Before you vote on November 2, watch this video segment on KCET, Southern California’s PBS affiliate, featuring the authors of California Crackup, Joe Mathews and Mark Paul. The authors examine the proposition system—what some have called the fourth branch of government in California—and argue against the conventional wisdom that giving people more control over the legislative process is always a good thing.
Because there are virtually no restrictions on what can be the subject of a proposition, we have the initiative process to thank for special laws permitting cash prizes for boxing matches and banning the eating of horse meat. Watch the video for a clear explanation of why there are so many props on the ballot, and where we go from here.
Want to hear more from Mathews and Paul? Listen to this episode of Straight Talk with Bill McEwen, in which together with the host, the authors try and fix California.
