To begin with, the preponderance of public argument against Proposition 54 has focused on the effect on health care. This is a tactic of Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt (FUD). FUD works with an uninformed populace, but if one were to actually read the content of Proposition 54, this argument disappears.
In fact, the only argument against Proposition 54 that seems to me to hold up is the one that says "without race based data" it is impossible to prove racial discrimination."
However, in many cases the data still must be collected because it is mandated by Federal law, for example in housing. In other cases where there is a impelling public interest in collecting such information, Proposition 54 provides for the ability of the legislature to "legalize" it, though this does require 2/3 majority, which seems difficult to achieve if the recent budget fiasco were to be the model. '
After several days of consideration, I am becoming convinced that the advertising against Prop. 54 is flagrantly untruthful and plays on basic racial fears. I consider it irresponsible to utilize the health issues in this way. When the opponents of a measure resort to tactics of lies and innuendo in the manner of the Bustamante funded adds, a wise person would ask what objective they really have.
It appears that the goals of the progressive community have become ones of identity politics, where race and ethnicity are used to determine ones political power, and that the opponents of Proposition 54 are really afraid of losing power.
Still not convinced of which way to vote on this one, but leaning more to voting YES, due in great measure to the stridency of the opposition and their use of FUD tactics rather than rational arguements.
Posted by at September 19, 2003 08:17 AM