| Not a single public hearing in Sacramento or anywhere else in this state, a rushed negotiation at the end of a special session that produced a compromise the governor initially backed away from and a complete retreat from SB 840 which the Democratically controlled legislature passed and sent to the governor only one year and a half ago.
On the issues that matter most, our elected officials can't get it done. Perhaps this is a shining example of why we need term limit reform, so we may give our leaders the time to make incremental improvements. Others will argue this is why Prop. 93 should be killed, ridding ourselves of the ineffective incumbents that would otherwise hang on to their posts.
I'd like to reject both arguments. The real culprit is the poll-driven decision making of politicians who represent no movement. Both Republicans and Democrats want to improve the health care system.
Republican conservatives believe in so-called free market principles like limiting medical malpractice suits, defending the rights of HMOs to pick and choose patients, services and cutting off aid to illegal aliens would make health care more affordable, thus more accessible. They're winning by blocking all reform ideas and doing nothing which hurts people with and without health insurance.
As for California Democrats, well in 2006 they believed in Single-payer before it was vetoed, now I think they agree with the governor that everyone should share the costs of the broken system we have today.
Not sure what they'll support during the next election cycle. And the polls will continue to shift in the wrong direction so long as the Democrats continue to ignore its base, neglect to change the electorate into a winning coalition and fail to take principled stands on policy positions.
But these politicians, led by the governor and out top Democrat, the State Speaker want very little to do with any of that. Listening to the base means taking direction from residents who don't have the contribution power of the special interests.
Actively working to change the voting electorate requires space for new voices and bold action to keep the momentum going. If you can promise it during the campaign, you can work to pass it in the legislature. This builds hope that change is possible, and excitement about what we can do next.
Taking principled stands means that on occasion you have to be unpopular and work to convince others. It also builds credibility and respect i.e., Muhammad Ali or Dr. King Jr.
But its easier to take advice from the political hacks who work polls and focus groups in exchange for the almighty dollar. But as long as this brand of self-styled, ego driven politics continues, so will our state's problems and our leaders' inability to get anything done.
Take Prop. 93 for example. Nunez has put everything behind it, still its slipping in the polls and he may have to look for a new position soon. I haven't met a soul who wasn't working for an elected official or political organization that feel the state needs this type of reform.
Prop. 94-97, Schwarzenegger is doing some of his best acting in those commercials for it, but it too is having trouble finding a voting constituency chomping at the bit to make only 4 out of dozens of Indian tribes richer than they already are.
And ABX 1 1, with the might of the Governor and the Speaker couldn't find its way out of committee, embarrassingly receiving just one vote in favor of it. And while there are an estimated 6 million Californians without health care, and millions more who are succeptible to the whims of their profit-driven insurance company, you are hard-pressed to find non-Sacramento politician advocates that were willing to lay it all on the line for such a dubious smoke and mirrors package.
Maybe we should blame ourselves, they say we get the government we deserve, and we sure are getting it. |
