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Of, By and For the People? |
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Voice in the Cheap Seats
By Charles Tarlow
Something is wrong with our democracy. Money and Power have, do, and always will have sway in our political process, but PLEASE; what does it take to get politicians in office who are willing to listen and serve the public?
Is it too much to ask that our elected officials make some effort to interact with their constituency at some level?
It is understandable that the President of the United States is not involved in California Politics, let alone Los Angeles issues. And it is not surprising that the Governor of California has more pressing duties than Los Angeles' many concerns.
But when the Mayor and the members of the Los Angeles City Council can't find time to respond to questions from their constituency, it begs the question: How low on the political food chain do you have to be before you are responsive to the people?
As many of you know, I am vehemently opposed to “Congestion Pricing” (the selling of our infrastructure to the rich via Toll roads, high priced parking, diamond lane passes, etc...). I have been suggesting that if you are concerned about this or any other issues, you should contact the Mayor and City Council Members to find out their positions
relative to your issues and vote accordingly to either support or oppose them at the next election.
It is only fair that I do what I am asking you to do ... so I sent an email to the Mayor and all the Council Members asking if they support the creation of toll roads, the selling of diamond lane access, and the raising of parking fees. Can you guess how many bothered to respond to my email?
Two! Count 'em ... TWO !!!
To their credit, Councilmembers LaBonge and Garcetti answered my email. The rest, including the Mayor …and their staffs ... couldn't be bothered to respond.
Wow! Gettysburg not withstanding, it looks like government of the people, by the people, and for the people has perished from Los Angeles.
If we want it back, we may have to clean house at the next election.
Something to think about.
(Charles Tarlow is a community activist and a member of a neighborhood council in the mid-city area. Tarlow is a regular contributor to CityWatch. He can be reached at:
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) _
CityWatch
Vol 6 Issue 38
Pub: May 9, 2008
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