Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianR
While the problem is serious, the state's uber-democratic system is broken beyond repair. It's truly a failed state, in the classic political science sense of the term.
|
Which is where the solution lies. Address the problem - not break it up.
The problems are obvious, simple, and fixable. For example, the government was setup so that the Union Pacific could not use purchased politician to manipulate the government. But the legacy of that mistake has created current problems.
For example, a budget requires a 2/3rd majority to be passed. Spending requirements are routinely made without also providing funds for that mandated spending. Propositions require money to be spent but never provide funds. That leaves the legislature to provide funds without any income source.
A Bay Area Council has called for a Constitutional Convention to fix a government that does not work. The Governor concurs.
Meanwhile, biggest problem with American politics - that puts extremists in power - has apparently been eliminated in CA. Gerrymandering - shaping voting districts to empower the most wacko Democrats and Republicans - is reported changed. Therein lies the major CA problem. Either government works for the people - is moderates - or the government has the intelligence of George Jr - is extremist Democrats and Republicans. CA has elected too many extremists using a process where the elections are routinely decided in primaries.
Another solution is to run an election only between the two topmost vote getters - even if both are from the same party. Again, the problem is first and foremost traceable to those with a political agenda rather than in working for the people.
CA has a legacy of that problem - $21billion. Tax increases are inevitable. However CA has been here many times before and always managed to find a solution. The long term solution is to fix government. A short term solution requires funding for that $21billion deficient.