Declaring, “I am done with us,” a California state senator who has been pushing for heavier prison sentences for pedophiles harshly criticized progressive members of her own party for attempting to reduce the punishment.
Senator Susan Eggman, a Democrat, delivered a contentious speech on the Senate floor last Thursday during a debate on whether it is illegal in California to buy or recruit a kid for commercial sex.
As a proud and progressive member of this body for the past twelve years, I would like to express my resignation. I have grown weary of us standing up for those who would buy and abuse our children. “I am finished,” declared 63-year-old Eggman.
She went on, “I do not want to put more black and brown men behind bars. “I am not in favor of more people going to jail, but I am also against people buying girls. I want people to stop buying young girls. I’m done defending and condoning these men.
Selling or requesting sex from a minor is already illegal in the Golden State, and it is punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and two days to one year in jail.
SB 1414, the bill under discussion in the Senate, would classify it as a crime, carrying a maximum sentence of two to four years in jail, a fine of $25,000, and registration as a sex offender.
In the Senate Public Safety Committee, Sen. Scott Wiener, a state senator, spearheaded a group of renegade Democrats who reduced the severity of the bill.
Despite legal groups’ warnings that there may be unexpected effects, Wiener’s opposition group argued that the measure would imprison too many individuals.
As the topic came back up before the Senate this week, Eggman stated, “I am not saying that we open the gates to fill our jails with people, but I think we do have a moral responsibility to state, ‘enough, enough.’”
“We have to move back into the middle, or we will all appear foolish and ridiculous.” We have given up enough on this area.”
Many of these children may be disposable. The Democratic Party of California should not have to tell these impoverished and African American children that what occurs to them at an early age is acceptable.
It is not acceptable. And I have stopped doing it. I hope none of you continue to do the same. It’s essential to have the ability to draw boundaries.
The bill now heads to the State Assembly after passing 36-0 with unanimous support from Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.).
