There’s nothing as angry as a person who is losing money; that’s
why the nation is full of angry people. This includes foreclosed
homeowners, some looking to blame others for their bad decisions
and high-risk investors who are watching their long-shot bets go
down the drain. Unfortunately, this also includes all prudent
consumers with good credit who will be forced to pay for the
mistakes, malfeasance and risky dealings of others. This last group
has certainly earned the right to be angry, but that’s not going to
change anything.
There’s nothing as angry as a person who is losing money; that’s why the nation is full of angry people. This includes foreclosed homeowners, some looking to blame others for their bad decisions and high-risk investors who are watching their long-shot bets go down the drain. Unfortunately, this also includes all prudent consumers with good credit who will be forced to pay for the mistakes, malfeasance and risky dealings of others. This last group has certainly earned the right to be angry, but that’s not going to change anything.
Let me explain: The unfortunate, the crooks and the gamblers are now broke and the prudent consumers are the only ones with any money left to save the system. Don’t let the government’s slight-of-hand deceive you, while you’re focused on the $700 billion bailout many billions more are going out the backdoor. To put the problem in perspective, the real cost to our society is going to be much more than a trillion dollars.
The financial situation has generated a lot of articles, comments and group discussions online. It’s the modern version of blowing off steam. I read it because I like to take the pulse of the populace. I’ve noticed one recurring theme – many people are asking the same question: “Why don’t our elected officials just put their personal interests and partisan politics aside and do their jobs?” That’s a good question. I wish I knew the answer.
The Democrats and the Republicans both ignored the building financial problems, although for different reasons. No matter the reason, the results were the same; the politicians failed to do their duty to protect the nation’s financial system. As fate would have it, we the people are about to have an opportunity to ante up and prove we mean what we’ve been saying.
If I were King of California, the state proposition system would not exist, but it does. Therefore, we have to evaluate what’s on the ballot. Ninety-nine out of 100 propositions aren’t worth the paper it takes for printing, but every now and again a good one comes along. This year’s good one is Proposition 11, the Redistricting Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute, also called the Voters First Act.
In a perfect world this proposition would not be necessary, but it’s hardly a perfect world. When it comes to redistricting, the incumbents have shown that they are out to protect themselves first and their parties second and the citizens somewhere after that; therefore, we must force them to do their duty.
Proposition 11 would change the California Constitution to give the redistricting authority to a commission consisting of politicians, voters and retired judges. The commission would use a set of complex rules to ensure fundamental fairness to the citizens and challengers rather than the current system of political and personal spoils. It’s not perfect, but it is light-years ahead of what we have. The state politicians have had many chances to their job in this area, but they have repeatedly chosen to protect their political futures instead.
Almost every significant newspaper in the state supports Prop 11 including The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The San Jose Mercury News, The Fresno Bee and The San Diego Union Tribune. Other supporters include AARP, The League of Women Voters, California Common Cause, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Former Gov. Davis and many other non-partisan organizations.
Who is not supporting Prop 11? The Democrats and Republicans in the Sate Legislature, a California senator and the speaker of the House of Representatives, that’s who. Are you surprised?
Prop 11 is not a test for the politicians. They always put themselves first and the voters second – everyone knows that by now. The dereliction of duty that resulted in the national and state financial crises just reaffirmed their selfish attitudes. Proposition 11 is a test for the ordinary citizens, the ones who keep asking: “Why don’t our elected officials just put their personal interests and partisan politics aside and do their jobs?” Folks, it’s time to put up or shut up. Vote yes on Proposition 11 or forever hold your peace.
