“And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account – to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day – because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government…
“To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the
silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history;
but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
Barack Obama, Inaugural Address as 44th President of the United States. Jan. 20, 2009
I was deeply moved by the inauguration of Barack Obama as President, his words resonated to the core of my beliefs as a teenager in the 1950s and my coming of age and ideals in the 1960s.
The symbolism of America embracing a black President in my lifetime and the olive branch he offered for national unity and global friendship reflected my own beliefs.
But what meant the most to me was
Obama’s call for “a new era of responsibility” — a warning to elected officials everywhere to put a true sense of public service ahead of self service and to those “who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent.”
In the context of that last phrase, he meant foreign dictators but to those of us in Los Angeles working for a more democratic city, an inclusive city, a great city, the words applied precisely to what we face.
City government has grown corrupt and serves special interests better than people, special interests that keep our officials in office with their money. And our city government engages constantly in deceit and the silences dissent.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the campaign for Measure B. Back room deals were cut with those who will directly profit from this plan; others were bullied into silence to the point that many are so intimidated they are afraid to stand up and speak freely about what is wrong with this plan; vital information was withheld from the public and even the City Council and no meaningful public debate was allowed.
And when some of us dissented and exercise our legal right to oppose Measure B, they sued and demanded heavy financial costs be imposed on us. They lost in court because Measure B does nothing except perpetuate the failing monopoly of the DWP — the very agency that for a decade or long has vigorously resisted public demands for solar energy.
A government that disrespects the public so thoroughly is not the kind of government that President Obama speaks of. A government that squanders the public’s money on sweetheart contracts and wasteful spending is not the kind of government that President Obama speaks of.
We the people of Los Angeles want the kind of government President Obama speaks of — not a government that serves itself and excludes the public.
We appeal to Mayor Villaraigosa to suspend his campaign for Measure B and to open up a genuine and open dialogue with the people of the city on how we achieve clean energy and clean government.
Nothing good for the city can come from the dirty deals that went into Measure B. The conflict over this measure will not end even if his campaign’s lies, false promises and millions of dollars in special interest money prevail over the people.
Everyone wants solar energy. Nobody but City Hall and the special interests it serves wants 1,000 giant digital billboards that create visual blight and a safety hazard.
Everyone wants affordable housing that preserves the working class and middle class. Nobody but City Hall is selling out to developers whose projects drain precious resources, overtaxes the infrastructure and causes worse traffic congestion.
Everyone wants kids to get good educations and for the people of the city to have the opportunity to get good jobs. Nobody but City Hall is responsible for the flight of good-paying jobs to the suburbs and the worsening poverty rate.
Let’s start anew. Let’s open a real public conversation on how we come together on a clean energy plan that creates good jobs here — not in China. The issue isn’t solar energy at any price. It’s solar energy at the best price with the biggest impact on our economy and on our environment.
Let’s build on that dialogue on how we turn L.A. around and start sharing in the greatness of a city we all believe in, a city that brings to life the ideals that President Obama speaks so eloquently to.
And let’s reach for something greater than ourselves and build a city that fulfills its promise of freedom and inclusion of all. Let’s come together and make L.A. the great city it could become.
I too was struck by how far reaching Barack Obama’s words today called for a new era of truth, responsibility, and preservation of the public good. The death grip that monied interests have on our political process in Los Angeles must be shaken loose.
Give us a Mayor who truly cares about our City. Not some cynical smuck who sells the public interest in exchange for his next power hungry step to higher office. The wreckage of Villaraigosa’s broken promises grows longer and wider with each day. What will be the defining moment that will wake up Los Angeles residents as Obama has awakened people of the nation? Keep watching.
Ron’s right.
Obama plans on forging a new reality in our country, a new way of doing business because as he said today, in so many words, the world we have known is one that will not solve our current problems.
I know some of our elected LA leaders attended today’s events. I just hope they heard what what was said and are inspired enough to come into the 21st century.
My hand is open. And, I suspect so is yours.
Isn’t Mr. Obama a democrat? Because the dem party has endorsed Villar & the rest of clowncil.
“The Los Angeles County Democratic Party released its endorsements for the March 3 elections and, to no one’s surprise, they went heavily for incumbents who also happen to be Democrats.
“The Democratic Party’s endorsed candidates and positions on ballot measures will improve our quality of life for those who live throughout Los Angeles,” Chairman Eric Bauman said.
On Election Day, let’s vote for change and bring hope and prosperity back to our local communities.”
Los Angeles City Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa*”
What new era are you talking about? LA is getting worse with every days & the same party that Obama represents wants Villar to continue making LA more & more like Tijuana.
Actions are louder that words. What President Obama said dose not apply to Los Angeles Politicos. The city council and mayor’s slogan is “Do As We Say, Not As We Do.”
LA Weekly
http://www.laweekly.com/2007-05-31/news/do-as-we-say-not-as-we-do/
Actions are louder than words. What President Obama said dose not apply to Los Angeles Politicos. The city council and mayor’s slogan is “Do As We Say, Not As We Do.”
LA Weekly
http://www.laweekly.com/2007-05-31/news/do-as-we-say-not-as-we-do/
Why Do Secret Citizens Control the Gang Contracting?
http://www.laweekly.com/photoGallery/index/?section=news&gallery=434750&page=1
Obama’s inauguration at $150 million is 3-4 times as much as the next most-expensive inauguration: can you imagine if a Republican did this now, with this sort of economic crisis? But of course he’s being coronated, and what applies to mortals doesn’t apply to him or his wife — her designer outfits have been extolled all along (at what cost over the two years they’ve been campaigning?) while Palin got creamed for much less. If a white guy had used Lincoln’s bible after a campaign of consciously casting himself as a successor, his hubris would have been mocked. Obama wants to start by throwing untold millions more at the financial problem — though to his credit he wanted to include tax credits to taxpayers, but the Democrats found that to be too reactionary and want a straight handout to “pull people up.” I like his tough talk about everyone rolling up their sleeves, but am wary of a big government with handouts this big this early on. When you’re in huge debt, getting in much deeper doesn’t make a whole lot of sense without a lot more thought and oversight than we’ve seen so far.
Of course I wish him well and think this euphoria is generally a unifying national event, but the realist in me is concerned that this glorification is overdoing it just because he’s “the first black President.” I guess real equality will come when ethnic presidents are treated just like anyone else.
It’s very difficult to get excited about Obama when the Democratic Party here in LA are so worthless to the average public citizen. On a day to day basis, that’s who we’re stuck with – Villaraigosa, Garcetti, LaBonge etc. They can’t manage the local Park and Wreck centers.
Obama, no matter what he aspires to, if his idealism tries to take root in LA, the aforementioned will obstruct it. City employees are trained to obstruct idealism regardless of their management level.