The measure of government -- especially in a republic of representative democracy -- is how government looks after the interests and common good of the people through its laws and institutions. Indeed, the true test of government is how it handles foreseen and unforeseen crises.

Clearly, California's energy crisis is not only an example of government's failure of good intentions, but a glaring example of the failure of government in a foreseen crisis of devastating proportions.

Certainly, corporate energy providers are equally responsible for allowing supplies to reach crisis levels without an advance word of warning. Combined, it's simply inexcusable for government and corporate interests to toy with natural gas and electrical power supplies which are vital to the economy, health and welfare of the people.

Surely we must realize that we're getting hit extremely hard between our homes, our jobs and our checking accounts with monumental screw-ups that should never have happened. The tyranny of extremist groups, reactionary government and management by crisis are a toxic mix that can no longer be tolerated just because it seems environmentally and politically correct.

In the end, we will know what it means when government and corporate interests violate the public and consumer trust while keeping us in the dark. Indeed, how can we feel secure with our laws and institutions when society has been relentelessly assaulted by selfish interests and battered by the failures of good intentions? Maybe it's time to pull out the ballot initiatives and resolve the crises ourselves. That is, if it's not too late.

Note: What have the investigative news media been doing all this time, other than sitting on their biased political agendas? Where is their responsibility to the public?

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center
Apple Valley, CA