by CeCe Day Hill

Created on: February 07, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

JDC COMMENTARY: Sacramento CA - Is "No spanking" legislation a violation of your civil rights?

A proposal that appears to be another step toward allowing "Big Brother" to take a step through your door and into your personal life is proposed by Assemblywoman Sally Lieber of the California State Assembly - To outlaw the spanking of children under the age of three.

Almost two decades ago, "no spanking" legislation was unsuccessfully proposed. Depending on your point of view you may agree with Ms. Lieber, or find the digging up of this proposal outrageous.

Since January 2003, the Democratic Assemblywoman has worked on an impressive list of issue, which has included a number of bills that were "first of their kind" in the nation. "Her position to offer hope and opportunity to all Californians has been recognized by various senior, labor environmental, disability and women's organizations." (* see ref.)

Ms. Lieber has an impressive Bio that hones in on varied humanity issues and legislation. "She serves as the third woman Speaker pro Tempore since 1849. A key role in the development and passage of legislation, and presides over Assembly floor sessions." She appears eminently qualified and worked her way up as city councilwoman, mayor and is currently a member of the State Assembly. (* see ref.)

Despite legislative credentials: What is the thinking no matter how well intentioned, that legislators seem to believe it is their right to draft legislation telling us how to live our lives in the sanctity of our own homes.

As Mike Zapler of the Media News in Sacramento Bureau quotes Ms. Lieber. - "the bill, which is still being drafted, will be written broadly, she added, prohibiting 'any striking of a child, any corporal punishment, smacking, hitting, punching, and any of that.' Lieber said it would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail or a fine up to $1,000, although a legal expert advising her on the proposal said first-time offenders would probably only have to attend parenting classes."

The word "broadly" scares me and so does "any of that" The definition itself is -
"mainly general tolerating a liberal view point," which leaves open room for creeping adjustments toward the loss of one's rights as a parent.- Def.,Websters Third New International Dictionary

Legislating this as a means of stopping abuse and unusual cruelty to children definitely has it merit, but unrealistic. Just because other countries have legislated such a bill are we as Americans willing to

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