The Laughing Wolf: Some Thoughts On California Recall

August 13, 2003

Some Thoughts On California Recall

Since I don't live in California, I have not been concentrating on this too much, but did want to offer up some quick thoughts.

First, I have met Gov. Davis and was not impressed. While it was a brief meeting and in conjunction with a trade event, I quickly got the impression of a man who was more interested in power and the trappings of power than anything else. While I don't think it a fully apt comparison, I was reminded somewhat of Heinlein's book Friday and the skewering of California politics and politicians in it. Given my impressions and some discussions then, I have been less than surprised at the California energy crisis and other goings on.

I have not met Arnold (only a co-star of his), but have known for years of his business savvy and dealings. The man does know finance, which may actually be an impediment dealing with California politics and bureaucracy.

Of the other candidates, the ones I take seriously are Huffington and Uberoth. Both have good minds, but there is little other data on which to go.

In terms of the Lt. Gov., I think Leno missed a sure bet when he decided to go with the illness route on the jokes. To me, the name brings out a big, comfortable, totally impractical car. The same big overly comfortable vehicle in which Californians have been riding towards the edge of the cliff for a while now. If someone is smart, they will pick this up and use it as a campaign tactic.

The porn star displaying her qualifications for office was entertaining, and it was amusing to see some of the single-idea folks out and about.

Amidst the circus, a strong message is being sent to politicians everywhere, and this is not getting the media coverage it should. The message is simple: do your job, or else. The electorate is getting tired of the same old, same old, and republicrats of all stripes should take note. This recall election has the chance to radically shift American politics, and not just by a simple change.

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Posted by wolf1 at August 13, 2003 01:27 PM | TrackBack

Comments

I find it hard to take Huffington seriously and I haven't seen anything from Ueberoth yet. Arnold is getting all the press coverage at the national level, it seems, but I don't care much about that.

You are probably right about Davis, though. It should be interesting to see how he spends his money this time.

The real 'Do your job' message will be aimed at the legislature. 2004 should be inteesting too.

Posted by: Alfred Differ at August 14, 2003 01:52 AM

While the constitution and the laws of the state of California may allow a concurrent recall ballot and governor ballot, my question is:

What is the purpose for the office of Lt. Governor? Isn't the purpose of this office to provide a ready substitute for the elected governor, should he be removed from office by accident, fate, or recall?

As it now is interpreted, the law apparently allows (and encourages) Italian-style governance by poll, with governments formed, discarded, and re-formed without regard to the "normal" terms of service in office. All one needs to overthrow a duly elected government is enough "valid" signatures on a petition. No dialogue, no compromise--merely the will of the dissatisfied activists.

This is what the Founding Fathers wanted?

Posted by: English Werewolf at August 14, 2003 05:14 AM

I have severe doubts that any of what we have right now is what they wanted: large, all-powerful federal, weak but bloated state, province/county, city, etc. The whole idea was designed to be somewhat minimalist. California in all its glory would probably give them miocardial infarctions.

The problem is that some form of recall clearly is needed so that those who fail can be taken out; yet, at the same time we need to avoid the pitfalls a la Italia and similar.

Actually, the real problem is that we have a very comfortable group of politicians who seem to have forgotten that they serve the people at the will of the people and for the good of the people; not for the benefit of those governing. So, in that way I am glad to see a lot of "amateurs" as they were so dismissively called earlier today as opposed to professional pols. California is a warning to all of us: to the politicians, it is a warning that the public is fed up with the hogs at the public trough; to the rest of us, that we need to be careful in how we go about things.

As for concrete solution to a good system, well, that will take some time. :)

Posted by: Laughing Wolf at August 14, 2003 07:46 PM

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