The Initiatives Weigh Down the Process

As Patt Morrison judiciously sums it up (Commentary, Oct. 27), the initiative process makes a mockery of our elected government. Under the guise of bringing issues directly to the people, special interests are allowed to roll the dice on election day. Proposition 72, bankrolled by McDonald’s and Walgreen among others, attempts to roll back healthcare laws already passed by our elected Legislature. Taxpayers pay twice for the privilege of passing one law.

Including state and county initiatives, San Diegans must wade through 25 measures this year. That’s a blizzard of detail and half-truths. Not only is this a waste of taxpayer dollars, it’s also a surefire way to turn off potential voters.

Daniel Sullivan

San Diego

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Re “We’re Taking Way Too Much Initiative,” Commentary, Oct. 27: If we, as socially conscious citizens, want to restore meaning to the initiative process, we have a simple means of doing so. Here’s a method that should satisfy most people: Future initiatives must be approved by at least 25% of all registered voters to be enacted into law. If an initiative receives less than 25% but at least 20% approval from all registered voters, it would go to the Legislature, which would be required to vote it up or down, unmodified, in the next session. This would be a special case from which the governor would be excluded, thus reducing his veto power.

An initiative receiving less than 20% approval from all registered voters would fail. Since only between 40% and 55% of registered voters cast their ballots, we can assure ourselves that under these conditions an approved initiative is accepted by approximately half of those who vote. It would do away with the special interest cases that win a majority vote from a handful of interested parties.

S.J. Baer

Woodland Hills