Recall Erodes State’s Budget and Its System

While it upsets me that the engineers of California’s recall attempt are systematically eroding our democratic system, it is the financial implication that really gets me. In the midst of a $38.2-billion budget shortfall, Secretary of State Kevin Shelley estimated the cost of the recall election at about $35 million -- an amount that the myriad slashed social services could desperately use.

Instead, the money, which will come directly from California’s taxpayers, will benefit an elite group of power-hungry politicians who can’t seem to wait until 2006 to legitimately run for governor. It is, of course, ironic that these are the same men who accuse Gov. Gray Davis of fiscal irresponsibility; spurred by self-interest, it is they who are directly responsible for plunging our financially beleaguered state further into debt.

Matthew Green

Berkeley

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So the recall has awakened a ferocious Bengal tiger (July 24). Too bad Davis didn’t show the same passion when managing state finances.

Len Wood

Rancho Palos Verdes

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Now that Davis could be scratched in the recall race, my bet -- my hunch -- is on Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista): no longer a dark horse but a Seabiscuit who could finish down the home stretch a winner and provide California with a much-needed dose of optimism.

Mike Nally

Garden Grove

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As an American who votes in every election and abides by the decision of the majority, I am dismayed at the recall campaign. Since 2000 I have been told by Republicans countless times to get over it -- President Bush won. Well, you get over it -- Davis has been duly elected twice -- and I don’t think you really want to open a Bush-recall kettle of worms.

Karen Alkofer

Marina del Rey

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Almost no one has discussed an option open to Davis: Just before the recall election he takes the pulse. If polls show him losing, he simply resigns. Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante becomes governor. The governorship remains in the hands of Democrats.

James Hober

Los Angeles

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Who came up with the half-baked idea in Article 2 of the state Constitution that a gubernatorial recall election should include balloting for a successor? Isn’t this contradicted by Article 5, Section 10: “The Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor when a vacancy occurs in the office of Governor”?

Russell Johnson

Marina del Rey