LINDA VALDEZ

Recall Doug Ducey? Oh, get over it

Linda Valdez
opinion columnist
Gov. Doug Ducey talks with the media on Feb. 24, 2015.

Was there anything more predictable than a push to recall Doug Ducey?

It is a childish and pointless exercise that reveals a sorry lack of knowledge on the part of participants. The guy can't be recalled until he's been in office six months. So this is little more than a way to relieve frustration.

But there it is on Facebook: the Change.org recall petition. The comments are full of fury.

C'mon, people. This doesn't even pass muster as a feel-good effort. Discharging your anger at Ducey over a slash-and-burn budget is misdirected.

Sure, what he proposed in his budget was bad. But what GOP lawmakers shoved down Arizona's throat behind closed doors in the dark of night is much, much worse.

So where's the effort to recall every lawmaker – including one Democrat – who voted for that? Under Arizona's Constitution, a recall can be launched "against a member of the Legislature at any time after five days from the beginning of the first session after his election." They are all ripe. Ducey isn't.

But even that misses the point.

Politics has become about petulance and tantrums. The GOP in Congress provides stunning examples of that. But those who really care about the state are going to need to reach beyond the nearest cudgel – or recall petition.

Don't forget, people, the election that gave us Doug Ducey had a shamefully low turnout. Direct your anger at those who didn't vote.

Or maybe – and this is a long shot – try to work with what you've got.

Sure, Ducey ignored the leaders of education and academia and signed a budget that aims for less-than-mediocrity. Sure, lawmakers ignored Ducey's attempt to give a little more to the Department of Child Safety. Sure, lawmakers rejected Ducey's acknowledgement that Arizona needs more revenues – AKA his pitch to raise vehicle registration fees.

Sure, things are bad. But clamoring for a recall that isn't even legal yet isn't going to make them any better. Nor will it help to win the governor's ear on the issues you care most about.

Liberals and Democrats – Carlyle Begay excepted – would be better off making their case to the non-voter. Tell 'em to get off their butts and vote next time. Blame those who didn't vote.

After all, Ducey isn't doing anything he didn't say he'd do. Neither are the GOP lawmakers.

As long as people leave the voting to the far right, we'll get what we got – and all the feel-better talk about an illegal recall won't change that.

Oh, and BTW, it's really, really bad form to make fun of somebody's name. Name calling in politics can be effective. But the stuff being directed at Ducey is just low brow and no class.

Grow up, people. If you want respect, show some.