What matters to me today is reaction versus innovation and what constitutes true leadership.
As a life-long Californian, I like to think of the Golden State, the fourth largest economy in the world, as a source of leadership, innovation, and enterprise. But it seems of late, our model for “bold moves” is reaction, not innovation or enterprise. We respond to other states’ misdeeds with equal or greater carnage, we meet federal backsliding with suspension of our constitution, and we “fix” broken and exploited core processes with inadequate and ineffective exemptions and carve outs. I ask, is this leadership worthy of California’s stature and heritage?
California was universally heralded for its unprecedented adoption of an independent commission, enshrined in our Constitution, for drawing congressional district boundaries. But now our response to another state’s politically opportunistic redistricting efforts? Proposed suspension of our constitutional values and equal or greater majority steamrolling.
We fear Washington may decrease protection for federally recognized species. Our response – bypass scientific evaluation, eliminate political accountability, and, again, suspend constitutional mandates for public notice and due process.
And with near universal recognition and condemnation of the exploitation and manipulation of our environmental jewel – the California Environmental Quality Act – do we have the will and fortitude to undertake the necessary reforms to preserve the intent and eliminate the abuse? Sadly, no. We adopt patchwork carve-outs and “streamlining” that provide little or no true relief to hijacked state imperatives.
I ask, is this leadership?
That’s what matters to me today in 250 words or less. What matters to you? I’d really like to know.