The California Recall.......
And Just Who You're Gonna Call?

AUGUST 18, 2003
by Debra Opri - Attorney and Legal Analyst

Haven't we learned anything since the "Gore vs. Bush" debacle of 2000? Isn't there anyone out there who remembers it took the US Supreme Court to get the message out to all us children? Wasn't it those bunch of 'justices' who basically told us 'hey kids, we have a country to run?' In more adult language, 'it was Bush who won, and that a continued battle would destroy this country?'

Well look at California, folks. Same battle.... different day. It's the democrats vs the republicans... and guess who suffers? You guessed it..... the regular guy whose just trying to keep his job and have a little extra money for the weekend. A guy who just can't afford another 70 million dollars in fiscal mismanagement in California.

While agreeing that a recall is constitutional... despite the antiquated law allowing for this recall, [thus the ease by which it was promulgated], we as a country - not only California - need to review this right to a recall against the harsh realities facing one of this country's largest states - that it is in financial ruin, and out of control. Mostly, it is an embarrassment to all of us Americans ... we have quite simply become a joke all over the world. [If you're confused about why... just look at the 150+ candidates]

Let the record be clear. I don't know Governor Davis; I never met him; I never voted for him; and I, personally, based upon my understanding of his pitiful job performance in this and his last term, don't think he should be the governor. I believe he has lied to the people; that the people have suffered under his tenure; and that he has sold us a bill of goods, and the special interests have a great deal to do with that. Now for what is the bitter pill for the Monday morning quarterbacks.... the fact is he got reelected fair and square and he should remain in office until his term ends. Or, as the US Supreme Court would say, 'hey kids, we have a State to run.'

The recall has been and will continue to be expensive. Whoever, gets in [and my vote splits between Bustamante and Schwarzenegger] will have his own problems and his own agenda, and he [or she] will have the daunting task of the big 'cleanup' and the 'quick fix,' to justify 'their' reelection.

So, exactly what is our agenda?

You see, everyone already knows Governor Davis screwed up... we're past that. He's past that. He's already trying to undo what he's already done. And he knows he's being watched very carefully. Governor Davis also knows after this job, his days in politics are pretty well over. So, if you really think about it, what's left for him? Simple.... his legacy. And that's where we benefit. Governor Davis may not be the best, and he certainly is a lot closer to the worst governor we've ever had ... but he's the governor, and he has experience. And he knows he's been caught having lied and messed up. [Is it time to mention 'Clinton'?] Let's face it... he has nowhere else to go but up.

Now, if you really think a recall is going to save us all... look at the alternatives.

Lt. Governor Bustamante is part of Davis' team... all the rest don't come close to having the experience necessary to dig us out of the hole.... Not Simon [who already lost to Davis once], McClintock [Republicans love him but what exactly can he do that would be any different from Davis, at this point, really]; and then there's Arnold... dear middle aged ambitious actor turned politician. Donít misunderstand me. I like him, and I think he would be a fine governor. He has all the right people behind him, and he stands for a voice of all of the people in this state. Lack of experience? When exactly did that matter? Is it so long ago that one-time actor Ronald Reagan was considered one of the best governors the state of California ever had? He must have done something right, since he then became President - two times.

I believe Mr. Schwarzenegger would be a great governor. Really. He has no further career aspirations, being a naturalized citizen [ie can't be President] and he truly has wanted this gig for a long time. Only problem,, Arnold, is that you should win it fair and square during a real election... when you have a chance to spend more than a few months campaigning... a chance to let Californians really get to know you and your mandate. This way, when you do win, it won't be with the tagline that 'you won only because no one had a chance to find out who you really were and what you really stood for.'

So where do we go from here. As a state, we must get past this recall... quickly. Hopefully, for this country, we will use this free fall in California to tighten our voting laws to improve the system so that this debacle can't happen again. I mean, how many times, can we and should we be able to change our minds after an election and challenge the voice of the people?

PS... go out and vote..... its your right... and your duty.