The blatant and misleading political hit published in this paper last week deserves response (“Something to remember,” April 8). (The letter writer, it should be noted, is the chair of the San Luis Obispo Democratic Party, and perhaps let partisan bias seep into a false narrative.)
Since day one, our office has taken the COVID-19 pandemic seriously, and worked tirelessly to mitigate the impacts it has had on our health, businesses, mental health, and children. I am proud of the work we’ve done to help Central Coast residents deal with COVID over the past year.
Here are some of the facts:
• Since the beginning of the pandemic, our office has helped thousands of local residents secure their unemployment benefits through the broken Employment Development Department.
• At the earliest stages of the pandemic, we were able to find critical medical supplies, including ventilators and elastic bands for masks, assisting our local logistics and supply experts.
• Over the course of the past year, we’ve worked tirelessly with local, state, and federal elected leaders from both sides of the aisle to fight for additional resources like testing capacity and vaccine supply.
However, I have not shied away from standing up on behalf of our community when illogical public health edicts are dictated from Sacramento. That is an important part of my job as this community’s representative in the legislative branch.
For example, we spoke forcefully against the governor’s initial decision to close beaches statewide over the summer. We spoke forcefully against the governor’s unscientific decision to close outdoor dining, as well as when he linked San Luis Obispo County with Southern California counties in December for a shutdown order. We spoke forcefully when schools remained closed to in-person instruction, months after the CDC said it was safe to get kids back into class. We spoke forcefully when the state failed to allow youth sports to resume safely, even after more than 40 other states had allowed it.
Fortunately, we do not live in an authoritarian society where we are expected to unquestioningly comply with directives from a central authority. As Americans, we have the freedom—and the obligation—to speak up, to question authority, and to insist that government mandates be backed by actual science and in accord with fundamental constitutional rights. That is an indispensable component of a healthy democracy and the best way to make sound public policy.
Jordan Cunningham
Assembly member
San Luis Obispo
This article appears in Apr 15-25, 2021.
Where does Jordan Cunningham get his “actual science”? There is overwhelming actual science in the form of data and statistics supporting the spread of COVID at gyms, bars and restaurants and, yes, youth sports. The CDCs recommendations for school openings came with the caveat that COVID was under control in the county. When Mr. Cunningham was “forcefully” speaking out about school openings our county was in the purple tier with COVID cases and deaths still peaking and no vaccinations available for teachers. And there’s the time when Mr. Cunningham, in his ultimate wisdom, encouraged his constituents to travel over Thanksgiving in blatant disregard for pleas from the scientists not to leave home. And look what happened – we saw the disasterous winter surge in COVID cases. By cherry picking “authoritarian” rules he chooses to obey and encouraging flagrant disregard for the public health recommendations and restrictions, Mr. Cunninham is a danger to our community.
How can we be sure, scientifically or otherwise, that the agenda Mr. Cunningham is promoting will not lead to more infections, more suffering, and more deaths? Is he claiming to have more expertise and resources at hand than our Governor?
How can we know whether the agenda Mr. Cunningham is promoting has not already led to increasing the number of infections, suffering and deaths in our community?
Has opening up restaurants and bars helped or hurt? I dont claim to have that answer.
How is the average citizen to know which elected leader to trust and to follow? If Mr. Cunningham wants to be the one leading the way, he should convince us with data and scientific facts that he Is leading us in the right direction. I would welcome that kind of proof. Until then, I will choose to follow the law and orders and recommend that others do so as well. It could very well be a matter of life and death. Mr. Cunningham would do well by showing his appreciation of that.
Or maybe Mr. Cunningham is simply trying to act like he is smarter than our Governor, flaunting his right wing credentials as he ponders his own political ambitions and ladder climbing. Among everything else, its a political stunt, an accusation Im sure he will bristle at simply because despite all his righteous attitudes, He is a successful politician and very little he does in public is not some sort of a publicity stunt. Thats the nature of the job, but this time he is sticking his neck into a situation where he could be contributing to more infections, suffering and deaths of his constituents. Sad to say, among the people hes courting , it may win him a few votes. Even worse, I think he has convinced himself he is doing something good for the community. When youre in his position its easy to convince yourself of a lot of things that bring you a few extra votes And slaps on the back and money in the campaign chest from people looking for favors. But doing it on the back of a unprecedented pandemic killing thousands each week? Disappointing to say the least. I have had hope for him as some sort of common sense Republican. But alas it looks like he had gone over the falls.
Here’s a little unsolicited but extremely wise political advice for Jordan Cunningham: be a team player, be a real leader and start working closely with governor Newsom. Be a modern , cutting edge progressive conservative politician working hard to bring our community and our nation together for a single purpose, one that nurtures our people and our environment, putting people before profits, society before selfishness. Help bring this community together so that we can build it back better. I have no doubt Jordan Cunningham could Play a vital role in that kind of an effort if he could put his heart and soul into it. Then he truly would be a leader and not just a politician.
No Jordan Cunningham, Do not “work with” dictator Newsom. The man is a failed governor. He is the puppet of the left, the gelded water boy for the George Soros owned left in our country. Vote in the assembly as you were elected to. When you were elected, it was by a conservative area that agreed with your ideas. Continue to fight the good fight, unhindered by the left’s constant nattering and nagging. You will easily win re-election if you hold true to the values you ran on. Keep the faith.
Winning votes and campaign donations by pushing for policies that increase the likelihood that constituents are going to get sick and die is never a good idea, no matter what the bigots and authoritarian oriented voters insist upon.
Its typical that local bigots on the far right will use George Soros and others of the Jewish faith as scapegoats and targets of ridicule. They even blame any missteps by governor Newsom on behind the scenes manipulation by those of the Jewish faith. That is disgusting. So I guess it should not be surprising that now they are trying to prevent educating students about the holocaust in California that exterminated untold numbers of Native Americans, Mexicans and Chinese, perpetrated by white American immigrants to this land. Add to this untold numbers of black families who were denied their property rights, denied access to neighborhoods and in some cases having bought and paid for land forcefully taken from them. Its no wonder that local bigots want to make sure that our students are kept ignorant about these facts.
No rightword, they got bigots like you smearing your racist ideological fecal material across their world online every day. Luckily not all people of color (myself included) buy the BS you and your party try to sell. AND we teach our children not to ideate to victimhood that you pander to us. WE can do whatever we please in today’s world. No need to ask the liberal elite class for permission, thank you!
It’s so embarrassing that this guy represents us IN THE LEGISLATURE!
“The blatant and misleading political hit (MISSING COMMA!!) published in this paper last week (MISSING COMMA!) deserves response (“Something to remember,” April 8). (The letter writer, it should be noted, (IT WAS NOTED, READ THE ARTICLE) is the chair of the San Luis Obispo (COUNTYYY!!!) Democratic Party, and perhaps let partisan bias seep into a false narrative. (DUDE, OTHER PEOPLE CALLED YOU OUT. YOUR CONSTITUENTS CALLED YOU OUT).
> I stopped reading after that paragraph, such a boring, self serving, entitled response. Go work. We pay you to work, not to start responding to every little letter is written about you. GROW UP.
We continue to wait for Jordan Cunningham to present scientific evidence that supports his position.
Bottom line is that we all need to work together and find unity among diversity. Let’s love our neighbors and treat others as we would want to be treated. It’s pretty simple. If we follow those guidelines our community will experience clear prosperity, peace, and joy.