The Old Saying Goes - The People Have Spoken. It’s Time To Move On.
RANTRZ & RAVEZ - The Local, State and National elections have concluded. While the final ballot counting continues in Los Angeles and many states across America, most results are now known. Many political pundits and observers were surprised by the local, state, and national turnouts and outcomes.
President Trump may not have been surprised by his administration’s major election losses nationwide. Hostile, negative reports about political activity in Washington, D.C., are fueling anger and frustration across America. Americans demand change in military actions abroad, the economy, and local government so they can afford to live and enjoy life. With gasoline costing more than $5.50 a gallon and diesel exceeding $9.00, people of all ages are frustrated as they struggle to support themselves and their families. Los Angeles apartment rents average more than $2,700 a month. As additional dwelling units (ADUs) grow in popularity, single-family neighborhoods are becoming more congested. In some Los Angeles neighborhoods, apartment carports are being converted into ADUs, leaving less room to live or park. Not everyone wants to use Metro. Media reports highlight riders’ safety concerns, but many incidents on Metro lines never make the news. Consider why did Metro’s Board of Directors approved a new Metro Transit Police Department to protect the system and its personnel and riders.
Turning to the Los Angeles City election results, we will learn more over time about why Mayor Karen Bass, whom I know and endorsed, lost. In my view, her defeat stemmed not from the Pacific Palisades fire but other factors we will learn in time. Another factor was Nithya Raman’s membership in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). I met Raman at her request a couple of years ago at a local valley restaurant. It was a cordial meeting discussing Los Angeles politics. I don’t believe Nithya Raman had any intention of running for Mayor at that time. I have challenged the soon to be Mayor for her position on the THIEVES who commit crimes and steal Catalytic Converters from cars. A replacement Converters cost over $1,000. Filing an insurance claim will most likely increase the insurer’s rate. I have heard of many Catalytic Converter thefts across the city and beyond.
The DSA has developed a strategy for winning elections nationwide and captured the mayor’s office in New York. The success of the DSA was evident in the Los Angeles Municipal election. Not only the Mayor’s office but City Council seats and the City Attorney’s Office. The way we have conducted elections needs to be reviewed and modified to protect election integrity in Los Angeles and across America.
The result of the Los Angeles Municipal election brings us a New Mayor, New City Attorney and New members to the Los Angeles City Council.
Questions remain. Will all campaign promises bring about change with the elected officials at City Hall. We will soon find out, and it will be in future editions of RantZ and RaveZ….
(Dennis P. Zine is the author of RantZ and Rave Z. Dennis is a retired member of Law Enforcement and the Los Angeles City Council. Dennis remains an active member of Law Enforcement as a Level 1 Reserve Officer. Dennis can be heard on KABC Radio, Fox News and as a regular contributor to CityWatchLA.com.)
