Posted on 10/21/2004 11:35:43 AM PDT by Tamar1973
Question from readers concerning our opposition to Proposition 71: How can you oppose stem-cell research?
Answer: We support stem-cell research. What we don't support is burying California even deeper in debt.
Proposition 71 doesn't say we're going to spend $3 billion on stem-cell research. It says we're going to borrow $3 billion, which will be repaid from $6 billion of principal and interest that would otherwise be spent on education and health care.
Never mind that there is no guarantee that the money won't become a subsidy to the biotech industry.
This is the problem with ballot measures. They are reduced to simplistic choices that - years later - become unhappy and unintended consequences.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger supports Proposition 71 because he supports stem-cell research. Conservative groups oppose Proposition 71 because they oppose stem-cell research.
But there is an issue lost in this debate, which is: Californians are not stepping up to pay for this research. They are sending the bill (with interest) to their children and grandchildren - and without regard to the damage to schools and other public programs.
Even more incredible: our "Republican" governor supports Prop 71...even in the face of California's already-burgeoning debt!
Even worse, the "Governator" also supports Open Primaries. Talk about screwing the GOP in your own state.
They still miss the point.
The state, even if it were flush with cash, should never pay for medical research. That is the private sector's job.
Not to mention how ridiculous it is to put it into the CA Constitution, which is what Prop 71 would do.
"Stem Cell Research. Funding. Bonds.
Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
• Establishes “California Institute for Regenerative Medicine” to regulate stem cell research and
provide funding, through grants and loans, for such research and research facilities.
• Establishes constitutional right to conduct stem cell research; prohibits Institute’s funding of
human reproductive cloning research.
• Establishes oversight committee to govern Institute.
• Provides General Fund loan up to $3 million for Institute’s initial administration/implementation
costs.
• Authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds to finance Institute activities up to $3 billion
subject to annual limit of $350 million.
• Appropriates monies from General Fund to pay for bonds.
Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government
Fiscal Impact:
• State cost of about $6 billion over 30 years to pay off both the principal ($3 billion) and
interest ($3 billion) on the bonds. Payments averaging about $200 million per year.
• Unknown potential state and local revenue gains and cost savings to the extent that the
research projects funded by this measure result in additional economic activity and reduced
public health care costs."
http://www.voterguide.ss.ca.gov/english.pdf
Even worse, the "Governator" also supports Open Primaries. Talk about screwing the GOP in your own state.
I sound like a broken record on this one: Ahnold is a RINO. Those of you who voted for him rather than Tom McClintock are at least partially to blame for this.
Let's be clear.
Embryonic stem cell research is a scam.
Contrary to adult stem cell research, embryonic stem cell research has not borne out any medical breakthroughs. NOT ONE!
And another 3 BILLION DOLLAR BOND ISSSUE is ridiculous when the state has a 40 BILLION DOLLAR DEBT!
NO ON PROPOSITION 71
Careful. You're likely to get gang-tackled by apologists who'll insist that the only alternative was Bustamante.
Kinda sad when Republicans won't back a Conservative. Just sad that Republicans have so little faith in their own party's core platform.
Not to mention a past Gov, Pete Wilson supporting both 71 and 62. Disaster for the state of Calif.Should have gone with McClintok. At least we wouldn't have been fooled by "fiscal conservative"
Yeah, yeah, yeah. But Bustamante wants to raise college tuition for some, not all. I was in the "some" category. I just couldn't let that crooked man take over the helm.
That's because Bustamante is a MEChA member first, a Lt. Governor second, and no American at all. Hell, if BustaMEChA hadn't been in the race, what would Schwarzenegger supporters have had to bolster his candidacy apart from his Hollywood celebrity status?
Truely thought Ahnold was an intelligent businessman. Could help CA get out of debt. Didn't realize he was whipped by Maria. Also thought $$ would dominate CA politics and social issues would be on back burner until next election. Never thought (and still don't) that he would get a second term.
And what did you get instead?
CSU board set to vote on fee hikes for 2005-06
Proposal for 8-10 percent increases part of early budget planning processRushing headlong into the inevitable, California State University trustees will vote next week on tuition hikes for the upcoming school year.
(snip)
The increases, which would take affect in fall 2005, are in keeping with a budget compact CSU officials signed in May with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. That compact promises both the CSU and University of California systems more funding for student enrollment, employee compensation and other costs.
But the compact also asks the university systems to raise student tuition through 2006-07. The increases include a 14 percent undergraduate hike that went into effect this year, plus an 8 percent increase next year and an additional 8 percent hike in 2006-07. After that, increases would be tied to per capita income and would be capped at no more than 10 percent a year.
If I could foresee the future, McClintock would have been my choice. Bustamante was a sure thing in raising fees. Your Name indicates maybe UCDavis?
>>Your Name indicates maybe UCDavis?
Nope... just a state of mind, lol.
Sh*t, I'd have bet $$ on that one! My instincts have taken leave of my mind.
We need a snopes.com for liberal statements. Conservative groups support stem cell research, just not embryonic stem cell research.
ROFL! Not to worry, being wrong every once in a while keeps one humble! (I am a VERY humble person, lol)
SINCE WHEN DID STEM CELL RESEARCH BECOME THE BURDEN OF CALIFORNIA ..??
There is NO BAN ON RESEARCH .. the only BAN is on MY TAXPAYER DOLLARS BEING USED TO FUND IT.
Let all the rich jerks in Hollywood USE THEIR OWN MONEY if they think funding stem cell research is so important.
At least she could keep abreast of the issues!
=== Conservative groups oppose Proposition 71 because they oppose stem-cell research.
What about President Bush? He's not a conservative?
He can take credit for the first State-funded stem cell research program in the nation. In fact, he's promised to keep funding the program until embryonic stem cell research proves as promising as adult stem cell research, by golly.
Or -- given all the Scripture he quoted in his Prime Time pitch for the program -- maybe I should say "By God" since it's God's name he took in vain that evening when he explained to the nation how all men were Not Created Equal after all.
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