The energy crisis facing California is the result of partisan cancers that threaten to spread. Indeed, as the energy crisis unfolds it's becoming painfully clear that irresponsible government, under-informed media, environmentalist factions and the opportunistic energy industry is a recipe for disaster.

Clearly, if the Bush administration and the Congress don't work with California Governor Davis and the rest of the states to prevent the formation of this "perfect energy storm," the misery index could sweep across the nation like an economic Armageddon.

Surely, America has been assaulted by selfish interests and battered by the failures of good intentions long enough to know that it's time for the whole truth and common sense solutions. If the political system fails the people in this national emergency, it may be time for nonpartisan elections and government. And maybe it's time for national initiatives and referendums.

Certainly, the California calamity should lead us to the inescapable conclusion that state ballot initiatives are needed now. if Bush and our federal representatives don't resolve the crisis, then it's time for the collective judgment of truthfully informed voters to use direct democracy to resolve the energy dilemma and establish sound national energy policy.

Alas, political foot-dragging by the usual state and federal suspects over addressing the energy mess, not unlike failing to reform archaic voting systems, is clear and convincing evidence of how little "energy" there is in energy policy and how little "public" there is in public policy.

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center