California Proposition 64 (1986)

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Proposition 64 was a proposition in the state of California on the November 4, 1986 ballot. It was an initiative statute that would have restored Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to the list of communicable diseases. The measure was defeated by a margin of 71% to 29%.

California State of the United States of America

California is a state in the Pacific Region of the United States. With 39.6 million residents, California is the most populous U.S. state and the third-largest by area. The state capital is Sacramento. The Greater Los Angeles Area and the San Francisco Bay Area are the nation's second and fifth most populous urban regions, with 18.7 million and 8.8 million residents respectively. Los Angeles is California's most populous city, and the country's second most populous, after New York City. California also has the nation's most populous county, Los Angeles County, and its largest county by area, San Bernardino County. The City and County of San Francisco is both the country's second-most densely populated major city after New York City and the fifth-most densely populated county, behind only four of the five New York City boroughs.

Initiative means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote

In political science, an initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote in parliament called an indirect initiative or via a direct initiative, the latter then being dubbed a Popular initiated Referendum.

Contents

Activists associated with Lyndon LaRouche formed the "Prevent AIDS Now Initiative Committee" (PANIC) to place what became "Proposition 64" on the California state ballot. The initiative was written by Khushro Ghandhi. [1] who was also the president of PANIC. Brian Lantz was vice-president [2] and Ted Andromidas was treasurer [3]

Lyndon LaRouche American political activist and founder of the LaRouche movement

Lyndon Hermyle LaRouche Jr. was an American political activist and founder of the LaRouche movement, whose main organization was the National Caucus of Labor Committees (NCLC). He wrote on economic, scientific, and political topics, as well as on history, philosophy, and psychoanalysis. LaRouche was a presidential candidate in each election from 1976 to 2004, running once for his own U.S. Labor Party and seven times for the Democratic Party nomination.

The initiative

Proponents argued that the measures would merely return AIDS to the list of communicable diseases under the public health laws. The ballot argument in favor of the proposition were pathologist John Grauerholz, psychiatrist Nancy T. Mullan, and former Centers for Disease Control advisor Gus S. Sermos. [4] Congressman William E. Dannemeyer was also a proponent.

Public health preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through organized efforts and informed choices of society and individuals

Public health has been defined as "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting human health through organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals". Analyzing the health of a population and the threats it faces is the basis for public health. The public can be as small as a handful of people or as large as a village or an entire city; in the case of a pandemic it may encompass several continents. The concept of health takes into account physical, psychological and social well-being. As such, according to the World Health Organization, it is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry, the branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, study, and treatment of mental disorders. Psychiatrists are medical doctors, unlike psychologists, and must evaluate patients to determine whether their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental ailments, or strictly psychiatric.

William E. Dannemeyer American politician

William Edwin Dannemeyer is a conservative American politician, activist, and author, known for his opposition to LGBT rights. He is currently honorary national chairman of Citizens For a Better America. He served as U.S. Representative from the 39th Congressional District of California from 1979 to 1993, during which time he, along with friend and fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Robert K. Dornan, came to personify Orange County conservatism.

Opponents characterized it as an effort to force HIV-positive individuals out of their jobs and into quarantine. Said Helen Miramontes, R.N., president of the California Nurses Association:

Quarantine Epidemiological intervention to prevent disease transmission

A quarantine is used to separate and restrict the movement of people; it is 'a restraint upon the activities or communication of persons or the transport of goods designed to prevent the spread of disease or pests,' for a certain period of time. This is often used in connection to disease and illness, such as those who may possibly have been exposed to a communicable disease, but do not have a confirmed medical diagnosis. The term is often erroneously used to mean medical isolation, which is "to separate ill persons who have a communicable disease from those who are healthy," and refers to patients whose diagnosis has been confirmed.

Health professionals believe that Proposition 64 would seriously hurt their ability to treat and find a cure for AIDS. Current medical efforts based on years of research will be undermined by the fear generated by this irrational proposition.

The ballot argument against the measure was signed by Gladden V. Elliott, president of the California Medical Association, Congressman Ed Zschau, and Senator Alan Cranston. The submitted supporting argument included claims that AIDS could be transmitted by insects, respiratory means and casual contact. [4] These claims were challenged in a suit by California Secretary of State March Fong Eu, based on the argument that they had no scientific support. [4]

The California Medical Association (CMA) is a professional organization representing more than 43,000 physicians in the state of California. The organization was founded in 1856 and is a constituent organization of the American Medical Association.

Ed Zschau American politician and academic

Edwin Van Wyck Zschau represented California's 12th District in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1987. In 1986 he ran as the Republican candidate for a seat in the United States Senate. He defeated conservative Bruce Herschensohn and Congresswoman Bobbi Fiedler in the primary but then lost to incumbent Democrat Alan Cranston by a narrow margin.

Alan Cranston American politician

Alan MacGregor Cranston was an American politician, journalist and who served as a United States Senator from California, from 1969 to 1993, and as President of the World Federalist Association from 1949 to 1952.

In 1988, the text of Proposition 64 was re-introduced in California by the "Prevent AIDS Now In California" (also PANIC) committee and appeared on the June 1988 ballot as "Proposition 69." It was also defeated.

The gathering of signatures to qualify the initiative was handled in part by a paid contractor. The fee was paid with a contribution by the Caucus Distributors Inc, a key part of the LaRouche movement. [5] The political consultant who was hired by the LaRouche organization to collect signatures for the PANIC initiative was convicted of fraud in October 1988. The consultant, Stanley I. Dale, used out-of-state signature-collectors and claimed they were California residents. [6] March Fong Eu, Secretary of State of California, notified the committee that her office had received numerous complaints of harassment by signature gatherers, including "outrageous verbal abuse for mere failure to sign petitions". She warned them that further complaints would result in legal action. [7]

March Kong Fong Eu was a Chinese-American politician. She was a member of the California State Assembly and went on to serve as Secretary of State of California.

Secretary of State of California chief elections officer of California, United States

The Secretary of State of California is the chief clerk of the U.S. State of California, overseeing a department of 500 people. The Secretary of State is elected for four year terms, like the state's other constitutional officers, and is restricted by term limits to only two terms. The current Secretary of State, Alex Padilla, took office on January 5, 2015.

LaRouche activists accused official agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control of "criminal malfeasance" for refusing to back measures such as mandatory testing. [8]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "The State AIDS Test Measure Near OK for Ballot", Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Jun 23, 1986. pg. 2
  2. ↑ "Probe of LaRouche Initiative On AIDS Turns to East Bay;" Edward Iwata. San Francisco Chronicle (pre-1997 Fulltext). San Francisco, Calif.: Jul 25, 1986. pg. 14
  3. ↑ "Backers of AIDS quarantine boost initiative drive," Bill Callahan. The Tribune. San Diego, Calif.: Feb 6, 1986. pg. B.12.3.
  4. 1 2 3 Proposition 64 Text, analysis, and arguments
  5. ↑ "Strange Twists Mark Prop. 64 Campaign;" KEVIN RODERICK. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Oct 30, 1986. pg. 25
  6. ↑ "Jail for Promoter of 1986 AIDS Initiative" United Press International (10/31/88)
  7. ↑ "AIDS-Control Backers Get Warning From Eu;" San Francisco Chronicle.San Francisco, Calif.: May 20, 1986. pg. 11
  8. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2005-02-09. Retrieved 2005-01-18.
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