John Nichols: Downsizing Democracy in California

from The Nation:



Downsizing Democracy in California

John Nichols
June 3, 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. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blog/downsizing-democracy-california

they you'd better damn well be against it! no concessions to the jerk! :grr: