ProgressNowAction '08 Colorado Statewide Ballot Recommendations

Cell phones not allowed in polling places!

"Collective fear stimulates herd instinct and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd." -Bertrand Russell

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by: parsingreality @ Sun Oct 05, 2008 at 12:53:31 PM CDT

Huh, I dunno

Are you sure it's just against TALKING on cell phones? In this context, the cell phone is more like a piece of paper.

And it's cool, too!

Repeat after me: "I have never supported Dan Maes.  I have always supported [Dick Wadhams to fill in the blank]." --ClubTwitty

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by: JeffcoBlue @ Sun Oct 05, 2008 at 12:58:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Can't speak for CO, I don't recall

But the polling places here have NO CELL PHONE signs as you walk in.  I presume that would include talking and ringing of.

As to being a document reader, sure.  Theoretically.  My Nokia 9290 Communicator has a "Flight" function which really doesn't do anything more than turn off the phone.  I've been told by an attendant to turn off my "phone" but was OK when I explained that the phone is turned off, but not my PDA type functions.  But next time, who knows?

(I've also used my big nasty AMPS transportable phone pack way way back before cellular on board became an issue.  No one batted an eye and the plane didn't crash or land at the wrong airport.)

"Collective fear stimulates herd instinct and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd." -Bertrand Russell

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by: parsingreality @ Sun Oct 05, 2008 at 14:55:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well, better to be safe than sorry.

I hope someone can verify and update the diary about the cell phone issue. Better to find out sooner than later.

Good point, parsingreality.  

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Sun Oct 05, 2008 at 18:51:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

From what I remember...

it's only poll workers that are actually named in the statute as not being allowed to have (or at least use) cell phones.  Voters themselves aren't actually mentioned.  

At least that's the version from 2005 that I have stuck in my head...  It might have changed...

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by: Dabee47 @ Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 01:29:42 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thanks Alan

Excellent recap.

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by: Gilpin Guy @ Sun Oct 05, 2008 at 14:19:15 PM CDT

Sad to see

a progressive organization advocating a yes vote on 50.  Otherwise, quite sensible.

"... politics has been divided between two types of people: those who want more people to vote, and those who want fewer people to vote."
- Sen. Kerry

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by: cdsmith @ Sun Oct 05, 2008 at 15:35:53 PM CDT

Vote Yes on 50!

Most progressives are pro education and pro funding Community Colleges. Vote yes on 50. It helps students and Community Colleges without raising taxes. Heck, even the R's should like this one. This is a no brainer yes vote. Plus, I would like to go to Blackhawk and make a $20 or $50 bet on blackjack. This progressive is voting Yes on 50!  

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by: Thorntondem @ Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 01:37:51 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I agree...50 is NOT progressive

Amendment 50 caps the amount casinos can be taxed. Whereas casinos can currently be taxed up to 40 percent, if 50 is adopted, that amount will be limited to 20 percent.

So...

We'd have new, bigger, more profitable, round-the-clock casinos, but the state loses much of its cut. Sweet!

ProgressNow should go back and re-issue this otherwise useful guide, but with a "No" on 50.

If that tax cut wasn't in there, then sure, go ahead and let casinos run wild and make money (and give a teeny bit to community colleges).  

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by: ColoRabble @ Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 16:25:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

50 was written for the casinos

IMHO the only reason the Community College funding is in there is to distract the voters.

"I have come to the conclusion that the making of laws is like the making of sausages-the less you know about the process the more you respect the result."  -- Anonymous IL State Rep. circa 1878

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by: Phoenix Rising @ Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 16:51:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

NO on 47, 49 and 54!

"Suddenly, it may be cool to be American again" - William J. Kole

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by: Go Blue @ Sun Oct 05, 2008 at 16:41:59 PM CDT

This is so helpful.

Alan, thank you. I'm printing off the PDF, since I don't own a cell phone and using it when my mail in ballot arrives.

This is invaluable. I'll be forwarding the link to friends.

Thanks, Pols, for front paging it. Really appreciate that.  

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Sun Oct 05, 2008 at 18:47:54 PM CDT

You don't have a mobile phone?

My hero. I'm liking you more and more every day.  I wish I could get away without having one.

"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys."

P.J. O'Rourke

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by: Laughing Boy @ Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 09:20:41 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I really don't.

I just hate answering the phone and having a mobile seems like a great way for people that I don't want to talk with to track me down. :)

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 09:41:07 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

That's what's great about mobile phones

You don't have to answer them. I hate talking on the phone too, but it is nice to get a text message or something and call or text someone back when it's convenient for you.

I understand where you're coming from, though. For a long time, I hated the idea of having one.  

Bring back S[redacted]e H[redacted]y!

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by: sxp151 @ Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 10:37:56 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I tell you, I think I may be the last person

on earth to own one and I think you're right about their usefulness. At this point, I'm just being stubborn about not having one. :)

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 12:38:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]