No Vote of Confidence

In Jonathan Kirsch’s book review, “Manipulating Democracy for Profit,” (a review of Thomas Cronin’s “Direct Democracy,” March 29) we are asked, “Is there a greater travesty of democracy, a more cynical form of deceit, than a ballot initiative?”

The answer is yes, and it is paternalism. It appears that Kirsch is saying that only those who are legitimate experts, the hair-splitting intellectuals, professors, lawyers and book reviewers should have the final say about our now complicated fate.

Kirsch concludes that even the “smartest” voter is hard-pressed to understand what is truly at stake in a ballot measure when the special interests spend their money in a conscious effort to confound and mislead him. I may only have a high school diploma and I am certainly not “smart” but it is my understanding that in this country that does not yet disqualify you from deciding what is truly at stake.

ALEC VARGO

Fullerton