Downsizing Democracy in California

[Better Believe It]

Downsizing Democracy in California
By John Nichols
June 6, 2010

California voters will decide next Tuesday whether they want real choices in their elections or the limited options afforded them by the two major parties.

Proposition 14, placed on the ballot as part of a political deal involving Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative insiders, would abolish the current system of nominating candidates in party primary elections and then having them run on a fall ballot that features Democratic and Republican contenders as well as Greens, Libertarians, candidates of smaller parties and independents.

The new system would have all candidates of all parties, along with independents, run in the same primary. Then the two top finishers would contend against one another in November. In decidedly Democratic districts, that could mean a "choice" between two Democrats. In Republican-leaning districts, the "choice" could be between two Republicans. In statewide races, more often than not, a Democrat would still face a Republican, but there would be no alternative.

Foes of the initiative, who have organized a "Stop Top Two" campaign, note that, "The top two vote getters, even if both of them get less than 10% and they are from the same party, would advance to the November election."

Worse yet, "Proposition 14 forbids voters from write-in candidates for the November election, so if Top Two passes California voters will no longer have more than two choices in the November election; except for the Presidential race."

That's a constrained democracy that offers voters less rather than more.

Read the full article at:

http://www.thenation.com/blog/downsizing-democracy-california

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. I am voting NO on anyting put on the ballot anymore

I need a million and a half dollars for it to get there. The system is broken.

[tularetom]

3. Me too - after I vote "Yes" on the marijuana legalization thingy in Nov.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Yep, that one I am making an exception for

[Moochy]

9. Yep and this open primary BS is the final nail in the coffin

as much as the party apparatus annoys me at the state level, and as much as it needs reform, this is not the solution.

[FBI_Un_Sub]

11. I was circulatin petitions for CON-CON

Using only volunteers --- we did not make the ballot.

We got killed by the Tea Baggers and the Cooper-Jarvis fans ---- the 2/3's majority (Prop XIII) was apparently divinely "revealed" by some Howard Jarvis divinity.

[Cleita]

2. Primaries are for parties to select their candidate for the general election, not a free for all

so that Republicans and Libertarians can foul up the system. I voted a big NO on this. My ballot is in the mail.

[gristy]

4. HELL NO should be the default vote for any proposition

If you should happen to read and understand and like the proposition, then go ahead and vote yes. But only then.

[BanTheGOP]

5. California's Proposition 14 is a major disaster waiting to happen

The republicanistas are at it again. They want to parlay their artificial teabagger movement into California's version of Auschwitz, Reaganism, and the Bush/Cheney Follies rolled into one little convenient ball of fuzz: Proposition 14.

We need to vote a very decisive NO on this. The republicans have instigated enough teabaggers that we cannot withstand their legal votes this time around, and if the republicans ever get a majority on both the executive and legislative levels, they will...WILL!!... make it difficult, if not impossible, for democratic progressives to have ANY SAY WHATSOEVER at ANY level of government. They could conceivably use 2010 to take control at the EXACT TIME when such control will allow them the GREATEST OPPORTUNITY to ENTRENCH their illegal actions, certifying that humanity will remain permanently oppressed and, in fact, destroying any possibility that our planet will be saved from the republican-caused global disasters.

If the republicans controlled all aspects of government, then the entire coast will become one big lineup of Halliburton-built oil rigs, along with a Chernobyl-class nuclear plant in every county. All property will be controlled by very few, republican-party controlled banks, schools will demand that rapacious American history be taught in lieu of our real, honest history that exemplifies the diverse, progressive values of cultures from around the world, and finally, all wages will be controlled and kept low for all Californians.

So, it is necessary for us to keep Prop 14 from occurring. Now, even if we DO keep it from occurring, and we somehow don't ban the republican party (which should be JOB ONE, but never mind), then we can ACTUALLY WORK THE TEABAGGERS RAGE IN OUR FAVOR. In districts where a party-only primary whittles out all the republicans but one, usually the one voted out will become an Independent. We can THEN surreptitiously SUPPORT the candidate so that when the general election occurs, we can SPLIT THE rEPUBLICAN VOTE, thereaby winning the election for our progressive candidate! This MAY be our only chance, to be honest.

But if Prop 14 passes, expect the end of the progressive movement, and in extension, any chance that the vast majority of humanity will ever rise above impoverished, hellish existence. Pure and simple.

[snagglepuss]

10. Hear. Hear. nt

[Mojeoux]

12. Fuck Prop 13! and 14 too!

Of course Arnold likes this idea because this is similar to the goofy way he ended up getting elected.

We NEED our California back!

[Caliman73]

6. I voted NO

On everything on the June ballot. Everything was vaguely written or bullshit that gives special interests more power to do what they want. No on 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.

[MindPilot]

7. Yep Prop14 is a big no

There were a few local offices--particularly sheriff and DA--for which I colored in the write-in oval and left the line blank. My way of saying none of the above.