For example, after seeing signs saying "Save the library! Vote yes!" AND "Save the library! Vote no!", we read up on the issue. We've received emails about it. And still, we feel too much like outsiders. We're not sure what we're missing. And if we're outsiders, then who are we to vote for a tax increase that won't impact us, because we don't own a house here, and are unlikely to ever do so?
(Update: Lovely statement of the library issue from both sides at happy hour this evening. I still don't feel invested enough - it doesn't feel like my community yet - and may abstain from voting on the issue, but it makes more sense now. I miss the BPL, and that's part of the problem. So many of the books I'm looking for aren't in the system; I feel all homesick and spoilt.)
However, it's also the most convenient polling location I will probably ever have. That's certainly a plus.
When in Rome
Every state has its share of wacky politics. There are plenty of ways in which Massachusetts is screwed up. But I know those ways. Things are quite logical when you've grown up with them.
Here? I feel quite out of my depth. We've definitely been researching, and can make some informed decisions. And thankfully there are a couple of locals in Arthur's program who shared with him some of the background. For instance, Proposal 6 ("Initiative to amend the Michigan Constitution to require a vote of the people before the State of Michigan can construct or finance new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles") turns out to be funded by a rich guy who owns the current bridge privately and wants to maintain his monopoly on bridge tolls crossing to Canada. And the new bridge in question would be funded by Canada and the federal government, so no state revenue would be required. He just wants to squelch competition, and is using the state constitution to do so. (So much for the "free market"!)
What's getting to us about this - and other - statewide proposals is that nearly everything is at the [state] constitutional amendment level. !!! Proposal 2 ("Initiative to amend the Michigan Constitution to create a new right to collective bargaining") is the only one that seems to me to rise to the level of constitutional amendment.
In fact, there are proposals whose sentiments we agree with, but I feel strongly shouldn't be constitutional amendments! So, do I vote no, because it's a bad method, do I vote yes because I agree with the eventual outcome, or do I abstain because I'm new here and really have no idea WTF is going on? (Maybe everything here really is handled by constitutional amendment? Hm. Previous research showed that George Romney was heavily involved in the rewriting of the Mich. constitution. And also instituted the first state income tax here. Interesting.)
I remember Derik bemoaning the fact that in California it takes 2/3 of voters to approve tax changes, but a simple majority amends the constitution. So it's easier to ban same-sex marriage than to fund public transit.
Judge Not Lest...
Pshaw. It's an election. It's all about being judgmental!
That being said, one of the things that's overwhelming us is the sheer number of positions that are elected instead of appointed. Such as judges. And keeping track of which judges we want to vote for, because that part of the ballot is non-partisan. (Who knew that that West Wing reunion video was talking to us?) Oh, and there are some stark differences between some of these candidates. But since everyone's new to me, keeping track of who is who is starting to make my head hurt.
Plus there's the regents/trustees of U of M (in which Arthur should have a vested interest but again - we're too new here), as well as those of MSU, Washtenaw Community College, and Wayne State University. Talk about feeling clueless - this is it.
And state school board, in addition to local. I mean, I've had my trusty League of Women Voters website up for a week, and I still haven't gotten through the entire ballot. There's just way too much!
Then again, if it's what I was used to, I'd feel upset to have this power taken away if I moved to a state where everything is a political appointment.
I'm going to have to create a cheat sheet to bring in with me. I will not remember the names otherwise.
Robocalls
We've actually fared much better here. We've received calls from pollsters. And a couple of in-person canvassers (Prop 2, local DNC reps, etc.) stopped by. But NOTHING like the insanity of the last several years back home. Special Senate race, mayoral race, statehouse rep... nonstop calls for 3 years. And heck, we were even getting some spillover robocalls from the Gingrich campaign heading into the New Hampshire primary last winter!
It's been such a *relief* here to know it's safe to answer the phone. I don't want to jinx it, but apparently we're not on the phone list yet and I'm so ready to keep it that way.
Our snail mail, OTOH... we've gotten the exact same postcard from the local tea party folks (with an admirable URL) a dozen times now. I've been tempted to bring it with me to the polling center as a checklist of what to vote the opposite from.
Generally we're safe from t.v. ads because of the TiVO, but there have definitely been some seeping through. And YouTube, Hulu, and even my Android apps are very much focused on the proposals. Enough so that I actually caved and went to one of the advertised URLs and learned more. Gah! Make it stop!
Homesick
Still, I miss being at home, and going to election night parties where we're all sitting at the edge of our seats hoping Warren pulls it off. I am so frustrated that I cannot vote for her. A Massachusetts election that actually Matters, and I'm no longer a resident!
In general, I've been settling in and thinking of here as "home". It's comfortable, and I'm finding things I like, and sending Neffie pictures and skyping with him help with the homesickness. But having an incredibly long ballot and feeling ignorant of all the history about everything is really driving home how much of an outsider I still feel. Michigan is still temporary, even if it's home.
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