Money talks but voters don't always listen

The reach of money is long but not infinite. Billionaires have spent hugely on campaigns for office and still lost.

And here in California, two statewide initiatives of, by, and for specific corporations just lost. The most egregious was one by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), a giant energy quasimonopoly. It spent $44 million to try to pass an initiative that would have made it virtually impossible for cities or counties to do their own energy.

Nearly half the voters were suckered in by the propaganda campaign, which was basically a right wing appeal. But 53% voted no.

Now I don't know whether to be relieved that 53% were able to see through the billionaires' smokescreen--or that 47% weren't.