Wherein I Agree With Todd Spitzer

This is not going to happen often, folks, so get it while it's hot.

Republican Assemblyman Todd Spitzer thinks calling California's termed-out lawmakers back to the Capitol after the Nov. 4 election is "absurd."

"With the philosophical differences still firmly in place it is unlikely anything will be finalized" before lawmakers are forced from office on Dec. 1, Spitzer writes on his blog.

"As a termed out legislator, I feel it is absurd that my termed out colleagues and I could potentially be called back to try and fix the ever increasing budget deficit. Both sides have no incentive to reach across the aisle and accomplish anything, especially since Election Day will be in our past."

He happens to be absolutely right. As CapAlert noticed yesterday, a special session beginning on November 5 would have to reach agreement before the December 1 swearing-in of new lawmakers. Throw in Thanksgiving and you're talking about 10, maybe 15 business days, tops, to hammer out a deal. And Yacht Party charter member Spitzer would know - the Republicans aren't likely to agree to anything.

Why not let the will of the people express itself on November 4, and let the new solution to the budget mess flow naturally from that? If the public wants Democrats to hold 2/3 of the legislature, so be it. They would be making the choices on revenue and spending that they wish the legislature to enact. To have a lame-duck session invalidates their wishes. So much for the Governor of the people.