The upcoming Oceanside recall election is a miniature version of the political dynamics that succeeded in bringing the city of San Diego and the state of California to the brink of bankruptcy ---- dynamics that permeate government at all levels.
San Diego's budget woes were primarily a function of a union-controlled City Council that promised gold-plated pension benefits to its public employees ---- obligations that could be met only if the stock market continued its unprecedented rise from 1981 to the end of the century. It didn't, and San Diego nearly went belly-up.
The state's severe indebtedness is also a tribute to the power of unions like the California's Teacher's Association and the Service Employees International Union. Sacramento Bee Columnist Dan Walters notes that the "hegemonic" clout of these groups stems from the fact that they use their considerable war chests "to select those on the other side of the bargaining table" ---- an advantage not available to unions negotiating with private businesses.
In Washington, D.C., the passion and focus of special interests and their K Street lobbyists stand over against the diffuse and uncoordinated interests of the public at large. In such a competition, focused effort typically prevails over the general welfare.
This result means that spending directed to special interests regularly trumps budgetary restraint. The corrupt circle is made complete when those interests kick back an important slice of the public funds shoveled their way in the form of political contributions and on-the-ground efforts for "their" candidates.
In Oceanside highly motivated and self-interested public employee unions stand on one side of the recall equation and a council member not beholden to them on the other.
The police and firefighters' political action committees spent around $50,000 to get this half-million dollar recall election on the ballot and will likely spend a hundred grand more to place someone else on the other side of the table prior to next year's contract negotiations. The idea that all this effort and money is being expended over ambulance service or Mr. Kern's alleged lack of friendliness is absurd. After all, Kern is only one of five members on the council ---- not an urban czar.
Most voters pay scant attention to the details of city politics, but groups whose paychecks and benefits depend on negotiations with city representatives are keenly aware of who stands where when it comes to their financial interests.
This passion gap is even reflected in the yard signs in my area of Oceanside.
"No Recall" yards typically display only one sign whereas those supporting the ouster of Kern have two. Indeed, one fairly small lot sports five "Yes" signs ---- two of them piggybacked on the recall boards below.
Interestingly, "Yes" signs provide only an election date along with their stated position. Most "No Recall" signs, by contrast, succinctly articulate a reason for such a vote: "Stop the Union Power Grab."
RICHARD KIRK writes from Oceanside. Contact him at kirkrg@netzero.com.
