Today's Los Angeles Times has a roundup of recent financial filings by the groups for and against the propositions that will be on the ballot in November ? Arnold Schwarzenegger's Special Election that into the bargain will cost California taxpayers upwards of $80 million. Whether defending turf or offending the bottom line (particularly notable in the Prop 78 v. Prop 79 prescription drug cost battle), those with the most at stake are raising funds in the gazillions.
Take particular note of this: "[Average people are] tired of relegating government to the election box."
Ultimately, policy decisions have to be made by our elected officials, so we know where the buck stops and can hold them accountable. Governance-by-initiative is a cop-out, leaving no one ? and everyone ? holding the bag. And fiscal governance by referendum is subject to abuse by all the same parties and for all the same reasons. Please, please, don't fall for it.
[Cross-posted, for California consumption, at The Broad View.]