Prop 14 challenges the foundations of our democracy

By Michael Powell
Contributing Writer

Tyranny comes in many different forms. It can come in the form of dictatorship or monarchism, or it can come in the form of a proposition that is marketed falsely and destroys what we consider a democracy.

Proposition 14, passed by Californians during the June elections, will take effect during the 2012 primary season. The proposition changes the system of general elections in California so that the top two candidates (by number of votes) from the primary elections move on to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

Although this may sound good in theory, in practice, the proposition changes the nature of democracy in California.

In primaries, there are usually a myriad of parties using the election as a way of democratically picking the person to represent said party in the November elections, for each elected office.

Proposition 14 was strongly backed by our current governor because of a bipartisan effort to end the Sacramento gridlock. However, this proposition only strengthens the rich and empowers political factionalism.

In the 36th congressional district, which contains most of L.A. and the beach cities, Jane Harman, a Democrat, beat out primary opponent Marcy Winograd. Harman is now the Democratic Party nominee for that seat.

This system, although imperfect, works well. The parties are, in-fact, not controlled or mandated by the government. Parties are privately-owned groups that back a candidate and usually provide funding for the candidate, as well as give them credibility and a place on the political spectrum.

When Prop 14’s principle is applied to the results from the June primary, Jane Harman, a Democrat, would have ended up fighting Marcy Winograd in the November elections. This not only silences third parties, but also discourages Republicans in the 36th district by signalling to them their supporters are not significant.

The passage of Prop 14 challenges the very foundations of our democracy. It will solidify political factionalism and further polarize state politics. Prop 14 tells Republicans in the solidly blue 36th district to forget about their opinions and, likewise, sends a message to Democrats in Republican districts to stay home as well.

This not only lets the state government get involved in party politics, but it increases political factionalism and allows third parties to be effectively trampled by the two major political parties (Republican and Democratic). The major parties can outspend smaller third parties and assure themselves a victory of at least one of the two spots on the general election ballot.

Proposition 14 will lead to even more lavish expenditure of money by candidates in order to appeal to a wider audience. Only those with large amounts of corporate, or personal finances, like California’s gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, will be able to win elections.

We cannot allow the state to regulate private conglomerates (i.e. political parties). The proposition clearly undercuts the very basis of our democracy: equal representation for all groups.