California Ballot Initiative Roundup

From radio host John Ziegler, a great summary on what really happened in an article titled How The Liars Won:

How could an anti-77 ad claim it was a "power grab" by politicians when, in fact, the initiative would take power away from politicians? How could an anti-Proposition 75 ad claim that Schwarzenegger had "tried to end death benefits for police and firefighters" when he did nothing of the sort? How could the teachers union say that the governor "cut" education spending when all he did was reduce the proposed increase (and actual spending went up by $3 billion this year)?

Our founding fathers knew well the vital importance of an informed and engaged public to make democracy work. Sadly, even in an era in which more information is at our fingertips than ever, California has proved that the machinery of our public dialogue is badly broken and that we as a people are not up to the considerable challenge of overcoming that deficiency

Read the whole article here.

And from former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordin who says it taught us "invaluable" lessons:

If you tell the same lies long enough, people will believe them.
Deceptive ads that ran for months leading up to the election warned of lost benefits and pensions for public-employee union members. Not true.
The ads warned of the loss of education funding, quality patient care and resources for public safety should Proposition 76 pass. Not true.
They warned of silencing the voice of union membership and taking the right to negotiate away should Proposition 75 pass. Not true.
The lies won. True.

The measures on the ballot for the special election could have created reform for California. Although victory was claimed by some, it is a hollow one. True victory for California will be when we have a balanced budget, our students outperform the rest of the nation, the safety and health of all citizens is secure, and every Californian has a voice.

Maybe someday - just not today.

Read the whole article here.