37 Propositions
Re “Propositions May Crowd Next Ballot,” March 13: Say it ain’t so! Thirty-seven propositions on one ballot is absurd. It is hard enough to give thoughtful consideration to the candidates, but 37 propositions is an abuse of the initiative process. If the Legislature can’t do its duty and decide the issues, perhaps we should do away with it and go to the Swiss style of direct democracy.
JIM GOODENOUGH
Los Angeles
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The Times reported last week that the initiative process was flawed (editorial, March 9). Now we read that there will be a very large number of propositions on the November ballot. There is a limit to the human capacity to absorb information, deliberate and decide. We have reached and surpassed that limit.
Working at an Internet company, I see a solution. What is keeping us from spacing out propositions monthly? The expense? But what if the expense were reduced, by everyone in California having the opportunity to read about the propositions at the Web site of the secretary of state, without the need for massive monthly mailings? And what if we further reduced the expense by accelerating California’s move to electronic voting, taking lessons from Arizona and others which have done it?
MARY CARBONNEAU
North Hollywood
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