"No" vote on recall will preserve democracy

Maybe Left Is Right By Sara Pittman

Everyone loves a scapegoat; it gives you something to talk about and makes you feel a little better about the rut that you’re in. Plus, if you’re really lucky and happen to be in California, you’ll get an exciting recall election with a lot of bogus candidates thrown in for good measure. Gray Davis, of course, is the shmuck in the middle of the three-ring circus with all the fingers pointed at him.

Yes, California has sunk into a $38 billion deficit and we have the worst credit rating among the states. There can be no denying Davis should have acted with more haste and direction when faced with the energy crisis.

But even Davis’ strongest opponents can’t assert that the collapse of the technology boom and the impact of the poor national economy on California were the doings of our governor. These factors have also played a role in our debt and must be considered when looking at the whole issue.

Just as one man can’t be credited for single-handedly ruining the economy, I distrust that a new governor can step in and transform our circumstances much more efficiently than Davis

Besides being an opportunity to meet Arnold Schwarzenegger at River park, this special election will cost the voters. Though it cost Congressman Darrell Issa almost $2 million to bring about the recall, the tab for the voters will be a bit more. It seems ironic that while the budget and excess spending are at the roots of the recall, the election itself has been estimated to ring up at $66 million. Instead of spending tax dollars on 1st class postage or extra pages in the ballot pamphlets, these funds could have gone toward the schools or another need.

With the hoopla surrounding the candidates, it has almost been forgotten that voters can vote no on the recall. The reason I’m urging voters to stop the recall has nothing to do with Davis or that I want to keep a democrat in office.

Personally, I like Peter Camejo a lot more than Davis. I will vote no on the recall because I believe something more important than the fate of Davis is at stake. The democracy we cling to and the legitimacy of fair elections are threatened to be abused by this recall.

Progressive action group MoveOn.org and their “Recall No, Democracy Yes” campaign hails the recall to be just another step by the republican leadership in their process of confiscating political power. Recent examples of this type of power seizure are the disputed 2000 election and the purging of thousands of African American votes in Florida, as well as the attempt to reassign congressional districts in Texas.

For democracy and elections to be honored in this country, voters must show that this recall won’t be tolerated. Elections must be orderly and the recall should only be used in extreme circumstances, when it is certain that the outcome will truly be for the public good. The recall shouldn’t be used when republicans can’t wait to elect an incumbent through rightful means. Nor should a recall occur when what’s needed is the deficit to be dealt with in a timely and effective manner. After all, when the going gets tough there isn’t supposed to be a recall, but rather you get down and dirty and work through the issues.

To get down and dirty, you have to do things you might not want to do. Don’t be shocked that I’m suggesting such an absurd notion, but an increase in taxes might be part of this dirty work. Nobody enjoys paying taxes, but for a state to run smoothly and provide for its people, taxes are necessary. An increase in taxes won’t hurt the voters, but what will hurt is further cutting of social services. To deal with the economic position California is in, tax cuts for the wealthy and slashing social services such as education and health care are not the answer. Instead the solution must begin with the wealthiest being made to pay a higher tax, the prison budget and system being reformed and making corporations pay their fair share.

If you believe that democracy is still important enough to take a stand for, then please vote Oct. 7. If you’re not registered, do so by Sept. 22. It’s not just your right as a citizen, but your responsibility. Show California that the youth count for something and our issues and concerns must be addressed. For as Pericles once said, “The non participant in democracy should not be considered as minding his own business, but as useless.”

Vote no on the recall to show that elections can’t be bought and that democracy must prevail.

— This columnist can be reached at collegian@csufresno.edu