California - It's Time to Choose!

Clive shares his thoughts on how he'd vote in State & local elections....if he had a vote!

Here at iSoS we view ourselves as 'Independents' and despise partisan politics. Yet at election time democracy, by definition, means choosing one party or individual over another. At least if you have a vote it does. I don't even though I pay taxes. That's another story - see my earlier blog https://www.insearchofsanity.org/blogs/taxation-without-representation-is-tyranny-thats-a-real-political-opportunity. 

Most importantly we urge our listeners and readers, hell we urge everyone who can, to exercise their democratic right and vote. As Independents, we vote based on the evidence of outcomes and values that align with our own, rather than tribal loyalty.

So it's time to make a choice. As you consider who to vote for at State, County & City level, here is what I am thinking about. Remember, it is perfectly reasonable to vote one ticket nationally and another locally.

So let's think about the 'state' of California?

Despite having one of the highest tax rates in the country and being one of the richest places on earth, the State ranks among the worst in terms of economic inequality and opportunity, homelessness, poverty, infrastructure and fiscal stability. It doesn’t come in the Top 5 in education or healthcare. Add on the recent devastating impact of poorly managed fire abatement programs and the catastrophic economic impact of lockdowns and it is a reasonable conclusion that currently our State is not well managed by the politicians we elect and the bureaucrats they manage and we pay for.

Considering California has been controlled by one party for the last generation, and that if the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome, one must question if voting for the incumbent governing party is going to deliver improved outcomes?

The numbers suggest CA needs to reverse a steady decline in all the measures that matter. Maybe it’s time to put partisanship aside and vote on the evidence that the current governing party isn’t delivering either value for money nor improving the most important indicators of poverty, inequality, healthcare, education, fiscal stability and homelessness.

My vote, if I had one? The current ruling party has had it's chance. It hasn't delivered on the issues that matter most to ordinary people. It's time for a change. ​