Earlier this week Vox Media announced it was canceling the contracts of hundreds of freelancers who live in California as a result of the state’s new “gig economy” law, AB-5, which essentially prohibits independent contracting in the state (except for massive carve-outs for specified industries, partial nonsensical carve-outs for others), forcing companies to instead only use the labor of employees, whether full- or part-time. So much easier to tax, tax, tax people that way, and create new potential union members, don’t ya know?

Freelance writers, limited to just 35 pieces per “putative employer,” are taking the brunt of this law, and quickly directed their online ire at Asm. Lorena Gonzalez (D-Union $$) of San Diego, the bill’s author.

Today, along with literally HUNDREDS of my colleagues, I was told that I can no longer hold a paid position at SB Nation. California, you’re breaking my heart (and taking my money). #AB5

MY COLUMN: https://t.co/lek2y60ZF0 pic.twitter.com/iMQ7vswjV3

— Rebecca Lawson (@beccaaftersix) December 16, 2019

Gonzalez replied in a tone-deaf way:

First, this states the company had been contemplating the switch for 2 years. Second, it clearly states that those contracted jobs are being converted to full & part time jobs. I understand a contractor who doesn’t want a job being upset, but that’s certainly not all bad. https://t.co/59aSl9tLKH

— Lorena (@LorenaSGonzalez) December 16, 2019

First, it doesn’t “clearly state” that the jobs are being converted to full-time and part-time positions. As Rebecca Lawson replied:

“They’re creating like 15 full-time jobs for HUNDREDS of us who were let go just because California. That’s good how?”

For days, Lorena’s been dragged on Twitter (justifiably) by all portions of the political spectrum.

Then, in a reply to one Twitterer, she lost it.

They shouldn’t fucking have to. And until you or anyone else that wants to bitch about AB5 puts out cognizant policy proposals to curb this chaos, you can keep your criticism anonymous. Good God.

— Lorena (@LorenaSGonzalez) December 19, 2019

And the floodgates opened.

Let them eat cake! After all, I know what’s best for my people. They didn’t understand they were being exploited. Bread isn’t good enough for them. I fixed it. ~@LorenaSGonzalez #AB5 #CALeg pic.twitter.com/NivyY8ScSV

— Jude: Medical Freedom Activist⏳ (@surfthespectrum) December 19, 2019

https://twitter.com/jburg1254/status/1207383073391661056

She says she’s “not going to repeal it,” which is rich since she can’t repeal it now that it’s already been signed by Gov. Hair Gel and goes into effect in 12 days.

Hear ye, hear ye! Queen Lorena has just issued a most righteous declaration. We must abide by her wise ruling that "I'm not going to repeal it." We must accept her official proclamation, as she is of noble blood and part of the ruling class. #AB5

— Holly Johnson (@ClubThrifty) December 13, 2019

Then she doubled down:

Yeah, I’ll double down on this comment. One job should be enough. Big structural reform is required to get there. That’s scary, I understand that. Criticizing CA labor law is easy, what’s your plan? https://t.co/OBRjWlNRs3

— Lorena (@LorenaSGonzalez) December 19, 2019

…and then you have the gall to kick this pile of shite back at us and tell us to come up with a solution to a problem that only exists because you wrote law to create it??

That is some mind"fuckery" there, Lorena.

— Robin Goodfellow (@R_Good_Fellow) December 19, 2019

BUT SHE KEPT TWEETING…

Who else’s is just really interested in seeing a wine cave now? Are there free tours? #Fieldtrip

— Lorena (@LorenaSGonzalez) December 20, 2019

Why do you need a free tour, Lorena?? Shouldn’t your millionaire POTUS candidate, Elizabeth Warren, hook you up?

Our District Staff celebrated with a holiday lunch today. I really love this team. They love our community because they all came from our community & they have spent countless hours helping constituents from all over California this year. #TeamLorena pic.twitter.com/qF1O6u5U7j

— Lorena (@LorenaSGonzalez) December 20, 2019

Or perhaps you should check the time sheets of your staffers to make sure you’re fairly paying them for those “countless hours” they’ve spent “helping constituents” this year.