Initiative Process

In 1911 when California reformers created the initiative process, the Legislature was part-time and there was no television on which to advertise.

The initiative process today has become the tool of special interests. Between $80 million and $100 million was spent on propositions during this election. That two of the propositions purported to deal with frivolous litigation is a joke. Propositions engender substantial litigation at the qualification stage, the language stage and especially after they are enacted.

It is time we return the initiative process to what it was intended to be, a safety valve when the Legislature fails to act. We can send the message that we will no longer tolerate abuse of the initiative process by voting no on all propositions and continuing to do so until the special interests figure out that they are wasting their money.

PETER M. APPLETON

Los Angeles

* I must wholeheartedly disagree with the Nov. 11 letters regarding the state ballot propositions. This was the first year that I have been able to vote, and I not only felt that the propositions were all meaningful, I also felt that I was informed enough to make an intelligent decision on all 15.

I must also add that I am temporarily out of state as a student. By completely utilizing all forms of communication available to me (The Times, television, radio, the Internet and even the publications sent out by the state), I was able to familiarize myself with the propositions and the candidates on the ballot. I feel that if voters would take the effort to inform themselves, they would not be “confused,” “frustrated,” or fail to see the value and ease of our initiative system.

IAN McCANN

Fullerton