Blogtrek

If I were Governor of California

Well, now they are in. Over 100 candidates (the link requires that you fill in certain data) have filed for the recall election to replace Gray Davis as Governor of California. This is democracy in action. You don't have to choose between two candidates. You can choose from among a hundred of them. And it is not that hard to have filed for candidacy. All you need is 65 friends and $3,500, and, of course, be a resident of California. If you are on a third party ticket, you may just get by with 150 friends and $0.

Some of the candidates are interesting. Many play the same old banal lines, that they will cut the budget, that they will put good government back into California, and so forth. One of the more interesting ones said, "If I'm supposed to run for this office, please let there be some sign. At that very instant, this giant comet streaks across the sky and the comet is as bright as can be for five seconds OK, thank you, I got the message." This one would need some education. Comets don't streak across the sky. If he really wanted a comet to tell him to run for office, he should run for President in 2004. In 2004 a really bright comet is supposed to arrive (Comet NEAT).

One candidate is 100 years old. She will be 104 when her term ends. Two candidates are running because they believe that marijuana laws should be eased or eliminated. One of these is a disabled Vietnam veteran who has been jailed on marijuana charges. Several candidates say there should not be a recall, and at least one says he should not be the next governor. So there are some candidates that shoot themselves in the foot.

What would I say if I were running for governor of California? Here is what I would say: "The foremost problems in California are balancing the budget and straightening out the economy. But another problem is looming for California that affects both the budget and economy, and we had a precursor of it in 2000. There is going to be a natural gas shortage in California, and indeed in our entire nation. I would take steps right now to prepare for this crisis - encourage conservation, seek alternative sources of energy, especially hydrogen generated by sunlight, and encourage industry to reduce their dependence on natural gas. By taking these steps early, a huge energy crisis will be prevented or eased, one that could turn whoever is elected into the next Gray Davis."