Letters to the editor

The Salinas Californian
Posted on May 20, 2007

Special interests abuse initiative process

The initiative process in California was enacted in 1911 because of the influence of corporations and special interests on politics. Now the special interests have taken it over. Rather than providing a vehicle for citizens to enact laws, the initiative process has become an alternative for special interests to advance their causes. Initiatives are written by their lawyers, qualified for the ballot by professional signature gatherers and promoted by slick sound-bite marketing. They don't go through a public process like regular legislation, and voters should be wary of them.

Since the 1970s the number of initiatives on ballots has tripled. If you don't understand all the implications of an initiative, just say no. They are likely to only advance the interests of the group promoting it, and will probably have unintended or unadvertised consequences.

Read the entire initiative and any other laws it refers to. Get accurate and impartial information about the impact, if you can. If you are still confused or don't understand, just say no. If you don't like the job your legislators are doing, vote them out.

Robert A. Roach
Salinas