This sort of malfeasance isn't exactly novel in political circles (remember the wretched 111th Congress?), but traditionally its practitioners have either denied any wrongdoing or kept quiet. Not so in California. According to Democratic Assemblyman Charles Calderon, keeping the public in the dark is a necessary component of good government. From the AP report:
He said Republicans are not thinking of the public in trying to require a 24-hour waiting period. Instead, Calderon said they would only use that time to gin up opposition and punish lawmakers who approve good but politically risky policies.
"A 24-hour reading period often gets used for mischief," said Calderon, the longest-serving lawmaker in the Capitol. "Democrats are the majority party, and they have the responsibility to vote for things sometimes that are not popular with the public.
So, just to review, Democrats in the California Legislature are operating in service of political courage -- courage so thoroughgoing that it prevents them from debating the Republicans who they outnumber approximately 2 to 1 or disclosing the content of their work to voters. If that's courage, perhaps California could use a little more cowardice.
