A woman with a display table was standing outside of Ralph’s Supermarket today, asking for signatures. As Super Tuesday approaches, the wheels start turning for the next election’s California propositions. Every year, there are a whole group of new propositions on the California ballot. They are always as confusing as possible, and half of them get stuck in costly court battles. The big proposition for this month has something to do with Indian Casinos and their right to add more slot machines to feed their tribes, or something like that, or at least giving the tribes better odds in blackjack. Most of these propositions have to do with money and taxes, or where the money should go. I have a feeling the money never goes anywhere other than into the advertising campaigns of new propositions.
As I passed the political display table outside of the supermarket, I was shocked to read the poster posted in front of it. “Let’s Keep Marriage Between a Man and a Woman.” Redondo Beach may not be West Hollywood, but it is still a “liberal” area. There were at least four people adding their signatures to put this issue on the ballot. I was dismayed and angry. Redondo Beach?
I’m not extremely political. Sophia is Republican. I respect some of the Republican views on international relations, even taxes.  I have a “conservative” side to myself. However, religious-tinged issues such as gay marriage, right to life, and putting “God” back into our culture JUST DRIVE me nuts!  Is this what we really want to spend all our time talking about? It’s as if a married couple is living in a home where the toilet is flooding the entire house and their car is on fire, and they are arguing over who should do the dishes tonight? Â
I think it is cool if gays want to get married or take up juggling.  What’s the big deal?
Anyway, that’s as political as I get, for now.
I went into the store and bought some tomatoes, Cheerios, turkey slices, tomato sauce, and green tea. I paid for my items, then left through the “other” front door, hoping to avoid the woman with the political display and getting upset again.  But it didn’t work. The minute she saw me, she ran over to me with her clipboard, asking me to sign it.Â
“Would you like to… blah blah… about renewable energy?”
“Huh?” I wondered.
I looked over to her display. Her poster had two sides. One side said “Keep Marriage Between a Man and a Woman.” The flip side contained something about renewable energy. Everyone that I saw signing their names was adding their name to the renewable energy clipboard, and I just didn’t realize it.
Rather than being relieved, I just felt annoyed at the political system. I didn’t add my name for this proposition either. Sophia had once told me how it works. This woman is paid to get signatures. So, she was working on behalf of “Keep Marriage Between Man and a Woman” AND “renewable energy.” I’m sure she would be handing out Al-Queda propaganda videos if they paid her too. It’s as if all the issues are interchangeable. Just get them on the ballot, and it helps someone… someone who isn’t the California voter.
Now, that’s what modern American politics is all about. Â
OK, now I’m off to watch the Democratic debate. Snore.  Then, Lost.