THE TWO-WEEK-AFTER REPORT
Now that the dust has settled from the recent recall dustup, what have we learned? That the 276 million-plus dollar cost was wasted on what could have been better spent on climate-fire abatement, homes for the homeless, and building much-needed affordable housing.
We also learned that aging right-wing radio talk show mavens with aging audiences make more noise than sense.
We also relearned that California is a deep blue state politically, and getting bluer every year…as our West Coast neighbors, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. Newsom won by more than three million votes, 62.2% to 37.8%. You can call that margin more than decisive. No need to call in the Cyber Ninja Turtles for an audit.
We’ve further learned that the Trumpenprole faction are in firm possession of California’s Republican Party, whose numbers continue to plummet…now 24% of registered voters. GOP leaders are in a funk; all they lack are ideas that make sense and credible candidates that can sell them.
But what we learned of most value is that we must change our recall law. No longer should the petition require the signatures of just 12% of last election’s total voters for the targeted state executive offices to initiate a recall. (For state legislative offices and judges that required number of signatures rises to 20% of the last election’s totals.) Why not raise both to 25%? That would deter scammers who mean to prosper off the expensive recall process, or fringe groups acting out their parochial hissy fits on our time and at our expense.
One expected outcome of the recall vote is a continuation of the steady stream of Californians leaving the Golden State. Where to? Oregon and Washington are in the top five destinations; understandable, more living space but still within our liberal family. But at the very top is Red Republican Texas, where there is no state income tax, the cost of living is much lower, and the services and politics are…well….
Suppress your cruel laughter. As good neighbors we should help them pack. As good Christians, we should pray for them.