post by Den Beste about the California recall.
His posts are so extensive that usually I say to myself, "Okay ... I'll have to save that one for later" - Unfortunately, I rarely go back. But when I do commit myself to reading an entire post of his, I am never sorry.
It's always fascinating and thought-provoking, over there at the USS Clueless.
Anyway, Den Beste starts his post talking about the press - the role of the press in our society (and the role that some members of the press THINK they should have). He moves on to a discussion of the California recall, discussing how some members of the press are shocked and baffled at what has happened, shocked that they did not have more influence over the opinions of the voters.
Den Beste states, with typical bluntness:
Why do I think Davis was recalled yesterday? Because 55 percent of the voters wanted Davis out, and 48% of them wanted Schwarzenegger to be his replacement. That's why.I know that sounds prosaic, but I think it's really the most important message of all. Yesterday we demonstrated that the government of the State of California works for its citizens and is controlled by them, and if the people become sufficiently dissatisfied with what the government does, they'll replace it. And if they think the entire system is rotten, they'll choose an outsider to become their new leader. If they're contemptuous of career politicians or decide that all the "insiders" have become corrupted, they'll send someone with no experience in government.
I highly recommend you read the whole thing.
Posted by Sheila O'Malley at October 9, 2003 12:10 PM | TrackBack