California Democrats Achieve A SuperMajority, One Party Rule in State

[amborin]

California Democrats Likely to Win Supermajority

By NORIMITSU ONISHI


SAN FRANCISCO — California’s Democrats were poised on Friday to gain a two-thirds supermajority in the State Legislature, an achievement that would give them the power to raise taxes unilaterally and could potentially ease the gridlock in a state known for its fiscal chaos.

A supermajority in Sacramento — last held in 1933 by the Republicans — would effectively bring one-party rule to the nation’s largest state, where Democrats hold all statewide offices and where the Republican Party’s declining fortunes have been hastened by a recent nonpartisan redistricting.

Democrats, as expected, quickly secured a supermajority in the State Senate on Tuesday.

snip

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/10/us/politics/democrats-likely-to-win-supermajority-in-california-legislature.html?ref=politics&_r=0

[question everything]

1. No reason to celebrate. Really

Democracies work by balancing different groups and policies. You have to have someone that challenges you. Otherwise you can form a groupthink - that led to the Bay of Pigs, that, apparently, was in the Romney campaign.

Perhaps the Republicans will finally get the message. "Sticking to principles" that have long been out of date and thus losing every single seat does not work.

[amborin]

3. yes, I've mentioned

that here on occasion, too.

the essence of democracy is factionalism and dissent; when that is stifled in the interest of a unified voice or single viewpoint or agenda, democracy withers....

[lunatica]

4. What this means is that the Republicans will have to take a vacation from filibustering everything

Right now California has more than enough challenges that need to be addressed yesterday.

In the short term this is a good thing. It won't last forever, which is good, but right now it's good.

[SHRED]

6. If you understood CA politics and their rules...

...you would understand the celebration.

[question everything]

8. I do. I lived in California in the 90s and saw how the Republicans

lost all state offices, the last was of Secretary of State. Of course, now open primaries change everything but I saw how moderate Republicans, like former LA Mayor - Riordan - lost the primaries to run against Gray Davis to a rabid right winger. (Arnold was a joke).

The problem of California is the ballot measures systems. I think that some changes were enacted, though. When I first came to California I routinely voted NO on each measure. This is why the assembly and the senate are referred to as debating chambers. Politics is the art of compromise. You debate, you give some and you take some. But ballot measures have to come with a YES or NO results. I've seen a winning ballot thrown out by the court because it was a bit more comprehensive. They are based on yesterday's headlines, like the 3-strike laws. Prop. 13 ruined the school system that used to be the best in the nation in the 50s and 60s. And term limits removes the organizational history that long term members possess. As soon as they get elected they plan their next move.

[SHRED]

9. good points

[lunatica]

2. Rachel Maddow explained it by saying

that with a Democratic Supermajority the Republicans don't even have to show up or vote at all to get anything passed. Not a single vote from them is needed. Not one.

I hope this means the issue of climate change will be taken seriously, as one of the top priorities. I hope it means the infrastructure will be fixed, and the bullet train built. I hope they hit the floor running and take full advantage of this advantage.

[amborin]

5. agree with everything you said, except the bullet train; please, no

[question everything]

10. You need some kind of a fast train that connect the main

regions: San Diego, LA, Sacramento and San Francisco, as well as one to Las Vega. This will relieve the permanent traffic jams on the major freeways.

And, you can start with extending the blue line (I think, or is it the green one?) to LAX. How stupid did they plan it? All major airports in the world have a light rail to the city connections.

[amborin]

11. yes, although the bullet train project would not accomplish that eom

[lunatica]

13. I think the bullet train would cut down on a lot of flights

between northern California and southern California. And cutting down on flights is definitely good for the environment. And there are many more benefits financially.

[amborin]

14. it would create jobs,

but at a tremendous cost, including to the environment.

The train is estimated to take 2hrs and 38 mins from LA to SF.

That won't stop many from flying, imo, as a flight takes approx 50 mins from
lax to sfo, and you can hop right on bart at sfo. Plus, many want to go to oak, not sfo,
so that presents a different issue.

Its initial route would be from Bakersfield to somewhere in the central valley; but is
there secondary public transportation at the station? Not currently. So....

projected ridership is dubious.....

[Marsala]

7. This is America in 20-30 years if the Republicans don't moderate themselves

Change or die.

[jody]

12. Beware what you wish for, you might get it. Now CA Dems can blame no one

but themselves for not solving the many problems in California.

I hope CA Democrats can find solutions because the other 49 states have similar problems and need a pattern of success to follow.

I write this from a beautiful city in the Inland Empire.

[musiclawyer]

15. Don't F--k this up CA dems

1. Get rid of prop 13 for corporations
2 do single payer Health care
3 do climate change
4 tax incentivize green jobs

Pressure any Dino's with a primary challenge

Then you are good