ABSTRACT
The year is 2008. I am sitting in the balcony of the Senate room at the State Capitol in Sacramento, California. On the short plane ride here, I was eagerly anticipating presenting before the Senate Business and Professions Committee; I thought it was such an honor to be part of the political process. I am not feeling that way now. While one senator is presenting a bill, the others are working on their computers or walking around talking with each other. I am unable to find a single person who is listening to the senator who is presenting. Then it is time to vote. The vote goes precisely down party lines, or so my lobbyist tells me. We watch a few more bills get voted on, and my stomach churns watching this not-very-democratic process repeat over and over again, with few exceptions. Finally, like a teacher scolding elementary school students, the Pro Tempore bangs his gavel and asks everyone to quiet down and pay attention. I hope that the subcommittee meeting will be better.
