California Proposition 14 would ban 3rd party candidates from general election ballots ....

[Better Believe It]

unless they get more votes than the Democratic or Republican party candidate in a so-called "primary" election! BBI



Prop. 14: A bad deal for democracy
By Norman Solomon
June 4, 2010

IN THIS STATE, the Democratic and Republican parties rarely agree on anything - but both oppose Proposition 14. Although its misleading ballot title promises to increase the "right to participate in primary elections," the measure actually imposes major new limits on voters.

By eliminating party primaries, Proposition 14 would deny all political parties - and their voters - the right to choose a nominee to run in a general election.

Instead, the top two vote-getters on a single all-inclusive primary ballot would square off in the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

In the process, the measure - an amendment to the state constitution - would exclude small parties from the November ballot.

The Democratic Party is second to none in condemning Proposition 14. Yet it's a proposition that would not be on the ballot if Democrats in the state capital hadn't succumbed to blackmail from a lone Republican state senator, Abel Maldonado (who recently became lieutenant governor).

In the midst of fiscal chaos, Maldonado was able to push the "top two" scheme through the legislature in exchange for his decisive vote in favor of the budget deal. He exercised huge leverage, which existed only due to the undemocratic requirement that revenue and budget laws must gain two-thirds approval in the legislature.

Democracy would be damaged by voter approval of Proposition 14. But the origins of the proposition already make it a grim monument to secretive deal-making in high governmental places.

Days ago, a statewide opinion poll released by the Public Policy Institute of California showed Proposition 14 ahead by a wide margin.

If it becomes part of the state constitution, Democratic lawmakers in Sacramento will have no one to blame but themselves.

Read the full article at:

http://www.marinij.com/marinvoice/ci_15225900

[OHdem10]

1. How much more UNDemocratic is the country willing to be.???

[mikelgb]

2. show me in the constitution where political parties have powers or rights

A party can hold their own elections they don't need the states dime and time to choose their candidate

[Better Believe It]

3. Candidates and "minority" or new parties can usually petition to get on the election ballot.

If Prop 14 is passed they won't be able to that and will be forced to participate in an "open" primary.

[OHdem10]

6. The GOP and DEMS make it next to impossible for a third party to

get on the Ballot.

Perots people had to jump through hoops and fight to get on the
ballot.

[mikelgb]

4. Dems and reps don't like it

because it does not guarantee them their coveted spot on a general election ballot.

In a place like San Fran you might end up with a runoff between the Dem and the Green with no rep on the ballot. Conversely in the OC you may end up with two republicans.

[Donnachaidh]

5. California in the lead marching to fascism. n/t

[truedelphi]

7. Big money controls this state, just as it controls so many others.

And now that Big Money interests are aware of how easy it is to re-arrange the political landscape via the Proposition methods, we are totally screwn.

The car insurance propostion, this "No New Parties" initiative, and the prop that will allow
P G & E to continue its strangle hold on the utilities - those are all because of the big Money Interests really using the initiatives to advantage.

And as people here face anywhere from 12 to 20% unemployment - their hearts and minds are fixed on survival and not on figuring out all the "Vote yes on no to get yes!" kind of thinking you have to deal with in terms of these initiatives.