Jenn: Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or been on vacation in Antarctica, you’ve probably heard about the California recall election.
This recall election is a waste of time for the state and voters alike; it is a drain on resources and money as well.
Chris: Not only is it a waste of money to set up this special election, but we are also spending a lot through the court systems. Don’t forget all the money that is wasted on candidate campaigns. Imagine if all that time and effort is put to work on something worthwhile, say education?
Jenn: What I don’t understand is why it took more than 8 million people to vote Gray Davis into office last November, and only required 900,000 signatures to have this recall happen. That’s not even 1/8 of the people that voted Davis into office.
Chris: Personally, I think that in order to “recall” someone, you need at least half of the people who actually voted. Not just any Joe Schmo off the street with paid signature gatherers no less.
Jenn: Gray Davis was voted into office last November in hopes that he would do a great job running the state. Many blame him for the budget crisis that we are facing, while others are concerned that he lied during his re-election campaign. But whatever the case may be, I don’t think the budget crisis could have been avoided.
Chris: You know, the U.S. economy enjoyed a strong bull run in the 90’s. Revenues were up and the state was collecting more taxes. With an increase in revenue coming in, more was being spent on programs. But during this time, real estate prices shot through the roof and the problemswith the electric deregulation caused a mess.
Afterwards, companies either went out of business or moved out of the state because it was getting too expensive here. Tax revenue went down and spending needed to be cut . Everyone’s crying bloody murder because their programs are being cut back.
Jenn: If a family member in the household loses a job, and less income is earned, we would learn to tighten our belts and make due. This is the similar situation that’s facing California, but instead of learning to cope, we decide to play the blame game. Which would be like asking for a new dad because he lost his job.
Chris: What is worse is that people who are for the recall seem to think once we re-elect a new governor, the problem will automatically go away. I don’t see a single candidate that has come up with a sound plan, which will get us out of this deficit. Even if there is one, the problem will not disappear over night.
Jenn: That’s because people are misinformed. They think that Davis is solely responsible for the budget crisis and that by recalling him the overspending and problems will go away
Chris: Well, at least now the recall is going forward on Oct. 7 instead of being pushed back to March. We can stop wasting money and finally put an end to this circus.
Jenn: I’m not too sure that is a good idea. Voters now have less time to get to know the candidates, there-by letting the less qualified like Larry Flynt and Gary Coleman to have a better chance at winning.
Chris: I don’t think that you can get to know these candidates any better even with more time, it’s not like you are having dinner with these people. They are going to continue their little lies and mudslinging. Eventually those who are wealthy can stay in the race and those who are not will have to drop out.
Jenn: Personally, I think Gray Davis will stay in office and all of this will have been a waste of time, money and effort.
The people who signed the petition for this recall probably won’t even be at the voting booths on Oct. 7, proving once again that the brats of California waste money on a worthless cause.
Chris: But, Californians are so sick of this budget crisis that they will look for any way to alleviate it, and vote Davis out would be an outlet of this anger. But rest assured, what ever the outcome may be, it will not be decided solely at the voting booth, but in court.