Capital Bullies

A few weeks back Sacramento was abuzz with news that Senate Pro Tempore Don Perata had locked three of his fellow Democrat senators out of their office. Apparently the senators had attended a “pro-business” fundraiser of which Senator Perata did not approve. When the offending senators returned to their offices the following Monday morning, they discovered the locks had been changed.

Such bullying tactics are nothing new in the Capitol—former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown achieved infamy with his various creative measures to keep members in line. Hypocrisy is also not a new concept in the Capitol—and last week Senator Perata managed to prove himself quite the hypocrite. This duplicity was displayed when the senator voted for SCR 46 (Machado), a senate resolution that declares the second week of November “California Anti-Bullying Week”. While a noble concept, such anti-bullying legislation is part of a broader agenda to make schools more politically correct. SCR 46 is perhaps one of the most humorous examples of misguided (and misinformed) attempts to permanently end bullying amongst children.

According to SCR 46, “Bullying is not always hitting, teasing, or name calling, but may also include acts that are damaging but harder to notice, such as excluding others on purpose, spreading rumors, or getting others to dislike another person.” If this is the definition of bullying, then there are quite a few in Sacramento. Those three unfortunate senators certainly felt excluded by others when they were locked out of their offices. And perhaps they felt that Senator Perata got others to dislike them by treating them as outsiders.

SCR 46 goes onto explain that “contrary to common belief” bullies are confident, have high self-esteem, and make friends easily. While there are very few “friends” in politics, politicians are certainly known for their confidence and inflated self-esteem.

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez also recently displayed some fine bullying when he relegated Assemblyman Todd Spitzer to the smallest office in the Capitol. An outspoken critic of the state’s mishandling of prison reform, Assemblyman Spitzer drew the ire of the powerful Speaker Nunez and as punishment, he was forced to pack up his office—mid session—and take the humiliation of working from the office dubbed the “broom closet”.

According to SCR 46, the bullied “often experience extreme fear, anxiety, and physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches…” “Witnesses to bullying can be affected and may feel helpless, angry, and guilty, and may worry about becoming a target themselves.” It’s doubtful that Assemblyman Spitzer has a stomach ache over this bullying—although he probably did have a few headaches during the office move. But other lawmakers could be living with a great deal of fear and anxiety now that they know what to expect if they disappoint Democrat leadership.

Perhaps lawmakers should practice what they preach and start taking some anti-bullying classes. Every week should be anti-bullying week in the California legislature.