Thank you!
Bob Morris @ Nov 25th 2002 16:13 - Category: Unfiled ;
Archive for November 25th, 2002
Why the California voting system…
Bob Morris @ Nov 25th 2002 11:49 - Category: Unfiled ;
Why the California voting system is broken
From the always perceptive George Skelton in the LA Times.
The problem: “Closed” primaries combined with districts drawn for party protection. Together, they’re adding up to legislative extremism. Toss in term limits and it’s a formula for producing ambitious amateurs who are radical or reactionary.
Closed primaries are unhealthy for both the legislative and executive branches, he says, because they force “Republicans to race far off to the right and Democrats far off to the left. Neither is helpful to the political system.”
The same process happens also because of the recent redistricting that made every legislative seat completely safe for either the Democrat or the Republican. Thus, the race is won in the primary (and so much for Democracy or letting voters have any say, eh?).
Voters love term limits, but these limits are ludicrous: Three two-year terms in the Assembly, two four-year stints in the Senate.
About the time legislators get the hang of legislating and government — like, where to find real waste — they’re sent packing.
Limits should be extended to 12 years in each house.
“It’s amateur hour in Sacramento,” South says. “That’s not what you want in a state this big….
Closed primaries and restrictive districting virtually guarantee the two big parties will run candidates that appeal to the flanks of their party, not the middle. Extreme term limits means experience legislators become a thing of the past.
Some solutions; open primaries with the top two regardless of party running in the general, redistricting being done by an independent committee, and twelve year term limits.
Another idea. Instant Runoff Voting, see our article for more info.
The corporate scandal sheet
Bob Morris @ Nov 25th 2002 11:28 - Category: Unfiled ;
The corporate scandal sheet
Which corporate giant has been indicted? Who is being investigated?
There’s so many corrupt greedy corporations it’s hard to remember just which fat cat CEO has been doing that funky perp walk.
This handy chart keeps track of the evildoers.
Blair losing control, say top…
Bob Morris @ Nov 25th 2002 11:19 - Category: Unfiled ;
Blair losing control, say top unions
Tony Blair was accused last night of ‘completely losing control’ as the firefighters’ strike entered its third day - and a wave of new industrial unrest was set to hit airports and schools.
With Britain facing growing paralysis as unions considered a series of ’spin-off walkouts’ over safety across the rail network, power plants and the Tube, leading union figures presented the Prime Minister with the biggest threat yet to his power.
Greed and torture at the…
Bob Morris @ Nov 25th 2002 11:18 - Category: Unfiled ;
Greed and torture at the House of Saud
The Saudi system of justice is that the moment you are a suspect you are deemed to be guilty, and so you are tortured until you make a confession in front of the khavi, the investigating judge. If you don’t, you get tortured some more. It’s a closed loop with no way out.
