Californians’ strange history with voter initiatives continues on Tuesday, as we will decide on 12 measures that range in subject matter from teen abortions and the size of animal cages to renewable energy goals and the proper tools to battle gangs.

I continue to be amazed every day when I read letters to the editor regarding what people consider to be the lack of integrity on behalf of Keith Caldwell.

Two weeks ago, video from an undercover investigation at Norco Ranch, owned by Missouri-based Moark, was released to the public showing pitiful images of animals abused at a California factory farm. The undercover investigator not only recorded images of four to six birds crammed into small cages and unable to extend their wings, but also dead birds in cages, birds with legs or other body parts caught in the wire caging and the animals living in absolute filth and squalor.

Perhaps the most telling moment in the presidential campaign occurred when Mr. Obama encountered Joe Wurzelbacher (better known as Joe the Plumber) on the campaign trail. You may recall their dialogue. Joe: “Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn’t it?” Sen. Obama: “It’s not that I want to punish your success ... It’s that ... I think when you spread the wealth around it’s good.”

Californians face many decisions to vote on. Proposition 4 would require a physician’s office or clinic to provide parents or guardians with a 48-hour notice before a minor has an abortion, giving parents a chance to counsel their daughter any way they choose. No notification would be necessary in the case of a medical emergency. If a child feared abuse by the parent, the physician would be allowed to notify other family members. The child could also seek a waiver from the court.

I am writing this letter to my fellow residents of Napa County to talk about Proposition 8. I ask you to consider what I have to say when you go to vote, and vote no on 8.

Here is an interesting article from Timothy Carney, which gives a quick and dirty analysis (click here to read) of most of the races around the country including the Presidential race.

Why do I dislike so many political partisans? Let me count the ways.

Normally, this would be the moment the Register would encourage people to get out and vote on Tuesday, to exercise a precious freedom and right that is the envy of people around the world.

Dear editor, The workers at the school district are asking you to support Joe Schunk for school board. Joe has a diverse exposure to the students on the Vintage campus. With his family he represents both special-needs students and traditional students, making Joe a well-rounded advocate for parents and students. It is important to have a voice for all students and Joe provides this.

Dear editor, I am writing in support of Gary Simpson. I served 30 years in law enforcement with the Napa Police Department before retiring. Initially I worked with Gary Simpson at the NPD before he moved to the Napa County Sheriff’s Office.

Dear editor, To my friends who state they are not against homosexuals but prefer that they enter domestic partnerships rather than marry, I have argued that these two options are not equal.

Dear editor, Somewhere along the way the yes on 8 people adopted the misleading moniker of being the “family values” team. Trouble is they only value families that follow some prescribed formula they have. They certainly don’t value my family. And as far as their concern for the children, let me share with you my personal encounter with a “yes-er.”

Dear editor, I am writing in support of Gary Simpson for supervisor of District 5. These are tough economic times and I do not want a supervisor that doesn’t do his research before approving education incentives for employees, as Caldwell did. I want someone who will be fiscally responsible and has a proven track record as Gary Simpson does. At this point in time we cannot afford anything less. We need a supervisor with common sense. We need a supervisor we can trust. My vote goes to Gary Simpson.

Dear editor, Why Gary Simpson? Gary’s tenure in and knowledge of our community, his person integrity, and his overarching view of our county clearly make him the best candidate for supervisor of the 5th district. He has a long, distinguished career serving the people of Napa County. His co-workers, as substantiated in previous letters, highly regard him. I have known him for years and can adamantly vouch for his integrity. His tenure in our county has built a knowledge base of people and issues that far surpass his opponent. I know he will work hard for the 5th district as well as the county as a whole. I urge you to cast your ballot for Gary Simpson for supervisor.

Dear editor, I am wondering if any of your readers has noticed the photo of a mannequin made to resemble Sarah Palin with a noose around her neck hanging from the eaves of a roof in Hollywood.

Dear editor, This is a thank you to all who responded to our recent advertisement welcoming new members to the Napa Valley Republican Women Federated.

Dear editor, As the election is quickly upon us, I find myself pondering more often who I would like to be the next District 5 supervisor. As with any election and decision to be made, I have weighed the pros and the cons of each of the candidates. It is during this time I find myself realizing the obvious choice for District 5 supervisor is Gary Simpson.

Dear editor, In my favorite book on hiring, “Hiring Smart,” the author suggests that the best predictor of future behavior is what the candidate has done in the past. The election and hiring processes are quite similar. As we “hire” our next supervisor to represent District 5, we know that it’s impossible to predict all the issues that will come up in the next four years. That’s why it’s so important to select the person with the best track record, which is why I am supporting Gary Simpson.

Recently I was looking at all the comments after an article on Obama’s tax plan, and noting how over the top the Republican commenters were about Obama. I thought of writing something sarcastic, like "Obama is going to use his Marxist social engineering policies to support domestic terrorism through an oppressive tax code on teeny tiny business owners while promoting both Muslim terrorism and black liberation theology, thereby installing Bill Ayers as the Secretary of Defense yada yada yada...."

My topic is family dinners. I could use some more ideas for quick, healthy, and inexpensive dinners.

My fourth grade son has an animal report due on Wednesday. I helped him to set a schedule so that all he has to do tonight is to put the pictures he printed on the pages and he is done. No 10 pm on Tuesday and we are still at it! Sometimes being a parent is great.

My 23 month old son is hitting the terrible twos a tad early. Everything is “NO” and “MINE” right now. When I won’t let him do what he wants to do (like pull out all of the DVDs), mostly I say “not for babies” and pull him away (he doesn’t like it, but oh well). Well sometimes, I feel my blood pressure rising and say “NO” myself (not exactly good modeling) and come on too strong; he cries and sometimes I cry.  Sometimes being a parent makes me crazy.

Barack Obama chose Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate ... what do you think of the choice?

(Editor's note: The comments on this crashed about 9:30 a.m Friday, right after McCain's announcement. We were able to rebuild most but not all of the comments)