It is most unfortunate that LB residents don't vote. It makes me sick all
the time when people say, ''Oh -- I didn't have time to vote.'' I have to
grit my teeth from saying, ''No wonder we have so many jackasses in
government.'' The truth of the matter is that good government is good even
when you are not looking/watching. Since people are too busy living their
lives -- and cost of living is so high.. being a civic participant is a
luxury most people can't afford -- particularly when government holds public
meetings at times when only people who DON'T work or have kids can attend.
That's why cynical people say to activists, ''Don't you have anything else to
do?'' Of course we do -- we'd just like our government officials to stop
telling us to just shut up and pay our taxes.
People all over the country are voting less and less every election. Don't
you wonder if there is a connection between voter apathy and political
arrogance and overspending? A healthy voter base would right so many wrongs
and disinfect a back room government that hides from sunshine and an
open/public forum to deliberate many important issues that are just rubber
stamped to benefit developers and the cornicopia of special interests out
there.. that often don't do a damn thing to enhance quality of life. The
deal with LBUSD voting to take the $10 million from Boeing Realty as
mitigation for 2500 residential units next door to the airport -- is all
about helping LBUSH bridge their $20 million dollar gap. Does the $10
million cover the next 20 years of transportation cost for every child who
lives in the ''diesel death zone housing'' and a place for them to go to
school? I guess the school board and their Chief could care less about
overcrowding or where kids will go to school. As long as they can make money
busing...and count their free lunch federal dollars --- what/where is the
incentive to ''connect'' to the planning department and redevelopment to make
sure they aren't creating a negative quality of life impact by not having
enough schools for the housing that is built?
I wish there was a magic the recipe for getting Long Beach, LA County and
Americans to vote. Along with magic to induce residents to participate -- I
also wish for super strong magic pixie dust that induced elected officials
to focus on real public policy deliberations (put all the cards on the table
Pro and Con) instead of this ''consensus culture'' crap that avoids a studious
debate of issues.
By Traci Wilson-Kleekamp
the time when people say, ''Oh -- I didn't have time to vote.'' I have to
grit my teeth from saying, ''No wonder we have so many jackasses in
government.'' The truth of the matter is that good government is good even
when you are not looking/watching. Since people are too busy living their
lives -- and cost of living is so high.. being a civic participant is a
luxury most people can't afford -- particularly when government holds public
meetings at times when only people who DON'T work or have kids can attend.
That's why cynical people say to activists, ''Don't you have anything else to
do?'' Of course we do -- we'd just like our government officials to stop
telling us to just shut up and pay our taxes.
People all over the country are voting less and less every election. Don't
you wonder if there is a connection between voter apathy and political
arrogance and overspending? A healthy voter base would right so many wrongs
and disinfect a back room government that hides from sunshine and an
open/public forum to deliberate many important issues that are just rubber
stamped to benefit developers and the cornicopia of special interests out
there.. that often don't do a damn thing to enhance quality of life. The
deal with LBUSD voting to take the $10 million from Boeing Realty as
mitigation for 2500 residential units next door to the airport -- is all
about helping LBUSH bridge their $20 million dollar gap. Does the $10
million cover the next 20 years of transportation cost for every child who
lives in the ''diesel death zone housing'' and a place for them to go to
school? I guess the school board and their Chief could care less about
overcrowding or where kids will go to school. As long as they can make money
busing...and count their free lunch federal dollars --- what/where is the
incentive to ''connect'' to the planning department and redevelopment to make
sure they aren't creating a negative quality of life impact by not having
enough schools for the housing that is built?
I wish there was a magic the recipe for getting Long Beach, LA County and
Americans to vote. Along with magic to induce residents to participate -- I
also wish for super strong magic pixie dust that induced elected officials
to focus on real public policy deliberations (put all the cards on the table
Pro and Con) instead of this ''consensus culture'' crap that avoids a studious
debate of issues.
By Traci Wilson-Kleekamp
