In a move that infuriated some California lawmakers, The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) published "the first four digits of the social security numbers of California politicians who voted" against proposed privacy legislation today in the California Assembly Banking and Finance Committee.
FTCR purchased those social security numbers on the Internet for $26 as a demonstration of how at risk individuals' personal financial information is without new privacy protections.In addition, FTCR also published on the Internet the first three digits of Governor [Gray] Davis's social security number because, although the governor declared support for the bill, Davis could force passage of the bill by using his personal influence with reluctant committee members or with the Speaker of the Assembly to appoint new committee members for the day if he chose to.
The eight legislators whose partial social security numbers were published were not amused by the strategy, which the San Francisco Chronicle called "extreme lobbying." Assemblyman Ed Chavez, D-La Puente (565-4X-XXXX) said:
"We should be free to vote our conscience and not be threatened or harassed if we choose to vote contrary to people who are lobbying for special legislation."
Chavez makes a good point. He was just voting his conscience by voting not to protect privacy. So what if the FTCR wants to raise his consciousness. He shouldn't be harassed for his stupidity, right? Oh, were it only stupidity that motivated these politicians ...
Oddly enough, Assemblywoman Patricia Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa, the chair of the Assembly Banking Committee, voted in favor of SB 1, but said the FTCR tactic "borders on extortion." Now there's a helluva idea! Maybe the FTCR could add a new digit each day that the bill is still not passed. That gives them until next Tuesday to come to their senses, stop acting like lackeys for the financial industry and start representing their constituents. For the record, the other legislators who opposed the bill were:
BOGH, RUSSELL VINCENT
CHERRY VALLEY, CA
550-6X-XXXX
CALDERON, RONALD S
MONTEBELLO, CA
546-2X-XXXX
HOUSTON, GUY S
SAN RAMON, CA
562-2X-XXX
LESLIE, TIM
PLEASANTON, CA
559-5X-XXXX
MONTANEZ, CINDY
SAN FERNANDO, CA
553-9X-XXXX
STRICKLAND, ANTHONY A
THOUSAND OAKS, CA
573-0X-XXXX
VARGAS, JUAN C
SAN DIEGO, CA
550-1X-XXXX
The committee could reconsider the bill as early as Monday.
