California state lawmakers, who already get plenty of perks such as a car and paid staff members, are also apparently issued an ID badge that is almost indistinguishable from a police shield. These badges are given to the lawmakers in the thought that they would serve as a quick way to get recognized, such as "gaining access beyond police lines in emergencies". (Why would a lawmaker need to be at the site of a homicide or a fire? What could they possibly have to offer in these situations, beside strutting around importantly and getting in the way?)
Now it has come to light that a number of these lawmakers have been contacting the company that makes the badges directly in order to obtain them for relatives and hangers-on. One such case is
"Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally, D-Compton (Los Angeles County), [who] reportedly purchased separate badges on his own and handed them out to family, acquaintances and campaign donors."
Why do this? Apparently to get out of traffic tickets or get into events, which a friend of Dymally's has been accused of doing on two separate occasions. Much like a pistol carry permit that is issued at the discretion of a top police official, this badge privilege has apparently been abused by some lawmakers so that their toadies get benefits that the rest of the peasantry doesn't have access to.
And what is Mr. Dymally's response to these allegations? Why, play the race card, of course.
"Dymally has denied doing anything illegal but has fueled the controversy by stating that he is being targeted because he is African American."
Exactly, don't respond to the specific accusations, just accuse everyone of being a bigot for even daring to bring it up. How adult of you, sir.
This program should be discontinued immediately. As one academic quoted in the article states, these badges have nothing to do with the process of lawmaking, are used solely to obtain benefits unable to the general population, and can easily be confused with genuine law enforcement badges. There is no need for the lawmakers, and especially their friends and relatives, to have these badges.
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3 comments:
Are you aware of the cards members of the Minnesota legislature carry which state they cannot be arrested? They love to whip those cards out when stopped for speeding. (Which of course is silly, because they're not under arrest, but if you were a trooper, would you tag someone who decides your salary?)
Here's the text from section 4 of the Minnesota constitution that all members of the legislature have printed on little cards they keep in their wallets:
Sec. 10. PRIVILEGE FROM ARREST. The members of each house in all cases except treason, felony and breach of the peace, shall be privileged from arrest during the session of their respective houses and in going to or returning from the same. For any speech or debate in either house they shall not be questioned in any other place.
That's very interesting. I suppose that it would be almost impossible to change, since it's in the Constitution. At least it seems to be in effect only while the Legislature is in session, and not all-year round, like these badges in California seem to be.
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