Prop 14…We the People

Toyota announced they are moving to Texas. Boeing, General Motors and over 150 other businesses have already moved out of the state. U Haul rentals are almost twice as expensive leaving California as those coming into California. U Haul pays someone to bring back the empty trucks.

California, once a leader in life style, manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture and music is now known as a high tax, high regulation, anti-business state with high unemployment and large welfare rolls. The wealthy and the business minded are leaving the state to its fate. Leaving is not an option for those of us born here with a feeling this is our home and who are unwilling to give it away due to poor political stewardship.

How to change the future? Public Sector Unions have taken control of this state by spending unbelievable amounts of money to guarantee their goals are given top consideration. Big Business spends large sums to insure a seat at the table when new rules are being developed. What happens to the average worker and their goals and needs? You all know the answer, workers and the average person do not have a seat at the table. There is only one thing we have, we have the numbers. The number of voters is how we change the future.

Proposition 13 is the model and it did great things. First, it saved thousands from losing their homes due to high property taxes. Second, it drives the politicians’ nuts because they cannot tap into our home values to fund their favorite programs.

We need Proposition 14. A proposed Proposition 14 restricts the amount of money a candidate can spend in an election to the amount needed to travel within their district. Proposition 14 prohibits money from any outside source to be spent on elections. Instead of money, we need to see, hear and analyze the candidates. Prop 14 schedules a set number of town hall style meetings in the months leading up to the election. The candidates are given a set period of time to present their ideas. Citizens are given three times that amount of times to ask questions with a minimum number of questions required for each candidate. No more putting lipstick on a pig and voting for an image. Californians need to meet, know and question our candidates. When they come up for election, incumbents need to feel our pain or joy in their performance.

What, you say this is against the law? You say we cannot limit free speech! We can with a California Constitutional Amendment. When the 9th overturns our will, we take them to the Supreme Court. We the citizens determine who we elect.

This idea will not be met with favor among those invested in the current system. We must realize there is only one way to save our State and it does not involve seeking favor from politicians. The way to save our State is to take it back. Your choice, a State dedicated to its citizens or a “workers’ paradise” where money is the determining factor. Time to decide…