Editorial:

This past Tuesday there were several special elections held across the country that demonstrated a shift in attitudes with the voting majority.

   The most significant shift in attitude about immigration was demonstrated with the recall election of Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce, the architect of Arizona’s anti-immigrant SB 1070 Law.  At the time it was enacted, SB 1070 was the harshest immigration law in the U.S. SB 1070 was approved by the voters, only to be set aside by the courts. The passage of SB 1070 subjected Arizona to nationwide criticism, boycotts, and loss of revenue. Unfortunately, the Arizona law encouraged a few other states to pass even tougher anti-immigrant legislation.

   The extremist anti-immigration Arizona Senator Pearce was defeated this past Tuesday by fellow Republican Jerry Lewis. Lewis won the election with over 53% of the vote. The defeat of Pearce is the first and most significant step in the direction of a new conversation on immigration.

   What makes this shift even more significant is that Pearce at one time was considered the most powerful politician in the State and untouchable as far as re-election, and Pearce became the first state senate president in American history to be thrown out of office in a recall election.

   It has always been our contention that if the conversation on immigration is going to change, to reflect a more sensible approach than the draconian approach of the Republican Party, Latinos must have an impact on the polls. There must be a political consequence for extreme anti-immigration positions such as that held by Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain. It is painful to hear Herman Cain, presidential candidate, suggest that we electrify the border fence as a solution to the immigration problem.

   The second significant action taken by the voters was the repeal Ohio’s SB 5 that severely restricted the rights of public employees to collective bargaining. Ohio voters decisively rejected the attack on public employees by a 2-1 margin, sending a resounding message to Republican Governor John Kasich that public employees are valued. The scapegoating of unions in Ohio has come to an end.

   The overwhelming support of public employees was also a reflection of working class America, the 99%, standing up to the wealthy top 1% who have traditionally been favored by the Republican Party.

   SB 5 was passed by the legislature despite sizable public protests. But the public wouldn’t stand for it. Over 61% of voters – Democrats, Republicans and Independents – voted to repeal the union-busting SB 5. This should send a loud and clear message across the country, a message that should be heard here in San Diego with the approval of Carl DeMaio’s Comprehensive Pension Reform petition, a measure that looks to radically change the pensions of thousands of public employees in San Diego.

   A  change of attitude is coming and it is coming from the voters who are speaking out against polarizing, self-serving, politics and making a statement for common sense approach to the problems facing our nation.