Using Technology to Deepen Democracy, Using Democracy to Ensure Technology Benefits Us All

Monday, August 23, 2010

Changing the Discourse in the Battle California's Over Prop 23

Calitics:
This fall, California voters will vote on Proposition 23, officially termed a "suspension" of California's global warming law (AB32) "until unemployment reaches 5.5%" and named by its supporters a "jobs initiative." [One would expect t]he battle [to] play out exactly as similar battles over federal climate policies [usually have done]: conservatives claim it'll destroy jobs, raise taxes, and increase family energy costs; environmentalists valiantly-yet-unsuccessfully try to set the record straight, only to be ignored by middle class voters worried about pocketbook issues. But a funny thing is happening. The narrative is shaping up to be quite different. The shadowy interests behind Prop 23 are being exposed to the light. And Prop 23 is being opposed by clean technology investors who see a stark choice: build the future or burn the planet. Consider it evidence of hope.

I will post much more on this Proposition and others in the coming months.

Here in California the Propositions on the 2010 ballot provide occasion either to break at last or else to catastrophically consolidate a generational stranglehold of anti-governmental ideology on California's capacity to govern itself sensibly and equitably. Given the curious state of affairs in which so many California residents are enormously interested and well-informed about national politics while at once indifferent and flabbergastingly uninformed about the politics of their own State, it is well worth recalling that as goes California -- one of the largest economies in the world -- so often, so goes America. Progressive Californians can scarcely do more for American Progress than we can in our unique position as citizens of this State to turn the tide here for good.

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