> So the truth is that, far from being a "right-wing coup", the recall
> was simply a stunning victory for Republicans, who split over 4.7
> million votes to Davis' 3.5 million in the last election. It is also,
> I think, a total repudiation of DLC Democrat politics.
No, this election is yet another example of the widespread antipathy most people have towards the American political system. The higher voter turnout, like the election of Jesse Ventura, indicates that people simply don't take the system seriously. That why they voted for Arnold in high numbers. I didn't know a damn thing about Davis until I was watching BBC last night and they said he was a "career politican." That's indictment enough.
> Look, I don't like it any more than you do, but in words of the WTO
> protester: "This is what democracy looks like." The recall process is
> not "idiocy". It's a rational, legal process and a living civics lesson.
> Either elections generates decent voter turnout or recalls will. The
> Democrats have NOBODY to blame but themselves (and Pete Wilson and the
> energy companies, but predominantly themselves.)
I really don't understand the fuss. The Democrats are no different than the Republicans. Arnold is a liberal Republican, thus making the "concern" over his election look like a bunch of alarmism.
You are right on target about this being an example of democracy in action. Immediate recall is essential to a participatory democracy.
> When the energy prices spiked and the blackouts came, Davis could have
> declared a state of emergency and even claimed eminent domain over the
> power company assets, but he's not that kind of Democrat. So, he wrote
> them a big, fat check. When the recall initiative passed, Terry McAuliffe
> and Clinton could have thrown their weight behind Bustamante, but they
> didn't and he had to go begging to the native casino operators. Again I
> ask how anybody can bear the shame of being a registered Democrat these
> days.
Sheesh! When has it not been shameful to be a registered Democrat? When Truman dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? When Kennedy started the invasion of Vietnam? When Jimmy Carter gave a gree light to El Salvador? When Clinton dropped bombs around the world, passed the welfare reform act, was a big friend to big business, and did nothing to protect women's reproductive rights?
Why is being a Democrat shameful all of a sudden?
Let's get rid of both the Democrats and Republicans.
Chuck0