THE NOVEMBER NUMBERS GAME

Amendment 16: Obscenity
In one of the quirkiest coalitions of the campaign season, Denver socialites have joined with porn-again Christians to push for Amendment 16, which would allow local communities to set the standards for what they deem obscene. (My nomination: the ungodly amount of attention paid to high society in Denver's dailies.) Not only does this measure raise the specter of censorship, but it's entirely unnecessary. While Colorado's constitution generously supports freedom of expression, there's always the U.S. Constitution to put the brakes on the fun. Vote no.

Amendment 17: Term Limits
Term limits are this decade's pet-rock fad of the conservative movement--and a real millstone around the necks of truly valuable politicians. Colorado was one of the first states to adopt term limitations four years ago; this measure would extend those restrictions by limiting local elected officials to two consecutive terms and congressional representatives to three--for a total of six years in the House, hardly enough time to unpack their pencils, much less affect policy. By passing Amendment 17, Colorado would essentially strip its congressional delegation of any real power--and discourage many able candidates on the local level.

If Republicans really want to get rid of Pat Schroeder, why don't they try running--and funding--a viable candidate?

Vote no.

Amendment 18: State Medical Assistance Repayment
Remember, we're not talking trust-fund babies here. Although the ostensible rationale for this measure is to hold families accountable for their offspring's actions, it's hard to hold them accountable when they don't have anything in their accounts. This amendment would require that Medicaid costs incurred in pregnancy and birth be repaid by the parent not directly involved (presumably the father) or, if that parent is a minor, repaid by the baby's grandparents. Besides the fact that this amendment would require the state to seek waivers from conflicting federal statutory provisions, wouldn't it make more sense to let the relatives concentrate on supporting the baby instead of hocking their belongings to pay for the birth? Vote no.

Special bonus questions!

Referendum A: Single Subject for Initiatives and Referenda
After wading through this year's ballot (particularly the muck and mire of Amendment 12), most voters will find it difficult to fault the notion of confining any measure proposed by initiative or referendum to a single subject--and making sure that that subject is clearly expressed in the title. No more gambling bills disguised as school-revenue sources! Critics of the proposal--which was endorsed by 99 percent of Colorado's lawmakers--point to snafus in Florida, where a similar measure has tied up initiatives in the courts. But since Colorado's proposals invariably see plenty of legal action before they make the ballot, it's unlikely that this measure would do anything but help untangle the mess. Vote yes.

Referendum B: Ballot Information Booklet
Ditto. The General Assembly's Legislative Council already prepares a handy pro/con analysis of ballot measures that is enormously helpful. This proposal would call for sending it out to all Colorado voters rather than making it available on demand. (Extra points this election to state representative Ken Gordon, who sent the council's analysis to voters at his own expense.) By the time you've gotten this far, B should be a no-brainer. Vote yes and I won't have to write this election-year column again.

Referendum C: Post-Conviction Bail
Of all the mind-numbing minutiae on this year's ballot, C may be the winner. It purportedly cleans up a constitutional provision adopted by voters in 1982 that may have inadvertently created an absolute constitutional right to post-conviction bail for most types of convicted offenders. But then again, it may not.

When in doubt, remember: You should never end a sentence with a proposition. Vote no.