There may be no better illustration of how corrupt our politics have become than the efforts of the Mercury Insurance Group to change a landmark consumer protection law that they are apparently violating on a regular basis. In 1988, California voters passed Proposition 103, a sweeping reform of the state's auto insurance industry. 22 years later, as insurance companies have become one of the nation's most reviled villains thanks to the murderous practices of health insurers, Mercury has put Proposition 17 on the ballot, which would raise auto insurance rates for many Californians.

Several years ago Mercury Insurance wanted to raise rates on customers who had a lapse in their insurance coverage. In 2005 California courts prevented this from happening. In Nevada, rates increased by 73% on customers with even a day's lapse in coverage. Mercury wants to do this here in California, and authored Prop 17 to change Prop 103 to allow it.

But as the San Francisco Chronicle reports, Mercury may have been violating other parts of Prop 103 all along:

A high-profile California insurance company that is backing a controversial insurance measure on the June ballot has engaged in practices that may be illegal, including deceptive pricing and discrimination against consumers such as active members of the military and drivers of emergency vehicles, according to a state report obtained by The Chronicle.

The report, obtained through the state Public Records Act, alleges that Mercury Insurance Group may have violated Proposition 103, the landmark consumer protection law approved by voters in 1988. The measure limited the cost of policies and made civil rights and antitrust laws apply to the insurance industry.

The report referenced in the article shows that Mercury is the embodiment of the "evil insurance company" trope that has been so widely discussed in recent years. They're charging higher rates in violation of the law until they get caught and slapped on the wrist by Steve Poizner, the state's Insurance Commissioner and wannabe governor.

And what does Mercury do with those ill-gotten gains? Turn around and spend it on getting Prop 17 on the ballot and approved in order to legalize some of their most odious and destructive practices.

Mercury and Prop 17 are just one way in which the June election will be a battle over corporate power. Prop 16 is another effort by a large corporation, PG&E, to change laws and undo democratic rights that have obstructed their pursuit of limitless profits. And Prop 15 offers a chance to fight back by creating a publicly funded election for the Secretary of State races in 2014 and 2018 as a proof of concept to show that clean money can work in California - and that it is desperately needed.

Learn more about Mercury Insurance and Prop 17 at Stop the Surcharge.

I thought that I was alone in my thoughts about Dianne's voting record. I am so happy to find the Courage Campaign.

Dianne and her husband have reaped the rewards of her vote for Mr. Bush's tax cut give away to the wealthy. How much is she saving each year because of her vote? Has anyone asked her publicly? I know my three hundred dollars came in handy. Has she ever explain how this hugh give away has helped the country and the people of California? This seems to be something that never comes up. I wonder why? I will write an email to her on her website and ask her. Although she has never answered the last two letters I sent her. I have received the form letters that her staff sends out and they usually tell me how concerned she is but they never answer any of the questions I ask of her.
I have an idea. She does a breakfast with Dianne and I think we should get a large group together and have a chat with her over coffee. I think it might be fun and we could ask her personally the real questions that she needs to answer. I am sure she would love to have true patriotic California Democrats stop by. Does anyone else think this is a good idea? Here is the website if you want ot make a reservation for a breakfast date with Dianne.  

http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ServicesForCalifornians.ConstituentBreakfast

Mr. Torres, I am so amazed that he did not want to talk about the censure of Dianne. I am sixty one and have been a life time Democrat, what is Mr. Torres afraid of? I think I will write to him and see what he has to say. I hope he is not as impolite as Diane and never write back to me. Do you think that either one of them even read any of it. I will let you know if I get an answer.

The call for the California Democratic Party to censure Senator Dianne Feinstein has grown exponentially over the past few days and a huge log was just thrown on the fire. MoveOn.org just sent an email to all of their California members urging them to sign on to the call for censure over at Courage Campaign.

They are now one of 19 grassroots organizations in California who have signed on to the call since Monday. That is absolutely amazing considering how long it takes many Democratic Clubs to pass resolutions given their high barriers for endorsement.

The response by the party structure and the Senator have been well documented here by dday and hekebolos. Needless to say, we stirred up one heck of a hornet's nest and it really could not have been done without you.

Below is the email we just sent out to our list and MoveOn's email. As the email says, join the movement. Hold Senator Feinstein accountable.   Read More »