Recovery from recession, fire, pandemic and political conflict might require a miracle. Where can Californians find one? In Miracle Country. Miracle Country is the title of Kendra Atleework’s magical memoir about her life in the Eastern Sierra. The book begins with the 2015 fire that decimated her 200-person hometown, Swall Meadows, north of Bishop and […]

Every two years, I read the full text of all statewide ballot propositions—because at least one Californian should. Next is Prop 15. Proposition 15 is nothing but hype.  Its proponents say it will boost the schools and enact tax fairness and reform the previously untouchable Prop 13. Its opponents say it will threaten Prop 13, […]

(Editor’ Note—Previously published, just a reminder.) For 12 years, I’ve been putting on Global Forums on Modern Direct Democracy, to look at initiative and referendum around the world, and how California stacks up. The forum has spun off a very handy global database on direct democracy and the International League of Democracy Cities. But to […]

Every two years, I read the full text of all statewide ballot propositions—because at least one Californian should. OK, it’s possible that others may read the text, but I’m the only one stupid enough to admit to doing so publicly.  I do this because Californians too often vote on their feeling about an issue on […]

If you want to know why Swiss direct democracy is better than the California version, you couldn’t find any better evidence than the respective fall ballots. In particular, a comparison of the two ballot shows the Swiss taking their roles as legislators seriously—and thus demonstrating how silly we Californians are in discharging our duties in […]

The California Supreme Court just made local democracy in California even more dysfunctional. And that could end up being a very good thing. You may have read about the case I’m talking about. The court declined to hear an appeal of a lower court decision that allowed a simple majority of voters, rather two thirds, […]

For 12 years, I’ve been putting on Global Forums on Modern Direct Democracy, to look at initiative and referendum around the world, and how California stacks up. The forum has spun off a very handy global database on direct democracy and the International League of Democracy Cities. But to attend one of these events, you […]

Our politics may be paranoid, our society paralyzed by pandemic, and our skies ablaze, but don’t fear! We Californians receive an avalanche of advice about how to behave in crisis. All we have to do is follow it. Easy-peasy, no?  For starters, go outside. Avoid the indoors, because COVID spreads best in enclosed areas. The […]

Have any strange dreams during this crazy California summer? Me too. Mine compressed time and space. In dreamland, I toggled between the smoky claustrophobia of summer 2020 and childhood memories of the Santa Barbara-area baseball camp I attended in the 1980s. What took me back to Ken McMullen Baseball Camp in Carpinteria?  Maybe it was […]

I understand and respect Governor Newsom’s decision to hold his tongue and build a relationship with the federal government in the midst of a pandemic and historic wildfires. But that doesn’t mean he has to pay obeisance to President Trump in public. Unfortunately, that’s what the governor did when Trump visited the Sacramento area. Newsom […]