Politicians picking their voters have become a way of life in California. The term
Gerrymandering has become a common and often accepted way of insuring the same
political machines maintain the same stronghold on the residents of the districts they control.
No other example demonstrates this reality more than the North East San Fernando Valley. For almost two decades the same
power base has kept a tight rein on some of the poorest communities in Los
Angeles.
Those involved in this process, know this was not by chance and was a design for gaining power and keeping it at all
levels of government.
The plan was to secure not only a political position but to achieve the position of leadership from Los Angeles
to Sacramento.
Those in other political positions were often content to sit idly by no matter what the consequences to the communities
as long as it served to keep them in a position of power.
With the ability to muster vast sums of money due to their politically connected projects, those behind the scenes,
directing their stable of politicians; combined with a voter base that was apathetic at best and downright disheartened at worst, they have been able to gain a stronghold with a very minimal number of votes.
One only has to research the number of votes received by these individuals to see the reality and frailty of their
hold on the districts they control.
The individual credited with drawing the district lines which determined which voters were in which districts and who
they could vote for, was the brother of the congressman who has been in office for decades.
With the political machines supplying the funding, the politicians in higher office going along to maintain their power
base and finally the manner in which the districts and voter base were manipulated, the voters had no real opportunity for prosperity.
With the creation of a new Congressional District in the North East San Fernando Valley and coupled with a new election
process; a window of opportunity has opened for those in the new 29thDistrict.
At the onset, those in power rushed to use the same politically race based rhetoric which has served them in the past.
After one and a half decades of control, that method of gaining political advantage is lost, as they have been the ones in control. In spite of that
control and hundreds of millions of dollars flowing through their fingers, their community is still suffering.
As a final parting effort to gain some last ounce of benefit from a position of support, the political machine and its
candidate have been given the nod of approval by the outgoing politician. Not unexpected, but a further case in point.
As his brother was no longer in a position to draw the district and pick the voter base; did he believe he could insure the seamless transfer of political power and thus receive some support for him?
As one newspaper put it, this was the last obstacle in keeping the candidate from going to congress.
I believe all are mistaken; the next congressman for the 29th District will not be chosen by the political machine which has held a strong hold over the North East Valley, or the politically connected special interest or even the outgoing congressman.
No, the Congressman for the 29th District will be chosen by the voters from the communities of Sylmar, Sun Valley, North Hollywood, Valley Village, Valley Glen, Van Nuys, Panorama City, Arleta, Pacoima, Mission Hills, Lake View Terrace and the City of San Fernando.
It will not be determined by political party or the amount reflected on a campaign finance reporting document.
No, this election will be based on the turnout of individuals who are informed and aware of the tract record and level
of interaction between the candidates involved.
The voters of the 29th District have been given an opportunity and from all indications on the ground, they
will seize it.
Counting them out of the process will be a mistake and will result in an upset on the level we have seen across the
country…
