How I’m voting for the environment in the Nov. 4, 2008 election.

As of now, I plan to vote no on Prop 3. Rest assured that it’s not because I hate kids with leukemia. And rest assured that if you make a compelling argument in the comments, I’ll reconsider my position.

Prop 3′s a heart-tugging initiative. Basically, it’d authorize almost $1 billion in bonds to fund hospitals that treat kids with serious illnesses like leukemia, cancer, and sickle cell anemia.

The reason I’m voting no? Four years ago, Cali voters supported a similar bill that authorized $750 million in bonds. Even the LA Times, which is for Prop 3, notes that $350 million of this money still remains unspent.

We vote on propositions like every 6 months. I suggest that the private hospitals, which are the ones that’ll be getting about 80% of this money, use up what they’ve already got from taxpayers first before asking for $1 billion more.

After all, many of us — especially myself, who can’t get health insurance in the private market — are unhappy with the health care system at the moment — especially the private sector. This is why the Green Party opposes Prop 3.

Basically, I’d like to wait to see what happens with our health care system after Obama becomes president. After that, I feel both I and other voters will be better able to decide what initiatives to dedicate taxpayer money towards.

And the hospitals asking for the money still have $350 million left to play with until that happens.

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