Politics of Growth

San Diego’s extreme growth in population over the past few years is creating extremism in our city’s politics. On the one hand, many City Council representatives are giving in to the wishes of developers because they’re the biggest givers to their campaigns. On the other hand, Peter Navarro is preying on the frustrated electorate with the PLAN initiative.

Both approaches are wrong. Instead we need campaign reform, two-term limits and better growth management.

Limit the total amount a mayor or City Council member can spend on his or her campaign.

Set two-term limits on all political officials at all levels of government, and make all terms four years.

Hold all elections at one time every four years--one primary and one general election and give all Americans those two days off. If an employee has a voting stub the next working day, he gets paid for the holiday, if he doesn’t, no pay.

Manage growth at a state as well as at a local level. And elect people who are going to make the tough decisions. Our so-called leaders are relying too heavily on polls and the initiative process to make their decisions for them.

There’s no reason, other than poor leadership, for our crowded schools and parks, our lack of a convenient countywide mass transit system. We can’t blame our current growth-related problems on growth itself. It’s the lack of leadership in managing that growth. In a democracy, we get the kind of government we deserve and the kind of community we deserve, too.

We need more people participating in the political process and fewer politicians who are only concerned with furthering their own agenda.

MARK WALTON, Bonita