Important: Accomplished, Pro-Fatherhood Candidate Needs Your Support
May 13th, 2008 by Glenn Sacks, MA for Fathers & Families
One of the unsung heroes of the struggle for fairness in family law is former California Assemblyman Rod Wright (pictured). Wright is currently in an election battle to get back into the California Senate, and if he wins it will be a big step forward.
Rod was a pioneer of child support and family law reform in California and the nation. In speaking about his time introducing reforms into a hostile California legislature, Rod describes himself and his staff as, "The first guys who hit the beach at Normandy--taking all the hits." It was absolutely true.
Rod was one of the pioneers of paternity fraud laws, and in 2002 got AB 2240 through the California legislature. It was subsequently vetoed by then-Governor Gray Davis (see my co-authored column Preserving Paternity Fraud, Orange County Register, 10/3/02), but it helped pave the way for the eventual passage of AB 252 in 2004.
Rod is looking for volunteers to make phone calls in support of his June 3 election campaign, and is also looking for donations. If you are interested in volunteering to help Rod Wright, click here. If you are interested in donating, click here.
Sacramento veteran Stan Diorio served as Wright's Chief of Staff from 1996 to 2002 and has been pivotal in many of the achievements in family law in California. Below is a brief history he wrote about Rod Wright's contributions.
Rod Wright Led the Fight for Men’s Equality in Family Law
During his term as a member of the California State Assembly (1996-2002) Rod Wright was the only member who stood up and wrote legislation year after year to fight for men’s equality in the family law arena. With no organized men’s organization in the state to help him, Rod fought for a whole range of issues including greater fairness in child support orders, custody orders and paternity fraud. He won some and lost some but he never ducked the fight and never stopped trying.
Rod took the lead to fight against paternity fraud in California. The first year he lost the bill in committee. The second year it passed the legislature only to be vetoed by Governor Davis. Rod was termed out but the next year, a modified version of his bill was signed into law. The latest state reports show that over 2,000 men have gotten their lives back and had their paternity orders reversed because of his efforts.
He also lost bills to allow those behind in payments to get current with an offer to compromise. Again, this effort eventually passed into law and resulted in thousands of men getting current on their support payments. Rod was successful in passing several bills that created more equity in the enforcement of child support orders in California.
Rod never gave up and his efforts resulted in greater education of legislators and eventual passage of significant changes in the law. This work has been continued with the creation and efforts of the California Alliance for Families and Children.
Men have few elected officials who have the courage to champion the cause of equality for men in family law. Rod Wright is one of those champions – we need to give him our full support.--Stan Diorio
I don't need to tell you that what happens legislatively in California has a large impact on the rest of the nation, and our victories here often translate into progress elsewhere. Again, if you are interested in volunteering to help Rod Wright, click here. If you are interested in donating, click here.
To learn more about the CAFC, click here.
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May 13th, 2008 at 4:44 am
It would be good if a few more candidates who are pro-men's rights like Wright could get elected, as it would send a message to other legislators that there is a viable constituency that they need to be aware of.
It would also be good if some feminist legislators lost office over these issues.
May 13th, 2008 at 7:29 am
You know, I've run for the KS House of Representatives twice, in 2004 and in 2006. Something that really irked me during both campaigns (and is a major reason why I've decided to NOT run again this year) is the complete, total lack of support from this movement and its issues.
I understand that a lot of guys are in much the same boat as I am - heartbroken, depressed, financially hurting, and having the feeling that nothing will work. But I've never been one to "bend over and take it like a man"; instead, I stand up and fight back as fiercely as possible. Because that's what we have to do.
But so many guys, are so apathetic, so stuck on themselves and their particular case, that they can't pull their heads out of... (the sand). They want to call someone and whine about their case, but when it comes time to actually DO SOMETHING about it, they tuck their tales and run.
One guy who called me about his case during one of my campaigns really ticked me off. After whining about his case for over 15 minutes, the guy started complaining about politicians who make the laws. (Yes, another guy who called me to complain, yet instead of listening, all he wanted to do was talk). Anyway, I told the guy I was running for office and need people to help my campaign because we need people in office who will honestly pass family-friendly legislation. So the guy actually has the nerve to say, "I'd support your campaign if I knew who you were, but how do I know you won't be just another sell-out like all the other politicians are?"
That really ticked me off. I'm sure the guy is just apathetic and ignorant (like most people who call to whine about their case). But the fact of the matter is, I realized at that point and I told the guy, "Sir, it's people like you who make it to where the ONLY way I'll get elected and be able to change the laws, is by selling out. Because people like you are too apathetic and lazy to help, and the only way I can get enough support to get elected is to sell out to people who are NOT family friendly. Have a nice day." Then I hung up.
Seriously people, how can we EVER hope to really fix these issues, if we're too stupid or apathetic to help those who really are trying to help us?
Respectfully,
Thomas Lessman
Website: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com
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May 13th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
We need to really get behind this guy. If we have the extra $ donate, if you're from his district work on his campaign, even a letter of encouragement to him could help. Rather than taking on Mr. Lessman's tact of calling his potential supporters stupid, lazy, and cowardly, this movement needs powerful voices that can effect changes in the legislature. Until that happens, judges are going to continue doing what is in their best interest. This movement does need a leader and this candidate appears to be a good start.
May 13th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Glenn,
Thank you for providing information about Rod Wright, and how to help him.
I have made a donation, and feel I have done something good for families in California and across the country. I urge everyone to participate in this good feeling! Cough up a few bucks, for goodness sake! (As the late, great California politician, Jess Unruh, said, "Money is the mother's milk of politics.")
May 13th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I just donated through the Internet link. It only takes a few minutes. I encourage everyone to contribute. Engaging feminuts in endless blog flame wars isn't going to change anything. Ever. Look at Rod Wright's record. He deserves our support.
Thomas- I'm sorry you didn't get the support you needed in your campaigns.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Thats great rod is running for office, it also seems to me, the majority has no clue that there are even fathers rights orgainizations out there.
A real effective goal would seem to me to be, to let every man/father/boy in America know that there are organizations to join to start fighting for their rights.
Raise awareness!!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Glad Glenn brought this hero of kids to our attention. I pray my small donation of $58 helps this man win; afterall, being Pro-Fatherhood is the same as being Pro-USA and Pro-Child! Best of luck - may God bless you, your family, and your campaign.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:11 am
Thomas Lessman,
thanks for the input - I pretty much agree. Being aware of a problem is only the first step.
I contributed to this politician's campaign, and I hope others do likewise.
Who knows, maybe you ended up impressing that guy who called to complain, since in the end you were straightforward..I know that's how I'd react if I were him.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:12 am
"late, great California.."
Not that again...
May 14th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Mr. Lessman,
I can appreciate the fact that you have run for public office. I must say though that your attitude toward a constituent is questionable. Maybe you appeared to be "ticked off" to the voters. I have been around politics my whole life, and one thing that I have learned is that if you are running for something, you have to listen to people whine, and tell their story. You sound like you don't want to do that. Voters can sense that. Also, if a man is telling you his story and you can relate to it, you should have that much more sympathy toward him. That is the politician that makes the difference. It sounds to me like you want to tell your story and inject your opinion more than listen to the people that really matter when you are running for office. That would be the voters.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:49 am
OK, I will contribute at lunch.
smw