#  Crazier than a “Mayor Pratt”? Thinking That Bass or Raman Want to Clean Up LA

     Details    Ken Alpern   ![logo](https://www.citywatchla.com//templates/ja_teline_v/images/logo.png)         May 25 2026      [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/May-2026/041o.png#joomlaImage://local-images/stories/May-2026/041o.png?width=1536&height=1024)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/voices/32778-crazier-than-a-mayor-pratt-thinking-that-bass-or-raman-want-to-clean-up-la)

  [VOICES](https://www.citywatchla.com/voices)   - [  Previous Article **Bullet-Train Viability is Possible Only by Applying Lessons Learned from the Past and with Transparent Leadership** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32785:bullet-train-viability-is-possible-only-by-applying-lessons-learned-from-the-past-and-with-transparent-leadership&catid=375)
- [  Next Article **In Memoriam** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32777:in-memoriam&catid=375)

  ###### Typography

- [](# "Smaller Font")  ****Smaller** **Small** **Medium** **Big** **Bigger****  [](# "Bigger Font")
- [](# "Previous Font Style")  ****Default** **Helvetica** **Segoe** **Georgia** **Times****  [](# "Next Font Style")

- [ Reading Mode](# "Reading Mode")

> <a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)
>
>  [Comments](#disqus_thread)

 ALPERN AT LARGE - One can both despise the policies and words of President Trump…AND conclude that if all you can argue is “F” Trump or “MAGA bad” then you don’t have much of a plan to promote policies for better government.

One can both have serious problems with Republican policies…AND question if Democratic policies are any better.

One can both have concerns about where the Republican Party is going…AND have concerns about where the Democratic Party is going (particularly if you live in a one-party Democratic city where Democratic rule is chasing away its tax base while being a magnet for America’s homeless and mentally ill.

…and so on.

If you think that the answer to the City of the Angels’ “La-La Land” of today is to lurch more to the Left, that is your right, but to willfully ignore the hordes of Angelenos (many of them hardcore Democrats, Trump-haters, and left-leaning Independents) probably means that the growing number of Pratt supporters aren’t the most crazy among us.

We’ve got an Olympics coming up, and our new “Homeless Industrial Complex” and our worsening affordability crisis can’t just be blamed on “that guy over there” or “that political party over there”.

Because those folks are THERE, and we live HERE.

Karen Bass…right HERE.

Nithya Raman…right HERE.

Gavin Newsom…right HERE.

How many more punches in the nose and kicks to the crotch DO we need to BE BRAVE and try something different?

Do I think that City Attorney candidate Marissa Roy and Kenneth Mejia are too far to the Left, and have a track record that should concern Angeleno voters who (regardless of political party) just want a better future for themselves and their children?

I do.

Do I think that the City Council (with the obvious exception of one courageous CD11 Councilmember Traci Park) has lurched so far to the Progressive Ultra-Left that they live in their own made-up universe, supported by a self-serving host of unions whose leadership (not necessarily the union membership!) treats taxpaying Angelenos as lower lifeforms?

I do.

Do I empathize with “JFK Democrats” and other Left-leaning Democrats and Independents who want nothing to do with the “Progressive” oligarchy of Los Angeles?

I DO…and want to recall how the late and beloved CD11 Councilmember Bill Rosendahl was a Liberal Democrat who “embraced Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike”…

…and also want to recall how former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (a Democrat) caught hell from the unions and the Progressive oligarchy when he fought for more LAPD hires, and who opposed the UTLA teacher’s union leadership (who rigidly controlled not only the LA Unified School District but also much of L.A. City policies).

Do we want a successful, exciting 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles?

YES!

Are we ready for that 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles?

NO! A THOUSAND TIMES NO!

Does our City need an upgrade in our budgetary policies, government, safety/security, and transportation/infrastructure policies to 21st Century standards?

YES!

Are our homeless policies, safety/security policies, transportation/infrastructure policies at modern, 21st Century levels?

NO! A THOUSAND TIMES NO!

For the last few years, I was hoping for a chance at a Rick Caruso Mayorship, and certainly as well a chance at an Austin Beutner Mayorship, for the City of the Angels starting in 2027…but neither will happen.

So…the tough but pragmatic consideration for voters should be:

Will Karen Bass and Nithya Raman be inspiring leaders to restore Angeleno voter confidence and pride as we approach our 2028 Olympics, and recover from the years-long series of natural and man-made disasters in our City and State?

NO! A THOUSAND TIMES NO!

But will Spencer Pratt, who has injected more excitement into City politics than ever seen in decades, have a “Project Hail Mary” shot at returning some pride and hope into our miserable experience here in the City of the Angels?

Well…apparently, and with no other viable options available…YES!

*(**Kenneth S. Alpern, M.D**, is a dermatologist who has served in clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties, and is a proud husband and father. He was active for 20 years on the Mar Vista Community Council (MVCC) as a Board Member focused on Planning and Transportation, and helped lead the grassroots efforts of the Expo Line as well as connecting LAX to MetroRail. His latest project is his fictional online book entitled The Unforgotten Tales of Middle-Earth, and can be reached at <Ken.Alpern@MarVista.org>. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Dr. Alpern.)*

  - [  Previous Article **Bullet-Train Viability is Possible Only by Applying Lessons Learned from the Past and with Transparent Leadership** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32785:bullet-train-viability-is-possible-only-by-applying-lessons-learned-from-the-past-and-with-transparent-leadership&catid=375)
- [  Next Article **In Memoriam** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32777:in-memoriam&catid=375)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>