Tit for tat

It was California's goofy recall system that allowed Arnold Schwarzenegger to take power originally. Now, just a year before his term is due to come to an end, the same process may also remove him from the governor's office:

A California physician launched an effort to gather a million signatures to force a recall vote on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who came to office two years ago following an unprecedented recall.

Kenneth Matsumura announced the campaign prior to submitting a petition to California's Secretary of State, who oversees elections.

"People are desperate, they're suffering, and I think the governor's going to have to listen," he told reporters, saying Schwarzenegger has hurt the poor and students.

"The task at first seemed daunting but in the last week the number of hits to our Web site at 'Recall2006.com' has been really overwhelming."

While it may seem pointless to put together a recall effort this close to the end of the term, the drive seems to be a fairly natural response to an unpopular governor of any party - particularly in response to the same tactic which first brought Ahnold to power.

As a result, California looks likely to bear the cost of yet another recall election...and based on the current poll numbers, it would be surprising if Schwarzenegger can reach the 50% mark to stay in office. At best, the state will have to fund two gubernatorial elections in a year; at worst, it may also face two changes in government during that time, with all the transition costs that go with them.

Keep the actual results of such similar schemes in mind next time MP recalls are proposed as a means of ensuring better government. Once the process gets started, any party seeing an opportunity to boost its seat count will face little risk and plenty to gain. As a result, the "perennial election" mode of the last year-plus could easily become the norm, minus the cooperation necessitated by minority government. And it's tough to see that as an improvement on any level.