Initiatives in California

Willie Brown strikes again, exhibiting his contempt for the voters of California. His comments in your article on the initiative process speaks to that point.

For years, the Legislature, under his leadership, either failed to act or passed wimpy legislation in the areas of insurance reform, campaign financing, ethics, anti-smoking and environmental issues. At the same time, Willie and his gang had very little problem taking money from any special-interest group that could pay their price to pass laws suited to their fancy.

What will it take to convince Willie Brown and company that they work for and are paid by the people of California and not industry trade associations?

What Brown doesn’t understand is that a Constitution and initiative process exist so that the people will be heard when elected officials refuse to listen and act. It shocks me to think that deep down, the Speaker’s only concern is concentrating and maintaining absolute power over the legislative process, the people be damned. The arrogance alone should be reason for expulsion from public office.

BRUCE A. BRAUN

Sherman Oaks