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Breaking up Is Hard to Do

Billionaire venture capitalist Timothy Draper has an idea for the future of California. “It’s important because it will help us create a more responsive, more innovative and more local government, and that ultimately will end up being better for all of Californians,” says Roger Salazar, a spokesman for Draper’s campaign. “The idea ... is to create six states with responsive local governments — states that are more representative and accountable to their constituents.” Yes, Draper wants to divide California into six states. Steven Maviglio and Joe Rodota, strategists with the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, respectively, have formed OneCalifornia to fight Draper’s plan. “This is a colossal and divisive waste of time, energy, and money that will hurt the California brand,” Maviglio said. “It has zero chance of passage. But what it does is scare investment away... at a time when the Governor is leading us to an economic comeback.” Because Draper got the required 806,000 signatures, the proposal will be voted on in California’s November 2016 ballot. (MS/Reuters) ...Here’s a hint: if both major parties can agree that it’s a dumb idea, it’s probably a dumb idea.