Scientific Community Says NO to Prop 8!
This is an interesting article from San Diego today... In short it's a petition from some in the scientific community there, who say that if Proposition 8 passes and discrimination is thereby written into the CA state constitution, then many liberal thinkers, innovators, entrepreneurs and scientists will choose to live elsewhere.
It's a good point! Many of these people are not gay; they are simply advocates of equal rights and believe that a state constitution should not be rewritten in order to promote discrimination toward any one minority.
Good for them!! Read on...
October 27, 2008
Dear California Friends and family,
As Entrepreneurs, Scientists, Investors and Chief Executive Officers responsible for starting several companies in San Diego, we are sending you this letter to express our concern about the potential impact of “proposition 8” on the competitiveness and attractiveness of California as a place to work and conduct business.
We urge you to vote “No on proposition 8” on November 4th, because it is critically important for all industries, and in particular for our industry. The Life Science Industry employs nearly 40,000 employees at 710 companies in San Diego County alone! Our industry is vitally important to San Diego and we cannot allow other states and countries become more appealing to our talented workforce.
If the Proposition passes, a significant number of our Life Science entrepreneurs and executives will be directly affected. If Proposition 8 passes, for the first time in California’s history, the California Constitution will be re-written to remove the rights of one group of its citizens. This Proposition will take away their rights to equality provided under the law. As a result some leaders may opt to move their businesses or spend their life in more equality friendly environments, such as Massachusetts. Furthermore, potential employees and entrepreneurs may choose to look outside of California for a location to start a company or seek employment.
As you can tell from the signature line below, numerous serial entrepreneurs, CEOs, Scientists and investors who are responsible for the creation of thousands of jobs in San Diego are supporting “No on 8”. They are joined by several prominent community and state leaders including Mayor Sanders and Governor Schwarzenegger – all friends of the Life Science community. While we understand that some may perceive this as a challenge to their individual or religious belief, we think that it is essential for life science leaders to take a stand on the side of business, just like we did for stem cell research, and not allow other states to be more competitive than California.
In today’s economy we cannot afford to lose the potential of a single job or company. If Proposition 8 should pass, we believe the Life Science industry will become less competitive to attract both companies and talented employees who may have to relinquish their rights to move to California under the amended constitution.
California has a unique concentration of extraordinary universities, teaching hospitals, research facilities, venture capital, and talent, spurred by a tradition of entrepreneurialism and equality that provides a strong foundation for Life Science companies. These strengths have brought thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investments to San Diego.
As Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said “We cannot afford to rest on our laurels. Competitor states are investing billions to attract our researchers, institutions, and industries.” In today’s global competitive environment, rest assured that Massachusetts and others countries will exploit Proposition 8 to their advantage if it passes on November 4th.
We all want for San Diego to continue to be a leading region with a vibrant, diverse and healthy life science community. Equality is a critical issue for business that we represent and care about and we hope that we will be able to count on your support for a No on prop 8!
Sincerely,Life Science Leaders
Detailed article seen in today’s issue of San Diego’s Union-Tribune http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20081029-9999-1b29prop8.html
It's a good point! Many of these people are not gay; they are simply advocates of equal rights and believe that a state constitution should not be rewritten in order to promote discrimination toward any one minority.
Good for them!! Read on...
October 27, 2008
Dear California Friends and family,
As Entrepreneurs, Scientists, Investors and Chief Executive Officers responsible for starting several companies in San Diego, we are sending you this letter to express our concern about the potential impact of “proposition 8” on the competitiveness and attractiveness of California as a place to work and conduct business.
We urge you to vote “No on proposition 8” on November 4th, because it is critically important for all industries, and in particular for our industry. The Life Science Industry employs nearly 40,000 employees at 710 companies in San Diego County alone! Our industry is vitally important to San Diego and we cannot allow other states and countries become more appealing to our talented workforce.
If the Proposition passes, a significant number of our Life Science entrepreneurs and executives will be directly affected. If Proposition 8 passes, for the first time in California’s history, the California Constitution will be re-written to remove the rights of one group of its citizens. This Proposition will take away their rights to equality provided under the law. As a result some leaders may opt to move their businesses or spend their life in more equality friendly environments, such as Massachusetts. Furthermore, potential employees and entrepreneurs may choose to look outside of California for a location to start a company or seek employment.
As you can tell from the signature line below, numerous serial entrepreneurs, CEOs, Scientists and investors who are responsible for the creation of thousands of jobs in San Diego are supporting “No on 8”. They are joined by several prominent community and state leaders including Mayor Sanders and Governor Schwarzenegger – all friends of the Life Science community. While we understand that some may perceive this as a challenge to their individual or religious belief, we think that it is essential for life science leaders to take a stand on the side of business, just like we did for stem cell research, and not allow other states to be more competitive than California.
In today’s economy we cannot afford to lose the potential of a single job or company. If Proposition 8 should pass, we believe the Life Science industry will become less competitive to attract both companies and talented employees who may have to relinquish their rights to move to California under the amended constitution.
California has a unique concentration of extraordinary universities, teaching hospitals, research facilities, venture capital, and talent, spurred by a tradition of entrepreneurialism and equality that provides a strong foundation for Life Science companies. These strengths have brought thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investments to San Diego.
As Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said “We cannot afford to rest on our laurels. Competitor states are investing billions to attract our researchers, institutions, and industries.” In today’s global competitive environment, rest assured that Massachusetts and others countries will exploit Proposition 8 to their advantage if it passes on November 4th.
We all want for San Diego to continue to be a leading region with a vibrant, diverse and healthy life science community. Equality is a critical issue for business that we represent and care about and we hope that we will be able to count on your support for a No on prop 8!
Sincerely,Life Science Leaders
Detailed article seen in today’s issue of San Diego’s Union-Tribune http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20081029-9999-1b29prop8.html
posted by Marianne Puechl | 7:50 AM
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