Customer Reviews

California Crackup: How Reform Broke the Golden State and How We Can Fix It

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a terrific book for anyone, Democrat, Republican or otherwise, who is interested in fixing California's dysfunctional political system. The authors take a non-partisan approach to analyzing how we got to where we are today and what needs to be done to correct matters. This is a must read!

California Crackup is the first non-fiction work since Seabiscuit to successfully lure me away from my evening novel. It's a real-life mystery thriller that unravels the twisted skein of California's political mess in clear, fast-paced writing. Even better, the mystery has a believable solution - fixes presented are ideas proven to work in other places instead of misty, untried fantasies. It's illuminating reading not just for Californians, but for everyone who wants more responsive, effective democracy. Like sheep to the slaughter, other states are blithely heading down the same slippery slope with no clue what's in store. Neither the root causes or the solutions are obvious. One problem: there's not even the briefest map to help readers have a part in turning this plan into reality - a puzzling deficiency given the voluminous footnotes on everything else.

A few months ago, although it seems like years, I was standing on corners soliciting signatures on a petition to have an initiative to call a California constitutional convention. My catch phrase was "help fix California's government". When people walked past (as most did of course) I would say "you know it's broken" Only one person ever said no it isn't, but many laughed because what I said was so obvious.

My explanation of what was broken was similar to the authors'. I described it as "a vicious cycle". The authors describe this as follows, "The public distrusts the legislature and their elected officials. So voters, preferring to trust themselves, make major policy decisions via ballot initiative. These decisions because of the requirement that initiatives not be changed by legislators alone, further tie the hands of lawmakers. The frustrated lawmakers find it difficult to solve pressing problems, further fueling the public frustration that produces more initiatives and more hand-tying. This vicious cycle produces anger, more budgeting at the ballot box and poor governance."

The first part of the book contains a description of how California government reached its present condition. Especially valuable is the discussion of a number of initiatives that have contributed to creating California's dysfunction. Prop 13 and prop 98 are probably the best known, but if you care about California you also should know about prop 4 (the Gann initiative), prop 4(terrm limits), prop 63 (mental health) and many others discussed in this book.

I found the description of the initiative that created the California lottery particularly instructive. Not because the initiative had a significant impact but because it perfectly encapsulates what is wrong with the process. Firstly it was a purely commercial activity. The original sponsor of the initiative was a company whose business is to collect signatures, financial backing came from a company that administers state lotteries. Both were working for themselves, not for California. Secondly, the result was to create a state lottery that "effectively -- and forever -- stripped state law makers of the power to make policy choices about how to manage the lottery, use the funds it generates, or adjust to changes in the market ..."

In the second part of the book the authors present details of what a revised constitution that fixed California's government might look like. The organizing idea, which I haven't seen before, is that in California the legislative authority resides in a combination of the elected legislature and direct democracy. Currently they don't work well together (the vicious cycle) but reform can't get rid of either. Reform must combine them into a consistent whole in which they work together. The authors present in detail what this might look like. For example, they propose a unicameral legislature based on a form of proportional representation. And they propose one of my favorite ideas, electing state wide officiers via instant runoff voting. If you want to see all the details of their proposals you'll have to get the book.

There is one significant issue that the authors don't address satisfactorily. Namely, how can we ever get a constitutional revision along these lines? They suggest that ultimately the legislature will recognize that a revision is needed and create either a revision commission or a constitutional convention. Personally I don't think this is realistic. But I don't blame the authors. They have done their job. They've presented a detailed plan that if enacted would have a good chance of fixing California government. The future of California may depend on some influential political actors picking up the ideas in this book.

This is the best book I've ever read about California government - and I've read quite a few. By showing, in fascinating detail, how the state got into the deep hole it's in over the past 35 years, the book makes a powerful case for radical change. Then it proceeds to offer a brilliantly thought out series of proposals for exactly the change we need. If we Californians did what Mathews and Paul say we should do, we'd have a state government that was both far more effective and far more democratic. Other, less dysfunctional state governments could also benefit. Both liberals and conservatives in California would have to give up some sacred cows, but both would get far more in return. If enough people read this book, maybe it could even happen!

If you want to see a great review of this book check out the one that Emily Stoper wrote. She thinks it's the best book about California government she has ever read, and she has read quite a few.

Like most Californians, I know the state is in pretty big trouble. Financially, it seems we are as unsound as any state. Still, voters pass a high speed rail initiative when there are at least four ways already to get from SF to LA and back. Similarly politicians practically cut off water to farms for alleged risk some fish no one ever heard of.

Both of these may be smart and wise decisions, but I doubt it. And they are just a glimpse of the folly of politics in this beautiful and beloved state. This book makes it clear that these kind of problems are practically by design.

California Crackup is a very detailed look with some seemingly common sense steps towards better government. I am just a citizen and don't pretend to know the solutions but this book certainly made the cause of the problems fairly evident and the solutions proposed seem like something to be considered. A recommended read for anyone that thinks everything is as it should be in California.

You have to read "California Crackup" by Joe Mathhews and Mark Paul to know how the wonderful state of California became so thoroughly broken. If a temperate climate and spectacular natural beauty were not enough, California is also a world-changer in everything from the arts to tech. But our government seems all but useless much of the time. Read this fast-paced and enetertaining little book and you'll understand why. To fix something you first need to know how it was broken. Crackup is an essential addition to our literaure about California by two outstanding journalists. Sadly, my major take away from the book is that a weakened media and an ill-informed and unrealistic public are just as much to blame for California's troubles as the people we send to Sacramento. It's true: we get the government we deserve. Excellent piece of writing, reporting and analysis, as well as fun to read.

Matthews and Paul give a good overview of the biggest problems in California and how we got there. It's an excellent primer for new students of California's governance system. It's only 200 pages long, though, so don't expect a full text book.

My biggest critique, though, is wondering how realistic many of their reforms are. I'd change the title to "... How We Should Fix It in an Ideal World", which is of somewhat limited value.

That said, still a very worthwhile, highly readable/accessible book.

A truly impressive work; one of few that actually offers some solutions. Despite the unfortunate title, it belongs in every caring Californian's library. Buy it, read it, put a plain wrapper on it labeled Building, Breaking and Repairing California, and set it next to California's Tax Machine by David Doerr, after you have read that. Then call your neighbors and get to work on the repair.

This was a great read. If you want to really understand what is happening in California (and how we got to this place), then this book is a perfect fit.

With California representing such a large portion of the US economy, we know that a strong California is great for the entire US and this book does a great job of pointing out effective fixes for California.