Gov. Wilson’s Initiative

Thank you for the editorial, which alerts your readers to the inherent dangers in the Wilson initiative. Behind the guise of welfare reform, this measure proposes to amend the Constitution to profoundly alter the protections granted all of us by the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches. It provides that not only current the governor but also future governors would have the power to unilaterally declare a fiscal emergency, and institute a budget without the approval of those we elect to represent us in the Legislature.

The U.S. Constitution, on which the California Constitution is modeled, was written by statesmen who had experienced the imposition of power by English rulers over the people of the colonies. Checks and balances were deliberately placed on the three branches of government to protect citizens from a recurrence of this kind of tyranny. Frustration because of the seeming inability of this executive and Legislature to work together must not lead us to a retreat from the democratic principles on which our nation was founded.

JEAN RAUN

Laguna Beach