opinion

No on 8 and Yes on McCain? (UPDATED)

I wonder if many Californians will vote no on 8 but yes for McCain. I'd like to see those numbers afterward. Seems like it would be an odd thing to do, but I have a funny feeling more than a few people will do it and some of them will come from our industry.

I suspect that those who do "split" their vote will have done so because they still hew to the fantasy that Republicans protect free markets more diligently than Democrats. But they need to get over that hoary canard, which was finally shot dead about a month ago.

They also need to realize that even if Obama wanted to dismantle the free market system, which he doesn't, it would be an impossible task. If anything, he'll put some refs back on the field, which is what we really need. If he tries to go much further than that, I suspect even a filibuster-proof Democratic Congress will bite his hand hard. (Unless they're the ones that instigate it!)

As far as taxes go, I've been alive long enough to know better than to take the promise of raising or lowering tax rates as anything but campaign sloganeering. Candidates always promise one or the other but often have to eat their words. Basically, I think voting for or against a presidential candidate because of taxes is myopic and self-serving (in a bad way.)

My hesitant suggestion is that socially progressive Republicans take another look toward the future and keep their minds fixated on the role the courts will play in the protection of our civil liberties. It is in that arena that our vulnerable rights will be brought to ruin faster than any outside threat could possibly accomplish.

*UPDATE*

Looks like I may have had it backwards and a lot of people, including perhaps a majority of African-Americans, voted yes on 8 and yes on Obama. I voted no on 8 and yes on Obama, which I feel was more consistent and far less ironic.

At any rate, they still haven't called it, even though the latest numbers, just pulled of the County Registrar website, are distressingly close.

SAME-SEX INITIATIVE
YES 1,317,125 - 50.4%
NO 1,296,319 - 49.6%

It's over. Intolerance prevailed once again. One of the last great battles for universal civil rights goes on. I am deeply ashamed for California, Florida and Arizona, but especially California! We should be leading the nation in this great struggle, not pandering to those who would deny to others what they have always had for themselves.

Here's an interactive map that shows the geographic breakdown of the vote.

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

Retailer Tips for Building Customer Trust, Loyalty

Want to increase customer traffic and deepen engagement in 2026? Then it’s time to look beyond quick wins and start building true loyalty.

Staci Cruse ·
opinion

How Platforms Can Tap AI to Moderate Content at Scale

Every day, billions of posts, images and videos are uploaded to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X. As social media has grown, so has the amount of content that must be reviewed — including hate speech, misinformation, deepfakes, violent material and coordinated manipulation campaigns.

Christoph Hermes ·
opinion

How AI-Powered Loss Prevention Can Help Your Store

Years ago, I was deeply involved in upgrading the security camera system at a store in Hawaii. The process took several months. We provided store diagrams, mapped out camera lines of sight, waited for quotes, then coordinated with a contractor to install everything. It cost thousands — and by the time I left that position, the system still wasn’t fully operational.

Zondre Watson ·
opinion

What DSA and GDPR Enforcement Means for Adult Platforms

Adult platforms have never been more visible to regulators than they are right now. For years, the industry operated in a gray zone: enormous traffic, massive data volume and minimal oversight. Those days are over.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

5 Product Trends Retail Buyers Should Bet On in 2026

In 2026, expect consumers to prioritize one thing above all else: comfort.

Sunny Rodgers ·
opinion

Making the Case for Network Tokens in Recurring Billing

A declined transaction isn’t just a technical error; it’s lost revenue you fought hard to earn. But here’s some good news for adult merchants: The same technology that helps the world’s largest subscription services smoothly process millions of monthly subscriptions is now available to you as well.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Exploring the Shift Toward Pleasure Products Designed for All Bodies

The last few years have seen a positive change in our industry, as more brands and innovators are finally prioritizing accessibility. Whether they call it inclusive design, adaptive pleasure or accessible intimacy, the aim remains the same: Pleasure should be accessible to everyone, including people with limited mobility or physical disabilities.

Alexandra Bouchard ·
opinion

Navigating Age Verification Laws Without Disrupting Revenue

With age verification laws now firmly in place across multiple markets, merchants are asking practical questions: How is this affecting traffic? What happens during onboarding? Which approaches are proving workable in real payment flows?

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

How January Retail Sales Prime the Pump for Valentine's Day

January may look quiet on paper, but anyone who has worked in a pleasure store knows that the first month of the year has a very particular energy.

Rin Musick ·
profile

WIA: Corrinne Musick Fosters Harmonious Retail Relations at Sportsheets

Wherever there’s a retailer needing guidance, a trade show booth crowded with buyers or a curious YouTube viewer looking for sex education, there you’ll find Sportsheets’ traveling pleasure product expert, Corrine Musick.

Colleen Godin ·
Show More