Cynical signing
Whenever I stop at the grocery store in Irvine these days, it seems a signature gatherer is out front asking shoppers entering and leaving to sign a petition. Last week I was asked at Whole Foods if I wanted to “save the puppies.” Who can turn that down? Well, I did. And I love puppies!
Another day, it was earnest folks from Greenpeace, out to save the world, one ballot measure at a time. That is, if you assume the kids armed with clipboards actually care about the cause and aren’t just trying to make a living, at $11 per signature they procure.
Call me cynical, but over the years I’ve seen too many initiatives, referenda and ballot measures designed to deceive busy voters or result in unintended consequences, or both.
Take the current come-on that signing a no-growth petition will solve Irvine’s traffic issues. It won’t, but it could kill the golden goose of Irvine’s economic vitality.
A few months back, signature-for-hire firms flooded the city claiming to be interested in “saving the veterans cemetery.” Of course anyone paying attention knew that their heavy-handed and disingenuous campaign will actually kill the long-sought resting place for deserving veterans. (See page one of this issue for more on the future of the cemetery, and plan on voting “yes” on June 5.)
And as for Irvine “No Growthers” asking you to sign away the city’s future in a prosperity-killing quick fix that won’t work? Just say no.
Stopping growth in Irvine serves the narrow and out-of-touch interests of a small band of short sighted residents at the expense of Irvine’s continued evolution as Orange County’s true center of commerce and innovation. This city is routinely recognized around the world as one of the best places to live in America because of its master planned approach to growth.
Smile and say, “no thank you” to anyone who wants you to toss away decades of smart growth by signing their stop growth initiative.
Another day, it was earnest folks from Greenpeace, out to save the world, one ballot measure at a time. That is, if you assume the kids armed with clipboards actually care about the cause and aren’t just trying to make a living, at $11 per signature they procure.
Call me cynical, but over the years I’ve seen too many initiatives, referenda and ballot measures designed to deceive busy voters or result in unintended consequences, or both.
Take the current come-on that signing a no-growth petition will solve Irvine’s traffic issues. It won’t, but it could kill the golden goose of Irvine’s economic vitality.
A few months back, signature-for-hire firms flooded the city claiming to be interested in “saving the veterans cemetery.” Of course anyone paying attention knew that their heavy-handed and disingenuous campaign will actually kill the long-sought resting place for deserving veterans. (See page one of this issue for more on the future of the cemetery, and plan on voting “yes” on June 5.)
And as for Irvine “No Growthers” asking you to sign away the city’s future in a prosperity-killing quick fix that won’t work? Just say no.
Stopping growth in Irvine serves the narrow and out-of-touch interests of a small band of short sighted residents at the expense of Irvine’s continued evolution as Orange County’s true center of commerce and innovation. This city is routinely recognized around the world as one of the best places to live in America because of its master planned approach to growth.
Smile and say, “no thank you” to anyone who wants you to toss away decades of smart growth by signing their stop growth initiative.