California Helmet Law

The bill to repeal California's helmet law (AB695) failed again. While it was a good bill, there wasn't enough political will to get it past the Assembly Transportation Committee.

Some folks believe that if bikers had written more emails, it might have passed. Others may think it failed because it was a party-line vote. But the plain truth is that California bikers don't have enough political power to get the job done.

So how do California bikers get that kind of power?

In the world of politics, there is no power greater than the ability to win elections. If you have that kind of power, no amount of letters, protests, or even an army of lobbyists can stop you. Self-preservation is the most convincing argument there is. In fact, it's the ONLY convincing argument there is.

One person has the power of one vote. Just one. But on the campaign trail, each volunteer can generate one vote per hour. So each weekend, during the campaign season, each biker can produce 10 votes. And a dozen bikers (times ten) equals 120 votes.

Every year, there are a few races that come down to less than 500 votes. Our task is to find those close races, and take down the most vulnerable nanny-crats. If we can do that ... win one or two close races ... during each election cycle, the results will be different next time.

Our campaign efforts will pay off, and in more ways than picking up a couple of seats. We will be sending a clear message to our legislators:

We will be waiting on the campaign trail ... that you must travel.

Only then will our voices have an impact on the legislature. Only then will we be worth listening to. Only then will we change the way the game is played.

Now that's something to write home about.

- Ride2Repeal@gmail.com