Posted on 05/01/2002 2:59:06 PM PDT by ElkGroveDan
SACRAMENTO - Gubernatorial nominee Bill Simon today issued the following statement regarding Governor Davis' divisive and politically motivated support for reparations:
"Today the Department of Insurance released a report documenting insurance company records containing a list of former slaves and slaveholders to comply with legislation (SB 2199 - Hayden) signed in 2000 by Governor Davis. Governor Davis recently fanned the flames of divisiveness when he said, 'Clearly, we want to right any wrongs and do justice to people who were taken advantage of.'
"Bringing up the wounds of our country's past in a politically motivated attempt to shore up his political standing today is typical of Governor Davis, who offers only politics, and no solutions.
"Americans feel pain for what happened over 150 years ago, but we cannot right the wrongs of history by handing out money generations later. Imagine if we were to even try. History is littered with injustices committed against countless groups of people - and where are we to draw the line? It has been a trademark of our country to let go of the past and build for a better future.
"Forcing insurance companies to pay money to organizations favored by Jesse Jackson - in the hope it yields votes for the politically obsessed Governor in November - is a shallow game that does nothing to advance the interests of those who are the descendants of slaves.
"We should be improving the lives of those we can actually help today. Any consideration of reparations by the Governor should focus on all children trapped in low-performing schools today. They are the ones who are being denied opportunity. They are the ones stuck in schools with more rats than textbooks.
"Instead of issuing divisive statements, I believe the governor of our state should create economic opportunities and hope in our blighted urban areas so that those whose lives are in despair can know the benefits of a good job, quality schools, and a reliable income.
"I call upon Governor Davis to retract his divisive comments supporting the push for reparations and to work towards substantive changes to improve the lives of all Californians."
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