Now that the state's budget ordeal is over -- temporarily -- Californians should harness the outrage the weeks of gridlock engendered and push for substantive changes in state government. We offer a few ideas in today's editorial, including redistricting, open primaries, term limits, campaign finance and an end to secrecy in public policy debates.
It won't be easy to make changes in those areas; entrenched special interests will fight most of them tooth-and-nail. But in the absence of real changes, we're doomed to endure the mess that just ended over and over again.
Indeed, it would stand to reason to forge the iron while it is hot. But it is not going to happen unless a group of dedicated, educated and influential California "patriots" will lead the way, will make it happen. Where are they? Who are they? I don't have to tell you, Russ Minick, that the American Revolution was hardly a grass root uprising. It was a group of educated, dedicated "patriots" who brought independence to fruition. What turned out to be rather grass root was the French Revolution which produced a lot of headless corpses, but little well organized law and order government. And the same happened in Russia. I fully realize that I am encumbered by the double whammy of being a European immigrant, and that I am an intellectual. It seems the broader strata of American culture always had something against the highbrow, the egghead. Is it 'nurd?" today. Our current cultural preoccupation has to return to above the waist (for one) and we must not summarily dismiss all that which we don't understand.
I can think of a Californian who fills the bill of being dedicated patriot, intellectual and the privilege of being influential. But the California man on the street just calls him names; such as moonbeam. (I don't understand the inference.) Over and out!
I think the reforms need to dig even deeper into how our state is run. Each agency within the state has intimate knowledge of how their agency can be more efficient. They know where money is being wasted and where it could be better spent. Many times these changes are limited by legal requirements. Then we fix the legal framework causing these inefficiencies.
Also, I think it would be great if the state listed ALL agencies and special programs, their budgets and their purpose in one place for the public to take a good look at. Links could be added to the sites for those programs to post background as to why they need their budget (IN DETAIL). There are many taxpayers with the expertise needed to recommending cuts. In addition, taxpayers can notify our legislators which "special programs" we are no longer willing to pay for. The list will be incredibly long but we need to see it. Let's get everything out in the open and begin "talks" with the taxpayers. Taxpayers we need to be ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work being involved in our own future; constructive criticism and frequent communication is the way to go. Let's get to it.
Kim Tanksley. From your lips to God's ear! We cannot achieve it without the well organized, influential cadre to sweep the masses along. We must find again those who are willing to mutually pledge fortune and sacred honor.
Well, I was amazed and impressed by State Senator, Abel Maldonado's tenacity to hold out for his constituency and maybe his principles as well. This son of immigrants and a millionaire in his own right. He had the guts to take both political parties to task. Somebody should pass this along to Ruben Navarette, Jr. to help him find his political voice.
To vote for the platform and commitment to it (as in many nations) seemed boring. I thought that the personality cult added spice. Even that the candidate can promise sun, moon and stars while running for office, but once elected deliver nothing but a black hole sucking in our tax dollars. But I am not so sure any longer that the required adherence to the platform is a downside. Right now, We the People of California have become irrelevant to government other than paying for it. The political parties have usurped the right to rule instead of to "govern with the consent of the governed" (Declaration of Independence ) The parties have assumed the role of judge and executioner of the members of their party, who had been elected by the people. Example: Let us say that we the Republicans of City Numero Uno wanted that budget approved (for some insane reasons) then it is the duty of the Republican guy we put into office to do all that is possible to get that budget passed. And if the Republican party does not like it, well that would be just too bad. Who do they think they are to assume the right to punish the legislator who did what the people wanted him to do....support the insane budget. And that is how parliamentary systems work. And if the people are dissatisfied with a legislator, don't vote for him/her again, have a recall or an impeachment, whatever a given situation would demand. But the political parties have to stop believing that they are the law of the land. It is for the people, by the people . Perhaps we need more than just two influential parties to balance the scales of power.
Isabell, you really hit the nail on the head with this words:
"We the People of California have become irrelevant to government other than paying for it. The political parties have usurped the right to rule instead of to "govern with the consent of the governed" (Declaration of Independence ) The parties have assumed the role of judge and executioner of the members of their party, who had been elected by the people."
Well Done!
Mind-boggling $ 83 million on California Proposition 8, reaching into California's bedrooms. That's the kind of stimulus Californians need to take back control of California government. One name has been put on the table... Maldonado; Abel, California State Senator. Right now his party affiliation is irrelevant. At the moment, to trade on it might even be a hindrance. Let us heed the good advise and begin to forge forward. There shall be good men/women to provide the impetus needed to carry it forward. But we the masses (for lack of a better term) must be there to follow the lead. Tallyho! Let it begin in the merry month of May.
"Dizzy"...I don't think that $83 M was taxpayer money but agree that it was a waste because some liberal judge ignored the will of the people.
Mr. Murray! I never said or implied that those $83 million came from taxes. And if you can't resist putting words into my mouth, could you, perhaps, give me the courtesy to forget my existence. Thank you!