A matter of degree

I find the on-going arguments about matters of opinion fascinating.  Mostly, I think, I'm fascinated by these arguments because I used to be strongly opinionated about some of these issues.

Issue 1.  Cruel and Unusual Punishment.  California has been told by a court that the way we are carrying out "lethal injection" is flawed.  Florida has a hold on execution because it took to much time for a man to die.  I can make reasonable arguments for many of the "sides" of this issue.  In the end, though, it's all made up.  There isn't some Truth about what we should or shouldn't do to each other.

Issue 2.  Feeder Mice.  San Diego County is changing it's rules for adopting mice, hamsters and other small animals from the shelter making it a lot more expensive.  The idea is that people won't be adopting them as feeder rodents for other animals.  Also, many pet stores here have stopped carrying feeder mice.  Those same stores sell snakes, however. 

Issue 3.  Taxes.  In California, we have "Voter Initiative" which has, over the years, tied the hands of all levels of government in  California on financial matters.  Seems the voters demand that a minimum amount of real dollars go to this or that program, a percentage of revenue go to other programs, and other financial demands.  Seems, further, that the voters demand that the state not raise taxes.

Issue 4. Voter Initiative.  See Issue 3.  As Stacey is fond of saying, "Bad facts make bad law" and that is fully evident in the Voter Initiative system.