Weedpipe
Active Member
It is believed that long ago, the gods lifted America and tilted it westward so that all the loose nuts rolled into California. Could be. This is the state that gave us Richard Nixon, Charles Manson and Proposition 13.
But this week, we owe California our gratitude. Voters there are taking some risks, and we get to watch from a safe distance before deciding whether to follow their lead.
On Tuesday, voters approved Proposition 14, putting an end to traditional party primaries in which extremists on the left and the right tend to thrive as they preach to the base.
Instead, California will hold open primaries that will include candidates of both parties along with independents. The top two candidates in the primary will then face off in the general election, regardless of their party affiliation.
The hope is that this will encourage candidates to appeal to a broad range of voters rather than their party faithful. That should help centrists, the kind of politician who makes deals and gets things done. Or so the theory goes. Some fear the measure would hobble the major parties both of which opposed this measure vehemently and create even more chaos. Other critics say independently wealthy candidates will have an even greater advantage if the power of the party machines is diminished. We shall see.
In November, of course, California voters will also decide whether to legalize marijuana. If that passes as well, as polls indicate it will, then we can see if the sky really will fall.
The FBI reports that more than 850,000 people were arrested on pot charges last year, 90 percent of them for possession.We spend between $10 billion and $15 billion enforcing these laws.
Who knows? Maybe legalization will be just the kind of money-saver we could use in New Jersey.
In any case, its nice that we can see how it all works out in California before we stick out our necks. It doesnt make up for Nixon. But it is appreciated.
News Forum: rollitup.org
Source: New Jersey On-Line
Contact: New Jersey On-Line
Copyright: 2010 New Jersey On-Line LLC
Website: http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2010/06/you_go_first_california_trying.html
But this week, we owe California our gratitude. Voters there are taking some risks, and we get to watch from a safe distance before deciding whether to follow their lead.
On Tuesday, voters approved Proposition 14, putting an end to traditional party primaries in which extremists on the left and the right tend to thrive as they preach to the base.
Instead, California will hold open primaries that will include candidates of both parties along with independents. The top two candidates in the primary will then face off in the general election, regardless of their party affiliation.
The hope is that this will encourage candidates to appeal to a broad range of voters rather than their party faithful. That should help centrists, the kind of politician who makes deals and gets things done. Or so the theory goes. Some fear the measure would hobble the major parties both of which opposed this measure vehemently and create even more chaos. Other critics say independently wealthy candidates will have an even greater advantage if the power of the party machines is diminished. We shall see.
In November, of course, California voters will also decide whether to legalize marijuana. If that passes as well, as polls indicate it will, then we can see if the sky really will fall.
The FBI reports that more than 850,000 people were arrested on pot charges last year, 90 percent of them for possession.We spend between $10 billion and $15 billion enforcing these laws.
Who knows? Maybe legalization will be just the kind of money-saver we could use in New Jersey.
In any case, its nice that we can see how it all works out in California before we stick out our necks. It doesnt make up for Nixon. But it is appreciated.
News Forum: rollitup.org
Source: New Jersey On-Line
Contact: New Jersey On-Line
Copyright: 2010 New Jersey On-Line LLC
Website: http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2010/06/you_go_first_california_trying.html