California Family Minute

 September 14, 2011

Taking Things Into Our Own Hands

by Ron Prentice,
Chief Executive Officer

As California’s legislative majority puts forth bills that grow government power, add to the state’s debt, and silence the voices of traditional morality, people are fighting back with a resounding “We’ve only just begun.” 

** If you call Governor Jerry Brown’s automated phone line, you’ll probably hear a “busy” signal. That's because Assembly Bill 499 is one of only two bills highlighted on Governor Brown’s voicemail system. This means that Brown’s offices have received enough calls to warrant an automated polling system (to spare his staff from hearing from irate citizens). Mentioned in last Friday’s CFC release, AB 499 allows a child as young as 12 to receive treatment related to sexually transmitted diseases (STD), without informing the child’s parents or guardians. Currently in California, a girl as young as 12 may receive medical treatment including birth control and abortion outside the knowledge of her parents. AB 499 would further reduce parental involvement by allowing girls or boys to receive confidential medical counsel and treatment for STDs. At the center of resistance are the issues of parental authority and the drug Gardasil, used against the human papilloma virus (HPV), an all-too-common STD that may lead to cervical cancer in women. To voice your opinion about parental rights to the governor by phone, call his automated line at 916-445-2841. Be prepared to keep trying, as a “busy” signal is likely.

** Reports are good on the referendum against Senate Bill 48, with signature gathering taking place throughout the state in hundreds of churches. Volunteers seeking to place petitions at churches claim a 99% positive response rate from pastors. 505,000 valid signatures by registered California voters are required to place the referendum on the June 2012 primary ballot. SB 48 mandates that the social contributions of homosexuals, bisexuals, and transgendered persons be included in California’s textbooks and instructional materials for grades K-12. Of course, significant contributions to California’s history should be included, regardless of one’s sexual orientation. However, SB 48 not only mandates the inclusion but also the explanation of these alternate sexual orientations, and disallows any content that may reflect adversely on those populations, such as HIV-AIDS epidemics, shortened life span statistics, etc.  SB 48 was signed into law by Gov. Brown, and a referendum will allow the people of the state to vote on whether the new law should take effect. For more information, link here to StopSB48.com.

** StopSpecialInterestMoney.org is an initiative by the people to bring about major changes to financing of candidates and campaigns by corporations and labor unions. It would make voluntary all dues from union members that are intended for political use. Backers of this initiative have been quietly at work to gather the necessary hundreds of thousands of signatures, and the people of California will have the opportunity to vote on, 1) whether corporations and labor unions can give directly to campaigns and, 2) whether union members must be forced to support political ideologies they oppose with their monthly dues.  

Forward this report to your family, friends, and co-workers! Help to inform and educate more Californians about the anti-family bills coming out of our Legislature, and the encouraging news of “the People” fighting to protect the freedoms and rights that would otherwise be taken from us.