Initiatives in California

Every recent poll has confirmed the profound public distrust of legislators as a group. Incumbent legislators appear to act under the assumption that his (her) first duty is to get reelected. To do this, he, or she, relies on the Sacramento power brokers, and you know who they are, for support. The power brokers, in turn, rely on special-interest groups for the campaign money they provide.

The initiative process in California must be returned by the public for a very good reason. The legislators have demonstrated time and again that they, as a group, are responsive primarily to special-interest groups.

Now, the Sacramento power brokers, in response to their masters, the special-interest groups, are beating the drum to change the initiative process to make it more difficult to bring a public-supported initiatives to the ballot for the people to decide. I say, leave the initiative process alone.

ROBERT BUTLER

Buena Park