Proposition 50 Represents Everything That is Wrong in our State Government
By Shane Lewis
Fluctuating Policy Threatens Our Safety
In Federalist 5, John Jay writes, “…the administration, the political counsels, and the judicial decisions of the national government will be more wise, systematical, and judicious than those of individual States, and consequently more satisfactory with respect to other nations, as well as more safe with respect to us”.[1] The new Constitution was safe because the pool of potential public servants was larger than that of several confederacies. This allows for more varied points of view to ensure government serves the people and supports society- not to redefine it. This paper will demonstrate that Proposition 50 represents a growing discontinuity between the purpose of government and its actions usurped by party and driven by a hyper sense of selfish ambition over the peoples’ interest making the government of California inept, incapable, irrelevant, and abusive on the people. Proposition 50 must be soundly rejected and party-centric Congressional representatives usurping state power must be swiftly retired.
Proposition 50 is Contrary to the California Constitution
Contradictory policies create residual burdens on the people, while insulating government, much like cancer, from immediate consequences and allow it to spread. And, in areas where government is least accountable, this is where the most extreme cases of human nature can nurture abuse of power at the expense of all else. In Federalist 44 Madison states:
The sober people of America are weary of the fluctuating policy which has directed the public councils. They have seen with regret and indignation that sudden changes and legislative interferences, in cases affecting personal rights, become jobs in the hands of enterprising and influential speculators, and snares to the more-industrious and less informed part of the community.[2]
In 2008 California Proposition 11 called for the creation of a 14-member commission to oversee redistricting of the State Assembly, State Senate, and Board of Equalization Districts every ten years.[3] In 2010 Proposition 20 asked the people of California if the commission should redraw congressional districts- the people approved the proposition.[4] Proposition 11 stipulated certain principles related to redistricting efforts. One such principle was redistricting, “Maintain ‘communities of interest’ and neighborhoods”.[5]
Article XXI, Section 2, Clause 4 of the California State Constitution, addresses redistricting activities and states communities of interest are not to include, “..relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates”.[6] Assembly Amendment No. 8 (Prop 50) is named the, “Election Rigging Response Act”.[7] By admission of the above Amendment, the proposition is in response to redistricting efforts of other states without any targeted interest to gain the pulse of communities in California. This legislative amendment exposes communities to the greatest reflection of human nature and the chief abuses by government- apathy and self-interest apart from the purpose of government.
Vulnerabilities of our Constitutional Republic
Once apathy and self-interest sets in, government is laid bare to corruption and tyranny ultimately paving the way for destruction of our Constitutional Republic. Madison writes:
Before such a revolution can be affected, the Senate, it is to be observed, must in the first place corrupt itself; must next corrupt the State legislatures; must then corrupt the House of Representatives; and must finally corrupt the people at large.[8]
For the Constitution to be laid prone and exposed, a concentration of power outside of government is required. This would lodge power, “…in the hands of one body of men..where the concurrence of separate and dissimilar bodies is required in every public act”[9] and lead the people to betray their own interests by disinterested bureaucrats. The political party structure includes members of the Senate, State Legislatures, House of Representatives, members of the judiciary, and the people at large. Our party structure possesses the means to defeat the Constitution, corrupt government, concentrate power, betray the people, and encourage the people to betray their own interests unless the party subjects itself to the Constitution.
Proposition 50 Represents the Usurpation of State Power by a National Party
Proposition 50 is an indication of a more dire situation- a National political party is usurping the Rightful Authority of the state legislature attempting to implement policies of passion over the cool and deliberate reason of the people. As the authority over government in California we must expect high standards from government. Do we want fluctuations in policy that negatively impact us? Or do we want a government that works tirelessly with us so businesses and the people in California can thrive?
Recently The Mercury News published an article revealing that Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren was, “…responsible for crafting the new, politically slanted maps that voters will likely consider in November”.[10]Congressional redistricting is the delegated power of the independent commission, and possibly the state legislature if Prop 50 passes. However, California congressional democrats of a national government usurped the delegated power of the independent committee and Rightful Authority of the California State Legislature. The House of Representatives should step in to ensure separation of power is maintained. Since this was the action of House Democrats, the House as a whole is required to ensure separation of power between state and federal power is distinct.
Conclusion
Abuse of Power in most cases exists in a vacuum whether that vacuum is exercising power beyond intended scope or an unstipulated power meant to accomplish some “good”. In almost every case an abuse of power is an outcome of allowing government to act on a power it is not enumerated and in so doing furnish the means of our own demise. Proposition 50 represents a consolidation of party where the primary and central foci is money, power, and relevance. That’s why this cannot stand. As such, not only am I voting “no” on Proposition 50, but I am also challenging Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, one of the Congressional Democrats that usurped the State Legislature Rightful Authority of Congressional redistricting, to represent Congressional District 18. Join me and vote “no” on Proposition 50 and retire a representative that has chosen party interest over our interests.
Bio:
Shane Lewis served in the United States Marine Corps, is a Research and Development Electrical Test Engineer for a Medical Device Company, a resident of San Jose, CA, and serves on the Santa Clara County Republican Central Committee. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Liberty University and is working on his thesis to complete his Master of Science in Political Science from Liberty University.
Bibliography
California Legislature. (ND). ARTICLE XXI REDISTRICTING OF SENATE, ASSEMBLY, CONGRESSIONAL AND BOARD OF EQUALIZATION DISTRICTS [SECTION 1 - SEC. 3]. Retrieved from California Legislature: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=CONS&division=&title=&part=&chapter=&article=XXI
California State Assembly. (2025). Text of Prop 50. Retrieved from California State Portal: https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/statewide-elections/public-display/prop-50-text.pdf
Jay, J. (2015). Federalist No. 3- The Same Subject Continued: Concerning Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence. In J. M. Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers: A Collection of Essays written in favour of the New Constitution as agreed upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787 (pp. 9 - 12). Coventry House Publishing.
Legislative Analyst's Office. (2010, July 15). Proposition 20. Retrieved from The California Legislasture's Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor: https://lao.ca.gov/ballot/2010/27_11_2010.aspx
Legislative Analyst's Office. (2018, July 2008). Proposition 11. Retrieved from The California Legislature's Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor: Legislative Analyst's Office: https://lao.ca.gov/ballot/2008/11_11_2008.aspx
Madison, J. (2015). Federalist No. 44- Restrictions on the Authority of the Several States. In A. Hamilton, J. Madison, & J. Jay, The Federalist Papers: A Collection of Essays Written in Favour of the New Constitution as agreed upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787 (pp. 217 - 222). Coventry House Publishing.
Publius. (2015). Federalist No. 63- The Senate Continued. In A. Hamilton, & J. J. James Madison, The Fedderalist Papers: A Collection of Essays Written in Favour of the New Constitution as Agreed upon by the Federal Convention- September 17, 1787 (pp. 307 - 313). Dublin: Coventry House Publishing.
Stringer, G. (2025, August 21). Silicon Valley Rep. Zoe Lofgren has guiding hand in California’s gerrymandering plan. Retrieved from The Mercury News: https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/21/silicon-valley-rep-zoe-lofgren-has-guiding-hand-in-californias-gerrymandering-plan/
[1] (Jay, 2015, p. 10)
[2] (Madison, 2015, p. 218)
[3] (Legislative Analyst's Office, 2018)
[4] (Legislative Analyst's Office, 2010)
[5] (Legislative Analyst's Office, 2018)
[6] (California Legislature, ND)
[7] (California State Assembly, 2025)
[8] (Publius, 2015, p. 311)
[9] (Publius, 2015, p. 310)
[10] (Stringer, 2025)