Rank and file Democrats and Republicans agree about very little, but on one thing they appear united - neither very much likes the May 19 ballot initiatives.

Last week, at their annual convention, Democrats expressed their disdain for three of the propositions, leaving them short of the 60 percent support needed for endorsement.

Just the week before, Republicans did them one better, snubbing all six measures.

John Burton, the former State Senate leader and Marin representative, in his first speech as newly elected Democratic Party chief, appealed for solidarity, but had little sway. He even withheld his own support for these measures which, with the exception of Proposition 1F that bars salary raises for government officials in deficit years, appear headed for defeat.

Marin's Board of Supervisors is officially neutral on Propositions 1A, 1B and 1C, but opposed to the funding shifts called for in Propositions 1D and 1E.

Many see the budget agreement, crafted in frantic last- minute maneuvers by legislators to avoid an outright declaration of bankruptcy, as a sell-out to the Republicans who were able to extract promises to impose spending curbs in exchange for their votes.

Republicans and many older voters put little faith in the "rainy day" fund, while Democrats view this as stripping dollars from vital programs such as pre-school education, In-Home Support Services for the elderly and the disabled, public transit and much more.

But the rifts among the Democrats over the best methods for solving the debacle were on full display at the state convention. Many demanded that the budget be sent back to the governor for an overhaul.

It is unclear whether even an intensive public relations campaign in the final weeks led by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic leaders can turn the tide with less than 40 percent voter turnout anticipated and little enthusiasm for new spending as California and the nation grapple with the greatest financial crisis since the Depression.

What none of these measures address is the core issue of finding broad-based consensus on exactly how this giant nation-state should manage its long-term financial strategies.

On one end of the spectrum stand the prophets of doom who see no hope for a government that will be swimming in red ink for years to come and is too dysfunctional to want to reform itself.

At the opposite end are those more concerned about the loss of critical services than the mountains of debt. They would keep issuing blank checks using whatever revenue sources are available including higher taxes.

Sorely lacking is a centrist bi-partisan coalition that could win majority support for a radical restructuring of the way the state does business and able to offer sound recommendations that address our long term investments and priorities for a growing and increasingly diverse population.

The Legislature mainly has itself to blame for cobbling together a budget deal that most voters view as merely the latest example of lawmaker abdication.

Selling it as the best deal possible does not make it more palatable and voters seem poised to say so on May 19.

Public cynicism will remain unabated until sweeping reforms rather than stopgap substitutes are adopted-a task for which few in Sacramento appear to have much appetite.

This election could be a sobering wake-up call. But will it be heeded?