RECENT NEWS AND PRESS
PRESS RELEASE 6/26/08
Cuthbert Supports Senate Bill 840 (Single-Payer Healthcare Reform)
Robert Cuthbert, Candidate for 33rd State Assembly, believes the State of California should lead the nation in establishing a viable healthcare system.
“Senate Bill 840, now awaiting a hearing in the State Assembly’s Appropriations Committee, deserves support as the only realistic alternative to the current insurance debacle that costs Californian’s billions every year.
“SB 840 provides a prudent alternative that will pool resources from workers, employers, and federal block grants already coming to the State.
“We are already paying for every person receiving healthcare now. Those of us who can afford medical care pay exorbitant costs at the doctor’s office, at hospital, and with our insurance premiums. Our companionate society provides medical care to the uninsured, by charging the insured more and through taxes. Once the reformed healthcare system is established single-payer insurance will prove a savings for all. The current ‘system’ has turned emergency rooms into primary care centers. Medical tests and screenings, that is preventative care, goes wanting with the uninsured and ultimately we all pay. SB 840 will rationalize this current wasteful system.”
PRESS RELEASE 6/24/08
Cuthbert endorses Oppose Wal-Mart Atascadero and the Shield Initiative
Robert Cuthbert Candidate for 33rd State Assembly recognizes that the “big box retail model” has detrimental impacts on local economies.
June 23, 2008: “Wal-Mart promises of increased sales tax revenues are short lived. The adverse impacts are apparent across the nation and a pattern has emerged. Wal-Mart ‘super centers’ shift living wage jobs to their stores’ low-wage jobs, small and mid-sized retailers are out competed, traditional downtowns depreciate, store fronts are boarded up, and the character of the small communities are changed forever.
“The Atascadero Shield Initiative is a reasoned and appropriate cap on major retail overdevelopment. Retail store size needs to be appropriate to the local conditions as set by the community, not by the pure profit motivations of an outside retail giant.
“The Shield Initiative gives the voters a chance for their voice to be heard. A forward long-range view of community development, rather than short-term gain, is what Atascadero needs. Outright adoption by the City Council would demonstrate leadership in the best interests of the citizens.”
PRESS RELEASE 2/28/08
Robert Cuthbert declares Candidacy for the 33rd State Assembly seat
Robert Cuthbert will draw candidate papers at 10 AM, Friday February 29, 2008.
Santa Barbara County Elections Office (401 East Cypress ST, RM 102, Lompoc, 805-737-7704). Robert will draw petitions and file the appropriate forms to be placed on the June Primary ballot. This is his second attempt at the seat. Robert is running as a moderate Democrat.
Robert once again stands for the basic issues facing the citizens of the Central Coast:
- Health Care Reform
- Local Taxes Staying Local
- Improved Housing Development Plans
- Investment in Education
10/30/2006
Press Release
Robert Cuthbert opposes a Wal-Mart Super Center in Atascadero
Robert Cuthbert knows the Wal-Mart Corporation and Wal-Mart workers well. He was an organizer attempting to unionize Wal-Mart workers in Santa Maria and Lompoc. In this paid position, a special project of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1036, he has contacted personally many “associates” working at Central Coast Wal-Marts.
Wal-Mart represents the worst in retail corporations. From the worldwide corporate headquarters in Bentonville Arkansas well-educated corporate executives dictate to local communities. They hold out the “carrot and stick” of prosperity to local governments strapped for revenue. Then, as their history demonstrates, they drive out small business, provide high-turnover low wage jobs, hedge employment law, and put profits before the local community.
Community leaders are now saying NO to Wal-Mart because the corporation takes and exports capital out of the region. It dominates the local consumer markets out competing regional companies and small business. Once Wal-Mart is the dominant retailer it cuts back on goods and services to those that are only profitable.
An Atascadero Wal-Mart Supercenter means decreased quality of life.
www.webhost.bridgew.edu/jhayesboh/badbusiness.html
www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/
Incumbent Sam Blakeslee has accepted major contributions from corporate Wal-Mart (Wal-Mart Bentonville, AR $3,300 received 05/19/2006)
www.aroundthecapitol.com/electiontrack/lookup.php?committee=1273981)
10/13/2006
Press Release
Sam Blakeslee’s legislation does little that he claims. He is playing the typical politician creating and signing on to bills for political capital. His legislation is more about getting votes than serving the Centralcoast.
AB 1880 the “Atascadero” bill is claimed to “help the workers” and alleviate staffing problems. But, in reality it calls for just another series of reports and plans. We know the problem at its core is understaffing, high turnover, and poor working conditions. Existing annual reports already have solutions that need to be implemented. A real bill needs to have specifics on staffing ratios, violence against staff, and needs to apply to all like State Hospitals.
AB 2701 the “Los Osos” bill is claimed to be the “...only viable solution for cleaning the water at Los Osos.” It is true the “project” is mired in lawsuits, local controversy, rising sewer costs, and bankruptcy. But, this bill only shifts responsibility to the County, lacks a regional solution, and has no plan beyond that. There are no safeguards, the construction may start at the location the voters rejected, and the potential for severe environmental and fiscal impacts remains.
AB 2805 the “Advanced Health Care Directives” (AHCDs) bill is claimed to alleviate “... confusion around a case such as that of Terri Schiavo...” This bill “allows” healthcare providers to maintain end of life care wishes to be held with digital media. AHCDs have long existed on paper and have been utilized by many, for Terri Schiavo the AHCD was absent in any form. The nationally reported Schiavo case was a tragedy no politician should take advantage of.
These are the bills Mr. Blakeslee is most proud of. They pass and get signed because they do little and present no political risk to other legislators. Good legislation produces tangible results.