Now that the smoke has cleared and thepublic has spoken against all of the ballot measures that would require anychanges in taxing policies, the question before California remains:  how do we solvethe fiscal crisis?  A few suggestions follow:

To the Legislature:

-Do your job, and quit asking the voters to do it for you.      Your current approach is obviously not working.

-Grow up.  Real adults retreat from fixed positions when they     must.

-Quit trying to satisfy all constituents.  You've ended up     annoying everyone.

-Resign and let someone else solve the state's problems.

To the Governor:Stop calling for special elections - they're      too expensive and don't resolve the problems.

-Hold the legislature's feet to the      fire.  Force them to make decisions.

-Take special elections      off the table.

-Govern!  The state is not so much      ungovernable as it is ungoverned.

Special Interests:

-Shut up.

-Shut up.

-Shut up.

Voters:

-Throw out the people and their parties.       Elect independent, non-partisan candidates who are pledged to fix the      state's financial crisis without fear or favor.

-Pay attention.  What's happening to your      state will eventually impact your lives in ways you cannot imagine.       Get involved in what's going on by knowing what's going on.

-Vote.  One non-voter said on KGO (San Francisco) on      election night that she didn't vote because she was "tired" from the      previous elections.  Stop making excuses.  Everyone is needed      to fix the problem.

The Media:

-Do a better job of clarifying the      issues.  This is particularly important for television, where too      little effort is put into "mediating" the message so it works on the      tube.  (Maybe we need to have George Lucas imagineer some      entertaining ways to explain issues).

-Do your homework.  Ask follow-up      questions.  Write intelligent copy.  Be unafraid.

-To talk radio hosts:  stay away from      ideology.  Be willing to wait for information before announcing your      position.

I know, I know.  This is all part ofthe ideal world and it will never happen.  But who ever thought thingscould get this bad?  If it's possible to reach a pinnacle of poorgovernance, maybe we can reach the same for good governance.