Fearing backlash, California Democrats chart centrist path

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Fearing backlash, California Democrats chart centrist path

By Sharon Bernstein
SACRAMENTO | Sat Sep 7, 2013 1:02pm BST

(Reuters) - Democrats in California have a level of power they have craved for years, holding the governorship and large legislative majorities, but to the consternation of some party faithful - and the surprise of many Republicans - they are reining in some progressive impulses.

Fearing a backlash from moderate voters, party leaders have held back on a number of touchstone issues, spending less than many wanted on social programs and placing a proposal to weaken the state's tax reform law, Proposition 13, into legislative limbo.

With the 2013 legislative session ending on Friday, a package of gun control measures has been held up for months, while a bill to regulate fracking, the process of extracting oil from rock by injecting it with water and chemicals, passed only after a proposed moratorium was removed.

"We have been modest," said Senate leader Darrell Steinberg, a Democrat. "We have used the super-majority selectively and strategically."

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Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/09/07/us-usa-california-democrats-idUKBRE9860AW20130907

[Jackpine Radical]

1. California Democrat--

[blkmusclmachine]

6. +1.

[tularetom]

2. They watch too much TV

What they are proposing is not radical left wing stuff but they nave been brainwashed into believing the media bullshit about how this is a "center right" country.

If they had the spine to go with their instincts instead of believing the talking head brigade they might be pleasantly surprised at the reaction they received.

[blkmusclmachine]

10. Nah. 1 Party, 2 Faces.

[villager]

3. This is why neither party can be trusted, and ultimate solutions lie outside "the system"

Last edited Sun Sep 8, 2013, 10:24 PM - Edit history (1)

The only thing Democrats are good for is keeping Republicans from holding office.

But if you're expecting braveness, integrity, vision, long-range solutions... look elsewhere.

[blkmusclmachine]

7. +1.

[Trillo]

4. The Ratchet.

Shortly after joining DU so many years ago, someone offered this essay in a discussion:

The Ratchet

The American political system, since at least 1968, has been operating like a ratchet, and both parties -- Republicans and Democrats -- play crucial, mutually reinforcing roles in its operation.

The electoral ratchet permits movement only in the rightward direction. The Republican role is fairly clear; the Republicans apply the torque that rotates the thing rightward.

The Democrats' role is a little less obvious. The Democrats are the pawl. They don't resist the rightward movement -- they let it happen -- but whenever the rightward force slackens momentarily, for whatever reason, the Democrats click into place and keep the machine from rotating back to the left.

...

So now the Democrats have moved to the "center." But of course this has the effect of shifting the "center" farther to the right.

There's more at the link.

[blkmusclmachine]

8. +1.

[blkmusclmachine]

5. 1 Party, 2 Faces

There's no situation where the Democrats WON'T intentionally hamstring themselves.

F/ck this empty shell of a Party.

[blkmusclmachine]

9. +1.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

11. WHAT THE FUCK?!?? WHY?!?! The state is sitting on a fucking surplus!

Obamacare Exchanges is cutting health care premiums well in half!!

What the fuck is wrong with Democrats? Do we have that much of an inferiority complex??