Opinion

Although much can be said about the problems in America's health care system, perhaps even more can be said about a huge road block in health care effectiveness the world over: pharmaceutical companies. Through a variety of minute techniques that the average person may not even think about, pharmaceutical companies are able to pluck the pockets of both the American poor and wealthy alike. Moreover, due to the citizens of some impoverished nations having no finances to sweep up, some pharmaceutical companies simply refuse to make their products available in some countries.

On our way back to our apartment after eating at Burger King, my roommate and I spotted the Irvine Republican headquarters. Not wanting to pass up an opportunity to meet actual conservatives, we decided to pay a visit. As we pulled up to the headquarters, a nice old lady asked if we wanted to volunteer. We politely declined and smiled. She then asked where we were from, and we told her that we were students from UC Irvine. She paused and said, "You guys are Democrats then." Damn.

Physical exhibition of feelings not proper to Germans, survey says. Christians still crazy.

Florida still a swing state; Governator hits campaign trail; UC Davis researchers to curb horny squirrels with birth control program; Toshio Tamogami not up on 20th Century history; Kim Jong Il still crazy.

Prop 2's goal is to give farm animals in California enough room in their cages to turn around, lie down and stretch their limbs. This is a moderate, reasonable step toward making farming in California more humane.

When you restrict access to contraceptives, you affect the foundation of strong families. According to a recent National Public Radio report, nearly 750,000 teenagers will become pregnant this year and three out of every 10 American girls will get pregnant at least once before they hit their 20th birthday. That's a lot of teen pregnancies.

Proposition 11, if passed, will transfer redistricting powers from California's legislature, a body of mostly incumbent politicians, to an unelected, independent 14-member commission. The commission would establish districts for the Board of Equalization, state senate and state assembly. However, the state legislature will still retain the power to draw congressional districts.

Proposition 9, the "Victims' Bill of Rights Act 2008: Marsy's Law," is an unnecessary, costly and ill-conceived proposition that erodes criminal justice with little addition to existing victims' rights.

In this historic election year, we can do better. Economic meltdown, a chance to reform the administrative branch, Tampa Bay in the World Series—obviously this year is huge. It's time for us to demand that our government take us into account for once when crafting policy. We have to stand up to support those initiatives that will make California a better place. We also have to stand up to oppose initiatives that won't, such as Proposition 10.

Proposition 11 is the most common-sense issue Arnold Schwarzenegger has supported for years. The act finally wrests control of the district lines from the cadre of politicians who have gerrymandered this state into a bureaucratic monolith.

With America's recent economic downturn and decline in morale stemming from, among other causes, foreign policy failures in the Middle East, the last eight years have been reason enough for the majority of Americans to have a lack of faith in the executive branch. For this reason, Americans need a change and that change is Barack Obama, the best choice for this country's next president and the New University editorial board strongly endorses his historic candidacy.

Despite all the frills there are to living in Southern California, one issue that cannot be denied is the state government's apathy toward pedestrians who are outside of its most metropolitan areas.