Politicians Must Earn Their Constituents' Respect

By Tom Harman

Newspapers are full of stories that reinforce readers' worst suspicions, from accounts of a once-respected war hero taking bribes to stories about a high-powered Washington lobbyist who has admitted to the unseemly financing of politicians.

But buried in the inside pages of the newspaper are welcome stories about good things happening as a result of government--including politicians--enacting changes to make California a better, safer place to live.

For example, last month marked the 10th anniversary of the Amber Alert system, which has helped law enforcement safely recover more than 233 abducted children in the United States. I was proud to vote for the legislation that wrote the life-saving Amber Alert into California law, and I am constantly looking for ways to build upon its success.

I also have had the opportunity to vote to put information about registered sex offenders online at the Megan's Law site (http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov) so parents are better able to protect their children, and I have voted for tougher penalties on drunken drivers, child molesters and others who threaten your safety.

There are many laws that don't get much press because they are primarily of local concern. That was the case, for example, with the law I wrote to protect the rights of mobile home owners--including the many in this area who are seniors living on fixed incomes--and when the Legislature and governor approved money for local sidewalk improvements to help children get to school safely.

I also was pleased to write the law that protects the coast by banning the import, sale or possession of the noxious aquarium plant called "Killer Algae." A ban on "Killer Algae" may sound funny to those who don't live near the coast, but it is serious business--and much-needed protection--for coastal communities, even if it doesn't make the front page of national newspapers.

There are many other proposals that illustrate the positive side of your government, including the new plan to help seniors whose prescriptions aren't being filled on time because of problems implementing the federal government's new Medicare drug benefit.

This is not to say that the Legislature doesn't have its problems. In fact, I have been frustrated time and time again by the way good ideas can be killed at the Assembly leader's whim.

For example, the Assembly Public Safety Committee is stacked with legislators who often favor criminals over victims, and they have blocked efforts to get even tougher on child molesters and to pass tougher laws to get drugs out of our neighborhoods. Instead, this committee voted to reduce penalties on crack cocaine, to help prison inmates avoid their child-support obligations, and to parole more criminals into our communities!

These bad decisions weren't made because committee members are being bribed ­ they were made because the members are out of touch with the values of California families.

One solution is to end gerrymandering, so politicians will no longer be allowed to draw "safe" districts for themselves, and will have to answer to voters in competitive elections. This will result in fewer out-of-touch politicians, more concern for voters' needs and more accountability to local constituents.

And that, in turn, could lead to a Legislature that gets more work done for the people, racks up more accomplishments for newspapers to write about and does more to keep the bad apples from polluting our political system.

I am honored to represent you in the California Legislature, and I am working hard to restore your trust in government by doing everything I can to improve this great state.

Signed,

TOM HARMAN Assemblyman, 67th District