You know the days of Hiram Johnson, when he hoped to create a system that wasn't controlled by the railroads, or whatever interest was dominating at the time? Well, we're past that whole industry domination now, and have moved on directly to power of the person. Not of the people, just the person. In our current case, that person is Meg Whitman and her eBay warchest.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman said Monday that she would place pension cutbacks on the ballot if negotiations with state workers fail and would consider using her personal fortune not only to win office but to advance her agenda if elected.
Taking the issue to voters is "not my first choice," she told The Bee's editorial board. "But if we have to ... this is an issue we have got to take up."(SacBee)
She went on to say that she opposes collective bargaining for state employees. Period. End of sentence. Now, she's not likely to make friends with the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association that just gave her its endorsement on the condition that she say that pension reform doesn't apply to law enforcement. But, that was painfully transparent in its say what you need to say attitude; this statement calls for the end to collective bargaining (and thus, all unions) in the public sector. The CSLEA board is going to have a fun time explaining that one.
Returning to where we started, California politics hasn't yet gotten to the point where it is completely owned by just one interest. Part of that is the competing interest groups pushing back against each other, but that part can be easily overwhelmed by a new influx of cash, tipping the balance towards the corporate dollars.
Of course, there is one side of the political power equation that isn't so vulnerable to Whitman's money binges. The people, if we found the time, could be an informed decision maker. However, as of right now, we seem to wait back for what the TeeVee ads tell us/scare us/yell at us. One can only hope that this is the year that we say no to the purchasing of our statehouse for good. |
