zzzReader Polls

Reports from Sacramento and throughout the country show that many people leave much of their civility at home when on the hunt for cheap prices on Christmas gifts, yelling and fighting with other early-bird shoppers. How about you? Are you part of the scrum for door-busting deals and slashed-to-the-bone prices? Would you fight to pay less?

The Sacramento Kings are not only playing poor basketball this season, they are emerging as a group of players who don't seem to get along with one an other or, at least some of them, with officials and players from other teams. Have you seen enough of the team to develop an opinion about how the players comport themselves? What do you think of their collective team personality?

During the recent general election, the electorates in Washington and Colorado voted to legalize personal, recreational use of marijuana, becoming the first states to go beyond permitting pot use for medical purposes. In California, where the movement to decriminalize and legalize marijuana started, the fight over pot's status continues with no clear resolution. should personal, recreation use of marijuana be legalized in California?

California Democrats, including Gov. Jerry Brown, are celebrating their increased clout, but the 74-year-old governor's agenda will depend on whether he can maintain that partnership while keeping the most liberal elements of the party at bay. How do you think the relationship will develop?

Portions of the Sacramento River levee south of the river's confluence with the American River have been closed to public access, fenced off by residents next to parts of the levee who have been allowed to fence the levee and keep it for private access only. However, a city plan to allow complete access to the levee has been revived, eliciting support from some quarters but anger from others. Do you think the public should have that increased access to the levee?

The West Sacramento-based grocery story chain Raley's reports that it is losing money as employees prepare for a possible strike. It would be the first strike in Raley's 77-year history and the first by Sacramento grocery employees in several years. Would such a labor action affect you or your shopping habits?

The Sacramento City Council has debated several aspects of the medical marijuana issue, most recently considering whether people licensed to grow legal pot -- they currently are restricted to raising plants indoors -- should be allowed to move their gardens outdoors. Do you think growing medical marijuana outdoors should be OK?

Starting next week, homeless people, at the behest of the Loaves & Fishes charity, will undertake cleanup work at sites on the American River Parkway and other places used by homeless people as living space. Skeptics say the effort is a public relations move to create a better image for the homeless, but other people say it could foster goodwill between the charity and its neighbors. How do you view it?

Nearly 11 months have passed since University of California, Davis, police used pepper spray on protesting students, an incident recorded on video a widely seen and commented upon. On Tuesday, thousands of pages of documents relating to the incident were released, providing previously unseen information. Considering how much time has passed and how much comment has been made about the incident, has your opinion about it changed?

Analysts blame record-high gasoline prices in California on production disruptions at refineries throughout the state and even predict that prices will recede soon. In the meantime, the cost to fill fuel tanks remains daunting to many residents. Will these high prices change your approach to driving?

After years of having a scruffy, worn-out field for its football team, Burbank High School, in the middle of a region of Sacramento hit hard by crime and poverty, has a fine new stadium that has become a source of community-wide pride. Can a new football stadium have a real, positive effect on a community facing other socio-economic troubles?

In 2011, homeless people were deemed to be camping illegally and moved off the disputed ground by Sacramento authorities. During that process, the property of many of those homeless people was taken by police, seizures that subsequently were ruled to be illegal. As a result, the city was ordered to reimburse 1,100 people for the lost property at a cost to Sacramento of about $850,000 plus legal expenses. Was it proper that those payments were made?

Proposition 35, one of the 2012 general election ballot initiatives, would significantly increase penalties for people convicted of involvement in human trafficking. Before debate and discussion of the initiative, did you know that there was much of a problem?

In a settlement announced Wednesday, the 21 UC Davis students who were hit with pepper spray by university police in November will each receive about $30,000, plus a personal written apology from Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi. Is that a reasonable deal?

The city and business people have put plenty of money and effort into rehabilitating and renovating a stretch of K Street that had been a downtown Sacramento sore spot for many years. Will those efforts - and the resulting new businesses gracing the street - entice you to check it out?

Ownership of Sacramento's Downtown Plaza has changed, enhancing chances that the mall that once made downtown a popular option for shoppers could again offer retail opportunities and shopping experiences that draw the masses back to it. Would you be willing to give the once-hopping stretch of stores, eateries and other attractions another chance?

Capital Nursery, for decades a Sacramento gardening and landscape landmark, is closing for good. Considering its reputation and popularity, what sort of void do you think will be created by its passing?

Law-enforcement statistics show that crime increased in the Sacramento and parts of the surrounding area during the first six months of 2012, a sharp contrast with declines the city had enjoyed for several years. What do you think is the cause of the unwelcome change?

Sacramento city leaders are considering the issue of disabled parking and whether too many people -- those who don't really need close-in parking -- have access to the spaces set aside for people with disabilities. What do you think, is access to disabled parking going to the wrong people?

Campaign spending in the June primary on Sacramento city races exceeded $2 million, with Mayor Kevin Johnson's run to keep his seat costing $541,000. The increasing spending, by candidates and Political Action Committees, to secure election emphasizes a powerful facet of modern politics. What do you think of big money coming to town?

Juanita Reyes, an undocumented immigrant who was arrested for trespassing after selling tamales on Walmart property in south Sacramento, was held in Sacramento County jail for 13 days based on the sheriff's department's policy of holding undocumented arrestees until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement takes or releases them. Is it a fair policy?

In addition to an annual cost of about $1 million, the system that adds fluoride to Sacramento's public drinking water needs up to $4 million in upgrades. Considering that other sources of fluoridation are available to consumers, should the city continue fluoridating its water?

Opening ceremonies are tonight, and there has been plenty of hype leading up to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. On top of that, several athletes with ties to the Sacramento region are scheduled to compete. Will you be following the Games for the next couple of weeks?

Plans are advancing for a 35-mile expressway connecting the eastern reaches of Sacramento County with the south area, cutting through much land is currently undeveloped. Supporters see potential for the Capital SouthEast Connector to offer a quicker commute and to ease pressure on Highway 50. Others say the road will spur unwanted development. What do you think?

Angered by the lethal approach used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services to control nuisance coyotes, the city of Davis has terminated its contract with the agency. Is Davis correct in opposing the agency's use of lethal force against the animals?

Both houses of the California Legislature have approved financing for the first part of a $68 billion high-speed rail project that eventually could connect key parts of the state. Is it wise to spend such significant amounts of money on the project?

When Sacramento county officials decided to ban alcohol on the American River during some holidays, they said it was because drunk revelers were causing problems and creating a dangerous environment. Do you think the ruling was the right thing to do?

A key state employees union has agreed to accept 12 furlough days during the new fiscal year, representing a 4.62 percent cut in hours and pay and saving the state an estimated $839 million. Is it fair for the Brown administration to ask state employees to take such as reduction in benefits?

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, known more commonly as universal health care or "Obamacare" after President Barack Obama, who championed it. Do you agree with the court's ruling?

The state Legislature is considering a bill to allow sale of "safe-and-sane" fireworks during the week after Christmas in addition to the week of July 4. Supporters argue expanded sales would provide significant new revenue for nonprofit organizations that sell the fireworks, but opponents suggest safety and environmental issues make allowing more sales unwise. What do you think?

California lawmakers say they are working within the parameters of voter-approved Proposition 25, which changed the required margin for passing a state budget but, critics say, does not give the public a good look at what's being done behind the scenes. What do you think of the way legislators are handling their annual budgeting duties?

Beginning in July, California restaurants will be banned from selling foie gras, a dining delicacy but one that requires force feeding of ducks and geese, whose overblown livers are used for the dish. Is the state doing the right thing in banning foie gras, or is it an example of governmental regulatory overreach?

President Obama announced on June 15 a new policy ending deportation of illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children, a policy that could affect more than 1 million people. What do you think of the president's move?