»Let the voters speak.

If ballot measures and propositions can pass by narrow margins, eventual second-guessing shouldn't come as a surprise.

So why is the public outcry over Pier 39 redevelopment, Central Freeway / Octavia Boulevard (re-)construction, and Golden Gate Park Concourse demolition such a surprise? Bitter words and legal action surrounds all three, even after public opinion, committee meetings, and acrimonious votes.

California's system of ballot propositions brings democracy into false consideration. Rather than allowing only policy experts and civil servants to solve problems, uninformed, rabble-rousing, and reactionary public groups must be heard. Does this make participatory politics useful? From the reaction to the Octavia Boulevard plan, no; ditto the Garage under the Concourse; ditto the new retail development at Pier 39.

The problem is that by putting the vote before the public, the apparent seal of approval is placed on the project yet the actual constituents don't decide the fate of their local resources. Did the residents around Octavia Boulevard, and those people who actually use the Central Freeway, make the decision?