In response to Jim Boren's column - The Fresno Bee - March 16, 2008
Jim - Redistricting is certainly key. That must be done in order to begin the process. And then the 55% super-majority and term limit adjustments would be feasible. But I think the real key to legislative reform is to drastically reduce the incentives that attract politicians to the legislature in the first place. I think they run for office for all of the wrong reasons; namely, power and money. When they show up in Sacramento they are way more interested in serving themselves than serving the State or their constituents.
First, remove all financial incentives. When they arrive in Sacto, they must put 100% of their assets into a blind trust. Then they live on their salary while in office and when they leave they give up every nickle they've gained, save the contents of the trust. They should not be allowed to arrive poor and leave rich. And, if they are caught cheating, they serve a mandatory prison term. No exceptions.
I also think that every penny raised by contributions should go into one fund to be divided equally by the contestants in the next election. Take lobbyists out of the equation. New candidates will have as much money to spend on their campaign as incumbents.
In order to remove their power, at least 51% of the taxes generated by the state should be returned to the communities from which it was raised. Maybe even more. Those bastards hold us hostage with our own money. They take from the valley and give to the north and the south. Additionally, they will not allowed to put strings on the money they return to us. What the hell makes them so "all knowing"? Certainly local communities know better where the tax money should go than the greedy power mongers in Sacramento do.
Finally, every voter in CA gets one vote. And, one additional vote is given out for every $1,000 in taxes paid by a voter. Let the politicians kowtow to the people who are paying the bills. It's time the high and mighty become the sycophants.
Jim - Redistricting is certainly key. That must be done in order to begin the process. And then the 55% super-majority and term limit adjustments would be feasible. But I think the real key to legislative reform is to drastically reduce the incentives that attract politicians to the legislature in the first place. I think they run for office for all of the wrong reasons; namely, power and money. When they show up in Sacramento they are way more interested in serving themselves than serving the State or their constituents.
First, remove all financial incentives. When they arrive in Sacto, they must put 100% of their assets into a blind trust. Then they live on their salary while in office and when they leave they give up every nickle they've gained, save the contents of the trust. They should not be allowed to arrive poor and leave rich. And, if they are caught cheating, they serve a mandatory prison term. No exceptions.
I also think that every penny raised by contributions should go into one fund to be divided equally by the contestants in the next election. Take lobbyists out of the equation. New candidates will have as much money to spend on their campaign as incumbents.
In order to remove their power, at least 51% of the taxes generated by the state should be returned to the communities from which it was raised. Maybe even more. Those bastards hold us hostage with our own money. They take from the valley and give to the north and the south. Additionally, they will not allowed to put strings on the money they return to us. What the hell makes them so "all knowing"? Certainly local communities know better where the tax money should go than the greedy power mongers in Sacramento do.
Finally, every voter in CA gets one vote. And, one additional vote is given out for every $1,000 in taxes paid by a voter. Let the politicians kowtow to the people who are paying the bills. It's time the high and mighty become the sycophants.
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