Endorsements

Endorsements by this very progressive organization in this very progressive city can be a tricky thing.
First, many of the candidates and ballot measures reflect the dominant progressive values of the city.
For San Francisco N.O.W., choosing among candidates can be like choosing among one’s children.
Fortunately, we are wealthy with feminist leadership and humanitarian vision in this fine city.

During each election, the SFNOW board discusses the impact on women and girls of all proposed
candidates and legislation, and makes recommendations to the CANOW PAC and the SFNOW membership.
For controversial issues, we may post questionnaire results or various information and opinion here on this
web page. If you are a candidate or promoting legislation, we invite you to request a questionnaire. If you are a feminist
with an opinion you would like to share, we invite you to be heard. Please fill out the form below.

Here is what we have so far for NOW Endorsements and Recommendations NOVEMBER 8, 2011:


Dear San Francisco NOW members,
As is the practice of the San Francisco NOW chapter, the president writes a letter to the members sharing opinions and feedback in the form of personal recommendations to the California NOW PAC. Thank you for your input and suggestions and I hope to continue to hear from you.


MAYOR
As usual we have an embarrassment of riches here in our beloved city, beginning with a roll call of amazing rock stars running for Mayor. If you ask your board members, we all seem to be voting for different people but supportive of one another's choices -- goddess bless ranked choice voting!!! As a Glen Park resident, I personally have interacted with and highly respect my two local mayoral candidates: Ed Lee and Bevan Dufty. Ed Lee is a neighbor and many, many voters are THRILLED to have a candidate who is not a career politician but loads of experience in making San Francisco work. Ed Lee does not deserve the ridiculous negative press out there and I personally hope that he knows he is deeply appreciated for all the heart and soul he is putting behind his hard work for San Franciscans. He's the first mayor I have interacted with who actually shares ideas and suggestions with me directly.  We haven't heard back yet from his office on our issues but we'll keep you informed as more information comes up.  Without going into detail about the disadvantages of party line politics, there ARE advantages to career politicians. Bevan Dufty's expertise and lifelong dedication to helping all of NOW's issues is demonstrated throughout his brilliant career in San Francisco. Bevan Dufty deserves a huge hug for his focus on San Francisco's families and children. John Avalos is a feminist favorite who we can count on for keeping his door open and thinking cap on. Jeff Adachi represents justice in his long career and great work as our Public Defender. Jeff Adachi speaks up for the homeless and has genius insight into creating balance and justice in the administration of city government. All of the above candidates are green and ecologically dedicated, but none more than Terry Joan Baum. Terry Joan Baum thinks far outside the boxes of politics as usual, connecting community based activism, environmental science and representing the 99% like no other candidate.

SHERIFF
I am voting for Ross Mirkarimi for Sheriff and am recommending the CANOW PAC to support him too. Ross is a progressive favorite for a reason -- he is the real thing. Feminists know that public safety is the fundamental building block upon which a civil society is built. Ross knows that peace in our city begins with foot patrol police who walk, laugh and receive the eye-to-eye thanks from the grateful community they protect. Peace in our communities and justice for all people -- rich and poor -- is Ross' goal. As we see how our police department respects and protects the #Occupy, I am reminded that electing Ross Mirkarimi as Sheriff will further San Francisco's global status as a community peace role model.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY
I'm also voting for David Onek -- he's my only recommendation to the CANOW PAC. Troy Davis, murdered by a broken justice system, is another victim in the long sad history of potentially innocent people killed by the DEATH PENALTY. David Onek opposes the death penalty and also promises to help reform the three strikes system which streams nonviolent offenders into the penal system without regard for justice and reason.

Proposition positions recommended to the CANOW PAC:
YES ON PROP A: Bond funding may not be preferred to a parcel tax or Prop 13 exemption for "corporate persons" but our schools are in horrible disrepair and the children need to be safe from earthquakes and fires. We're hoping San Francisco leaders can put pressure on the California State government to revise Prop 13 so billion dollar corporations can't take advantage at the expense of the 99%.

NO ON PROP B: $248 million dollar in bonds should not be focused on private cars. Investment in mass transit, bike lanes, dedicated bike roads, pedestrian walkways, sidewalk improvements -- these should all take priority over making it easier for private car transportation. Additionally, why bonds? Again, we're hoping San Francisco leaders can put pressure on the California State government to revise Prop 13 so billion dollar corporations can't take advantage at the expense of the 99%.

NO ON PROPS C AND D: Funded by the 1% to reduce pension benefits and increase retirement age for city workers -- the 99% should vote NO on C & D. Sure, government waste and overspending happens everywhere, but San Francisco city workers don't often reflect that kind of waste. San Franciscans are grateful for the hard work of the people who make this city wonderful.

NO on PROP E: This is a no-brainer -- NO! Direct democracy should not be overturned by elected officials. If mayoral initiatives approved by voters must be overturned or revised, another way to make the changes must be found. Board revision language should be written into the proposition in the first place or the question should go back to the voters.

NO ON PROP F: Yes we need to fix the election ethics rules BUT the power to rewrite election ethics rules belongs to the direct democratic process, not the people getting elected.

NO ON G: Increasing the sales tax instead of requiring the 1% to pay their fair share is misplaced activism. Yes we need to fund services for children, elders, services, etc -- but how? Small businesses have to compete with big Internet businesses which avoid charging sales taxes and often ship for free. Increasing the sales tax unfairly taxes the poor and further disadvantages San Francisco businesses.

NO ON H: This is a veiled attempt at bringing back segregation and negates the deep thought and hard work put into reforming school assignments by our dedicated San Francisco leaders in education. I am utterly frustrated by my own child not getting into the school across the street, but returning to antiquated preferences is not a choice at all. The new assignment system is just beginning to take effect and I hope to report back to you significant improvements soon.

Thank you for making your feminist vote count!