Every election could use a song

As a kid growing up in Los Angeles in the 1970's, I watched a lot of Saturday morning cartoons. In between Bugs Bunny and HR Puffnstuff there would be these musical interludes, called Schoolhouse Rock!. In the early morning hours on a non-school day I would learn about how a bill becomes a law, that three is a magic number, plus some grammar, economics and science thrown in.

I'm guessing many of my fellow GenXers were also strongly influenced by this series. So many times I've reminisced with friends about how valuable it was to learn about important stuff through song.

That's why in 2000, when California voters were facing 20 ballot propositions, I decided to write the first Proposition Song. The idea was simple: give voters a brief, 3-minute overview of each of the propositions on the ballot so they can sort them out and have a better sense of which one does what and what voting yes or no would mean.

The idea of using music and song to inform and entertain people at the same time has a long history.  Folk music originated as a way to pass along knowledge in times of widespread illiteracy. Campaign songs in the U.S. date back to 1824. Songs help win revolutions.

Most of the information voters get in elections comes from the government or campaigns and is in the written form - voter guides, pamphlets, sample ballots. Offering information in an audio/visual format gives voters an alternative to the usual. Happily voters have alternatives this election. In addition to the Proposition Song, there is SeePolitical, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group producing high-quality

two-minute animated videos about the measures on the ballot.

One of the most satisfying parts of creating the Proposition Song is that so many people want to help and participate. About a month ago, I wasn't planning on writing a song this year. With only six propositions on the ballot, I didn't have much material to work with. Plus none of the propositions rose to the "water cooler conversation" level. When CVF board members asked if there'd be a song, I told them I had the proposition blues. Well, they said, write a song about that!

The very next morning I woke up and wrote half of it by 10 a.m. The rest came a few days later. Within a week I'd recruited some friends to play it with me. We rehearsed it on a Tuesday, recorded it two days later, performed it that night, edited the video a few days after that, and released it last week. It all came together very quickly, with many people stepping in to help. I realized the Proposition Song is bigger than me. It is a community project that lots of people look forward to, and putting it all together is honestly one of the most fun parts of my job. 

California Voter Foundation's 2014 Proposition Song

A new proposition song!

Just (barely) in time for the upcoming election, I've come up with a new proposition song. Also a new

tune! I will be recording it with friends soon but in the meantime here are the lyrics.

Musicians and singers are welcome to join us on Thursday, Oct. 16 at Old Ironsides in downtown Sacramento at 7:30 p.m. to participate in the recording and performance.

Thanks to the CVF board, my friends and family, the Gerbode Foundation and undisclosed sources deep within California government for help with this project.

The first Proposition Song was for the 2000 election, followed by songs in 2006, 2010 and 2012. There is also a bootleg 2009 California Special Election song we recorded but didn't release.

Making proposition songs is something that brings me joy and I hope it does the same for you! Mostly I hope you sing and play along.

The California Proposition Blues

Tune: Traditional Blues

Lyrics: Kim Alexander

E

Just the other day it arrived in the mail,

                                                              E7

My official voter guide I said, “What the hell?”

            A7                                           E

Let’s take a look, see what it’s all about

  B7                             A7                            E             B7

I read and read but I still can’t figure it out.

Started with the first one, Proposition One

It’s not in the same guide as the rest of ‘em

It’s “Supplemental” – it arrived later on

That’s why it took a bit longer to write this song

So I went online for the pros and cons

Turns out Prop. 1 is a water bond

It could help address the drought in our state

Seven billion to pay for infrastructure that’s out of date

Prop. 2 is next, it’s a complicated one

Something about the state’s rainy day fund

If it passes, we’ll have to save more

And pay down the state’s debts faster than we did before

Bear with me now, this doesn’t make sense

But Prop. 45 is the one that comes next

It’s confusing, but watcha gonna do?

I’ll vote but still have the California Proposition Blues

See, the insurance commissioner wants more control

The health insurance companies, they say “No!”

As a voter, it’s up to you to choose

I understand if you’ve got the California Proposition Blues

The next one is also a health care prop

46 affects California’s docs

It changes the cap on medical suits

And tries to cut down on alleged doctor drug abuse.

47 is next and it deals with crime

Should non-violent offenders do less time?

Supporters say, vote yes because

They think we should change California sentencing laws

48’s unlike the rest of ‘em

No initiative, it’s a referendum

In support, some tribes they do rally

A yes vote allows a new casino in the Central Valley

If you want more info, you can go online

Try Calvoter.org we’re open all the time

We’ll help you decide who should win or lose

And help you avoid the California Proposition Blues!