Posted on 10/17/2004 9:40:31 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
When Arnold Schwarzenegger overwhelming won the race for governor last year, he vowed to break the hold that special interests and fringe groups have in Sacramento. But Schwarzenegger found that promise hard to keep, in large part due to something he has no control over - the Legislature.
The system under which California elects its legislators is engineered to elevate candidates who hold extremist views on the left and the right. Moderate, centrist candidates stand little chance because Democrats and Republicans conspired together to gerrymander legislative districts.
The gerrymandering is so bad that one party or the other is virtually guaranteed a lock in every district. As a result, the parties don't need to nominate candidates who can represent a broader platform, just ones who will follow party leadership.
Proposition 62 would end this by opening up primaries to all voters.
Under the current system, voters may only vote in the primaries for their own parties. The top vote-getters from each party then face off in the general election. But under Proposition 62, everyone would be able to vote for any candidate in the primary, with the top two candidates making it to the runoff.
The result is that, in districts where one party dominates, two Democrats or two Republicans could face each other in the runoff. The runoff would cease to be the mere formality it is now, but instead offer voters a real choice between two strong candidates who must appeal to as many people as possible.
In a state so long divided by ugly and destructive partisan politics, Proposition 62 offers the best way to end the gridlock in Sacramento and get politicians to start working for us, and not serving their parties' interests.
Proposition 62 is opposed by both the Democratic and Republican party machines. Neither party wants free and fair elections; they only want to preserve their advantages.
That's why they added Proposition 60 to the ballot - one of the most cynical and dishonest tricks ever attempted. Supporters of Prop. 60 are hoping to confuse voters with a measure that does nothing except preserve a system that has driven the state to the brink of bankruptcy.
Restore democracy to California. Vote yes on Proposition 62 - and vote no on Proposition 60.
Yeah, the Freedom of Association is over-rated anyways.
/sarcasm
62 is a scam !!! It will destroy what is remaining of the Republican party in California. It's a another try at an open primary so that RINO republicans can team with democrats to take all the state assembly and senate races.
California had an open primary not long ago, and it was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. What makes anyone think that this would fare any different if approved?
62 is a scam !!! It will destroy what is remaining of the Republican party in California. It's a another try at an open primary so that RINO republicans can team with democrats to take all the state assembly and senate races.
ABSOLUTELY...
Definately vote NO on BOTH Prop. 62 AND Prop.60...
Ditto, scam! Vote NO on 60 and 62.
Prop 60 was written to keep things as they are, and you should vote YES for it.
We can avoid open primaries by either defeating Prop 62, or by passing Prop 60 with a higher vote than Prop 62.
NO on 62 and Yes on 60
The degeneration from a republic into a democracy is reaching a critical state.Even nominally republican politicians can't speak enough about the wonders of "democracy".
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government-Article IV,sec. 4.
Vote yes on Proposition 62 - and vote no on Proposition 60
Vote no on ALL propositions.We pay the legislature a lot of money to write the laws.If the people feel the need to write a law on a topic where the politicos fear to tread,the answer is new legislators,not the "people" writing the laws.On the other hand,I have no problem with the referendum.
It would be nice if the legislature did their job, but they don't. That's why I also support making the legislature part-time.
However, if Prop 62 passes, and Prop 60 doesn't, California gives up the Right of Association.
If #62 was first, how come 60 opposes it?
Good morning.
Absolutely, yes! Vote no on all propositions, vote your conscience on referendums. Voting no on judges and bond measures isn't a bad policy.
Michael Frazier
Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater... take the time to read the propositions and vote YES on the good ones:
YES on 1A: Prohibits state from raiding local Gov't tax revenue
YES on 59: Public access to Government Meetings
YES on 60: Right to have your Party on the General Election Ballot
YES on 64: Ends predatory lawsuits
I was listening to Assemblyman John Campbell (R) on a Hugh Hewitt replay this morning. He himself said yes on 62 and no on 60. I have a lot of respect for his integrity, so I'm going to factor his opinion in when I consider these measures.
bttt
I believe you are mischaracterizing what John Campbell said. He says vote YES no 60, NO on 62,
Hmmm. I was listening carefully and wrote them down, so I thought I had it right. However, I just went to his "picks" on his web site and see you're right. Either Campbell spoke incorrectly or my ears failed me. Perhaps early senility is setting in. I hope it's for him and not me.
It doesn't surprise me to be exactly opposite the LA Daily News.
My vote:
Yes on 60
No on 62
Hey buddy .. how are ya!
You are so right about 62. And we need a YES on 60 and a NO on 60A.
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