As @Bill Brandt indicated, virtually every economist’s study indicate rent control is bad for the majority of tenants and the neighborhood, but politicians continue to pass it in new areas.

Are the politicians and, to some extent, the judiciary all paid and bought by the NAR?

Illinois has strongest trades unions because they own the politician/lawmakers there.

Politicians and media seem to blame vacation rentals, but my math points to illegal immigrants.There are approximately 43 million rentals in America.

If we devolve into discussing the shortcomings of US presidents or specific politicians, probably time to close the thread. 

A dangerous line of thinking.I don't have the right answer, and I think there are a lot of complicated variables to consider - not the least of which are the likelihood of the insurance company going bankrupt and of politicians pouring money on "victims" who don't have insurance.I keep thinking about whether to buy it for my home, but I still haven't.

But politicians around here are now complaining it will cause real estate prices to soar and rents unaffordable for the middle class.

CA already has tools to address the demand side like section 8 vouchers, so the ways to address the housing problem are in no way mutually exclusive.The issue in San Diego is undoubtedly an undersupply of housing relative to demand - I think even the most liberal politicians here acknowledge that.

This was a name that was carefully crafted by the Democratic politicians who have been in control of the California legislature for about three (3) decades.It was not submitted or introduced by the California Association of Realtors as someone had indicated. 

I would love to invest here in california, however, our politicians have pushed legislation so that renters have more "rights" over the owner/landlord.