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The March 4th statewide education protests had their positive impact – sympathetic media attention on the plight of California’s public schools. But education’s not the only thing under siege – Schwarzenegger has eliminated state funding for public transit, as we see San Francisco’s Muni collapse in front of our eyes. Health care has been slashed, and in-home supportive services are under assault. Anyone reliant on state government in any way is in crisis mode, as California is falling further down a cliff. Progressives have talked about getting rid of the “two-thirds rule” for years, but it must be done in a way that can win. And in this recession, voters won’t make it easier for Sacramento to raise taxes – no matter how fair and well thought out they are. Voters only support taxes if they know they won’t be paying them – which is why we should pass specific measures like the oil severance tax at the ballot box. As for getting rid of two-thirds for passing a state budget, theCalifornia Democratic Party has just made it easier to collect signatures – everyone must get involved now.
I took time last Thursday to watch the education rally in front of San Francisco City Hall, which was being replicated all over the state. The usual suspects were out in full force, but what was truly inspiring was to see so many high school and college kids out there – many of whom had never gone to a political protest before. I had the same thought one week earlier, when hundreds of angry bus riders swarmed City Hall to protest Muni fare hikes – prompting the MTA spokesman to say: “I’ve never seen anything like this. We should all get on buses and go to Sacramento.” Clearly, California’s at a tipping point.
But going to Sacramento probably won’t cut it. Our state’s political institutions have failed us miserably – and a vocal Republican minority in the legislature (along with our arrogant Governor) are not likely to be swayed by another Day of Action. It reminds me of what George Bush said back in 2003, when we saw unprecedented protests against going to war in Iraq – an estimated two million people taking to the streets on a single day. “I don’t listen to focus groups,” he said. Will these Republicans be any different?
I took time last Thursday to watch the education rally in front of San Francisco City Hall, which was being replicated all over the state. The usual suspects were out in full force, but what was truly inspiring was to see so many high school and college kids out there – many of whom had never gone to a political protest before. I had the same thought one week earlier, when hundreds of angry bus riders swarmed City Hall to protest Muni fare hikes – prompting the MTA spokesman to say: “I’ve never seen anything like this. We should all get on buses and go to Sacramento.” Clearly, California’s at a tipping point.
But going to Sacramento probably won’t cut it. Our state’s political institutions have failed us miserably – and a vocal Republican minority in the legislature (along with our arrogant Governor) are not likely to be swayed by another Day of Action. It reminds me of what George Bush said back in 2003, when we saw unprecedented protests against going to war in Iraq – an estimated two million people taking to the streets on a single day. “I don’t listen to focus groups,” he said. Will these Republicans be any different?
