Rebuilding Trust in Our Government (R)
Today, as we confront a crisis that has shaken confidence in our financial system and economy, we have an opportunity to restore public trust and confidence in the legitimate role of government. Indeed, to effectively tackle our economic challenges and to implement the reforms we need in our healthcare, education, energy, and environmental policies, our government will need to garner strong public support.
However, rebuilding public trust will not happen in the face of a pervasive perception that government is not transparent and accountable, cronyism is rampant, and public officials are more interested in helping themselves than in serving the public good.
Taking strong, swift, and decisive action to address abuses and begin to rebuild public trust should be the first priority for our city, state and federal government in the new legislative session.
Create a Task Force on Public Integrity with a mission to develop a comprehensive proposal for ethics and lobbying reform in our city and state. Which addresses reforms in three areas: (1) strengthening enforcement of ethics, campaign finance, and lobbying laws; (2) strengthening civil and criminal penalties for abuses; and (3) improving awareness and education for public officials.
Reinforce honesty, integrity and transparency by government officials as the core requirement to be and stay in office, any violations of these core tenets will cause the removal of the public official and the loss of "all benefits" retroactive. I think we should consider putting public official on a base salary plus commission based on performance.
While the many of our elected officials and government employees are honest, dedicated public servants, the actions of a few create a dark cloud over all.
Taking strong, swift, and decisive action to address these abuses and begin to rebuild public trust should be the first priority for our city, state and federal government in the new legislative session.
"The benchmark of a civilized society is the quality of its justice"
Trust in government
ReplyDeleteThe ability of governments and the global community to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, ensure security, and promote adherence to basic standards of human rights depends on people's trust in their government. However, public trust in government and political institutions has been declining in both developing and developed countries in the new millennium. One of the challenges in promoting trust in government is to engage citizens, especially the marginalized groups and the poor, into the policy process to ensure that governance is truly representative, participatory, and benefits all members of society. Where governance processes are exclusionary and basic services are not accessible, intrastate conflicts and violence within the country can negatively impact national and global security and peace. Weak systems and processes of governance tend to erode trust in government. Within this context, the issue of how to build trust in government and trust between socio-economic actors has emerged as an increasingly important issue in both developed and developing economies.
Will Angelenos fight to save LA from insolvency? – Draiman
ReplyDeleteMayoral and City Council elections for Los Angeles are around the corner, Angelenos who wonder how and if any of the mayoral contenders are able to save our city and can keep the city of Los Angeles out of bankruptcy.
Why would anyone with a sound mind elect any of the insiders; they have been in LA City Hall for over twelve years and have brought the city of LA to its current crisis, they have failed the people, they do not deserve a chance to destroy our city any further.
Angelenos have a chance to replace about many of the current elected officials at LA City Hall. Let us take advantage and elect a new breed of leaders with fresh ideas and no allegiance to the political machine or the special interests groups.
During elections, there are many words spoken that usually fail to produce action, and after elections the need to see action is by far more important than mere words. But the challenges and hopes, and the failures, established by the lackluster 3.5 years of Mayor Eric Garcetti cannot be ignored; The LA Times gave Mayor Eric Garcetti an "F" rating on performance. The City of Los Angeles is now in its worst economic and financial condition since the 1930’s. The Pension plan and medical benefits liability are pushing LA to insolvency. The over 2 billion dollars in unauthorized tax will have to be returned. All the new propositions that were approved in November 8th, will cost the city of LA over 1.5 billion dollars. Businesses are leaving in droves and revenues are decreasing. How much more in taxes and fees can the people of Los Angeles bear?
Many people and businesses have left the city. The people of LA have lost their trust in the government and the various special interests groups that are milking the city without letup.
Los Angeles needs a strong innovative leader who can unify the various factions in the city, and form a unified cohesive force to overcome the current crisis and dissention. Every faction must be willing to compromise or we are doomed.
We must put all our differences aside and it is imperative that we all work together for the betterment of the city and its population. We have a saleable product; let us promote it, market it and sell it.
After all it is a government by the people for the people.
YJ Draiman
http://www.yjdraimanformayor.com/