Betsy Butler and the Power of the Democratic Party

The 50th Assembly District fight in the Santa Monica Bay has put two Democrats together to take down the seat in the general election.

Butler had the money, while Richard Bloom, mayor of Santa Monica, had the moral high ground.

This contest is a long-term win for the Republicans. Not in the short-term, in that no Republican is on the ballot, let alone with a fraction of a chance of winning a seat in the region, but the cash flow dumping into the Santa Monica Bay, followed by the ongoing allegations that Butler caved on a "teacher pervert" bill because of union interests have spotlighted the growing fissure in the Democratic Party. The organization claims to support "the people", yet every year it appears that the platform supports special interests whose one special interest includes the public purse for private gain. Reform Democrats are seeking the higher ground, even if they have fewer campaign dollars. If the Democrats cannot cut their own money strings, disaffected Democratic voters will, casting their votes for the Republican or even the independent in the race.

Betsy Butler showed no guts in committee when she sat by and let die SB 1530, legislation which would allow school districts to expedite hearings to fire teachers accused of abusing students in the classroom. Even now, teachers accused of enormous predatory acts cannot be removed without years of litigation stalling the process. Miramonte Elementary teacher, accused of multiple lewd acts against children, received a decent severance and quiet resignation, only to be discovered and arrested a year later following his recent attempt to develop disconcerting photos at a South Bay photo lab.

Butler represented the South Bay Assembly District for two years, now she had moved further North in the Santa Monica Bay. She hides behind the argument that SB 1530 would strip teachers of much needed appeals in the face of growing animosity toward public school teachers. The proposed law would have limited the power of a three-person review panel, which in the majority of cases sides with the teacher, no matter what the instructor's indictment.

The 50th Assembly District seat, like the 30th Congressional District tussle in the Valley, is bringing out the worst of one-party rule in California. Republicans and Independents have nothing to fear in the upcoming elections. The power of the Democratic Party is waning, and Ms. Butler is serving the coup de grace.