The state is going mad. The effort to recall Gov. Gray Davis has
thus far generated a lot of media attention, distracted everyone
trying to follow important issues like the state budget and the war
in Iraq, shattered dreams, cost a lot of money, and opened a
Pandora’s box of rag-tag candidates. But the games have yet
to begin ““ Californians are still watching the opening
ceremonies. The real show promises to be even more action-packed
and full of plot twists waiting to be penciled in.
One hundred fifty-eight individuals have filed to run for
governor. Career politicians, porn stars, actors and even a
centarian are all running ““ California has always been known
for its diversity.
But is this election actually going to help the state solve its
problems?
First, there are questions as to exactly how the election
process will proceed. Many vote processing systems in the state are
designed to handle a maximum of 100 choices. With 158 candidates,
the jury-rigged ballot promises to be even more confusing than the
infamous Florida 2000 ballot. Even if the voting is completed
without the assistance of a U.N. Observer and Peacekeeping Force,
there will probably be countless recounts and legal challenges to
wade through. Who can claim domestic politics are boring?
As it stands, Republican actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and
Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante appear to be the heavyweight
contenders. Both men are well-known in California, but neither has
offered even a shred of evidence they can succeed where Davis has
apparently failed.
Schwarzenegger, known for his famous one-liner movie roles, has
not explained his position on just about any issue, saying only
that he will reform state politics and fight for average people.
Bustamante, on the other hand, appears to have chosen personal
advancement over party loyalty, breaking from the crowd of fellow
Democrats who have promised to support Davis to the bitter end.
Though experienced, it is difficult to see how Davis’ current
right-hand man could suddenly turn the state toward a new age of
prosperity.
California is in a state of crisis. Still struggling to meet a
$38 billion budget hole, the state has issued over $10 billion in
deficit bonds, hopes for $1.5 billion from tobacco companies,
expects employees to take pay cuts of $1.1 billion, and will
“roll over” $930 million of expenses into next year. In
other words, in an effort to avoid raising taxes or making
devastating program cuts, California’s leaders (note the
plural) have simply delayed the pain through borrowing.
Clearly, responsible, professional, honest leadership is in
short supply in Sacramento. Canning Davis, however, will not make
these problems simply vanish. Real statesmanship is lacking in
Sacramento, and few of the contenders seem to offer hope for
leadership.
Sadly, neither Republican nor Democratic leaders seem very
worried about the actual state of the state. Rather, they seem to
be transfixed by the sick limelight radiating from a hundred TV
cameras. It has become a game ““ a circus, a carnival, a
reality TV show ““ and there can only be one winner.
“California” might not end up on top.
If things go really poorly, the people of California may be
asking Richard Atkinson for a few pointers on democracy. Maybe we
can set up a system of enrollment caps and fee increases for
gubernatorial candidates. That, or we can bring in the United
Nations to work out our problems.