'Cleaner elex': democracy's doom

NY Post ^ | June 14, 2010 | George F. Will

[Scanian]

Under the current imperfect adminis tration of the universe, most new ideas are false, so most ideas for im provements make matters worse. Given California's parlous condition, making matters worse there requires ingenuity, but voters managed to do so last Tuesday.

Actually, 8.9 percent of eligible voters did. By a margin of 54.2 percent to 45.8 percent, they passed Proposition 14, the Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act. Proponents outspent opponents 20-1.

Of the approximately $4.6 million spent promoting the measure, $2 million came from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's political committee. He seems to consider this reform his defining achievement -- which, in a sense, it is. The percentage of Californians who today approve of Schwarzenegger is a number beginning with 2. But now California has adopted a candidate-selection process that is intended to nominate candidates like him.

Proposition 14 is an attempt to change government policies by changing the political process. Henceforth, in primary elections that select candidates for most state and federal offices -- including almost one-eighth of the US House of Representatives -- all voters, regardless of party registration, or those who have "decline to state" status (no party identification -- 20.2 percent of Californians) will receive the same ballot.

[muir_redwoods]

It took the Left to make earthquakes, fires and mudslides minor worries for Californians, well behind what their government might do to them.

We in the east used to worry that California might fall into the sea; now it looks like it might jump.

[Oceander]

We in the east used to worry that California might fall into the sea

Now we silently wonder if we couldn't find some way to give them a little "nudge" in the right direction!

[Nervous Tick]

>> Now we silently wonder if we couldn’t find some way to give them a little “nudge” in the right direction!

Heh. We meet Thursday at the San Andreas faultline. Bring a pick.

[Carry_Okie]

Of the approximately $4.6 million spent promoting the measure, $2 million came from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's political committee.

An outstanding example of the damage a RINO can do. This is right up there with Hiram Johnson, who castrated representative government with direct democracy via instituting the initiative process.

[Oceander]

I’ll be there!