Many trends, not all of them good, start in California. The latest – the political recall – may be a laughing matter for talk show hosts and columnists, but its consequences could be severe for California and the rest of the country. California is a huge state with a huge economy (it would rank fifth in the world in term of gross domestic product if it were a country) and when things go bad there, the whole country feels it.

No matter who wins the Oct. 7 election, much damage has already been done. Rather than working to solve California’s pressing problems – the largest being a $38 billion budget deficit that has lead to college tuition increases, jumps in state fees and threatened state employee layoffs – Gov. Gray Davis is spending his time fighting for his political life in the courts and the media. In addition, the election itself will cost taxpayers $67 million, according to the secretary of state.

Recalls are often touted as grassroots democracy in action. In fact, they are often the opposite. A small angry minority collects signatures to oust politicians often based on their votes on a single issue or, in the case of California, a wealthy person bankrolls the process. Further evidence of this is that California Democrats have already threatened a recall if a Republican wins the governor’s seat. True democracy would be to vote out those who are deemed to have failed to serve the public interest during the next election.

As for California, perhaps what is most shocking is how easy it is to run for governor. All that is required are 65 signatures and $3,500. More than 150 people turned in nomination papers by the weekend deadline. Such a crowded field and just two months to campaign gives a huge advantage to someone with name recognition, someone like Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose announcement of his candidacy on the Jay Leno show adds new meaning to politics as theater. While Minnesotans survived four years of Jesse Ventura (he at least served as a mayor before running for governor), the consequences of choosing a leader because he played a tough guy in the movies would be far worse for California.

The state’s economy is in bad shape not so much because Gray Davis is a bad governor. It is experiencing steep declines in tax revenues, the same problem faced by states from coast to coast. The problem was made worse because his hands are tied by propositions that limit tax increases and by a state legislature that has been less than cooperative. Another blot on Davis’ record is the energy crisis, which it turns out, was manipulated by corporations such as Enron while Gov. Davis pleaded for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to intervene (perhaps the FERC commissioners should be recalled). These are huge problems that need real solutions and an ability to work with other state lawmakers, not just tough talk.

On Oct. 7 – and, given the circus atmosphere, long before then – all eyes will be on California.