CA.US Props. 30 & 31

Great Debates
1

So what marvelous improvements do we get out of the insurance and/or legal industries if we vote, here in California, alternatively for or against these propositions on the statewide ballot of the primary election here on March 7?

A summary by SF Chron’s Sacto Chief says:

"Propositions 30 and 31 are attempts by the insurance industry to overturn two laws signed by Davis [CA.US governor] last year that make it easier for lawyers to sue insurance companies.

“The insurance industry has said it will spend as much as $50 million to convince voters that the laws should be repealed. So far, it has spent more than $30 million. Trial lawyers, the main beneficiaries of the laws, have raised more than $1 million to urge a `yes’ vote on the two measures.”

First of two Chron Sacto Bureau articles. Second one. Chron editorial. A letter to the editor.

Lots of Californians on this MB; lots of the Internet in California. Lots of attorneys in this forum, even at least one insurance-company attorney. It appears that we have the herpetarium biting its tail on the ballot here. How will the rest of us poor souls fare either way in the Great Lawyer-Baron Battles of the Third Millenium?

And there are a lot of us Californians and we’re still escalating:

“By 2025, the state’s population of 34 million is projected to grow by 18 million more (a whole New York State) and that of the Los Angeles region by 6 million (or two Chicagos).”

– From today’s NY Times. (Probably only available free today.)

Totally disgusting! Hey, Chi Town, I didn’t tell all of you to either end up up here (SF Bay Area) or down in that lower unspeakable half of the state, where most of the insurance companies hang out. And sorry to bore the rest of the planet that participates on this MB.

And an extra for those who really like lawyers and lawyering.

Ray (3rd gen non-aboriginal native of CA.US and non-herpetologist)

“The more the universe seems comprehensible, the more it also seems pointless.” – Steven Weinberg, Physicist

2

In the above post, the linked letter to the editor is the second one on the page linked to.

Ray

3

Watch it, Ray - that’s almost coherent.

I do think it’s a mistake to hire lawyers to make the laws. But I also think it’s ridiculous to characterize all lawyers as pond scum. Your vitriol is unlikely to persuade people that you are worth listening to. Or isn’t that the point of these tirades?

4

Your term, not mine.

5

I think this one will be better served in Great Debates.

Livin’ on Tums, vitamin E and Rogaine

6

Well, let’s see:

Lawyers are swamp-sucking toenail scum.
Insurance companies are swamp-sucking toenail scum.

Tough call…

7

Hey! The insurance industry isn’t out to screw you out of your settlement! Granted, there are some less than reputable companies out there that might do those types of things, but those are obviously the exception, not the rule.

The idea of the law was to disincent the insurance companies from delaying payment, correct? Couldn’t the same be done using fines from the state insurance department? You want to sell insurance in CA? You help fund this review board. You think you were wrongly declined? Send your claim, info, etc. into the review board, who makes their determination and has the ability to levy fines if warented. Burocrats are cheeper than lawyers.

“The large print givith, and the small print taketh away.”
Tom Waites, “Step Right Up”