Random political stuffs

You know what I think a fundamental problem with Democrats is. They believe that more power should be given to the people. The problem is, the majority of people are against many positions that Democrats espouse. We see this all the time in California, like when voters voted against services for illegal immigrants (Prop 187) and eliminated affirmative action (Prop 209). There’s other stuff also, and I think that’s why Schwarzenegger is so eager to bypass the largely Democratic state Senate and go directly to the people through special elections.

So in my opinion, Democrats need to decide whether they want to give more power to the people or adjust their party positions, because they are at odds. Personally, I’m more in favor of the latter. I have no problem with elitism. I *want* my leaders to be elites, people who are smarter and wiser than the general population. Preferably smarter and more informed than me. Let the people choose but don’t let them decide. Why reduce policy to tyranny of the masses?

On another random political note, I came across an interesting point while reading about Sandra Day O’Connor about affirmative action that made me wonder, what’s the point of affirmative action? I’m not particularly for or against it, but I think it’s fair to ask about whether it’s working or not. Unless the point of it is reparations, which is perfectly valid. But that’s not what most people say it is. And some studies (so I’ve read – don’t quote me on this) indicate that the gap between whites and blacks has increased in the past few decades, when affirmative action has been in place. If that’s true, why do people assume the solution to the gap is more affirmative action? Is there any evidence that it’s worked? Is it perhaps worth thinking about different solutions if this one isn’t working? I dunno.

But I don’t know any details so I might be completely wrong.