By Nick Busse

This week I witnessed firsthand the hearings in both the California State Senate and Assembly Election Committees regarding ACA 8, the proposal to amend the constitution and allow the legislature to redraw congressional lines. My purpose was not only to speak in opposition, but also to observe the behavior and conduct of our elected officials. What I saw revealed more about political theater than civic duty.

In the Senate, the hearing moved quickly, but one testimony stood out: Jody Hicks, CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. She framed her support for ACA 8 by pointing to “67% of Californians” who voted to enshrine reproductive rights into the state constitution, and by referencing federal efforts that “defunded Planned Parenthood.” Her remarks, though passionate, relied on an overused and weaponized scare tactic—reintroducing fear to mask the reality of what ACA 8 actually is. Many in the room were left wondering what this had to do with congressional district lines. The answer became clear—when arguments lack merit, fear becomes the fallback.

In the Assembly, the tone was far more heated. Words like transparency, fairness, and democracy were repeated, but without substance. Assemblywoman Macedo and Assemblyman Tangipa emerged as strong voices of opposition, pressing for clarity on who exactly drew these new maps and demanding the public be fully informed. Macedo, noting that ballot language was released only hours before the hearing, insisted that public comments be read aloud and that those involved in drawing the maps be named. Her call for transparency was met with refusal by the chair. That refusal echoed across the room and across California, where thousands watching online shared the same disbelief that even the most basic principle of open government was being denied.

Assemblyman Tangipa reinforced the opposition, insisting that he and his colleagues be given the same time as supporters to review and challenge the proposal. His message was clear: this process reeked of political influence and gerrymandering. The reality in the Capitol that day was undeniable—opposition outweighed support, reflecting the will of Californians who see ACA 8 not as reform, but as retaliation.

At today’s assembly hearing that followed, testimonies were shared from both sides of the aisle. While the supermajority pushed ACA 8 forward with overwhelming support, voices like Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher, Assemblyman Joe Patterson, Assemblyman Carl DeMaio, and others forcefully opposed it. One Republican member even shared his personal journey from life under a one-party state to America—only to now witness California resembling the very system he once fled. Yet much of the conversation circled back to Texas and Donald Trump, leaving the people of California—the very ones who deserve to be represented—pushed to the margins.

As a veteran who served 13 years in the U.S. Army, I could not help but measure what I saw against the lessons of military leadership. We were taught to lead from the front, to accept the burden of responsibility before expecting others to follow, and to correct ourselves when we failed. Leaders eat last. We bear the brunt of responsibility first. And we never ask others to carry a weight we are not willing to carry ourselves. Without humility, there is no leadership. Without trust, even the strongest among us will eventually stand alone.

What I witnessed in these hearings was a warning bell. Phrases like “saving democracy” and “transparency” were repeated as shields, while the very principles they claim to protect were pushed aside. California is often described as the fourth-largest economy in the world, but that size masks poor economic health. Likewise, patriotism is being used to mask poor leadership. When leaders silence opposition and place their own political needs above the people they represent, the trust that sustains democracy begins to erode.

So I leave you with this question: Is California’s moral and legal compass broken beyond repair—or will there be a larger pool of principled leaders ready to rise and restore it?