Taking Sides on Growth Measure
The developing (pun intended) furor over the Orange County growth initiative is strongly reminiscent of Proposition 13, and I expect the outcome to be quite similar. The public is very concerned about a major problem and is becoming frustrated and angry because the elected officials are perceived (rightly or wrongly) to be unwilling to face and solve the problem.
Come Election Day, the “swing voters” will face the same dilemma they did on Proposition 13. If they vote Yes, they will be voting for an initiative that is flawed and unfair. If they vote No, the opponents will forevermore cite the vote as hard evidence that the public favors the status quo. So most of the voters will agonize, grimace, then vote Yes.
If it weren’t for the fact that we live near the Orange County “Mason-Dixon Line,” I would consider the coming flap to be fascinating entertainment.
BILL ROSENTHAL
Huntington Beach
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