Trying to grasp this disaster
We now have incontrovertible proof that political polarization, which, until recently, has largely manifested itself as annoying theater, is about to send California over the cliff. On a near straight-party vote, the Legislature has allowed the engines of state government to freeze up. The few who in the past have showed a willingness to compromise have been ostracized. The camps have turned away from each other, and voters, who somehow still fail to see the disaster for what it is, only cheer on their partisan favorites and villify the other side.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of children will soon lose their health coverage. Five thousand state workers will lose their jobs. Huge, devastating cuts will decimate education at multiple levels. Social services will be gutted. Most of the state's 280 parks will be shuttered. Why? Because we've elected legislators who correctly believe voters value inflexibility.
We criticize the Legislature because elected officials make convenient scapegoats -- which is not to say they are without blame. But we get the Legislature we deserve.
Maybe one day a more moderate Legislature will be able to sustain an environment of mutual respect, but that will only happen when the voters say they're ready for it to happen. Until then, we can only urge lawmakers to keep working toward a budget solution, because the only thing worse than a clearly defined disaster is a disaster we still don't fully grasp.
