[lbo-talk] Ralph on the recall

[Brad DeLong]

>Los Angeles Times - August 12, 2003
>
>Make the Recall Count
>
>Californians have a real chance to snatch opportunity from a 
>potential political debacle
>By Ralph Nader
>
>Certainly, this is not the kind of direct democracy to hold 
>incumbents accountable between elections that California Gov. Hiram 
>Johnson had in mind in 1911 when he proudly worked to have the 
>state's Constitution embrace the initiative, referendum and recall 
>processes. He saw these tools as instruments for an aroused 
>volunteer citizenry, not as mechanisms for wealthy corporate 
>interests or political parties that pay signature-gathering firms to 
>get their agendas on the ballot.
>
>Nonetheless, the people of California... can snatch several 
>opportunities from the jaws of a potential debacle.
>
>First... Californians can engage in vigorous discussion with one 
>another.... Result: a more engaged citizenry.
>
>Second, Californians can sharpen their political strategy skills.... 
>Result: a public with a honed awareness of the strategies in play, 
>giving voters better defenses against adept manipulations by the 
>political consulting pros.
>
>Third, it is an excellent time for people and groups with 
>grievances, successful projects and good ideas to be heard....
>
>Fourth, this recall period offers an excellent opportunity to 
>develop measures of performance expected of your governor....
>
>Fifth... if this recall campaign does nothing but sensitize 
>Californians to indignant action against the commercialization of 
>their public election campaigns... it will be a historic 
>contribution to the state's future well-being....
>
>[W]hat should be front and center in evaluating Davis' tenure is his 
>notorious, relentless and specific cash-register politics since his 
>first day in office...
>
>Californians can now turn themselves into more skilled and demanding 
>voters for this and future elections, if they choose to make the 
>best out of the October recall instead of burlesquing the event.
>
>The whole world is watching.

Interesting how "elect somebody who will be a good governor" is not 
on the list of things that Nader thinks are worth doing.

What a dork.

Brad DeLong