Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://www2.dailybulletin.com/opinions/ci_3144642" target="_blank">http://www2.dailybulletin.com/ opinions/ci_3144642</a> >>If there's a slam-dunk "yes" vote on the Nov. 8 special-election ballot, it's Proposition 77. Unless you're a sitting state senator, a member of the Assembly or the U.S. House, or a political party operative, you should be for this one. That's not a statistical anomaly. That's the result of the 2001 agreement between Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature to redraw district lines to make every district "safe" – with enough of a registration edge for the ruling party in each district to make sure even an open seat would be determined in the party primary, not the general election. Why is that so bad? Because it virtually guarantees that the Legislature will be filled with hard-liners from both parties, with few of the moderate types that are willing to negotiate across the aisle for the good of the citizenry at large. In a district drawn to be heavily Republican, for example, the harder-line GOP candidate has a big advantage in the primary and then doesn't have to sweat the general election. Ditto for heavily Democrat districts. In such districts, it's more important to legislators to hew the party line than to represent constituents. In a more evenly balanced district, a moderate from either side has a good shot. And no one can take the voters for granted. Don't get us wrong. Proposition 77's passage wouldn't mean that every district would split 50-50 between the two parties; there are more Democrats than Republicans in California, and there are many heavy concentrations of each party. But a reasonably drawn reapportionment aimed at producing compact districts that keep neighbors together, instead of one aimed at divvying up fiefdoms between the two parties, would produce quite a few more competitive districts than we have now. We wouldn't have gerrymanders like Senate District 31, (Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga), which wraps most of the way around – and on a map looks as though it were eating – District 32 (Nell Soto, D-Ontario). Or congressional District 42 (Gary Miller, R-Brea), which runs from Chino, Chino Hills and Diamond Bar south through a sliver of Orange County all the way to Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita. Proposition 77 offers the chance to make legislators worry more about the wishes of the voters than about the directives of the party. Vote yes on Proposition 77 on Nov. 8<<
Originally Posted By Darkbeer These new No on Prop 77 is a bunch of LIES.... Judge Wapner claiming that the three Judges will be making law... FALSE!!!! The three Judges will take the current State and Federal laws regarding how to redistrict, and also use the new guidelines in Prop 77 (aka new laws), and then apply those laws to draw a map that primarily looks at city and county borders to split up the state. Then the PEOPLE will approve it in an election. This is NOT making law. Nor is it a Power Grab, both parties will be affected, but there will still be the same amount of Democrats and Republicans in the state. If anything, it will allow moderates from both parties a better chance to have their voices heard, as candidates would actually have to campaign and give folks their plans while in office. Don't listen to these lies that the current Politicians from BOTH parties are funding, go back a few posts and see where the money is coming from.... Then look at all the different folks that support these changes, liberal orgs like Common Cause, most major newspapers in California and others.... We need to take away the power of allowing them to pick their voters, and instead return to having the voters decide who they want!!! Vote YES on 77!!!
Originally Posted By DlandDug It's all over but the shouting. I just saw it on TV. Judge Wapner says NO on 77!
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Let's look at some of the newspaper editorial boards that are saying YES on Prop 77.... The Acorn Prop. 77 would return power to the people 9/25/2005 Bakersfield Californian Yes on Prop. 77 10/02/05 Contra Costa Times Yes on Proposition 77 10/7/2005 “SOME OF THE MOST important issues on the state ballot can be as dull as reading an insurance policy. Proposition 77, the initiative that seeks to reform how legislative and congressional districts are drawn, is one of them. But its passage could do much to permanently improve the entire political process in California.†Fresno Bee Genuine reform Proposition 77 offers the best hope for making California work. 10/16/2005 “Proposition 77 offers the best hope for making California work.†Long Beach Press Telegram The Nov. 8 propositions: Our preferences on eight ballot initiatives, five of which seem worthy. 10/26/2005 Los Angeles Times TIMES ENDORSEMENT; A new political landscape 10/23/2005 “The greatest political swindle of the last 50 years in California has been the conspiracy between Democrats and Republicans to protect their own hides by redrawing the state's legislative and congressional districts. Proposition 77, which would take the redistricting process out of the hands of politicians, offers voters a chance to prevent such mischief. Californians should vote yes on Proposition 77 on Nov. 8.†The Modesto Bee Yes on 77: Redistricting reform needed 10/23/2005 "California's electoral system isn't working, and while Gov. Schwarzenegger's plan for fixing it isn't perfect, it is the best opportunity voters have to address a serious problem." Merced Sun Star Sun-Star Recommends: Prop. 77 best chance for change 10/19/05 “Proposition 77, which will remove the politicians from the redistricting process and replace them with a panel of retired judges, is our best bet to restore sense to a terribly flawed system that has asphyxiated state government in particular. The Sun-Star enthusiastically endorses Prop. 77 as the California's best chance for meaningful change.†North County Times 'Yes' on Prop. 77 for rational voting districts 10/15/2005 “'Yes' on Prop. 77 for rational voting districts†Ontario Daily Bulletin Voters' needs to trump legislators' if Prop. 77 wins 10-23-2005 “If there's a slam-dunk "yes" vote on the Nov. 8 special-election ballot, it's Proposition 77. Unless you're a sitting state senator, a member of the Assembly or the U.S. House, or a political party operative, you should be for this one. “Proposition 77 would take the right to draw political district boundaries away from the Legislature – which has proven it doesn't deserve it – and give it to a panel of retired judges. . . Proposition 77 offers the chance to make legislators worry more about the wishes of the voters than about the directives of the party. “Vote yes on Proposition 77 on Nov. 8†Orange County Register Prop. 77 restores some competition Voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around, as it is now. 10/11/2005 “More competitive districts will require politicians to pay some attention to voters, and should yield legislators devoted more to solving problems than making ideological statements. “Prop. 77 deserves an enthusiastic YES vote Nov. 8.†Pasadena Star-News Proposition 77 merits passage 10-13-2005 “Here's how bad the problem is. Last year in the November elections in California, there were 153 state and federal legislative races. Zero challengers won. That's right, after the election machines tallied the votes, every single incumbent had been swept into victory. No one is that good. Even the open seats were taken by the same political party that had the seat before the election. The system has been rigged in the politicians' favor. “What we have now is simply not democracy. We have a party-ocracy where the fat cats run the system and the people are shut out. If it were not for the proposition system, the people would still have no mechanism for reform. But thanks to Prop. 77, voters have a chance to effect real change. . . the political parties may not like Proposition 77, but voters interested in making a difference should embrace the concept. Vote "yes" on 77 and take back democracy.†Redding Record Searchlight Prop. 77 would unlock a rigged political system 10/20/2005 “Prop. 77 would unlock a rigged political system†Riverside Press Enterprise Yes on Prop. 77 10/6/2005 “Redistricting reform may sound boring to many voters, but it is crucial to honest elections in California. That is why we endorse Prop. 77 and consider it the most significant initiative on the Nov. 8 ballot.†Sacramento Bee Editorial: The governor's propositions 10/9/2005 “Schwarzenegger has one measure on the ballot that all Californians can rally around. Proposition 77, the governor's redistricting plan, aims to end the conflicts inherent when lawmakers map their own political districts. Because of this gerrymandering, members of Congress tend to keep their jobs for life; legislators keep them as long as term limits allow.†Union-Tribune Editorial Yes on Prop. 77 10/23/2005 “The truth is Proposition 77 would make possible the election of independent-minded moderates in both parties and force incumbents to realize they just might lose a general election if they didn't occasionally put the public's interest ahead of the narrow causes of their patrons.†“Many of the initiatives on the Nov. 8 ballot deal with crucial, weighty issues. But none would go further than Proposition 77 to reduce the dysfunction in Sacramento. Vote yes on 77 – and implore everyone you see over the next 16 days to do the same.†San Francisco Chronicle The Chronicle Recommends: Prop. 77: A fairer way to draw lines 10/12/2005 “A SYSTEM THAT allows politicians to draw their own legislative and congressional districts is worse than absurd. “It's undemocratic. . . Incumbents, understandably, dread competitive elections and party leaders fear loss of control. Sorry, this is a democracy -- a democracy that is being subverted when politicians select their voters. “Vote "yes'' on Proposition 77.†San Gabriel Valley Tribune Proposition 77 merits passage 10-13-2005 “Here's how bad the problem is. Last year in the November elections in California, there were 153 state and federal legislative races. Zero challengers won. That's right, after the election machines tallied the votes, every single incumbent had been swept into victory. No one is that good. Even the open seats were taken by the same political party that had the seat before the election. The system has been rigged in the politicians' favor. “What we have now is simply not democracy. We have a party-ocracy where the fat cats run the system and the people are shut out. If it were not for the proposition system, the people would still have no mechanism for reform. But thanks to Prop. 77, voters have a chance to effect real change. . . the political parties may not like Proposition 77, but voters interested in making a difference should embrace the concept. Vote "yes" on 77 and take back democracy.†San Jose Mercury News Vote yes on Proposition 77; INITIATIVE CAN KEEP PARTY POLITICS OUT OF THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS 10/2/2005 “Politicians are picking the voters instead of voters picking the politicians. “Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger uses this formula to sum up his case for Proposition 77, reform of redistricting. It encapsulates what's wrong with the current system of drawing legislative and congressional districts. Politicians create districts to advance their own political prospects. “It's a conflict of interest, plain and simple, that should be eliminated.†Santa Barbara News-Press Our Opinion: Cutting up ribbons of shame 9/30/05 “We urge readers to support Proposition 77 to bring back competitive races to the Central Coast and the rest of California.†Santa Cruz Sentinel As We See It: Vote in favor of redistricting 10/5/2005 “In short, legislators had their chance to implement fair redistricting and they failed. Proposition 77 isn't a perfect solution, but we'd suggest any process at all before giving the responsibility back to legislators. They don't deserve the power. “We recommend a "yes" vote on Proposition 77.†Santa Maria Times Santa Rosa Press Democrat Yes on 77: Here's the best way to make Sacramento accountable again 9/26/2005 “Here's the best way to make Sacramento accountable again†Stockton Record Less-political politics 10/12/2005 “It's time to make politicians of both parties listen to the people. “Proposition 77 would help achieve that.†Whittier Daily News Proposition 77 merits passage 10-13-2005 “Here's how bad the problem is. Last year in the November elections in California, there were 153 state and federal legislative races. Zero challengers won. That's right, after the election machines tallied the votes, every single incumbent had been swept into victory. No one is that good. Even the open seats were taken by the same political party that had the seat before the election. The system has been rigged in the politicians' favor. “What we have now is simply not democracy. We have a party-ocracy where the fat cats run the system and the people are shut out. If it were not for the proposition system, the people would still have no mechanism for reform. But thanks to Prop. 77, voters have a chance to effect real change. . . the political parties may not like Proposition 77, but voters interested in making a difference should embrace the concept. Vote "yes" on 77 and take back democracy.â€
Originally Posted By Beaumandy Isn't this where cmpaley ignores the content of what the papers say about Prop 77 and claims they are all right wing papers??
Originally Posted By Deogges Mom Exactly. Apperently every paper in California is now a "right-wing rag."
Originally Posted By cmpaley Actually, I never said that. I said that the media is "trending toward the hard right." And on Prop 77, one can actually honestly debate its merits or demerits apart from partisan ideology because it doesn't appear to be driven by partisan animus like 74, 75 and 76 are.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>“What we have now is simply not democracy. We have a party-ocracy where the fat cats run the system and the people are shut out. If it were not for the proposition system, the people would still have no mechanism for reform. But thanks to Prop. 77, voters have a chance to effect real change. . . the political parties may not like Proposition 77, but voters interested in making a difference should embrace the concept. Vote "yes" on 77 and take back democracy.â€<< While I agree with the sentiment, the Whittier Daily News, Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune are owned by the same company as the Los Angeles Daily News (MediaNews Group of Denver) and share an editorial board. Their endorsements contain this exact same wording.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer CRT Press Release... Newspapers Throughout California Get Behind Prop. 77 SACRAMENTO – It is a rare issue that would bring every single major California newspaper together and on the same page, but Proposition 77 has done just that. Every single major paper in California has backed Prop 77, calling the measure critical reform to clean up the broken political system in California. Liberal editorial boards, conservative and centrist papers all agree on one thing: Prop. 77 is real reform and voters should approve the measure on Election Day. The 62 endorsements of include: Los Angeles Times San Francisco Chronicle San Diego Union-Tribune Sacramento Bee San Jose Mercury News Oakland Tribune Orange County Register Fresno Bee LA Daily News Riverside Press-Enterprise Long Beach Press-Telegram Santa Rosa Press Democrat Pasadena Star News San Gabriel Valley Tribune Grass Valley Union, San Ramon Valley Times, West County Times, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Modesto Bee Washington Post San Bernardino County Sun Alameda Times Star Madera Tribune Marin Independent Journal Santa Barbara News Press Napa Valley Register Hayward Daily Review Contra Costa Times Valley Times Whittier Daily News Port Hueneme Star Bakersfield Californian Santa Cruz Sentinel Santa Maria Times Stockton Record North County Times Torrance Daily Breeze San Mateo County Times Ventura County Star Tri-Valley Herald Redding Record Searchlight Merced Sun Star Chico Enterprise Record Hanford Sentinel Barstow Desert Dispatch Camarillo Star Conejo Valley Star Porterville Recorder Gilroy Dispatch Fillmore Star Moorpark Star Tahoe Daily Tribune Woodland Daily Democrat Freemont Argus Fairfield Daily Republic Ojai Star Oxnard Star Santa Paula Star Simi Valley Star Acorn (Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark) Claremont Courier Tracy Press
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Freemont Argus<< That would be Fremont, for those keeping score at home. That press release writer needs to reform their speeling.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer I feel like we've already read every single one of those endorsements in the past two weeks.
Originally Posted By StillThePassHolder "I feel like we've already read every single one of those endorsements in the past two weeks." Portions of 'em, anyways.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/content/opinion/story/13802687p-14644100c.html" target="_blank">http://www.sacbee.com/content/ opinion/story/13802687p-14644100c.html</a> >>Unmentioned by Wapner is the obscene amount of money that other corporations are contributing to defeat Proposition 77. "Stop the power grab!" says one anti-Proposition 77 ad they have financed. In other words, let the do-nothing lawmakers maintain their current monopoly on power. Perhaps the slimiest maneuver came last week when Republican voters received anti-Proposition 77 mailers labeled, "Jury Duty is Good Citizenship." That statement on the mailer's cover could mislead some recipients into thinking they were receiving a government document. Inside is a supposed quote from House Speaker Dennis Hastert calling Proposition 77 "a disastrous idea." Think that is cynical? Get this: The ad to GOP voters, quoting Republicans, was likely the work of Democrats. Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and state Senate leader Don Perata are heading the campaign against Proposition 77. Perata was recently quoted as saying: "We are politicians and we do have the interests of incumbents at heart." He then said he he should get high marks for being truthful. How much more cynical can you get?<<
Originally Posted By Darkbeer CRT Press Release.... Transcript of Sen. McCain at Riverside Stop on Reform to Rebuild Express Bus Tour SENATOR MCCAIN: Thank you, thank you very much, thank you, thank you, thank you all, thank you very much for that warm Arizona welcome. Thank you. Thank you all. We are here in the home stretch, we’re here because we want fairness and we want you to be represented in Washington and in Sacramento. We want you to choose your representatives, not the representatives to choose the voters. Have any of you seen this trash? Anybody seen this trash? Jury duty, jury duty, jury duty an advertisement against Prop. 77 that implies that it is jury duty. I say shame on the people who are telling lies about this proposition, shame on the incumbents who care more about their safe seats then democracy in California and in Washington. I say shame on them. Send them a message that we’re gonna approve Prop. 77 and we’re gonna throw them out! Because, people deserve the chance to have contested congressional races. Is it an accident that 153 members of Congress and in the state House were all re-elected? Isn’t that either magnificent or a corrupt system? You decide. I want to thank Governor Schwarzenegger for his courage. He came to be the Governor of this state for reform. That’s what this is all about my dear friends, reform. These four propositions are about reform and they are vital to the future of this state and to the west, and this nation. Thank you and God Bless you for being here. And I say please give a great California welcome to this wonderful Governor.
Originally Posted By Beaumandy Best thing McCain has said in a while. I swear that guy drives me crazy. Sometimes I cheer for him, sometimes I want to strangle him. Hope he doesn't bother running in 08.
