering parents of a very life-altering decision. Parental notice is a very clear, straightforward issue,” she said. Girls would not be legally forced to inform their parents, she noted, saying that lawmakers included an exception to allow them to go before a judge to seek a waiver.

Opponents, which include the ACLU and Planned Parenthood, say the measure would invade privacy rights of minors guaranteed in the state constitution and could lead to the injury or death of girls trying to end pregnancies themselves in order to avoid telling parents.

These are the two arguments for and against. This is a tough one- I really don't like changing the state constitution...but this one gives me pause. I'll have to ponder on it awhile.

[PaxMacian]

Many amendments that make it onto the ballot here in Florida have already failed to make it through the state legislature. Whatever interests are involved then push it onto the ballot and advertise for their position. Just look at what PETA did by putting pigs in our state constitution.

[EagleUSA]

THE WHOLE FLORIDA SCENARIO DOES NOT PASS THE SMELL TEST....

OF COURSE THE DEMS ARE MAKING TROUBLE ALREADY IN A CONTESTED STATE....yawn..such losers.

[Se7eN]

Thanks NonValueAdded. I didn't bother to search like the newb I am and apologize to the mods.

[Henchman]

Thank you for discussing the proposed Amendments. I need to think about it and wish to view VALID arguments, facts where possible to make a determination. I am pro life, so spouting the Bible, or referring to other Amendments, to be covered in the future, does no one, at least me, any good.

That the ACLU is against the Amendment is enough for me to usually vote the opposite way. But without a reference, I will not accept a posters contention that the ACLU or any other influencing organization has a position one way or another. My opinion is as good as theirs and vice versa, so a valid discussion, with references, is warranted.

Thanks again.

[Mount Athos]

For the california ballot propositions, discussions took place for all propositions together in a single thread, it worked pretty well. There are quite a few of them, still wasn't a problem. The discussion contrasted the views of the governor, republican party, and Tom McClintock, and had a bunch of personal opinions.

[NonValueAdded]

See links in reply #7 above. Those threads have links to other resource sites. It is good that you want to see the proof with your own eyes. A lot of us see it when formulating our posts but don't always take the time to exhaustively annotate, especially with the more easily checked facts. The FL Chamber of Commerce coverage of the amendments does list the major groups supporting and opposing each amendment and can be taken as accurate IMHO. See the Florida Amendment thread for more and the FLCOC link. Please add your comments there when you make your decision. I hope to tabulate a scorecard when there are enough responses.

[hyperpoly8]

It just says that kids have a right to privacy, except when they don't, like now.

[Brilliant]

You can't say that in this case. One of our Amendments is to repeal a resoundingly STUPID Amendment they passed last time. The voters amended the Constitution to REQUIRE the legislature to spend $25 billion (yes, that's with a "b") to build a high speed rail train between Orlando and Tampa. It wasn't even close. It was a landslide. So who's going to pay for this, I wonder? If I were on the Supreme Court, I would have declared the amendment invalid since it provided no means to pay for it, but that did not happen, so now they are trying to repeal it.