Update on Massachusettes ballot questions. Results of poll

techs

Lifer
Sep 26, 2000
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http://www.suffolk.edu/offices/20580.html#anchor32588

Oct. 23, 2008 -- Mass. Voters Say No to Tax Repeal, Yes to Pot, Maybe to Dogs; Suffolk

Question 1:
BOSTON ? A majority of Massachusetts voters oppose Ballot Question #1, which would reduce and ultimately eliminate the state income tax, according to a new survey conducted by Suffolk University/7NEWS.

Fifty-nine percent would vote ?no? on the measure, 26 percent favor it, and 14 percent were undecided. The opposition has grown dramatically since an August poll showed the ?no? side prevailing by only 14 points, 50 percent to 36 percent
.

Question 2:
Question #2 -- the decriminalization of marijuana -- earns 51 percent support, while 32 percent oppose it, and 16 percent were undecided. Although this question enjoys a 19 percent advantage, the lead has diminished significantly from the near-50 percent margin found in the August poll. Many district attorneys and law enforcement officials have mobilized behind the ?no? side, closing the gap somewhat. The proposed law would replace the criminal penalties for possession of up to one ounce of marijuana to a civil penalty of forfeiture of the marijuana and a fine of $100.
"The ?no? side has gained momentum over the past two months,? said Paleologos. ?The issue is whether the brass and blue will be able to move enough additional voters to their side in twelve days."


Question 3:
Question #3, which would, prohibit any type of dog racing in Massachusetts that entailed wagering on the speed or ability of the dog, won support from 44 percent of voters polled, while 43 percent opposed, and 13 percent were undecided.

"This question will literally come right down to the wire,? said Paleologos. ?In August the anti-dog-racing side had the edge, but now it looks like we?re headed for a photo finish."




First polls I have seen. Interesting numbers.
I am exactly where the polls are. Against repeal of the state income tax (even though it would benefit me) For the decriminalalization of pot. I'm unsure how I feel about dog racing. If there were assurances that no dogs would be euthanized and all would be found homes when their racing career were over, I probably would say dog racing is ok.




 

ScottyB

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2002
6,677
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Originally posted by: evident
they should legalize mj in all the states.

And dog racing. I still don't understand why there are people against gambling. I mean, why the fuck would anyone care?
 

bozack

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
7,913
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this makes me want to vote against #2 so I am changing my vote...

So now I am yes on 1, and no on 2 and 3
 

Drift3r

Guest
Jun 3, 2003
3,572
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Originally posted by: ScottyB
Originally posted by: evident
they should legalize mj in all the states.

And dog racing. I still don't understand why there are people against gambling. I mean, why the fuck would anyone care?



I think it's because the dogs are sometimes abused and even killed if they can't win or grow to old to win.
 

Farang

Lifer
Jul 7, 2003
10,913
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Interesting the cops are the driving force against 2. A lot of times it is the cops asking it be decriminalized.
 

venkman

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2007
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I can't believe that 60 percent of people in that state prefer giving their hard earned money away to be wasted by their government. *facepalm*
 

Farang

Lifer
Jul 7, 2003
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Oh and if 1 freaks you out, here in Washington we get that kind of crap all the time. Be happy a man named Tim Eyman doesn't live in your state.
 

Infohawk

Lifer
Jan 12, 2002
17,844
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Originally posted by: venkman
I can't believe that 60 percent of people in that state prefer giving their hard earned money away to be wasted by their government. *facepalm*

It's not black and white as so many right-wing extremists think of it. Sure, government might not be the most efficient, but they probably want to spend money for certain government programs they believe in.
 

bozack

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
7,913
12
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Originally posted by: venkman
I can't believe that 60 percent of people in that state prefer giving their hard earned money away to be wasted by their government. *facepalm*

Amazing huh, there was a huge ad push here recently talking of how awful getting rid of the income tax would be and how people would get no service and fees would go up alot...plus people here love to pay taxes it seems with parents pushing for tax overrides in their towns for the less than stellar school systems...instead of fixing problems they prefer to throw money at them.
 

bozack

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
7,913
12
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Originally posted by: Infohawk
Originally posted by: venkman
I can't believe that 60 percent of people in that state prefer giving their hard earned money away to be wasted by their government. *facepalm*

It's not black and white as so many right-wing extremists think of it. Sure, government might not be the most efficient, but they probably want to spend money for certain government programs they believe in.

In MA it doesn't even come close to efficiency...my only guess is that people think things are so fucked up here that taking money away from our broken system will only make it much much worse.
 

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
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Originally posted by: venkman
I can't believe that 60 percent of people in that state prefer giving their hard earned money away to be wasted by their government. *facepalm*

B/c we're intelligent enough to know we don't want to be like NH or any other state without a state income tax. High property taxes, no services, the tripling of fees and double digit sales tax. No thanks.
 

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
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Originally posted by: Farang
Oh and if 1 freaks you out, here in Washington we get that kind of crap all the time. Be happy a man named Tim Eyman doesn't live in your state.

I use to live in WA and it was more expensive to live there then in MA. Where I lived, we didn't have a local police or fire dept. We had to depend on the county.
 

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
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Originally posted by: ScottyB
Originally posted by: evident
they should legalize mj in all the states.

And dog racing. I still don't understand why there are people against gambling. I mean, why the fuck would anyone care?

B/c of the conditions that the dogs are kept, trained and killed. Note thousands are bred but only a selective few are good enough to race. What happens to the one's that aren't good enough?

For me,

Question 1 - No
Question 2 - No
Question 3 - Yes
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
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Originally posted by: venkman
I can't believe that 60 percent of people in that state prefer giving their hard earned money away to be wasted by their government. *facepalm*

If everyone in America thought like you, we'd live in a third world hellhole.
 

Farang

Lifer
Jul 7, 2003
10,913
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Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Originally posted by: Farang
Oh and if 1 freaks you out, here in Washington we get that kind of crap all the time. Be happy a man named Tim Eyman doesn't live in your state.

I use to live in WA and it was more expensive to live there then in MA. Where I lived, we didn't have a local police or fire dept. We had to depend on the county.

I'm not saying WA has a great government but Eyman throws attractive wrenches in it like this Prop 1 in Massachusetts. Also it is a much larger state so it depends where you live, the eastern part of the state is understandably upset at all the tax dollars thrown into the Seattle metro area.
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
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Originally posted by: ScottyB
Originally posted by: evident
they should legalize mj in all the states.

And dog racing. I still don't understand why there are people against gambling. I mean, why the fuck would anyone care?

Casinos lobby against it when they feel the need to.
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
61
Originally posted by: Farang
Interesting the cops are the driving force against 2. A lot of times it is the cops asking it be decriminalized.

Some of them are probably selling it. ;)

Or getting bribes to lay off sellers.
 

Hayabusa Rider

Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
Jan 26, 2000
50,879
4,268
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Originally posted by: bamacre
Originally posted by: ScottyB
Originally posted by: evident
they should legalize mj in all the states.

And dog racing. I still don't understand why there are people against gambling. I mean, why the fuck would anyone care?

Casinos lobby against it when they feel the need to.

Nope. Used to live in a Boston burb, and the concern has always been the treatment of the animals. Year after year horror stories would surface about how things were done. Expensive horses are treated much better. Dogs are mistreated, then discarded.

 

alchemize

Lifer
Mar 24, 2000
11,486
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Makes sense that it will end up "No, no, yes". Mass is pretty much the epitome of a modern socialist state. Anything that invokes personal liberty is going to get shot down. People are too stupid to have freedoms.

Considering the history of MA, it is scary how far it has swung.
 

Hayabusa Rider

Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
Jan 26, 2000
50,879
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Originally posted by: alchemize
Makes sense that it will end up "No, no, yes". Mass is pretty much the epitome of a modern socialist state. Anything that invokes personal liberty is going to get shot down. People are too stupid to have freedoms.

Considering the history of MA, it is scary how far it has swung.

So how long have you lived in MA?
 

alchemize

Lifer
Mar 24, 2000
11,486
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Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: alchemize
Makes sense that it will end up "No, no, yes". Mass is pretty much the epitome of a modern socialist state. Anything that invokes personal liberty is going to get shot down. People are too stupid to have freedoms.

Considering the history of MA, it is scary how far it has swung.

So how long have you lived in MA?
Am I only allowed to have an opinion on one state and ignore the other 49? Perhaps a law should be passed to address this! ;)

 

Hayabusa Rider

Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
Jan 26, 2000
50,879
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Originally posted by: alchemize
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: alchemize
Makes sense that it will end up "No, no, yes". Mass is pretty much the epitome of a modern socialist state. Anything that invokes personal liberty is going to get shot down. People are too stupid to have freedoms.

Considering the history of MA, it is scary how far it has swung.

So how long have you lived in MA?
Am I only allowed to have an opinion on one state and ignore the other 49? Perhaps a law should be passed to address this! ;)

Well you seem to have a pretty strong opinion of a place you've never been :p

The current leaning is "no, yes(which would be weird if they were against personal liberty), and maybe.

The second is because most MA folks think that the present laws are entirely too Draconian, and the last is because some people like dog racing, and some (like me) know how cruel it is. Maybe it doesn't have to be that way, but it is.

As far as income tax, no one loves it but MA depends on services. If the state suddenly found itself without income, essential services would cease. Just one example is snow removal. There isn't a private company large enough to deal with it, and the state would be entirely gridlocked without it. Yeah, "personal liberty" sounds great until you can't get to work. You then have the choice of not getting paid or not getting paid. Most people aren't in a position to afford the hypothetical advantages when confronted with day to day realities.

The alternative would be to jack up fees and sales taxes and property taxes, which are horribly regressive. It just won't work.
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
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Originally posted by: bozack
Originally posted by: Infohawk
Originally posted by: venkman
I can't believe that 60 percent of people in that state prefer giving their hard earned money away to be wasted by their government. *facepalm*

It's not black and white as so many right-wing extremists think of it. Sure, government might not be the most efficient, but they probably want to spend money for certain government programs they believe in.

In MA it doesn't even come close to efficiency...my only guess is that people think things are so fucked up here that taking money away from our broken system will only make it much much worse.
That's it. As fucked as State Government is the local Townships governments are much worse and the thought of the schemes they'd come up with the milk money out of their residents is beyond frightening.
 

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
126
Originally posted by: alchemize
Makes sense that it will end up "No, no, yes". Mass is pretty much the epitome of a modern socialist state. Anything that invokes personal liberty is going to get shot down. People are too stupid to have freedoms.

Considering the history of MA, it is scary how far it has swung.

You mean like gay marriage?