I, for one, am very proud of our Governor and
those state legislators who are tackling the state's energy
shortages -- at best, the "growing pains" of our vibrant
economy; at worst, the biggest crisis we have faced in years,
and one of the most complex ever.
I am sorry to read in the Times, however,
that the Bush Administration has chosen not to control the
out-of-control prices charged by out-of-state suppliers.
Unfortunately, such lack of leadership on this vital issue
cannot come as too much of a surprise, because of either an
extreme "free market" ideology or the simple reality that
some of those profiting the most have also contributed the most
to Bush campaigns.
Nevertheless, all of us Californians are
ultimately responsible for the well-being of our state,
particularly because it was our will -- as expressed through
the actions of our previous Governor, legislators, and even
consumer groups -- to deregulate the electricity industry. The
experiment failed; but working together, making whatever
sacrifices necessary, we can succeed.