When Democrats and Independents in the Senate impeached Trump twice due to his criminal acts, progressives were jubilant—and rightfully so. But now that we East Bay voters are recalling Thao and Price, those same progressives are outraged. Our former mayor Jean Quan—yes, the one who led a Defund the Police march down Broadway—was out there supporting Thao. “Please defend democracy!” she urged voters, as if democracy itself were at stake. Another Thao minion, a pastor named Ray Lankford, went even further, alleging that “Every elected official that is democratically elected [is] at risk…recalls are actually a threat to our democracy.”
Actually, Pastor, recalls are not inimical to democracy. Recalls are an expression of democracy. Article 2 Section 15 of the California Constitution guarantees voters the right “to determine whether to recall an officer and, if appropriate, to elect a successor.” There’s nothing more democratic than the voters deciding constitutionally to recall an incompetent or dangerous elected official.
In the same way, it’s entirely Constitutional to impeach a President for criminal acts. Article II Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution states that “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” Trump’s two impeachments (which I supported) were widely supported by Democrats and liberals. How, then, can they suggest that Recalls are unconstitutional? There’s no difference: Recalls are at the state and local level; impeachment is at the federal level. But this wouldn’t be the first time progressives resorted to playing word games.
In the end, people are going to vote to recall both Thao and Price because the two women are so unlikable. They’re both angry harpies who try to appear sweet and reasonable, but their inner fury, which borders on fanatic vengeance, can’t be hidden. Voters understand these people, and the role each has played in destroying our noble town. The voters may not be aware of everything Thao and Price have done on their rampage, but they know that both are bad news and are complicit in Oakland’s downfall. That’s the mood out there right now, no matter how many pastors come out and lecture us about “democracy.”
Steve Heimoff