Politics & Pancakes

These pancakes are plastic, but don't worry real ones will be served at the event.

Politics and Pancakes is about eating good breakfast foods, sharing community, and discussing research/information about the propositions and candidates on the upcoming ballot so that we can be more informed voters.

Date/Time:
Saturday October 23
10 am (pancakes) / 11am (politics) - 2:30 pm (or so)
Location:
Community Yurt, Baggins End (The Domes).

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR RESEARCH & GALLUP POLL!
Thank you to Danielle Fodor for creating this zine using input from this year's P&P meeting crew!

WHAT IS PANCAKES & POLITICS (formerley sometimes known as BALLOTS AND BURRITOS)?
It means delicious food to eat and wonderful company. It means you can find out about all the issues on the ballot in one fun meeting, and be the most informed you've ever been about the election — painlessly! It means a great chance to meet other local people who care about politics and the world we're living in! Did I mention great food??

WHY IT'S GREAT:
You'll learn how to vote on all those weird little offices you never have time to research. And, through the voter's guide (Volunteers?), we'll be able to influence many many more voters... And it's actually fun.

HOW THE PANCAKE PART WORKS:
The good people of Baggins' End Domes will have pancakes going on the grill in Dome kitchens. It's a Pancake Potluck of sorts. Brings your favorite pancake mix (grandma's secret recipe?), syrup, ingredient or topping. Nuts, berries, fruits, whipped cream, exotic extras of any sort. Keep it vegetarian, and consider the vegans and others with special dietary needs. Juices, coffee beans and complementary side-dishes also welcome. Come early so we can start the politics part on time!

HOW THE POLITICS PART WORKS:
Each person attending researches one (yes, just one!) ballot initiative, or candidates for one office. They (meaning ... perhaps....you!) will prepare a verbal 3-5 minute "summary" to share — what the arguments are on either side of the issue, or who the candidates are and what they think. After presenting both sides, explain why you're leaning one direction and why. Then the group of voters (and eaters) asks questions, discusses the issues, etc ... Issue/office List BELOW.

"'IF YOU AREN'T going to do an issue/office but would like to VOLUNTEER,"' we have other things that you could do to help out with such as timekeeping, setting up, cleaning afterward, coming early to cook pancakes etc. If you would like to volunteer to help out, please contact: Michelle Yates at: <myates@ucdavis.edu> and/or (530) 304-1888

IF YOU ARE NOT VOLUNTEERING . . . you are still welcome to join us and be part of the discussion!

Look at both sides of the issue (or each candidate for office), discuss what the positions of the candidate are, pros and cons of props, who's for and against, what you think, and any other little juicy, gossipy tidbits we should know. Remember, others will chime in, so you don't need to do a thesis! You can do most offices and issues with 1/2 hour of research. A list of several helpful websites with candidate/issue information . . . .

HERE'S MOST OF WHAT YOU NEED —-> HELPFUL WEBSITES to research issues & candidates.  You are welcome to get creative, use your own knowledge, or make stuff up (well, you might get challenged!):

1) COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION on all but local CANDIDATES and ISSUES

http://www.smartvoter.org/2010/11/02/ca/yl/demo.html

2) LOCAL CANDIDATES, REPs for LOCAL DISTRICTS, LOCAL ISSUES

http://www.yoloelections.org/election_central/voter_guide

3) STATEWIDE OFFICES

http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/candidates/statements/

4) EASY VOTER GUIDE - STATEWIDE OFFICES & ISSUES (pdf) Note: EXCELLENT!!!

http://lwvc.convio.net/site/DocServer/EVG-Nov10-Eng-final.pdf?docID=1081

5) CITIZEN VOICE NON-PARTISAN PROPOSITION SUMMARY

http://citizenvoiceblog.wordpress.com/

RESPECT: This has traditionally been a meeting of 'progressively-minded' or 'left-leaning' souls, but not exclusively. We have had conservative-minded individuals attend. Please be respectful of those with differing views and make them feel welcome. We often learn more from those who disagree with our views than those that agree.

To volunteer for an issue or office: 1) Update this Wiki Page if you know how. 2) write to the email address below or 3) call the phone number below:
<mindx@omsoft.com>
or call 530-554-2277

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Volunteer!!!

ORGANIZED THIS TIME BY:
Alan C. Miller, Michelle Yates, & Brennan Bird. We'd like to thank The Baggins End Domes and their inhabitants for use of the Community Yurt, restrooms & Pancake Cooking Facilities. Thank you to Danielle Fodor for your beautiful zine-work!