Based on what I saw and heard at this convention, I would have to conclude that the CA GOP doesn’t want to talk about social issues. Their general session featured report after report on everything but social issues. The workshops and panels: jobs, jobs, jobs.
Now, my free market credentials are certainly in order: I taught in the George Mason University economics department for 10 years. My admiration for the free market is second to none. But, I certainly recall people accusing us of caring about property rights, not human rights, and accusing us of caring only about money, not people. I always tried to argue that property rights, properly understood, are human rights, and that money matters to real people.
Well the CA GOP seemed determined to confirm this old stereotype. Yes, the economy of CA is in bad shape and free market solutions would be a good thing. But there are plenty of other things to talk about, that would be good, unifying issues. For instance:
SB 48, the gay history textbook bill. This bill is so bad that even the LA Times opposed it as being micromanaging of the school textbooks. With the state in a budget deficit crisis mode, this is not a good use of time and money. But the most the CA GOP could do was to support the citizen initiative effort to repeal SB 48. The GOP is excited about money, but not about social engineering, I guess. Do they think minority families want SB 48?
The Baby Sitter bill: This bill AB 889, requires “domestic employees” including nannies, housekeepers and caregivers” to have worker compensation benefits, mandatory rest breaks every two hours, and paid vacation time. So, you go out for the evening and hire a babysitter. You have to be home within two hours, or provide a second babysitter to cover while the first babysitter takes a break. What?!?!? I’ve seen ridicule of this bill. But the only serious opposition I’ve seen has come from Doug LaMalfa, CA state senator in the 4th District, which covers a vast and predominantly rural area that encompassing 12 Northern California counties. Couldn’t the CA GOP bestir itself to organize some opposition to this outrageous infringement on the personal and economic liberties of families?
AB101, unionizing child-care workers: Senator La Malfa describes this in his column, Grandma Joins a Union.
AB 101 picks up where AB 889 leaves off.
Both licensed and license-exempt child care providers who receive state subsidies will be required to join an exclusive “provider organization” if 50% or more of those targeted “show interest.” Sign a card, join the union. No secret ballot required. No opting out. Suddenly, whether she likes it or not, Grandma is a dues-paying union member and an employee entitled to collective bargaining, negotiated benefits and union protection.
Under AB 101, dues will be involuntarily extracted from provider subsidy payments to grow the union, which can then be used to support political campaigns. Less money for providers, more for union representation. Your tax dollars at work.
The Service Employees International Union (that’s the SEIU, of purple shirt fame) loves AB101! They describe it as a “bill to keep California working” and to “fix our broken child care system.” I’m not making this up.
The CA GOP wants to talk about jobs, jobs, jobs. But they can’t figure out a way to talk about AB101? What are they thinking?
There is a coalition of conservative Californians threatening to bolt the Republican party if they continue to water down their pro-life and pro-marriage principles. And I would add, if they can’t figure out a way to talk about anything other than tax cuts and budget deficits.