POLITICS - I’m glad to live in a state where political discussion is not driven by reactionaries.
But just across the Colorado River, conservative crusades against immigrant workers and family planning dominate debate. Two weeks after defending SB 1070’s racial profiling in the Supreme Court, Arizona cuts off state funds to Planned Parenthood.
The right wing agenda doesn’t stop there.
“Business friendly” red states attract investment – and jobs – by gutting environmental protection and eviscerating workers rights. Blue states can never offer enough employment incentives to compete with Texas, Tennessee and North Dakota.
The unbalanced economic playing field makes it harder for California to lure business, raise revenue and reduce its deficit. And, as jobs gravitate toward regions with lax regulation and low wages, California politicians feel pressure to sacrifice critical initiatives like the state’s effort to reduce greenhouse gases.
Obviously, many companies will remain on the west coast for its proximity to consumer markets, its skilled workforce, great climate and tolerant and progressive social values. But is that enough to prevent this big blue state from joining the race to the bottom to attract jobs?
(Los Angeles-based union activist Lou Siegel teaches labor studies at LA Trade Tech College and blogs at laborlou.com where these comments were first posted.)
-cw
Tags: LaborLou, Lou Siegel, politics, California, Arizona, Supreme Court, Planned Parenthood
CityWatch
Vol 10 Issue 38
Pub: May 11, 2012
