The Centrist Party is going to...

make an endorsement in the L.A. Mayoral race.  Surprising, because I don't live within the city limits of Los Angeles.  But what happens in the city of Los Angeles has an impact on all of us who live anywhere in the Southern California area (you can use the fancy word 'metroplex' if you like). 

There are four major candidates.  City council members Eric Garcetti, Jan Perry, City Controller Wendy Gruel and attorney Kevin James (there's a fifth guy on the ballot but he's unknown).  Even though my knowledge of James is slightly limited, he's the right choice.  The simple reason is because he wasn't part of the problem.  So it is much more likely he can be part of a solution.

The problems of Los Angeles aren't unique but they are complex.  Government at the state, county and city levels are doing things that discourage rather than encourage businesses to locate and operate from within the city limits.  With the flight of business comes reductions in revenues.  I'm not anti-union but I will point out that the unions have pushed these government structures to get the maximum in salary and benefits for their members.  Pension obligations are rising much faster than the revenue streams needed to pay them.  Los Angeles is a "Balkanized" city, divided into sub-cities that care little or nothing about the others, as long as someone is paying attention to their needs.  The infrastructure is crumbling so fast that potholes can't be fixed without a ballot initiative.  The new increases in taxation promulgated by Prop 30 aren't going to help.

So it's time for fresh blood.  An outsider may not be able to do anything significantly different than the insiders who have made things so bleak, but he's worth a try.  Vote Kevin James for Mayor on March 5th.