The latest Field poll reveals that Prop 93 is trailing in the Bay Area. That seems to mean that many progressives, disgusted with Speaker Nunez and President Pro Tem Perata are willing to throw away the best chance to reform term limits we have had since that pernicious “reform” was enacted in 1990. There is much to complain about where Nunez and Perata are concerned, and yes, this does help them remain in office. But are we really so childish that we are willing to eschew a much-needed reform of a very bad public policy, one that prevents legislators from remaining in office long enough to become effective at their job, simply because it also benefits two corrupt politicians?
Progressives will cement the current system of term limits for the forseeable future if they defeat Prop 93 out of frustration with two individuals. Unless we get behind Prop 93, we are likely to regret it when we lament the defeat of public financing of elections and meaningful health insurance reform, to name just a few items on our agenda.