Governor considers calling special election (Schwarzenegger)

ContraCostaTimes.com ^ | 12/12/04 | Ann E. Marimow

[goldstategop]

That's quite alright. My response was that its better to let the people rather than a roomful of politicians, decide whether it constitutes accountable and responsive government. Its the way the initiative process is supposed to work - power to the people.

[goldstategop]

My view would be to to abolish the State Senate and create an elected supercouncil of local governments organized on a regional basis. No use having two houses elected by population. My proposal differs from the current set up in that it gives local governments a voice in the policy-making process in Sacramento. And it has the advantage of representing people, not cows.

[Carry_Okie]

My view would be to to abolish the State Senate and create an elected supercouncil of local governments organized on a regional basis.

That is nearly exactly what the Senate was. In fact, it would be best if State Senators were appointed by county supervisors much the way US Senators were to be appointed by State legislatures.

[goldstategop]

We can have a California Council in which every region in California groups counties whose Board Of Supervisors names their members. Sort of like the German Bundesrat. The Council would be a voice for local government and it would not violate Sims Vs Reynolds since the Council would be an appointed as opposed to an elected body. And it would provide a brake on the passions of the unicameral house of the people. The principle of fewer legislators and a set of checks and balances would go a long way towards purging California politics of extreme Lefty influences.

[Carry_Okie]

We can have a California Council in which every region in California groups counties whose Board Of Supervisors names their members.

We disagree, as we have on this before. A legislative house so constituted would lose traceable accountability to an elected government. A legilsative body of 58 isn't so large as to be unwieldly.

[Carry_Okie]

And it has the advantage of representing people, not cows.

That's crap. It's a matter of representing local governments as individuals with rights of their own, much as we used to have states' rights.

I suppose you would wish for a US Senate of maybe nine individuals representing areas with similar climate and geography. Hey, we could call them bioregions!

You DO know that this is exactly what the communists proposing world government want? Think again.

[oldbrowser]

"I just don't see anything that requires that kind of urgent attention," said UC Berkeley political scientist Bruce Cain. "It looks suspiciously like it's there to keep Arnold amused and his advisers paid."

If this guy can't see anything that needs fixing, that means we desperately need major changes.

[GVnana]

No use having two houses elected by population

Good point. What I'm trying to get answered, if anyone on this thread knows: What was the basis for apportionment in CA before the Sims case? As you point out, two houses elected on the same basis don't make any sense.

[Enterprise]

That's an excellent point. There is so much that needs fixing in this State. But in good 'ol clueless Academia, everything is just peachy as long as the checks just keep coming in.

[calcowgirl]

Hey, we could call them bioregions!
You DO know that this is exactly what the communists proposing world government want?

I shudder everytime I read that. Thanks for the chilling reminders.

[Carry_Okie]

People too easily get hooked upon ideas as discussed in their circle of friends, failing to recognize their import and consequence. However ephemerally attractive those ideas may be to those seduced by the appearance of authority, upon cross examination against fact and precedent, they can quickly lose their luster.