Among the many dramas continuing to unfold this past week but not discussed around the table with bagels and juice was what did the pope, who was then Cardinal Ratzinger, know and when did he know it. The case involving an Oakland, California priest known to have molested two juveniles brings into question what actions or inaction did the then cardinal take and when did he or did he not take it. Kind of reminds me of questions surrounding Nancy Pelosi and what she knew and when after the CIA revealed she had been briefed on water boarding. I’m surprised such an issue didn’t arise during the health care debate. As if things were not difficult enough Pope Benedict learned late this week that the president of his predecessor, John Paul XII’s native Poland was killed in a plane crash. What we did discuss after volleyball this morning at the table over bagels and juice was a more local issue. Having received an oversized glossy card in the mail this week regarding an upcoming election here in the golden state I inquired as to who else had been privileged to get this important document. When the puzzled looks on their faces made it clear that wives had disposed without sharing the item I spoke of, Sam asked what it concerned. As soon as I said it was about a proposition Sam wanted to know if it had anything to do with electricity. Affirming his suspicion Sam said it was just PG&E, better known as Pacific Gas and Electric, attempting to control the market. No one seemed to think the proposition had merit, and Sam said he did not like the whole idea of propositions. For those of you unfamiliar with the process, a proposition is a way for citizens to make laws without the participation of the legislature. In theory, any person can propose an idea, gather enough signatures on a petition, and place the item before the voters. What usually happens is a special interest group finds the elected officials do not share its agenda and a proposition is used to circumvent the legislative process spelled out in national and state constitutions. Sam related how this impacted him recently when he went to a local mall and was approached by a person wanting him to sign a petition to lower his auto insurance rate. He asked the person how much compensation she received, and was told it was two dollars per signature. Wanting to know more Sam asked how she was doing. She told him she needed to gather about 200 signatures a day to pay for her travel and hotel expenses. I said it appears difficult for many people to trust the people they elect to make good decisions. I said I don’t decide someone I voted for is doing a bad job just because they don’t vote the way I want them to on every issue, but apparently some people do. Sam said we could just wait and see what Jerry Brown is going to do. Once again, for those outside of California, Jerry Brown was governor of California 35 years ago, and he’s running for that position again. Dan said the problem is we have one person who’s spent his life in government, referring to Brown, running against someone who has no idea how government works, referring to Meg Whitman, former E-Bay CEO, who has spent millions of her own money in a primary against the state insurance commissioner, Steve Poizner. I had to admit I admire her tenacity and enthusiasm. Your comments are appreciated.
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