The truth is that the give and take of the legislative process is a much better way to make public policy, especially on complex issues.

Former British diplomat Carne Ross doesn't know why we're spending so much time following the presidential campaigns. "We have been led to believe that one little vote every few years is meaningful when I think intuitively, secretly we know it's meaningless," he says.

Democratically elected governments often do things that many of their people oppose. However, in some states that situation is reversed: citizens are taking steps opposed by their elected leaders.

Governance is a contact sport that shouldn't allow for having your ideas voted on while you cower from public scrutiny. Voters who passed the Public Records Act understood that; the Supreme Court's respect for that judgment should be applauded.

The voters of California sent another message that they want their leaders and legislators to do their jobs. The problem is the very system used to send this message is at least partially to blame for the state's problems.

Let Prop. 8 be the impetus by which Californians reestablish some sanity to the initiative process.