The ad isn't the product of some well-meaning good government group, however. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that "The domain for the group's website is registered to the same address and phone number as the State Building & Construction Trades Council of California, a labor union coalition. The council's president, Bob Balgenorth, said the identity theft group is separate but he financially supports the effort, helped to organize it, and believes the concern is real." That's a curious development given that there are a host of proposed initiatives for next year's ballot aimed at reining in union excesses.
Even more questionable are the claims being made by CAIT. Per the Bee:
Representatives for the Identity Theft Resource Center and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse denounced the claims as false and unmerited.
"There is as much risk of identity theft involved in signing a petition as there is in being listed in the phone book," Pedro Morillas, legislative director for the California Public Interest Research Group, added in a statement.
Center for Governmental Studies President Bob Stern called the ad an "outrageous" attempt to mislead the public for political gain.
If there is a bright spot to this cynical manipulation of voters' fears, it's this: members of California's big labor establishment knows that they're no longer capable of making their case on the merits. With that in mind, they're resorting to deception and fear-mongering. That's a sign of a movement that knows its salad days are coming to a close.
I am one of those signature gatherers. Do you know that to use any name or information about any signer is a misdemeaner? Why would I put myself in that position? I am convinced that groups who oppose certain referendums send people into stores to complain about signature gatherers. They send people around to harrass and try to intimidate. But to threaten, harrass or harm anyone circulating a petition is a felony. Think on that.