Governing by polls instead of by pols (as in politicians) apparently would not bring different results in California. Just look at recent polls.
The respondents to the latest Field Poll are clearly saying: Don’t raise taxes and don’t cut spending. Isn’t that the position politicians in Sacramento take most of the time?
When the voters were asked if they wanted to see their taxes raised to balance the budget, 58% said no way.
When they were asked if they wanted to cut law enforcement and police only 23% said Yes. Cut public schools: 25% Yes. How about health care for low-income people: 26% Yes. Higher education: 31% Yes. And so it went. Only state prisons and parks seemed to be on the chopping block to the poll respondents. But do you really think a majority of voters would actually pull the trigger to cut these programs if they were given the chance?
Consider the fact that poll respondents told Field Poll questioners they did support some tax increases: Taxes on somebody else, that is. For example, about three out of four voters agreed to tax tobacco and alcohol, and a majority supported an oil severance tax.
But when voters actually had a chance to raise oil severance and tobacco taxes in recent elections they voted No. When you consider that poll respondents vehemently opposed a gasoline tax increase (only 27% Yes), they would eventually conclude that an oil severance tax would add to the cost of gasoline, which they certainly want to avoid. Voters also understand that the cigarette tax as a diminishing funding source would not solve the budget problems.
To be fair, voters are not given all possible budget options in the poll. They are not offered a chance to consolidate agencies that may bring savings, for example. On the other hand, we know from focus groups on budget issues, voters often assume that cutting certain departments would produce much more savings than the cuts actually would bring.
For a long time now, polls indicate voters do not think legislators are doing their jobs. Yet, the pols seem to be carrying out the voters’ wishes expressed in the polls. Adding a little “l” doesn’t make any difference.