2008 Massachusetts Ballot Questions

The Socialist Party of Massachusetts takes the following positions on the three statewide ballot questions in 2008.

• Vote NO on Question 1, which would eliminate the state income tax. Eliminating the income tax would require both severe budget cuts as well as increases to regressive taxes such as property taxes and sales taxes. In combination, this would further devastate our communities, already under pressure from harsh neoliberal economics and the mortgage meltdown. The Socialist Party calls for steeply graduated income taxes and other progressive taxes, to fund social services and a livable guaranteed annual income.

• Vote YES on Question 2, which would decriminalize possession of small amounts (one ounce or less) of marijuana. The Socialist Party calls for the decriminalization of all drug use and an end to the destructive and counter-productive “war on drugs”. We view drug abuse and addiction as medical, not criminal, problems, and call for treatment through comprehensive community-based, client-controlled rehabilitation programs.

• Vote YES on Question 3, which would ban dog racing. The Socialist Party recognizes the rights of animals to live free from unnecessary pain and suffering of the sort inflicted upon racing dogs. Opponents of Question 3 argue it would result in lost jobs. We call for full employment policies to create jobs in socially beneficial and non-exploitative industries.