New Polity

The 2010 elections come at a crucial time for California. As the state grapples with its still-troubled economy and its government’s record budget deficits, the majority of Californians are dissatisfied with Sacramento’s solutions. Take, for example, the resounding defeat of Proposition 1A (May 2009), when nearly two-thirds of voters rejected billions of dollars in tax increases. It is abundantly clear that the state needs a new direction.

One candidate offering a bold new set of solutions is Arcadia’s Alvaro Day, the Republican running to represent California’s 44th District in the State Assembly. Alvaro was born in Lima, Peru, during a time of incredible unrest, and came to the United States at age 11. He worked hard to learn the English language, and as he learned more and more about his new country fell in love with America. After graduating from Temple City High and completing his general education courses at Pasadena City College, Alvaro went on to earn a B.A. in both Political Science and History at UCLA. His own history includes numerous examples of involvement with worthwhile causes; including the non-profit group Live Action, the Republican Club at PCC (of which he is the co-founder), and both the pro-life group and Christians United for Israel at UCLA. I recently interviewed Mr. Day. I found him to be, and I believe his responses show him to be, an articulate and sincere young man with the experience and common sense to lead in the state legislature.

Thomas Cayden: One of the first things I noticed while preparing for our interview was your engaging personal story. What is your background and how has it affected the way you see the world?

Alvaro Day: My background has been an important factor in my life. Growing up without a father for most of my preteen years and seeing my mother’s dedication and hard work supporting the family taught me to be grateful, responsible, and wise with money. The fact that I was born in Peru has also given me an advantage in the way I see the world. For instance, I experienced terrorism first-hand and the struggles of a debilitated country trying to get rid of communist/Marxist terrorists that killed almost 70,000 Peruvians.
In the 80s, Peru witnessed the catastrophic consequences of adopting policies similar to the ones some politicians are trying to implement in California. Increasing debt, massive expansion of government, printing of money, nationalization of industries, and a never-ending “production” of corrupted politicians created a financial disaster in Peru and sent the country into bankruptcy. I cannot help but see some parallels between failed policies in Peru and the ones in California. In some ways, as sad as it sounds, I already know what can happen to California if irresponsible politicians continue with the massive expansion of government, reckless spending, record debt, and the insidious encroachment on our personal freedoms. Outrageously, while there is a general uncertainty about the future of California, some politicians seem oblivious to these problems and continue passing absurd legislations that only make special interests happy. However, there is still hope if we act swiftly electing principled representatives willing to stand up against these wrongful policies. Even Peru made a drastic change in the right direction by reversing these policies. I do not want California to endure what Peruvians did in the past.

TC: Right, left, or center, Californians want to see better leadership in Sacramento. What makes you confident that you can lead in the state legislature?

AD: There are a few reasons. First, I am deeply committed to uphold the values and principles—liberty, personal responsibility, hard work, and economic freedom, among others— that have made this country great. Second, I despise corruption and ideologies that limit individual freedom and restrict people’s capacity to succeed in this country. Statism, socialism, communism, progressivism, for example, create dependency on government and have repeatedly been proven to bring only misery and poverty throughout history. Third, there is a lot to lose if we remain silent and do nothing. We cannot afford to play politics with the future of this generation and the next ones. We must take charge and I am ready to do it.

TC: According to the Employment Development Department, California’s unemployment rate stands at 12.4 percent. What should the state government be doing to put people back to work?

AD: We need to cut taxes and support the entrepreneurial spirit in California, the same spirit that has been the source of economic growth in America throughout the centuries. We need to encourage investments and the elimination of all useless regulations that overburden small businesses, the creators of jobs. It is necessary to create a friendly environment for investments and a high consumer confidence in order to stimulate the economy.

TC: You’re a proponent of the school voucher system. In your view, why is the kind of choice that vouchers offer an important step forward for our education system?

AD: Since I came to America, I have been witnessing the academic “death sentence” given to students in not only my district, but the entire nation. The present education system is monolithic and condemns especially low income students to failing schools primarily because they live in the wrong neighborhood. I propose to empower parents and not interest groups to choose among schools that best suit their children’s needs. By giving each pupil a scholarship, parents have the freedom to shop around and enroll their children in schools of their choosing. This creates competition and innovation among schools, which in turn elevates academic standards. Our students are the future leaders of this country. I want to make sure they have the tools to excel and compete in the world. An added benefit is also the fact that this system will save billions of dollars for the state.

TC: How would you resolve California’s budget issues?

AD: Since money was not abundant while I was living in Peru, one of the things I learned at an early age was to be wise concerning money matters. The rule at home was to “Never spend beyond our means.” This is the rule I will apply in Sacramento. We must reduce spending by cutting useless programs, reduce the size of government, and most importantly, learn the good habit of saving money for rainy days and emergencies.

TC: What is AB-32 and why do you feel it is harmful for California?

AD: My main concern with AB-32 or Cap and Trade, is the cost and unaccountability associated with the implementation of this legislation. This bill delegates the responsibility to regulate the reduction of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions to CARB (California Air Resources Board), an unelected board that will have no true oversight or accountability. Moreover, cap and trade is a massive energy tax against families and businesses. By overburdening businesses with regulations and taxation, many businesses will either leave the state because they are incapable to continue operating in California, or cut back their operations and expenses. Either way, we lose with higher unemployment, less investments, and more damage to our already fragile economy. Cap and Trade only exacerbates the problems in California. We cannot afford this type of legislation.

TC: On your website, you propose a privatization of prison functions. Under your plan, to what extent would prisons be privatized and how would the system work generally?

AD: The general idea behind reforming the prison system in California is to make it more efficient and less expensive. For example, if we start out privatizing the management of prisons in California, contractors will be allowed to make bids to offer this service. Price and efficiency would be the criteria to select the winner bidder. At the same time, competition would drive prices down as seen already in the state of Florida where a great deal of the prison system is currently run by private contractors. The state of Florida, for example spends around $20,000 annual per inmate while California doubles that price to around $50,000. The savings could be in the billions if we reform the prison system in the state.

TC: In recent years, California’s 44th Assembly District has voted solidly Democratic. How do you intend to turn the tables and win as a Republican?

AD: The most important thing is to maintain personal contact with the people. It is essential for voters to know the solutions I am offering to the problems affecting California and our district. It is equally important for people to know the truth about my opponent’s positions and voting record. Voters, for example, always get outraged when I mention that my opponent, Mr. Portantino, voted in favor of Prop. 1A that raises income taxes, sales taxes, and doubles car taxes. Likewise, people get angry when they find out that Mr. Portantino voted in favor of socializing health care and forcing quotas on private, corporate, and public foundations to hire, make charitable donations, and negotiate business contracts based on the color of one’s skin, gender, and sexual orientation. Young people are also very concerned with the fact that my opponent is pushing a legislation that will take over the administration of the UC system by the same legislators in Sacramento incapable of balancing the state budget, etc. His list of failed policies is very long and has only accomplished to put California to the brink of bankruptcy. Getting information to voters is the best way to change outcomes.

TC: On campus and in your community, you’ve been active in many organizations including Republican groups, pro-life groups, and pro-Israel groups. What is your message for young people who, like yourself, want to see a better world?

AD: My message is very simple. If we, young people, want to change the world, we need to improve ourselves first. Important things such as loving God, one’s country, respecting our parents, the elderly, authorities, and defending freedom can make a huge difference in the world. Then, we need to make a difference in our country. Value, defend, and embrace the principles which this country was founded on. Be proud to be an American! Get the good habit to question, research, and learn from history. Do not take everything you hear at face value. Do your own research, analysis, and comparison in order to draw your own conclusions. Do not let people tell you how and what to think. Learn to debate respectfully with your classmates, professors, and anybody without fear. Learn to love the truth. Be responsible for your actions. Most importantly, never be afraid to stand for these principles. The world will always appreciate young people living up to these values.

Thanks to Mr. Day for taking the time to share his ideas with New Polity. Find out more at alvaroday2010.com.