174-6-802
Change has a better chance of coming about this way than through a constitutional convention. Thanks to Mr Berggruen’s support—he has already committed a first dollop of $20m—the effort will not fail for lack of money (the fate that befell a push for a constitutional convention last year). The risk is instead that voters will pass some reforms but not others, not realising that they must be integrated.
One way or another, the next few years in California might see perhaps the liveliest debate about freedom and governance since Federalists and Anti-Federalists argued in 1787-88 about whether or not to ratify America’s new constitution. Lovers of democracy and liberty everywhere still study that old debate. They will now also pay attention to California’s, for it will provide lessons for everyone.
Such a global spotlight may elevate the debate as Californians are reminded of their responsibility. They may even rediscover the spirit of pioneers such as August Schuckman, the current governor’s great-grandfather—the man who came to California in pursuit of his life dream but had to brave the unforgiving deserts during his wagon trek, losing oxen, horses and mules along the way. When it became necessary, his group burned its abandoned wagons, then moved on and built a state. After the past few years of hardship, Californians might just be ready to do something equivalent today.

A. 어휘
constitutional convention 헌법제정 의회. commit 委託(위탁)하다.
dollop 덩어리, 소량. befell 일어나다, 닥치다. integrate 통합하다.
governance 통치. Federalists 연방주의자. ratify 認准(인준)하다.
pursuit 추구. brave 용감하게 밀고 나가다.
trek 달구지 여행, 여행, 고난에 찬 여행. mules 노새.
abandoned 폐기된, 버림받은. equivalent 동등한.