I think the ACLU might be behind this.

Proposition 2 - Standards for Confining Farm Animals. Initiative Statute Summary Requires that calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs be confined only in ways that allow these animals to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn around freely. Exceptions made for transportation, rodeos, fairs, 4-H programs, lawful slaughter, research and veterinary purposes. Provides misdemeanor penalties, including a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment in jail for up to 180 days. Fiscal Impact: Potential unknown decrease in state and local tax revenues from farm businesses, possibly in the range of several million dollars annually. Fiscal Impact: Potential minor local and state enforcement and prosecution costs, partly offset by increased fine revenue. What a Yes or No Vote Means YES: A “YES” vote on this measure means: Beginning in 2015, state law would prohibit, with certain exceptions, the confinement on a farm of pregnant pigs, calves raised for veal, and egg-laying hens in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs. NO: A “NO” vote on this measure means: State law would not contain prohibitions specifically concerning the confinement of pregnant pigs, calves raised for veal, and egg-laying hens.

I can't believe that we have to vote on this. I think this is a good cause, but I am openly going to vote no, and here is why:

If I were a farm animal, by the time I am pregnant, I will have accepted that the purpose of my life was to be killed and eaten. I might have even realized that the purpose of my race (be it pig, chicken, etc.) was to be eaten by humans.

Really. We've all seen Charlotte's Web. And even though I didn't realize it when I watched it as a kid, there are a lot of pigs that die in that movie. It might be arguable that they aren't intelligent enough to make those observations. But then I might argue that nobody knows if a pig is sore because he doesn't have enough space to move. When was the last time that you were a pig and your feet hurt?

As for me, I will let Alex get us a pet pig. And we will give it all the room a little pig wants to move around. Even if it is pregnant.

And one day, I might have bacon for breakfast.