I am the only liberal I know who will be voting Yes on the recall. I have worked in social services for most of my life, have participated in Americorps programs, run a youth center, and worked closely with Common Cause. This decision, one that seems to be the first that I make in direct opposition to most of my peers, is certainly one I make with reservations. It is the first time I will knowingly make a decision against the Move On stance and that of various other programs I so highly respect. I feel that the recall has become tied in to partisan politics in a way that doesn’t do justice to its symbolism for America. Yes, the recall was put forth by a wealthy, self-interested Republican. Yes, voting yes on the recall may put Arnold in power. But to me, the recall is symbolic of something much bigger. It represents that when the people are unhappy, they can make their voices heard. When change needs to happen, those who might not otherwise involve themselves politically will come forth. Some peers and I are doing a documentary on the fringe candidates of the election. While we initially presumed these candidates would be characters and not much more – that they would enable us to easily mock the absurdity of our current political position- these individuals proved us wrong. Every one of them, from the performance artist dressed all in blue, to the guy in the clown suit, from the dirty filmmaker with the afro, to the other Michael Jackson, has been incredibly intelligent, insightful, and passionate. Involvement in the political process seems to have, universally, improved their lives and made them more aware and dedicated. Though I find it infuriating that the media has allowed these exceptional individuals little airtime, and that when they are exposed, it is often as inaccurate caricatures, still, the attention to the recall has been tremendous. Ironically, we would not have had the number of candidates we do had the last election turn out not been so pitifully low. And now, citizens are expected to swarm to the voting booths tomorrow. The absentee ballots have come in in record numbers. I’m disappointed at the high number of votes Arnold will receive. He may be a decent man, but I have not once heard him offer any specifics on how he will handle any of the vital concerns of Californians. I don’t feel he is the best choice. And I agree whole-heartedly with those who feel Bush should be recalled long before Davis. But I look around me and see people excited about politics who never seemed to give a damn before. I see individuals running for office who are elated to finally have their voices heard. I see young people animatedly discussing the prospects. And Davis, it seems ,is finally easing up a little on his dogmatic tendencies, weighing a little more what is of real value to the people. To me, the recall symbolizes the heart of Democracy: it means that we can express dissent, that we can talk about the issues that are not being addressed, and those that need to be. So for now, in the interest of expression, of voices having an outlet for free speech, for diversity, for humanity, I will vote, almost wholeheartedly, YES.

I support all who have the courage to vote yes.

SOME of us must show that Davis is an idiot.

After hearing the final election results and reading Dawn Smith’s article regarding a ‘yes’ vote on the California recall, I am sensing two things: One, Dawn is willing to avail herself of any tool capable of bringing about positive social change, and two, she may be wishing she had voted ‘no’ on the recall. While this election has brought about an unprecedented number of voters and allowed a wide host of candidates to run for Governor of California, it’s final results boil down to this : the Republican party has successfully performed yet another takeover. It happened in the Bush/Gore election, it happened with the redistricting in Texas, and now it has happened in California. May the poor and middle class survive the assault, may the upper class and ultra-rich take responsibility for their wealth, and may our Democracy survive the will to create a global, gentrified, uncompassionate, Republic.

They're losing their power, which is everything to these liberals. Seems the citizens of California just can't be trusted with something as important as who's in office.

These liberals don't trust the people, they don't trust elections, they want to control thought, they want to control speech, they want to control rather than govern. These liberals idea of freedom is for everyone to do what they say.

And so we get posts like the one above.

The panic begins.

lib·er·al ( P ) Pronunciation Key (lbr-l, lbrl)
adj.
Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.

One must wonder how much wooo-hooo makes per year and what (s)he does to earn it. One must also wonder if wooo-hooo has ever spent time with a lower-class worker or an ill elderly citizen.

Someday the world will come to see the importance of compassion for all. Someday the greedy will learn the importance of sharing. Someday wooo-hooo will want to help change the world for the betterment of all instead of the advancement of a few. Until then, may (s)he meet as few people as possible so as to spread as little bigotry as possible :)

Signing off,
Mark

If you would live up the the definition, that would be one thing, but you don't. Liberals are power-hungry. You don't trust the people. You want to control speech. You want everyone to think like you do, to believe the things you believe, to act the way you want them to act. You're a bunch of control freaks. The comments coming on this board as well as the Democratic leaders last night and today clearly indicate that they are disgusted that the the citizens don't realize that liberalism is the answer to all their problems, and that the dunderheads have once again been fooled into doing things they shouldn't have done. To liberals, political power is just too important to be left up to the lowely citizens, and people who don't see things like they do are either greedy, uncompassionate bigots or are easily fooled by smoke and mirrors, of which you are another willing participant in this elitist attitude. Your condescending arrogance is duly noted.