To the average Californian, the package of propositions on the May 19 special election ballot may seem like a jumbled mess of convoluted budget proposals.

That’s because it is.

The propositions are the result of months of intricate negotiations between the governor and Republicans and Democrats in the legislature. They are an attempt to address the state’s dire fiscal situation, and confusing as they may be, only the voters have the constitutional authority to approve these proposals.

At this point, California’s future rests in the hands of voters. It is extremely important that voters not only vote, but take the time to research the potential impact of each of these proposals passing or failing.

The California Aggie editorial board advises the following votes:

Prop 1A – YES. This measure creates a large rainy day fund as well as institutes a spending cap on future state budgets. These are much needed reforms that must be implemented if we want to stop budget crises like this year’s from happening again. While Prop 1A isn’t perfect – it grants a questionable amount of new authority to the governor – it is far better than doing nothing. Prop 1A is long overdue.

Prop 1B – NO. Prop 1B would mandate an extra $9.3 billion of spending on K-12 and community college education, money that many say the state has been improperly withholding from schools. While the intentions behind it are good, Prop 1B is the wrong answer to this problem. It would tie the hands of the state by forcing potentially excessive spending on education no matter how bad the budget is. This is the kind of policy that has gotten the state in so much trouble in recent years. What the legislature really needs is more flexibility, not more restrictions.

Prop 1C – YES. Prop 1C would modernize the state lottery with the expectation of increased revenues due to better marketing, payouts and management. The state would then borrow from these future profits to help pay for services now. Given that the state lottery has not been modernized in 25 years, this change seems reasonable, and it has worked well in other states. Additionally, this is the measure that will have the most immediate impact on the current budget by allowing up to $5 billion of borrowing.

Props 1D and 1E – NO. Both of these propositions alter programs that were approved by voters in 1998 and 2004, respectively. Prop 1D would take money from local children’s programs to pay for state children’s services programs. Prop 1E would take money from innovative new mental health programs to pay for services provided by the state. This is clearly not what voters wanted when they approved the original measures, and it would seriously hamper efforts to improve benefits to underserved communities. The costs outweigh the benefits for both 1D and 1E.

Prop 1F – YES. This proposal would prevent legislators and other top state officials from receiving pay increases in deficit budget years. The savings this measure would bring are extremely minimal. By preventing a 3 percent salary increase for legislators, for example, the state would only save $500,000. Nonetheless, there’s a small chance such a rule could encourage legislators to work harder to balance the budget. On the whole, the impact of this measure will probably be negligible, but beyond that there is not a strong argument against it.

It’s hard not to get twitchy when all your jackass friends from high school are using the Internet to brag about the fact that they’re a final away from escaping the tyrannical government/heathens/potato famine of academia and making it across to the sweet statue of summer liberty, but if you want to look on the flipside, once you finish your midterms you can use the final weeks of school to enjoy Davis at its peak. Those pretty water polo boys are cruisin‘ on their cruisers, so it must be springtime.

Seventy-degree nights multiply the ways you can have good, wholesome fun. Flashing on back to freshman year, reminds me of parties. That’s not to say I haven’t partied since. I’m simply reminiscing about those walks down Russell in packs of fifteen. You probably don’t want to be instantly identified as first-years. It’s nothing personal, it’s just that until the new meat arrives in September in their mother’s minivans, you’re the low man on the totem pole for a little longer.

Another thing that makes freshman stand out is the fact that they dress to the nines for everything. If there’s a themed party, they go all out, and if there’s not, they dress like they’re clubbing in LA anyway. Me and my friends actually made the effort to make matching tie-dye shirts to wear on Picnic Day, not knowing that it would actually turn out to be the rainiest lousiest day ever. Later in life you’ll get lazy and just put on the default cowboy hat if you think costumes are required. A tip for getting into parties is to have a hot girl with you all times, regardless of your own gender. Two hot girls is the recommended insurance policy.

Do not be afraid of DC’ing it alone. Sitting in the DC with only yourself for company builds character. Okay, well, that’s a lie, but for God’s sake, if you can’t scarf down a cheeseburger without having your roommate hold your hand, I fear for your social sustainability. Don’t hate on the DC too much, either, because it’s straight pizza and Cup O‘ Noodles from next year on out. And discover the art of a fro-yo milkshake.

Certain recurring situations in the dorms require the discovery of teamwork, as well. Like when elevator doors open to reveal your passed-out neighbor and you have to throw him on the couch so he doesn’t get stepped on. Or you walk into the bathroom and hear someone screaming, “Help me, I’m naked!” from the showers. It’s up to you and the other good Samaritans around you to help these confused individuals out. One night, one of my friends was praying to the porcelain god when one of our other friends momentarily let go of her and her head fell into the toilet. Just imagine how crummy she would have felt had we not pulled her out of there and she’d woken up like that in the morning. Think of all the people who’ve helped you put your pants back on/get home/tell you what you did the next morning. Now feel the gratitude. Please please partake in the goodwill.

Also, since the end is so near and you’re that close to not having to give a crap, don’t be afraid to get back at your jerk roommate if you do have a jerk roommate. If she’s been stealing your cookies all year, then dagnabit, steal her boyfriend.

Don’t pass up chances at true pure innocent puppy love if you should be lucky enough to find it. You probably didn’t want the old ball and chain because you wanted to see what else was out there, but we college students are generally so hedonistic and amoral that sowing those wild oats really isn’t worth it. If you find a guy who calls you before 11 p.m., don’t shoot the poor kid down.

When you do make it home this summer and trade college stories with all your hometown friends, hopefully it’ll become clear that Davis was a bueno college decision. Running wild, making (bad) decisions and having crazy adventures is just the intro to this magical college thing. Live it.

As much as I try to hold it down, the fact that I won’t always have my entire college career before me is slightly sinking in. Change is inevitable, and there are times when I miss those days of freshman randomness. A little. Two years just sounds like a long time. And sometimes it all seems like yesterday.

MICHELLE RICK, in all frankness, is not above begging for DC swipes. Drop a line to marick@ucdavis.edu and she’ll be your BFF at least until lunch is over. 

Even in political asylum John Edwards cannot stop stealing the limelight. Earlier last week a federal investigation was launched against him for the potential abuse of public funds during his presidential election. His wife Elizabeth is currently promoting her book Resilience about the personal travails she underwent while her husband committed infidelity. For the man who seems almost politically irrelevant, the image of the smiling politician seems pretty alive in public consciousness.

But perhaps the most surprising reaction to his infidelity is their very ferocity.

John Edwards always framed his life story as a battle against difficult circumstances and debilitating adversity. Son of a mill worker, he rose to prominence as a leading senator and vice-presidential candidate. As a lawyer, he describes his goals as a crusade for the poor workers against large, exploitative corporations. For many, he appeared a model of strength, directed in resolve against the many injustices life offers. His success was an inspiring American Dream tale come true – many could have subconsciously wanted his ascension as president to make it complete.

But like all stories of overindulgence in the height of successes, he eventually dismissed his very values and succumbed to temptation.

The public office contains a special aura because its inhabitants are a reflection of the constitutional character of our values. For those seeking to assume leadership here, there is an established moral conduct and construct of behavior and engagement that must be fulfilled. The standards are exacting and rigorous.

The demands of the public office can seem exorbitant at times. Yet these demands are necessary as they can be overwhelming. The public office is an incubator of public trust. As much as officials are merely individuals prone to errors, they are volunteers of tremendous responsibility. Placed in their trust are enormous public resources, the authority for power and the privilege of public resource – they yield the power to affect billions of lives.

And while individuals and society has many imperfections, the community expects their leaders to exhibit sound judgment and stable ethical purpose. This includes the ability to resist temptation, be filial, maintain faith in God, organize family values, connect with the community and pay attention to the greater good. Thus they are there to only serve the people, independent from personal interests.

For that reason, the public official’s life is a public record. When one decides to run for public office, their lives are no longer theirs, but subject to the close examination of the public. To commit into public office is to abandon any opportunity at privacy.

For Edwards, his mistakes were twofold. The first mistake was to engage in a consensual illicit relationship with Rielle Hunter, a lady who also produced his campaign videos.

Perhaps more importantly, and what truly infuriates, is his compounding his error by continuing the affair. Despite, as Elizabeth testifies in Resilience his admission that he committed personal foresight, even as she “cried and screamed,” he subsequently continued the relationship. And he did this all while continuing to contest the Democratic primary nomination, refusing to abandon his affair. Absent was any thought of public admission, apology and recrimination. Instead, Edwards quietly hid knowledge of the relationship from the public.

In this respect, Edwards was irresponsible as he was unqualified.

In many ways, John Edwards submitted in a moment of personal weakness.

He lost control of his moral judgment despite his responsibilities as a public official. That doesn’t diminish his accomplishments as a crusader for justice or as an individual, loving family person. But the environment for public office just dictates that such a behavior and attitude isn’t tolerated.As much as Resilience is the other side of the story, ZACH HAN still thinks its somewhat a last-attempt at publicity… concur at zklhan@ucdavis.edu. 

There are tons of relationship tips lurking around in places like magazines, books, the Internet and just about everyone you know. With this overabundance of tips, it is no surprise that some of them aren’t really true. Below, I have listed four myths regarding what it takes to create a healthy relationship and what they should be instead.

Myth 1: Never lie. Many relationship connoisseurs would agree that any sort of lying is detrimental to the health of a relationship. Frequent lies will not add up in the end and it is best to avoid them. This means you can’t blame it on the dog anymore.

What it should be: Never want to lie.

People don’t lie without an incentive to lie; there is always an underlying reason. Don’t give yourself or your partner a reason to lie in the first place. If you lie about the night you went drinking with your friends, you should be concerned about why you needed to lie. Why did you blame it on the dog? Maybe your partner needs to start accepting foul odors and their true creator.

Myth 2: Take time to cuddle. If your mate is sitting there watching TV or reading a book, why not cuddle with them? Both of you will feel secure and loved with every moment of cuddling goodness.

What it should be: Take the time to huddle.

What can be more fun than holding an oversized arm-numbing hunk of meat? Let’s be honest, as relationships progress, cuddling is no more fun than wrestling a walrus. Instead of cuddling, you should huddle! In a huddle you do more than press against each other, you also communicate. Huddling is an intimate means of communication – think about it: It’s hard to be mad at each other in a huddle.

Myth 3: Set aside time for romance. When the relationship starts to go sour, you should set aside some time for romance. A romantic candle light dinner will spark your relationship back to life.

What it should be: Have romance set itself up.

The big corporations have succeeded in profiteering from our desire for romance. Just take your partner on an overpriced vacation and save your relationship from destruction! These corporations have us believing that romance is out there and we just need to go find it. Real romance just happens, regardless of the context. Romance is a state of mind and can be done anywhere, such as the park, living room, backyard, Motel 6 or even the kitchen sink (if you know what I mean).

Myth 4: Set up boundaries. Every relationship needs to set up guidelines in order for it to work. Make sure your partner knows your boundaries before they get crossed. For instance, let your partner know that you don’t want them going to strip clubs.

What it should be: Break down desires to cross boundaries.

Don’t be an oppressive dictator with rules and regulations or else V will blow up your house. We all know what happens in an oppressive government, people begin to rebel in the name of freedom. Give your partner enough rules and they will want to break them. Instead, make your partner not want to cross your boundaries. If your mate wants to go to a strip club, just strip for them, free of charge. Not only will this bring you closer together, it will abolish the need to set up rules.

This advice can also be applied to keeping your partner from cheating. Instead of constantly threatening your mate to stay with you, make them want to stay with you by keeping them attracted. Not only will this make your relationship more passionate, it will keep the two of you from cheating. And if doing this fails, then the relationship was probably not meant to be.

LIOR GOTESMAN wants you to help him with his relationship with his readers by contacting him at liorgott@gmail.com.