EDITORIAL POWER TO THE PEOPLE HELP RESTORE DEMOCRACY IN CALIFORNIA - VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE TODAY.GET ready for a whole new kind of election. Whatever you think of recalling Gov. Gray Davis, or who should succeed him if he's ousted, this special election has provided California democracy a much-needed boost. Elections officials estimate as high as 80 percent voter participation. Compare that to the dismal dis·mal adj. 1. Causing gloom or depression; dreary: dismal weather; took a dismal view of the economy. 2. 51 percent of eligible voters who turned out to re-elect re·e·lect also re-e·lect tr.v. re·e·lect·ed, re·e·lect·ing, re·e·lects To elect again. re Davis last year. For once, Californian voters are engaged, involved and prepared to demand more of their elected officials. Don't miss your chance by sitting this election out. There's an old cliche about voting and elections, which, like most old cliches, contains a great deal of truth: We get the leaders we deserve. Of the voting-age public, only 72 percent bother to register. Of that, about half - on a good election day - turn out to the polls. That means to win office, a politician usually needs to capture just over 50 percent of the vote - which itself represents roughly a third of eligible voters. In short, get 18 percent of the people to back you, and political office could be yours. That's a small, easily targeted portion of the population. A manipulative ma·nip·u·la·tive adj. Serving, tending, or having the power to manipulate. n. Any of various objects designed to be moved or arranged by hand as a means of developing motor skills or understanding abstractions, especially in (and malicious Involving malice; characterized by wicked or mischievous motives or intentions. An act done maliciously is one that is wrongful and performed willfully or intentionally, and without legal justification. DESERTION, MALICIOUS. ) ad campaign, funded with special-interest dollars, is usually all it takes for a skilled politician to grab the reins reins pl.n. The kidneys, loins, or lower back. of power. No wonder most politicians are more eager to serve the special interests than the people who pay their salaries. But the whole corrupt system can be turned on its head today if, as expected, millions of new voters come to the polls. With a larger, more active electorate - one demanding accountability and responsibility from its elected leaders - politicians will have to start paying more attention to public interests than to special ones. In today's election, California voters have a rare chance to transform the way government works. We have an opportunity to restore government by and for the people, and to put an end to to destroy. - Fuller. See also: End government by influence peddlers influence peddling n. The practice of using one's influence with persons in authority to obtain favors or preferential treatment for another, usually in return for payment. influence peddler n. and for the well-connected. The power is yours. All you have to do is vote. |
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