Let’s keep Davis

The campaign to recall Gov. Gray Davis is generating much interest and discussion. Voters see it as a pivotal event—expectations are high on the side of those who wish to replace Gov. Davis. What would a new occupant in the governor’s mansion ensure—the righting of all wrongs? The restoration of a golden era?

Neither is likely.

The issues that rankle now will continue to challenge from Oct. 8 forward all across the state. The legislature, the replacement governor and his staff and appointees would confront the political realities of today with an added burden of rancor, recall-generated additional debt and the usual cortege of unintended consequences as ever determined by "events beyond our control."

Society is already bearing the heavy costs of the insidious pressures of excessive partisanship, the blatant intrusion of money as the overwhelming factor in the election process as well as uncertainty engendered by the faltering economy of our state.

We are deceiving ourselves if we conclude that the removal of Gray Davis in any way addresses these systemic problems.

Voters should ask Gov. Davis for continued and, in some areas, increased, leadership in matters of public finance, education, the economy, and the security of vital systems and resources.

We expect of Gov. Davis and our legislators progressive solutions which benefit the greatest number of Californians based on rules of equity and hard-nosed decision making.

Thank you for considering my message and many thanks for the service The Acorn provides our community week after week.

Marianne Escaron

Agoura Hills