As an American, I was thrilled to participate in Tuesday’s historic presidential election. But as a Californian, I’m exhausted I’m drowning in too many choices, too much democracy.
I hate all those ballot initiatives I have to sort through every election day. There were 12 on Tuesday’s ballot. I was asked to decide everything from gay marriage to renewable energy, victims rights to animal rights, reapportionment to abortion. It’s too much.
I’m fairly well informed. It’s my job to analyze the issues on the ballot. Still, I confess. I get confused. My eyes glaze over as I try to sort thru the pros and the cons for every measure.
I have access to trusted sources, experts who understand all this stuff. But what about the 13 million other California voters who went to polls this week? Do they really know what they are voting for? I don’t think so.
This is supposed to be a representative democracy. Let our elected representatives decide. Don’t burden me.
The initiative system is out of control. Here’s my idea for reform. A moratorium, a time out. No more initiatives for the next ten years. Let’s put that on the ballot. I bet you people would vote for it.
Ginger Rutland writes for The Sacramento Bee opinion pages.