A CA constitutional amendment - 1 county, 1 Senator

[CBR_rider]

As to the bolded. That is exactly how the US Senate is set up. 2 per state no matter population density. And that system has been working for 243 yrs.

What I personally see as a cancer in Ca that negatively influences politics. Is that the Dem Big Cities, are where the majority of both, PubSec Union members and welfare cases reside. Combined, they are the largest block of voters in the state. And they both owe allegiance to the Dems. as benefactors.

I agree, I think the population split for assembly/senate “equality” is a great setup (well, as great as any government made up of selfish humans will be; at least). A county setups is just sooo simple and makes a lot of sense, really. I think you are right though as well; major D donors may also oppose the move as it will weaken, even if only slightly, their patrons’ power here in CA.

[Frito Bandido]

This is something voters in both parties could get behind - granted that term limits are also part of the system.

Arguments against a bicameral setup in this fashion would be arguments against the way the federal legislature is set up - and granted Congress doesn't exactly have great approval ratings - that's mostly because people reject the institutionalized corruption that has taken hold of that branch of government and not because of the way votes are distributed.

We also have the added benefit in California to be able to engage in direct democracy through referendum - so the potential for political gridlock is something that can be addressed directly by the people if it's over an issue with enough public support.

[Frito Bandido]

Yes, you can amend the California Constitution through the initiative process.

Yes... which would be the only way to get this done. Under no circumstances would elected officials vote to surrender any of the power or influence they currently hold.

[champu]

[Frito Bandido]

So a small minority of people in these little tiny sparsley populated counties ahould have all the same power over state law as the whole of the population of L.A. County? Isnt this the same kind of unfair bull**** people on this board always scream about? Where are your principles?

The point of a bicameral system done in this fashion is precisely to make sure that large population centers do not completely dominate every aspect of political life. Large population centers will have disproportionately greater representation in the House, while smaller less densely populated counties will have a disproportionately greater representation in the Senate. In order for policy to be approved, it must be crafted in such a way that it takes into account the interests of people in both urban and rural communities to have any chance of passing. This is how the American system of checks and balances as it pertains to the Legislative branch is supposed to work.

How about a unicammeral legislature and party list voting? That way all the rebulicans can be one big viting blaock and not spread out. Urban conservatives can join forces with rural conservatives.

People in California are not familiar with that kind of system - they'd reject it in a referendum because it's too far outside their comfort zone. It's much easier to make a case for a bicameral system that people are already familiar with because that's how things work on the Federal level.

[BobB35]

^^^This^^^ with the current structure there is no reason for 2 separate chambers. We have far less representation in CA where each Senator reps ~1 million people and each assembly person ~500K people than any other state. I think NH has something like 400 reps for something 1.4 million people. or 1 rep per 3,500 people.

Better questions: Why is it assumed that Voters are what matter? Why couldn't it be tax returns, households, property tax payer...etc. What make a voter sacrosanct. At this point is should be obvious that unfettered voting rights with a disinterested and uneducated electorate is a terrible idea that will only end up in pain an misery...

[pacrat]

So a small minority of people in these little tiny sparsley populated counties ahould have all the same power over state law as the whole of the population of L.A. County? Isnt this the same kind of unfair bull**** people on this board always scream about? Where are your principles?

Apparently Tmckinney is a firm advocate of the wolves inhabiting the cities.

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

Benjamin Franklin

[squeeze]

So... LA county with 13+ MILLION people gets a single representative the same as YOLO with about a dozen people in it? Do you want that in the Fed system where CA with 40 MILLION gets the same number of assembly persons as RI?

Yep! Sounds good by me. BTW; the last time I drove through YOLO Co. I swear I saw more that a dozen people. Maybe you took a wrong turn while counting.