Nor does it seem anything -- even reports in the national press about the City teetering on the brink of bankruptcy -- can make Los Angeles voters start paying attention.
Why, then, should you and I spend our valuable time trying to save this city? It's pointless. It's futile. We cannot save this city. We can only save ourselves, most likely by fleeing the jurisdiction.
So my plan now -- about which I may change my mind 10 minutes from now -- is to stop wasting my precious time documenting and commenting on Villaraigosa and the Spring Street Gang, and to focus instead on getting our house in condition to sell, and figuring out some other place to live.
If you still believe you can save this city, bless your heart, and best of luck. I hope you're right. But I'm not willing to devote any more time on that cause.
In the words of the dolphins fleeing Earth at the beginning of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe," let me end by saying, "So long, and thanks for all the fish."
Most people are unhappy in exile Walter. The way things are going, there's not going to be anyplace to run to that won't be affected by what's happening in California. I know it seems futile, but everywhere you are you have to fight in some manner to survive. the farther you are from the epicenter, the lesser your impact will be felt when you do try to fight. I'm not going to advise you, because I don't know your situation at all, but,...if the corruption cannot be stopped where you are, there's little point in expecting it to confine itself to that area. Sometimes, you just have to dig in and change the plan. The Japanese made a comeback after they were nearly innihilated by foreigners and imperialists.
ReplyDelete"and to focus instead on getting our house in condition to sell, and figuring out some other place to live"
ReplyDeleteGood idea! I have been doing this for a few months. Maybe home sales sucks right now but I am going to have the best house in the market where I live, and I will sell it for a reasonable price, reason being anything that will get me the hell out of here!
Hey Walter, you're more than welcome to move to Ventura County. You can watch L.A. circling the drain from here quite nicely.
ReplyDeleteHey Walter, are you sure that wasn't you in a dolphin costume flying through the air?
ReplyDeleteAs the Lion in "Wizard of OZ" said, "Don't leave us Walter we love you."
david barron
When I was about ten years old, I specifically remember my father telling me that 90% of the people in the world are idiots. By the time I was in my mid-30's, I had become convinced that his estimate had been too conservative.
ReplyDeleteAs for L.A. (as opposed to the rest of California), I'm not sure if it's profound brain inactivity or just a mindset that folks simply can't be bothered.
Over ten minutes have passed since you posted. I hope you've changed your mind. At least hang out long enough to see what happens with the upcoming Council elections.
I think a lot of us would leave if not for family, kids in school, a business or a job holding us here. Personally, I am eyeing maybe southern Utah ... ASAP
ReplyDeleteDerailAmnestydotcom, I think it's more like 95% for the City of LA and 100% of the City Administration.
ReplyDeleteWalter, Please stay and fight for us. If you haven't already changed your mind to stay, would you consider putting in a bid for a 2.81 acre property in Inyo County at tomorrow's council meeting? Current bid: $23,000. No? Not far enough away from LA?
ITEM NO. (2)
09-2736
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT and INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEES REPORT and ORDINANCE FIRST CONSIDERATION relative to the sale of 2.81 acres of City-owned property located in the town of Independence in Inyo County to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
Recommendations for Council action SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR:
1. CONCUR with the Board of Water and Power Commissioners’ action of November 3, 2009, Resolution No. 010-137, authorizing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to sell 2.81 acres of City-owned property located in the town of Independence in Inyo County to Caltrans as detailed in the Board of Water and Power Commissioner’s November 5, 2009 report and attached to the Council file.
2. PRESENT and ADOPT the accompanying ORDINANCE approving the sale of 2.81 acres of City-owned property located in the town of Independence in Inyo County to Caltrans for the expansion of its maintenance station.
Fiscal Impact Statement: The City Administrative Officer reports that approval of Resolution No. 010-137 will result in revenue to the Water Revenue Fund totaling $23,000. Since the LADWP is bound only by the City Debt Management Policies, the City Financial Policies are not applicable. Approval of the proposed resolution will have no impact on the City's General Fund.
Community Impact Statement: None submitted.
I believe David Barron said it.. This has been great entertainment, but your voting suggestions have helped. In the morass of decisions foisted on us we must vote, like it or not.
ReplyDeleteComments (1)
ReplyDeleteWayne says:
It's actually worse than what is presented here. Prop 25 opens the door for increased taxation. The Democrats will truly have noone to blame but themselves. The further failures caused by this will open the door for a huge Republican take-over as the gerrymandered districts are made more equatable by Prop 20.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the law or this Constitution, the budget bill and other bills providing for appropriations related to the budget bill may be passed in each house by rollcall vote entered in the journal, a majority of the members concurring, to take effect immediately upon being signed by the Governor or upon a date specified in the legislation.(Emphasis added.)
First, by using the phrase notwithstanding any other provision of law or this Constitution, this section explicitly controls over any other provisions of the Constitution that contain a different requirement. As such, when conflicts arise between other constitutional provisions like Article XIII A,§ 3 (which currently requires a two-thirds vote to adopt tax increases) and Proposition 25, Proposition 25 expressly declares that its provisions are controlling.
Second, it is entirely permissible for a tax increase and an appropriation to be included in the same legislative bill as long as they relate to the same “general subject,� are “within the same field,� or are part of the same “general purpose� of a statute. In fact, it is common practice for the state Legislature to combine tax increases and appropriations within a single bill. A recent example is Stats. 2009, 3d Ex. Sess., ch. 18, which substantially increased the personal income tax, sales tax and the Vehicle License Fee tax. It also contained an appropriation of Vehicle License Fee tax revenues.(ABX 3 3, Evans)
Were Proposition 25 to become law, stand-alone tax measures would still require a two-thirds vote. But if the Legislature combined a tax increase with an appropriation in the same legislative bill, which ABX3 3 clearly demonstrates it may do, the entire bill could be adopted by a simple majority vote because, under Proposition 25, bills that provide for appropriations can be adopted by a single majority vote.
The State’s Nonpartisan Legislative Analyst accurately explained that Proposition 25’s “constitutional provisions do not specifically address the legislative vote requirement for increasing state tax revenues,� but that the simple majority vote requirement “would also apply to trailer bills that appropriate funds.�1
Does that mean you won't be blogging about ANYTHING???? I hope not.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all you did and good luck to you!
Thanks. I'm not sure if I'll keep blogging -- but your comment may induce me to do so. In any event, I'll keep spouting off at Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate to sell and run from LA and CA a year ago. Whoo hooo.
ReplyDeleteWhats-a-mater, Think Gov Jerry Brown and Prop 23 being voted down is a problem?
ReplyDeleteSeriously Move to Arizona!! Sure it's hot but that's what A/C was invented for (besides, it's a DRY heat ;-)
Check out the state income tax table AZ Vs. Ca.
if you want a jolt.
From my house I can be at the beach in San Diego in 2.5 hours and downtown LA in 4.5 hours.
Walter, You've done a lot of good in exposing corruption in City Hall, and having the guts to call out on some sacred cows. I think you are smart enough to not tread on minefields again. Take a vacation to cool off and understand that there are many of us who are trying to make a positive difference to our city and we need people like you.
ReplyDeleteI've exposed all kinds of shenanigans, but the same group of maybe 1,000 people is the total statistical universe paying attention.
ReplyDeleteUnless and until something happens to involve the 1.2 million L.A. citizens who vote in national but not local elections, there's little point in reporting on the fraud and corruption.
Walter,
ReplyDeleteI am sad to see you become less involved, but I totally understand your frustrations.
To make an analogy, if voting was like driving, the majority of voters would be cited for “VUI”. When people give me their reasons for choosing their votes, I am astonished at the childishness of the thought process in this regard, and education level definitely does not matter.
I live in the Fifth CD, and (while did not agree 100% with him) was counting on David Vahedi to tip the Council 7% (1 of 15) towards insanity. David Vahedi lost to Paul Koretz by 723 votes. Today on KFI I heard that Paul Koretz lead the surrender to the electrical union DWP workers on the luxurious pension benefits (did not want to have a fight). They also said that Koretz got $40K support from the union in his campaign.
I believe Vahedi would have stood up for the taxpayers/ratepayers.
As you and I agreed before, the voters deserve the sufferings that the politicians they put in office inflict on them.
I think searching for greener pastures is perfectly logical.
Thank you for all you have done. At least 71,937 LA voters appreciate you.
I've already found a nice place in Ventura County I'd like to move to. But if you REALLY do throw in Walter, I'll JOIN YOU!
ReplyDeleteNov 2, 2010---People of L.A.---VOTE RESPONSIBLY!
REMEMBER---TO BE FAIR---ALL OF OUR LIBERAL AND DEMOCRAT FRIENDS---VOTE NOVEMBER 3RD! In other words---STAY THE HELL HOME AND LET THE TAXPAYERS FOR ONCE DECIDE THE GOD DAMN ELECTION.