The very concept of a recall is irreconcilable with American
democracy. Be that as it may, this recall may well go through. Our
government is a republic, making it theoretically at odds with the
idea of a popular recall. Officials, elected by citizens to
represent their needs, govern and legislate for the common good.
They also need some level of protection from the constant threat of
removal. A republic, in this respect, differs conceptually from a
pure democracy. Technically, a pure democracy is a form of
government in which all citizens meet to debate and decide state
policy; citizens directly represent themselves.
California, in reality, lies somewhere between a republic and a
pure democracy. We elect senators and assemblymembers to represent
our needs in the California Legislature, as well as a governor to
represent all Californians. But we also have provisions that allow
Californians to make laws. You may remember examples of such ballot
initiatives, like Proposition 187 or Proposition 209. Ballot
initiatives reflect a trend toward a much more democratic, and less
republican political form. Another such feature is the recall,
which tends toward what some have termed hyper-democracy.
While the idea of highly participatory democracy sounds
attractive because it theoretically brings power to the people,
hyper-democracy is not good for California. Proposition 187 is a
perfect example of why. The racially divisive proposition was used
by then-governor Pete Wilson in his re-election campaign to turn
growing resentment of immigrants into voter support. But it was
nothing more than power politics; Proposition 187 was struck down
by the courts for being unconstitutional.
The recall is a similar animal, only this time, ambitious
politicians are marshalling popular unrest caused by a collapsed
economy and an energy scandal into an attempt to unseat Davis.
The problem with this form of democracy-on-steroids is that it
permits people to cynically use a recall for power politics, which
undermines political stability. In a republic, officials are held
accountable by regular elections. This allows them a fixed amount
of time in which they can act without fear of being unseated. The
importance of this is that they can act without political pressure
(to a degree) between elections.
But, if a politician can at any moment be fired, he or she will
be politically compromised. Every decision becomes a potential
justification for getting fired. Consequently, a politician will
make every decision so as to anger the fewest number of voters,
even when the correct policy is unpopular and the absolutely wrong
policy is popular. Such a handicap can only lead to ill-conceived
programs.
Also, should this recall pass, it will set off a wave of recalls
in California and other states where recalls are permitted. Until
now, recalls as a concept had not been accorded much respect
because they were often believed to be unsuccessful. But if Davis
is fired, many people will realize that a recall can work. The
stability of future California government administrations will be
disrupted indefinitely. Such repetitive disturbances to governments
will encumber progress that future governors attempt.
Regardless of the recall’s validity, the fact is that it
may pass. Californians are very angry, and we may have a new
governor soon. In this regard, the choice is clear: Cruz Bustamante
is the best candidate. Bustamante’s experience is impressive;
he began as an assemblyman, became speaker of the assembly, and
then lieutenant governor. Among the field of replacement
candidates, his record in California politics is unmatched.
Despite the fact that you will vote on this recall, do not
confuse it for something it is not. It is not democracy at work, or
power in the people’s hands. The recall is nothing but the
cynical attempt to steal power from a legitimately elected
governor, a campaign to hijack our democratic republic.
Don’t fall for this con job ““ vote no on the recall.
But don’t be a sucker either. Recognize that this recall has
a fair chance of passing, and vote for the only qualified candidate
on the ballot, Bustamante.
Raimundo is an economics and history student.