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Culture War Roundup for the week of October 28, 2024

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I voted no on all propositions except 36, for which I enthusiastically voted yes. As always, the proposition titles are misleading and meant to misdirect voters. "Involuntary servitude" is of course meant to evoke images of slavery and chain gangs. If that one passes, I am reliably informed that most of the prison jobs will go away due to lack of funding, leaving prisoners without any options to make money.

I entirely agree that 36 is largely seen as an obvious measure by the majority of Californians and will pass easily. I live in a mostly blue area and people who I've spoken with from all walks tend to agree - with the caveat that they're mostly men.

The entire proposition system is fairly useless as the legislature and courts just ignore or distort the results anyway.

If that one passes, I am reliably informed that most of the prison jobs will go away due to lack of funding, leaving prisoners without any options to make money.

Why? If the prisoners wish to work, they'll keep working. If the prisoners largely don't wish to work, I don't think it makes sense to make them work so that a small minority can fulfill their preferences.

They aren't actually forced to work. They may be granted certain privileges if they do work (along with the meager stipend) but no one is forcing them to work. That's the deliberately misleading part.

Here's the full text of the prop.

Slavery and involuntary servitude are prohibited.

(b) The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall not discipline any incarcerated person for refusing a work assignment.

(c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from awarding credits to an incarcerated person who voluntarily accepts a work assignment.

(d) Amendments made to this section by the measure adding this subdivision shall become operative on January 1, 2025.[6]

Concretely, which section here do you find objectionable?