Three Fingers

"Point you finger at someone, and you end up with three fingers pointed back at yourself." That's one of those old phrases like "when you assume, you make..."

But, when it comes to California's reckless spending, failing schools, congested traffic and more, we the people must indeed point three fingers back at ourselves.

For years, we have voted in and continued to support politicians who spend taxpayer money without responsibility or accountability. We don't ask them to make things better, rather accepting their excuses. ("It's the President's fault." "It's the other party's fault." "It's big business's fault.")

Today, Los Angeles holds a major election that may lead to 10% turnout. I went to the polls smack in the middle of lunch time today and saw two other voters whilst there. I mentioned to one of the poll volunteers that, as I was leaving my office to vote, one of my coworkers asked "There's an election today?" The poll worker's response was classic. "Yeah, just for the mayor of the 2nd largest city in the United States!"

Along with the mayoral election, Los Angeles voters will be deciding on the next city Controller, Attorney, Community College Board members, as well as various measures including one that raises the cost of electricity for every household in a bogus scheme to increase solar power usage (the nefarious Measure B, which even the L.A. Times argues against here).

You can assume (without making...) that I do not support Mayor Villaraigosa, and you'd be correct. Many fiscal conservatives have been supporting Walter Moore or David Hernandez. I have known David for some time now, and personally I don't think there is a better person we could elect than him. He has spent years volunteering his time for various people and groups throughout our city. I know him through Republican circles, and also know that he is an individual who cares more about principles than party.

That said, while I proudly endorse and support David Hernandez for mayor, I'd urge everyone to vote, regardless of their choice. Yes, I have a "throw the bums out" mentality right now. Shouldn't we all? But, even if we "vote the bums back in", doing so with a mere 10, 15 or even 20 percent turnout only serves to further the thinking that local politicians can do whatever they want because the people aren't paying attention anyway.

This is our city, our state, our country. That ought to be worth something to the other 90% of people in Los Angeles.