California Contradictions

Guest Contributor @DefinitelyMike

As an independent California voter currently residing in one of the least politically competitive states in America, I will readily admit that I’ve long had a jaded view of the 2016 Presidential election. The primaries were largely decided before the most populous state could even vote in them, and in the general election, the same state was essentially in the Democratic Party’s electoral tally before a single candidate had even announced an intention to run. The results (while still incoming as of this date) bear witness to that perspective.

Lost amongst the fallout of the strangest Presidential election in modern United States history, some of us may have overlooked decisions simultaneously being made closer to home. With all that in mind, it’s only now that I myself have had a chance to really reflect upon the outcome of the California statewide initiative situation, where a grand total of 17 propositions were on the ballot.

Propositions 63 & 64 were two of them, and it is these two in combination that really stand out as a stunning example of political doublethink. Both of these initiatives were supported and spearheaded by the current California Lieutenant (and doubtlessly future) Governor, Gavin Newsom. Many of you living elsewhere may remember him from his vehement opposition back in 2008 to Proposition 8 as the mayor of San Francisco, an ill-fated voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage. Clearly, his left-wing credentials are without question.

On the morning after the election, Newsom took to Facebook to proudly proclaim the passage of his two pet propositions. As you can see from Newsom's post about the matter, he's quite pleased with the fact that a convincing majority of California voters decided to enact both pieces of legislation. With Proposition 63, he's obviously demanding that all California gun owners submit to a regulatory scheme that is entirely regressive in design, includes confiscation of previously purchased, previously grandfathered property, and that acts as yet another poll tax upon the exercise of the 2nd Amendment. However, the fact that Newsom is simultaneously encouraging all California citizens to defy Federal drug law and law enforcement through Proposition 64’s state level legalization of recreational use cannabis is where the true disconnect lies.

It appears that Newsom is savvy enough to recognize that millions of Americans have historically defied and will continue to ignore Federal and state drug law, yet is seemingly oblivious to the reality that millions more will act in parallel in regards to firearm related prohibition. As evidence to precedent, Connecticut and New York both passed extensive gun control regulations in the aftermath of the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre, and subsequently experienced a tremendous amount of passive civil disobedience in response to the edicts of those respective legislatures. Perhaps Mr. Newsom is in for a rude awakening with how few Californians completely comply with the latter law. I fully expect it to occur.

We live in interesting times all the same, as millions of Americans appear committed to a continued nullification of the regulations imposed upon their individual freedom of choice, whether it be by elected officials, or the ill-informed voting public.