Davis Recall Represents Democracy in Action

As a moderate, I am beginning to resent the comments by politicians, primarily Democrats, who proclaim the recall is a conspiracy of the right wing, or a blow to democracy. Instead, the recall represents democracy in action. We have never seen the public more involved, more energized and more ready to head to the voting booth than now. Moreover, Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) are out of step with their claim that the recall has rendered California a national laughingstock. Instead, California continues to lead and inspire the country by promoting hope in the hearts of the public -- and injecting concern in the minds of politicians. I have never been more proud to be a Californian.

Steve Syatt

Calabasas

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That elections have turned into popularity contests does not bode well for California and the nation. That the few qualified to run the state waited to see what an actor would do does not bode well for politics in general. What we need are qualified and experienced politicians outlining their plans to lead, not celebrities using their name recognition to sidle into an office they are unqualified to occupy.

Gov. Gray Davis has a lifetime of political experience and was a state controller for many years, and he was unable to keep California’s economy out of the economic ills affecting nearly every state. Those clamoring for Arnold Schwarzenegger to be governor need to ask themselves if a popular actor can bring more than his celebrity to repairing and managing one of the largest economies in the world. I think not. This is folly.

David P. Lewis

Long Beach

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A recall is the people’s right. Your Aug. 8 editorial (“A Circus Without Solutions”) urges a reduction in the power of the people to shape the laws of this state. For what purpose? So that a few newspaper editorial writers can huddle about, express their (supposed) intellectual prowess and govern instead? Initiatives and recalls have worked miracles, from protecting the coast, Proposition 1, to ending the spiraling abuse of property taxes, Proposition 13. No initiative or law is perfect, but our ability to enact the people’s will is better than the unchecked abuses that politicians, left and right, bestow upon us otherwise.

James Namnath

San Rafael

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The Times got it right! The only things Schwarzenegger brings to the California political race is ambition, money and being known for his Terminator roles. We are aware of the man’s great body, but what do we know about his brain? There is, however, a light at the end of the dismal political tunnel: unlike Ronald Reagan, Schwarzenegger is not eligible for the presidency.

Paul P. DuPlessis

Diamond Bar

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May I paraphrase Charles Dickens? These are the best of times. These are the worst of times -- to be a registered California voter.

Mike Gibb

Anaheim