Because of term limits, fully half of the seats on the San Diego City Council will change hands this year. Next Tuesday's election, followed by any necessary runoffs in November, will shape the City Council for years to come. The question is, will voters elect a reform-mindeed City Council or one that will remain under the sway of entrenched public employee unions and other powerful interests determined to thwart change.

Few Supreme Court rulings in recent years produced as much of a surprise backlash as the 2005 Kelo decision, in which a badly divided court upheld the right of government to seize private property, while compensating the owner, to clear the way for economic development.

It's not easy being pure. Just ask John McCain. Earlier this month, his campaign announced new rules restricting lobbyists' association with his bid for the White House. The measures were meant to reinforce the Republican's stance as a reformer and opponent of special interests.