The case of Nathan Fletcher

Today I read about the case of Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego). He co-sponsored a bill with Governor Jerry Brown that even Republican lawmakers thought was a good idea. He wasn’t prepared for what happened next. The bill would eliminate tax loopholes for companies that did business in California ..but operated outside of California. The money was to be used to lower taxes on businesses that did operate inside the state. The intent was to make it more interesting for other businesses to locate their operations in California and create jobs. Then the same Republicans who said they’d support the bill, defeated it in the Senate. Astonished, Nathan asked them why and they replied “It may be the right thing to do, but we can't let Jerry Brown get a win.” This was a tipping point in Nathan’s career. A young, articulate legislator who had the potential to lead the Republican party ..he bolted and became an Independent. I think it’s hypocritical and downright duplicitous for the party that preaches meritocracy to oppose good ideas just because they come from someone else. What it shows me is that they’re really playing favorites and not making choices based on merit at all.