Why Regulations Save Lives—And Why We Can’t Afford to Gut Them.

We felt it today. A jolt that stopped conversations mid-sentence, sent nerves buzzing, and reminded Southern California just how fragile “normal” can be.

Thankfully, early reports say there’s no major damage or loss of life. But this wasn’t just another little shaker. For many folks, this was the biggest earthquake since the ‘94 Northridge quake. It’s the biggest one I’ve felt, for sure.  And it should serve as a wake-up call.

Because next time? We might not be so lucky.

Let’s be real: the only reason we’re not waking up to collapsed buildings, severed gas lines, or worse is because of regulations.
Yeah, that boring word the “small government” crowd loves to sneer at. You know—those same folks who want to cut corners, deregulate industries, and “streamline” safety codes until they’re nothing more than suggestions.

But here’s the truth: those building codes, safety inspections, emergency protocols? They work. They exist for a reason. And they’re the reason more of us are still standing today.

California’s earthquake safety regulations—some of the strictest in the country—are the result of hard-learned lessons. They were put in place because of past tragedies. Lives lost. Homes destroyed. Communities shattered. And every time someone tries to weaken them in the name of “cutting red tape,” they’re gambling with your life, and mine.

This is what responsible governance looks like:

• Buildings that don’t crumble.
• Infrastructure that holds up.
• First responders who have the tools they need.
• A community that has a plan—and the resources to act on it.

Disasters don’t care who you voted for. They don’t discriminate by ZIP code or tax bracket. When the ground shakes, we all feel it. And when disaster strikes, it’s government—real, functioning, people-first government—that stands between resilience and catastrophe.

So let’s stop pretending that “regulation” is a dirty word. Let’s stop electing leaders who think “freedom” means cutting corners until the floor gives out beneath us.

Let’s build a California—and an America—that’s strong enough to withstand whatever comes next.

Because the earth will shake again. The only question is: will we be ready?