Republican Club

By Brian Harmon

LW contributor

The LW Republican Club booth will return to the parking lot next to Building 6 at noon on first Monday of February One of the Republican Club’s current project is helping to elect state Sen. John Moorlach to the OC Board of Supervisors. He has served as the OC treasurer and county supervisor, as well as a state senator, so he will be able to “hit the ground running.”

Another thing the Republican Club members can do at the booth on Monday is to help gather signatures to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom. The Republican Club will discuss any questions about supporitng the recall at the booth and in detail during its monthly meeting. Visitors can get more information on how to attend the monthly meetings at the booth as well.

The California recall process was initiated in 1911 by members of what was then called the progressive movement.

Unlike the presidential impeachment process, which requires the accused be guilty of “high crimes and misdemeanors,” state office holders can be recalled for any reason the public chooses.

The last governor to be removed from office by the recall process was Gray Davis, in 2005, for his handling of the energy cost problem and his alleged policy of giving billions in government benefits to those groups who contributed millions to his political campaigns. He was defeated by Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served until 2011.

Although Newsom is not being accused of any crime, he has gone along with many of the liberal policies of the legislature, where one party has supermajorities in both the Assembly and the state Senate.

To many people, his policies regarding COVID-19 have seemed to be inconsistent and arbitrary. Many are also upset with him for supporting a dramatic increase in the gas tax, as well as the so-called “Bullet Train.”

Another reason why the LW Republican Club and California Republicans support the recall is the frustration that comes with a government completely domin– ated by one party leadership representation in California. Replacing Newsom with a Republican could bring some balance to the state government.

For example, compiling and calculating how much money given to political candidates is spent on their behalf, and by whom, is legally the primary job of the state Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). This commission is non-partisan, but currently all of the members were appointed by Democrats.

Another result of single party control is having to deal with laws like AB5. AB5 requires that most independent contractors be hired as regular employees or laid off. Exemptions can be granted for any industry, business or job type chosen by the legislature. Having more equal political representation on both sides would make sure that the excemptions were granted fairly and equally among the companies that qualify for it.

The editorial board of the Los Angeles Times published an article explaining how the recall should not be considered a coup, but rather part of the democratic process.

The editorial concluded with, “Like it or not, California’s system of direct democracy provides a process for recalling sitting governors and other elected officials, and that is what is underway. That’s no ‘coup,’ but it’s no joke either.”

Those who are interested in reading the article can do so by going to https:// www. latimes. com/opinion/story/2021-01-14/ editorial-recall-is-not-a-coupand- certainly-no-joke.