Los Angeles: It Doesn't Have to Be This Way

American Thinker ^ | 02/27/2013 | Elise Cooper

[SeekAndFind]

On March 5, Los Angeles will be voting for a new mayor. This is more like a primary, since there will be a run-off unless someone gets over 50% of the vote, which is very unlikely.

Los Angeles is in the same position as many other large cities, with huge deficits and free-spending Democrats who cater to the unions. All of the candidates except one have actively participated in creating Los Angeles' woes. Kevin James stands out as a clear choice. He is a former prosecutor and is currently a radio talk show host. American Thinker interviewed Mr. James to get his comments on issues facing Los Angeles today.

The overriding issue in the election is Los Angeles' deficit of approximately $1.4 billion, which is mainly the result of huge pensions and salary increases handed out to city employees. James wants Angelinos to look hard and fast at the decisions made by all of his opponents. For example, in 2007, the city was already in a deficit, but that did not stop Jan Perry, Eric Garcetti, and Wendy Greuel from approving what amounted to a 25% wage increase over the next five years. James noted, "All three signed the contracts, maintained the raises, and it was Wendy Greuel who wrote the memo, as the LA controller, to raid the special revenue city funds. This was just irresponsible and reckless. The enactment of a city sales tax measure on this ballot will only go toward paying raises." Once again, all city residents will have to pay so a few will be able to continue the spiral of unrealistic pensions and raises.

[Rich21IE]

We see this kind of thing in most of the Democrat controlled Mega-Cities. Sad thing is that once these cities go the way of being One Party jurisdictions, elections become all but pointless; the primaries are Democrat popularity polls and the General Election is nothing more than a confirmation of the Party choice. Nothing changes; same elites in charge. The One Party Jurisdiction signals the end of meaningful Democracy.

[dragnet2]

Some people just don’t get it.

It’s way too late...for LA and the entire country.

Divide the united. Government did it.

Your elections and electoral process have intentionally been compromised and undermined by tens of millions of foreigners and illegal aliens...

They divided the once united....

Americans just can’t seem to figure this out.

[ScottinVA]

Just as in Chicago, the idea of having elections in a hardcore democrat stronghold like L.A. is meaningless after the dems’ primary. GOPers who attempt to run for high office in those cities are wasting their time.

[MissTed]

He makes too much sense, therefore he doesn’t have a prayer.

[dragnet2]

We see this kind of thing in most of the Democrat controlled Mega-Cities

Hey Richie, what about those so-called conservative states and their cities?

Or is this head in the sand stuff?

__________________________________________________________

Study: 70% of Texas’ illegal immigrant families receive welfare

In Texas, 54 percent of legal immigrants and 70 percent of illegal immigrants receive welfare assistance, with illegal immigrants generally receiving benefits on behalf of their U.S.-born children

Overall, Texas tied with California and New York for the second highest immigrant welfare rates behind Arizona.

Texas showed 61 percent of households headed by an immigrant utilizing at least one program compared to the 42 percent of Texas natives on welfare.

“This is partly due to the large share of immigrants with low levels of education and their resulting low incomes — not their legal status or an unwillingness to work,” Steve Camorata, Director of Research at CIS, said.

Texas overrun with illegals

[Vaduz]

Los Angeles west coast branch of Cook county.

[Lurking Libertarian]

Just as in Chicago, the idea of having elections in a hardcore democrat stronghold like L.A. is meaningless after the dems’ primary.

There is no "Democratic primary" for Mayor of LA. There is one election, in which all candidates are on the ballot regardless of party affiliation; if no one wins 50%+1, there is a run-off between the top two candidates.

[Rich21IE]

Yea, same thing in my city; city elections are supposedly “non-partisan”, but of course, its a lie. Only Democrat approved candidates with Democrat funding bother to apply for positions. Another result of this so-called “system” is that in a city of 2.5 million registered voters, less than 100,000 cast a vote in the last mayoral election.

[Rich21IE]

Last time I checked, there weren’t any conservative “Cities” in Texas. But, then again, I double checked and I didn’t see where the immigration question came into play in that article; its about run-away spending on City Budgets and pay packages to the city employees.

[Haddit]

LA. Streets Blog.org
The Mayoral Candidate Interview Series: Kevin James
February 19, 2013
http://la.streetsblog.org/2013/02/19/the-mayoral-candidate-interview-series-kevin-james/

Kevin James’ answers on bicycle paths and transit lines:
First thing we have to do is complete the Green Line to the airport…
The Westside subway…
The Crenshaw Corridor…
The Lamerck Park station…
Certainly we think of areas in the San Fernando Valley… (transit lines)
There are areas in S. Los Angeles where it might work also…
We will work hard to keep fares as low as possible, to stop fare increases…
1977 bike plan, we got a fraction of where we were trying to go…
2010 bike plan, a very lofty goal of 634 miles of where we want to go…
The goal right now is around 200 miles every 5 years…
I think we can double that…
We take out some of these cars, we have the space, the ability to accelerate and buy things faster…

The questions came from: Bus Riders Union (hard to believe bus riders have a union)
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition
Los Angeles Walks
Occidental College UEPI
Southern California Transit advocates
Streetsblog Los Angeles

There are links to Eric Garcetti, Jan Perry, and Wendy Greuel on this page as well.

I’ll end up voting for James, but he isn’t much different than our existing mayor or the other 4 mayoral candidates.

They are all into this class warfare that in this case is a war between single family homes and rent controlled high density apartments, car ownership and public transportation.

[ScottinVA]

Ah, that’s right — I stand corrected. LA uses the big gaggle approach like the state of CA did when Gray Davis was recalled.

[Digger]

We see this kind of thing in most of the Democrat controlled Mega-Cities.... Nothing changes; same elites in charge. The One Party Jurisdiction signals the end of meaningful Democracy.

We see it in Detroit to LA & eventually the whole nation. Follow the dots.

[dragnet2]

Last time I checked, there weren’t any conservative “Cities” in Texas.

No conservative major cities in Texas, yet it's a conservative red state? Amazing isn't it Rich?

But, then again, I double checked and I didn’t see where the immigration question came into play in that article; its about run-away spending on City Budgets and pay packages to the city employees.

Ah what?

Spending?

Hey Rich, how much ya think Dallas, LA etc., etc, spend on prizes, pandering, social services, crime, fraud, medical services, etc., etc., in regards to illegals??

??