To the Editor:
Last week’s LTTE from Ms. Walker. The lament was that the electorate did not produce, as Republicans anticipated, a “red wave” to decimate the Democrats. She was disappointed that Americans do not want “change,” meaning they voted not to exhume the prior administration. Yet she recognized a litany of changes recently adopted by the CA Democratic Legislature.
That pesky minimum wage rise will likely increase the cost of your hamburger, an inconvenience and minor hardship to consumers, but a modest life-enhancement for the employee also experiencing tough times. The jaywalking legislation was designed to prevent law enforcement from wasting time ticketing people who ought to know better. It will save money!
The legislation (AB 2098) prohibiting doctors from spreading “misinformation” about Covid may be beneficial, but it carries the risk of a “chilling effect” on the First Amendment and might require invasion of the doctor-patient relationship (as does physician-patient abortion discussions). It will be challenged in court.
The “loitering law,” was written to protect all people from discriminatory arrests and harassment based on how they dress or their profession [including sex workers]. SB 357 repeals a CA PC Section that criminalized loitering in general language “to delay or linger without lawful purpose” and often resulted in discrimination against transgender and people of color. The new law does not legalize prostitution. Governor Newsom agreed it must be monitored for unintended consequences. Rest assured that interference with customer traffic in and out of your fave hamburger business is still a crime.
Reduction or denial of health care benefits to all Americans is a short-sighted objective and many Republican congressionals voted against capping insulin prices and Medicare negotiating other drug costs. They didn’t act for their constituents. It was a Republican wall of support for corporate medical interests. Ms. Walker is projecting.
Contrary to her belief that the “average American” does not want change, they do. If it will improve their lives and sometimes, even that of fellow Americans, and they prefer candidates who have integrity, respect for democracy and its processes, and the willingness to work hard. Nominees who cannot tell the truth, live lives very different from what they profess, and election-deniers and insurrection-defenders are not what the majority endorses.
If positive change is offered, Americans will take it. Instead of celebrating the recent Republican Speakership debacle, most Americans will rebuff a Lord of the Flies government.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore