Ballot Measure Titles and Summaries Should not be Written by Attorneys General
A couple of months ago, at a discussion on the initiative process at a Zocalo Public Square meeting in Los Angeles, the panelists were asked what one thing they would change with the initiative process. As a panelist, my answer: Take away the power to write the initiative title and summary from the attorney general’s […]
Americans Elect is not a Third Party, It’s a Second Nominating Process
As Americans Elect, which will provide ballot access to a third presidential candidate this November, opens it doors to candidates and draft movements for the AE nomination, it will be helpful for you to know what AE is and what it isn’t. Those political insiders currently obsessed with debating which major party benefits from Americans […]
Making Room for the Old and the New Economies
Crossposted on New Geography The announcements by Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) that they would not run for reelection reflects what may be the last gasps of the Great Plains Democrats, much as California’s 2010 Democratic landslide assured that Republicans are soon to become endangered species in places like Los Angeles and […]
Jerry Brown As Insurance Commissioner?
Wait. We know that Jerry Brown is California’s Governor and Dave Jones is our Insurance Commissioner. So what’s up with the title of this column? The fact is, Brown isn’t so much insurance commissioner as he is in the business of selling insurance. To understand this, realize that a major oil company, casino Indian tribes […]