Vote California

by Mark DiCamillo and Mervin Field

Wellness Foundation, a broad spectrum of health care issues are troubling to many California

voters.

While about half (51%) of all California voters say they are generally satisfied with the state’s

health care system, voters express a wide range of concerns about the health care system as it

relates to their own lives. And, while just one in ten voters (10%) are themselves uninsured,

another 39% are very concerned that they or someone close to them will be without health

coverage sometime in the near future.

Voters also offer some definite opinions as to the factors responsible for rising health care costs,

and eight in ten (81%) believe government should be responsible for assuring that all Californians

have access to affordable coverage.

California voters have mixed views of the state’s health care system overall. Statewide, 51%

report being satisfied with the health care system today, while 44% are dissatisfied. There is a

sense of foreboding about the future, however, as more than three times as many believing the

system will be worse five years from now (39%) than think it will be better (12%). Another 40%

expect no change, while 9% have no opinion. (Tables 1a-b)

If the measure is approved by the Senate, it will be the first time that a referendum on ending the Iraq war will be made in a state. However, some 300 local governments have already passed resolutions seeking immediate withdrawal from Iraq and communities in four states have supported referenda on ending the war.

Perata said it is now not necessary to go on the streets to demand withdrawal of the army from Iraq. “We can now use the ballot box.”

He said the vote would give Californians a chance to voice their disapproval of president Bush’s “failed policy” in Iraq.

The vote, if at all it comes through, will have only advisory role as foreign policy is a domain of the Congress and the president.

However, the vote can be placed on the presidential primary ballot on 5 February if it secures a majority vote in the legislature and a signature from governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is expected that the vote should be easily forthcoming in a Democratic-controlled Assembly and Senate. A non-binding resolution on Iraq war is already in front of the Assembly and Senate.

Perata said he would introduce the ‘bring-the-troops-home” bill on Monday.

Republican leader of the state Senate Dick Ackerman said Republicans will not support the measure. He also said Schwarzenegger too would veto the bill.

A spokesperson for Schwarzenegger said he had no comment on the bill but added the governor supports a timeline for U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq and “believes we need to do all we can to be successful in Iraq.”