The new Common Sense Party is what California needs now. Here's what you need to know
Let us depart, however briefly, from the usual tumult of major news such as the Jan. 6 committee hearings, the consequences of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the war in Ukraine. Behind these headlines and almost swamped are matters of real consequence to us.
One issue affecting us all is the governance of California. Our state is adrift, without direction, and without significant accomplishment. We have among the highest state taxes, an unanticipated budget windfall, major California-born companies moving to Texas, property prices out of reach of many, environmental and homeless issues unresolved, and so forth.
We live in a one-party state. Every statewide office is occupied by a member of one party. Many elections in both legislative houses are so one-sided that ballot choice is between two Democrats. Worst and most dangerous of all, one party has a super-majority — without the need for compromise or extended study. Alas, the current Republican Party is not an effective opposition.
This is not intended as an assault upon the Democratic Party, but the reality is that political success is best served by loyal assent within that party structure. Inspiration, experience and proven competence are nice, but not essential.
Recently a number of Californians have proposed a possible solution, the creation of the Common Sense Party. The party is chaired by Tom Campbell, a Republican-turned-independent who represented Northern California in the U.S. House of Representatives for 11 years. Currently, he is a professor of law and professor of economics at Chapman University.
The party’s aim is to identify those candidates who have demonstrated a) independence b) integrity c) intelligence and d) a clear commitment to the resolution of California issues without personal political gain. Such candidates may belong to either major party — or neither.
The Common Sense Party has no orthodoxy to issues and no interest in participating in heated conservative-liberal or other emotionally draining debates. It is solely interested in identifying those responsible Californians who demonstrate the presence and leadership to get our state back in motion. It seeks to be a vehicle for new ideas, new solutions, and accountability.
The party needs 73,000 registered members by January 2024 to be officially recognized by the California secretary of state. That means it needs people to change their party affiliation.
If this has stimulated your interest and you would like more information, please visit their website, www.cacommonsense.org.
George H. Koenig is a resident of La Quinta. Email him at ghkmd@mac.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California politics: New Common Sense Party chaired by Tom Campbell
