By Rick Alexander

October 11, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--As a vet I’m ticked. This great nation has vowed, rightfully so, to never again treat its veterans the way we were treated during the Vietnam Era. But now it seems that if a special interest group wants anything from government or the electorate they simply attach the “veteran” label to the request, whether it is a significant part of the program or not. As vets, we have gone from being abused to used. Better, but still not good.

By Thea Skinner

Miriam Raftery contributed to this report

October 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Proposition 37 would require mandatory labeling of most foods made from plants or animals with genetically engineered organisms (GMOs). Such foods would also be prohibited from being advertised as “natural.”

By Thea Skinner

San Diego has one of the highest rates of child sex trafficking in the U.S.

October 10, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--Proposition 35 would increase prison sentences and fines for anyone convicted of human trafficking — the illegal trade of human beings for sex slavery or forced labor. Prison sentences would be increased to 15-years-to life, with fines up to $1.5 million. Prop 35 would also require anyone convicted of sex trafficking to register as a sex offender and disclose identities they use on the Internet, along with which sites they visit. 

In a rare show of unity, this proposition is supported by both the California Democratic and Republican parties.

By Thea Skinner

“Mercury Insurance has a terrible history of mistreating its customers, ignoring the law and trying to deceive voters.”—Brian Stedge, Consumer Watchdog

“Proposition 33 creates a more vibrant market for auto insurance by empowering California’s consumers to shop for the best deal.” –Samuel Kang, Greenlighting Institute

October 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Proposition 33 is similar to an insurance-industry backed initiative defeated in 2010 (Prop 17). Both measures received millions in funding from Mercury Insurance Company.

Prop 33 would change the law so insurance companies may set prices for car insurance based on whether a person had insurance with any company before. Drivers who don’t have a history of continuous insurance would pay more. Special exceptions would be made for drivers who drop their insurance to serve in the military or due to loss of employment. The measure has a grace period, so drivers who cancel insurance and purchase new insurance within 90 days would still be considered as continuously covered.

By Thea Skinner

October 10, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--Proposition 38 would raise income taxes to fund K-12 education.  he measure differs from Prop 30, the Governor’s education funding initiative also on the ballot, in several key ways. 

Prop 38 increases taxes on low and middle income earners as well as those with higher incomes, while Prop 30' sincome tax raise targets only the wealthy. Prop 38 imposes restrictions on how education funds can be spent. Prop 38 is limited to K-12 funding, while Prop 30 also includes community colleges. Prop 38 raises taxes over a longer time period. 

By Thea Skinner

October 9, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Proposition 31 would move California from a one-year budget cycle to a two-year budget cycle, meaning budget debates happen every other year, instead of annually. Prop 31 would also prohibit the Legislature from spending more than $25 million on new programs unless an equal source of revenue or spending cuts are identified first, and would require performance reviews of all state programs.

The measure is supported by the California Republican Party and opposed by the California Democratic Party.

E - The Environmental Magazine

Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

October 10, 2012 -- Dear EarthTalk: Given that the presidential election is just around the corner, what can you tell me about each candidate’s environmental track record and positions?          -- Jane Miller, Chicago, IL

Just because the environment is getting short shrift this election season due to our nation’s lingering economic woes doesn’t mean that candidates Obama and Romney can ignore the issue.

By Carolyn McGraw, AllVoices.com

October 9, 2012 -- A real life David-and-Goliath battle is heating up in California’s newly formed 50th Congressional District. Republican incumbent, Rep. Duncan D. Hunter (photo, right), is facing off against first-time political candidate, Democrat David Secor (photo, left). The race is defined by large disparities in campaign finances and widely differing policy positions.

Hunter and Secor hold vastly different views on Social Security, Medicare, Roe v. Wade, access to birth control and other social issues which typify the divide between the Republican and Democratic parties. Among the most important economic issues on which the two candidates hold different opinions are policy differences surrounding family planning options, birth control and Roe v. Wade.

Full story:  http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/13149920-david-secor-and-goliath-battle-for-ca-50th-congressional-district-personifies-demrep-split-on-critical-economic-issue

October 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Eastbound I-8 will be closed for an investigation until approximately 11:30 a.m., according to the CHP website.

A multi-vehicle accident has occurred involved a semi-truck and an over-turned vehicle in the center lane on I-8 near Japatul/Highway 79.  Fire and medical personnel have been dispatched along with an ASTREA heliciopter; a suspect who fled the scene has been taken into custody by an Immigration and Customs officer.

October 9, 2012 (San Diego) -- The National Committee to Protect Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), one of the most trusted, independent and effective advocates for these programs in the country since 1982, has endorsed Scott Peters for Congress, the Peters campaign announced today.

 NCPSSM President and Chief Executive Officer Max Richtman said they are endorsing Peters over Bilbray because they trust Peters to protect Medicare and Social Security, while Bilbray has voted repeatedly to cut these critical programs which protect many of America’s seniors from living in poverty.

October 9, 2012 (San Diego) -- On the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum, a floating tribute to America’s past wars, the region’s community college leaders said dwindling budgets are affecting their ability to serve those returning from today’s conflicts and heading back to school.

Cindy Miles, chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, speaks at Tuesday’s news conference focusing on the needs of student veterans. Behind her are from left, Constance Carroll, chancellor of the San Diego Community College District; Justin Dile, a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves; Paul McNamara, a Palomar Community College District governing board member; Melinda Nish, superintendent/president of Southwestern College; and Francisco Rodriquez, superintendent/ president of MiraCosta College. 

By Janis Mork

October 8, 2012 (Spring Valley)- Incumbent Karrie Johnston Scully hopes to get re-elected to the San Miguel fire board this November. In an exclusive interview with ECM, she shares her goals which include holding Cal Fire accountable for promises made when the Board voted to outsource services to the state fire agency.

By Mark Gabrish Conlan

 

October 5, 2012 (San Diego)--Just about everybody who follows American politics at all has heard by now of the surreptitious video recording made of Mitt Romney and his peers at a $50,000 per person fundraiser in Boca Raton, Florida last May 17. In case you need the reminder, it’s the event at which he said, “There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what … who are dependent on the government, who believe that they are victims, who believe that government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you name it. That’s an entitlement. … These are people who pay no income tax. Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax. So our message of lower taxes doesn’t connect. … [M]y job is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives. What I have to do is convince the five to 10 percent in the center … ”

October 8, 2012 (El Cajon)--At  tomorrow’s City Council meeting, the El Cajon City Council will consider the adoption of an ordinance making the sale of synthetic drugs a public nuisance in the City with the seller subject to civil penalties of up to $2,500 for each day said nuisance is in existence.

The ordinance came at the recommendation of El Cajon Police Chief Jim Redman at the August 14 City Council meeting. 

October 8, 2012 – The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has compiled a list of disaster apps and mobile optimized web pages in its Disaster Information Management Research Center. Most of the apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices.