A Ray of Hope For California
As I reported on the crisis of Education in California, I have also been assessing the status of one of the most powerful organizations in the State: The Peace Officers' Union. It has helped to elect two Republican and one Democratic Governor and has been behind the election of State Legislators. The legacy of the Union, though, is an overcrowded violence infested system that is under Federal Conservatorship.
What the current Govenor, Mr. Schwarzenegger, wants to do is to privatize a whole chunk of it to break the back of a Union that enjoys unprecendented power. Whether he succeeds remains to be seen. What does need to happen is for a profound change of priorities. I wrote about the concern expressed by Justice Anthony Kennedy of the US Supreme Court about the money the State of California spent on prisoners. I also commend Justice Kennedy for noting how "sick" it was that the Prison Officers' Union ha sponsored the three strikes law that has caused so much grief in California today.
I don't want to celebrate the demise of the Prison Officer Union just yet. The job of Prison Officers is unpleasant, dangerous and hazardous. But, I am sure that all Prison Officers agree that there needs to be policies put in place so that their services is not needed. This is among the many challenges facing the incoming Governor as the election season gets under way in California.
What the current Govenor, Mr. Schwarzenegger, wants to do is to privatize a whole chunk of it to break the back of a Union that enjoys unprecendented power. Whether he succeeds remains to be seen. What does need to happen is for a profound change of priorities. I wrote about the concern expressed by Justice Anthony Kennedy of the US Supreme Court about the money the State of California spent on prisoners. I also commend Justice Kennedy for noting how "sick" it was that the Prison Officers' Union ha sponsored the three strikes law that has caused so much grief in California today.
I don't want to celebrate the demise of the Prison Officer Union just yet. The job of Prison Officers is unpleasant, dangerous and hazardous. But, I am sure that all Prison Officers agree that there needs to be policies put in place so that their services is not needed. This is among the many challenges facing the incoming Governor as the election season gets under way in California.
Mike Pouraryan
