Reality Check: Rebutting The Misinformation Of Prop. H

Voters in San Francisco have been subjected to one of the most misleading campaigns in recent memory - the campaign for Prop. H. Time and again, the supporters of the measure have shown a willingness to repeat disinformation and half-truths in order to convince the public how to vote on Election Day.

Worse, the other side continues to call anyone who doesn’t buy in to their campaign rhetoric “liars” - but of course refuse to answer some basic questions about the measure, as written by the politicians who want unlimited authority to spend money, without any checks or balances.

First, and most important is the issue of revenue bonds. As written today, the measure gives the Board of Supervisors revenue bond issuing authority it doesn’t have now. More importantly, the measure allows them to start issuing bonds for ANYTHING they want. Voters are being told the bonds would be used for clean energy - but there are absolutely no guarantees.

There’s no vote of the people to act as a “check” against some politically motivated plan to take over telephone, Internet, or garbage service. Supporters of the measure don’t like talking about this loophole, but it’s important voters realize they’re being subjected to the “bait and switch” tactics of the snake oil salesman.

Second, voters are being told that the City will be using “clean energy” for its electrical needs. Again, reading the measure, as written by advocates, we find that the devil’s in the details - in this case, they’ve redefined “clean” energy as simply “non-nuclear” power. If the City goes in the power business, it’ll also be exempt from California’s strict new laws governing clean energy production.

Again, the voters are being subjected to the bait and switch. They’re being told that they’re voting on “clean energy” but in fact, the politicians who’ll be in charge of the City’s power system can use any power source they like - and no one can stop them. The state can’t regulate them, and the voters will be left holding the bag with potentially worse sources of power than they use today.

Finally, the tactics in this campaign have been truly astonishing, as supporters of the measure have released deceptive Internet campaign ads implying that Senator Obama has endorsed the measure (he has taken no position on it), and promoting videos online with foul language and outright falsehoods about PG&E’s record on clean energy.

Voters should reject the measure and send a message - we don’t like being misled, and we don’t like being patronized by politicians at City Hall who think they know what’s best for us. The voters of San Francsico have shown an incredible ability to lead the nation on many important issues. Let’s also show that voters here won’t be fooled by misleading campaigns that say one thing and do another.