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[ POLITICS ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/la-election-2022)
# Is Our One-Party System Any Better Than That of the Deep South?
October 26 2026
Written by Ken Alpern.
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ALPERN AT LARGE - Like it or not, California’s infrastructure, university system, and economy was built during an era when California was either red or purple.
Like it or not, California’s lurch from being purple to blue to deep blue (and particularly with a 2/3 grip of the California Legislature) the fiscal status, cost of living, housing/homeless problems, and infrastructure of the Golden State has plummeted.
Not so much because California has a strong Democratic showing, so much as it’s kicked out and exiled so much of its taxpaying base and intellectual backbone…
…but because too many Californians vote for the Democratic Party as sports fans do for their favorite sports team.
Furthermore, the fiscal conservatism that works so well for moderate Democrats appears to have been lost on a California Democratic Party that eschews balanced budgets, blames everything on President Trump to deflect their own lousy leadership, and appears to support those breaking the law over those obeying the law.
Which isn’t to say that the Deep South solid-red states are any better…it’s just that we’re just as bad.
Of note is that too many Republican politicians get away with murder in the Deep South, but as with the Talarico/Paxton senatorial race in Texas (a red state, overall), having a tarnished figure like Ken Paxton makes both individuals fight to earn the voters support.
Not true for California, where Xavier Beccera can run away from the press and debates and hide (with everyone knowing he’s got no plans, cost-effective budget innovations, or desires to meet with Californian voters) while Steve Hilton (not perfect, by any means) is pretty much censored from talking about new innovations.
Furthermore, we’ve got a City and County of Los Angeles leadership who are pretty much all Democrats, blame all Republicans for their problems, and are awarded by a voting base who will reward them for their blatant incompetence.
If someone wants to run for office in Los Angeles or any other state or city political office in California, the voters (all patronizing and contemptuous towards Republicans who they’ve never met, never want to meet, and might never ever meet) in the same manner that many white voters might never vote for a nonwhite political candidate.
For example, if Rick Caruso were to have run again for City of L.A. Mayor, would his past Republican affiliation destroy him again like it did when he ran against Karen Bass four years ago.
Certainly identity politics rears its ugly head as well, but are moderate and independent voters who lean Democrat that much different than moderate and independent voters who lean Republican?
I doubt it, but too many voters, newspapers, and pundits would scream “ooh, he/she is a Republican” in the way we used to decry people of being non-white as synonymous with being non-American.
Neither Rick Caruso or Steve Hilton have anything to be embarrassed about by being Republican as do Karen Bass or Xavier Becerra have to be embarrassed about by being a Democrat, or Nithya Raman has to be embarrassed about by being a Democratic Socialist…
but Caruso and Hilton have different rules to play by, don’t they, and Caruso was forced to be “independent” so that people might give him the time of day.
We now have a total loser and moron running at the head of the Democratic gubernatorial ticket, and virtually every analyst or voter who’s done their research knows it—but how many will vote for him, anyway, and get more High-Speed Rail shenanigans, public sector pension/union shenanigans, education-misspending shenanigans, and the like…
…while complaining about those shenanigans and disregarding how they VOTED for more shenanigans.
So…congratulations, L.A., for forcing us all into a choice between Karen Bass and Nithya Raman, who are both absolutely horrible in their track records—and NEITHER one is reaching out for the increasing number of Republican voters in Los Angeles (LINK: ) who will inevitably make the difference as to which candidate wins as our next L.A. Mayor?
Yes, there is a small uptick in Republican voters, and as someone with his own track record in public service to L.A. in our neighborhood councils and transit advocacy, I’m probably one of the few who dares to “admit” he’s Republican—and there’s no way that any Republican could run for office without threats of violence or discrimination.
But why the heck should anyone be afraid of saying, “Hey, I’m not going to be in the same party that’s destroyed my city, county, and state!”
Am I asking anyone to be Republican? NO! Never would. That’s not how I’ve ever rolled.
But I will recommend that no voter ever be “owned” by a political party, Democratic or Republican. It’s not good to be “owned”. It’s not good to limit your own choices or promote your own freedom.
I worked with moderate Democrats for many years, and made darned sure that “things got done.” Trump can be an ass-clown all he wants, but that doesn’t change my/our/your life when it comes to city, county, and state obligations.
But if Californians want to think they’re better than any deep-Southern Republican who’d neeeeeeeeeeever vote Democratic, then it’s time to consider they’re not—for the most part, Republicans and Independents stayed the hell away from the L.A. mayoral race.
And we’re paying the price. Be your own man, and be your own woman.
But if you can’t stand Steve Hilton (or any other Republican) after you’ve studied him or her, then fine—just don’t vote by party affiliation.
Because it’s YOUR money, YOUR blood and sweat and tears, and YOUR future.
And too many Californians need to confront they’re no better than rural Republicans in the South…and we’re paying the vicious price because of that.
*(**Kenneth S. Alpern, M.D.**, is a dermatologist who has served in clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties, and is a proud husband and father. He was active for 20 years on the Mar Vista Community Council (MVCC) as a Board Member focused on Planning and Transportation, and helped lead the grassroots efforts of the Expo Line as well as connecting LAX to MetroRail. His latest project is his fictional online book entitled The Unforgotten Tales of Middle-Earth, and can be reached at . The views expressed in this article are solely those of Dr. Alpern.)*
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