Posted on 07/31/2003 5:32:07 AM PDT by Impy
In his classic Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville warned about the "tyranny of the majority."
The French political scholar, who toured the United States in 1831, observed that few precautions had been taken to control the unlimited power of direct democracy.
"If ever the free institutions of America are destroyed," de Tocqueville wrote, "that event may be attributed to the unlimited authority of the majority, which may at some future time urge the minorities to desperation."
This is what is happening in California. The recall campaign against Gov. Gray Davis is an assault on democratic institutions. Led by right-wing Republican activists, this campaign is a cynical and vindictive effort to nullify last year's gubernatorial election in which the unpopular Davis narrowly won a second four-year term.
More than 1.6 million California voters signed petitions to force an Oct. 7 recall election. Thirty-one recall attempts have been launched against past California governors, including Ronald Reagan. Until this month, none of these measures qualified for the ballot in the Golden State.
An innovation of the Progressive Era, the recall procedure was enacted into law by the late Gov. Hiram Johnson. From the late 19th century into the early 20th century, corrupt special interests dominated California politics. Johnson wanted to give people the authority to replace or discharge public officials for ethical shortcomings or for looting the public domain. What is so troubling about the campaign to oust Davis is that he hasn't done anything wrong.
This is nothing less than a hijacking of democracy. The organizer of this sinister plot is Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), 49, a high-tech millionaire and right-wing ideologue. His personal wealth is estimated at more than $200 million. Issa is a good example of de Tocqueville's "tyranny of the majority." Seven years ago, he led a statewide campaign and gave generously to a successful ballot measure that banned the state of California from using racial quotas and preferences.
Issa, who has bankrolled the recall drive, is among the likely contenders in the October election. Along with the up-or-down vote on Davis, the recall ballot will also have a list of possible replacements. If Davis is thrown out, he would be succeeded by the leading vote-getter in the bipartisan special election.
Assemblyman John Campbell (R-Irvine), who has led his party's team in Sacramento budget negotiations, has contributed $10,000 to the recall campaign.
The recall would be a disaster for California. It is significant that the California Business Roundtable, which represents the state's bipartisan power elite, is strongly opposed to the recall.
Within his own party, moderates are worried about Issa's right-wing agenda. Issa is against environmental protection and gun control. He supports a constitutional amendment that would outlaw abortions.
There was a time in California when the initiative and referendum were used to promote progressive causes. It was through direct democracy that California voted for campaign finance reform, protecting the state's coastline, and slowed the growth of nuclear power plants.
But in more recent years, de Tocqueville's "tyranny of the majority" set term limits on public officials at all levels of California government, imposed rigid spending caps and restricted the legal rights of immigrants.
It has been a quarter-century since California voters approved the controversial Proposition 13 that imposed arbitrary spending limits on state and local taxation, gutting what had been the nation's finest system of secondary and higher education.
In making their case against Davis, recall activists are demanding his ouster for "misleading the public" about a $38 billion deficit and for abandoning his pledge not to raise taxes.
Neither of these are legitimate reasons for removal from office.
Nearly 8 million voters took part in last year's California gubernatorial election. Davis won fair and square. He may not be among the nation's best governors. But he is far from the worst. The partisans seeking to overturn his election are showing a reckless disregard for the future of their state and contempt for democratic institutions.
The retention of Davis is common sense.
I'd like to tear apart this particular piece of crap bit by bit.
Led by right-wing Republican activists, this campaign is a cynical and vindictive effort to nullify last year's gubernatorial election in which the unpopular Davis narrowly won a second four-year term.
It's an effort to save the state from oblivion.
More than 1.6 million California voters signed petitions to force an Oct. 7 recall election.
Every one of them a member of Aryan Nation no doubt, right Stevie?
Johnson wanted to give people the authority to replace or discharge public officials for ethical shortcomings or for looting the public domain. What is so troubling about the campaign to oust Davis is that he hasn't done anything wrong.
You are right Steve-o he hasn't done anthing wrong he's done everything wrong. And you see no ethical shortcomings from him? At all? How is life on in Uranus?
This is nothing less than a hijacking of democracy. The organizer of this sinister plot is Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), 49, a high-tech millionaire and right-wing ideologue. His personal wealth is estimated at more than $200 million.
Neal hates GOPers with $$$$. Rats on the other hand are free to be as rich as they want. And "Sinister plot" oooooo. Sinister means left you know.
Issa is a good example of de Tocqueville's "tyranny of the majority." Seven years ago, he led a statewide campaign and gave generously to a successful ballot measure that banned the state of California from using racial quotas and preferences.
Yeah, people have no right to be combating racism. What were they thinking!?!?!?!?!?
If Davis is thrown out, he would be succeeded by the leading vote-getter in the bipartisan special election.
Make that mutipartisan, stupid.
Assemblyman John Campbell (R-Irvine), who has led his party's team in Sacramento budget negotiations, has contributed $10,000 to the recall campaign.
Your point? Oh right Republicans have no business trying to get rid of corrupt, incompetent rats. We should just lay down and take up the posterior.
The recall would be a disaster for California.
If it is a disaster it's not like anyone will notice with all the other disasters befalling the state. You know, like Davis.
Within his own party, moderates are worried about Issa's right-wing agenda.
They are worried about Davis destrying their state.
Issa is against environmental protection
Issa is against environmental protection enviroMENTALism.
There was a time in California when the initiative and referendum were used to promote progressive causes.
Removing Davis would be progress.
slowed the growth of nuclear power plants.
Yeah, better to have no electricity.
imposed rigid spending caps
OMG!!!!
restricted the legal rights of immigrants.
Illegal immigrants.
gutting what had been the nation's finest system of secondary and higher education.
Like Berkley?
He may not be among the nation's best governors. But he is far from the worst.
What the hell are you smoking? Who is worse? Oh right all 26 Republicians of course.
The partisans seeking to overturn his election are showing a reckless disregard for the future of their state
Oh I get it, you live in opposite land!!!
The retention of Davis is common sense.
This statement shows negative common sense.
So, how can this be true:
The recall campaign against Gov. Gray Davis is an assault on democratic institutions.
Seems like democracy is a tool that's being used, not assaulted. Oh, that's right! We're worried about "Tyranny of the majority"! But, was that tyranny most evident in Davis' election, or in his upcoming recall??
Translation - we lefties invented this, so we're the only ones allowed to use it.
From the late 19th century into the early 20th century, corrupt special interests dominated California politics. Johnson wanted to give people the authority to replace or discharge public officials for ethical shortcomings or for looting the public domain.
I would say Gray Davis, with all the documented ties between political contributions and subsequent political action, easily qualifies here.
What is so troubling about the campaign to oust Davis is that he hasn't done anything wrong.
Funny how it was acceptable to draft an article of impeachment against Richard Nixon for lying to the American people, but Davis's lies about the impending budget disaster during the previous campaign don't rise to the level of wrongdoing for Mr. Neal.
Dems invariably trot out that old chestnut when they're getting their political butts kicked.
The libs and their enablers in the media love to apply the label "millionaire" to Republicans. "Millionaire Steve Forbes" comes immediately to mind. Extremely wealthy Democrats, on the other hand, are seldom branded with that adjative. The fact that Kennedy, Corzine, Kerry, and numerous other Democrats have enormous wealth is conveniently downplayed. Only Republicans get the treatment.
There is a very good reason why Davis is being recalled. It's called incompetence.
Who signed the petition demanding the recall of Davis, just Republicans? No. A significant percentage of these signatures were Democrats. This certainly submarines the theory that disgruntled Republicans are hijacking the system.
I do believe there is a valid consideration of the democratic naturure of initiatives, but let's think about this for a moment. As far as I know, all state ballot issues are confirmed or denied by straight ballot, not an electoral college setup. Therefore a straight ballot initiative to recall the Governor is no better or worse than a state general election.
Davis and the Democrat controled Legislature have run this state right into the ground. Both need to be replaced at the soonest possible opportunity.
I've noticed this. It seems that the Rats have no problems with the "tyranny of the majority" when the majority goes in their favor. They only call it a "tyranny" when they lose. Typical Rat mentality, wanting to have it both ways.
LOL. TRANSLATION: The left had this great proceedure to further "progressive" causes, which was just wonderful, and then those ding blasted conservatives started using it to further conservative causes. This is terrible. This is a "tyranny". If it doesn't promote leftist causes it shouldn't be used.
What a load of horse-puckey.
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what is for dinner. However, in the case of de-electing politicians, I think a little direct voter intervention is a good thing on the whole. Other uses that the initiative process can be put are less wholesome to the health of the Republic, but recall elections are not given the effort that must be taken to successfully conclude one. The ability to do this has been on the books for decades. As has been previously noted, efforts to recall California politician are often mounted but this is the first concerning a govornor that has actually been certified as actionable. 80 years - one recall. It doesn't sound like things are out of control.
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