If the government isn’t there to protect the people, then what’s its purpose?

There are all sorts of reasons to value one’s home. But to save on the sentimentality, let’s stay economic about it. A house is where a family usually stores most of its value. That is, the difference between what you make and what you spend is traditionally found all over your home.

Furniture, appliances, holiday mementos, family heirlooms… you name it, and it’s there. Sure, you deposit your excess funds in the bank, but that doesn’t mean as much. It’s just a number - hopefully, one you can retire on someday.

That’s been the pattern of civilization since we figured out how to protect wealth. Knights would accumulate their gold somehow. Then, they’d build a castle around the gold. Finally, they’d decorate their castle with art. It’s an age-old plan that still holds up after a thousand years or so.

When I look at what’s happening in Los Angeles, I don’t see a bunch of houses on fire. I see a family's lives, memories, and profits going up in smoke. It’s hard to imagine the anguish they’re feeling right now.

Sure, you can be flippant and say, “Vote harder!” But that’s a bit harsh. No one votes for even the most progressive leftist and expects incompetence. They expect the government to get the essential functions correct, one of which is to “protect the people.”

I hear it already: what can the L.A. government do against climate change?

Well, here’s my answer: if you believe the “scientific consensus,” then you should be as conservative - pardon me, as prudent - as you can be with the city’s funds and preparations for events like this.

It seems the city and its government weren’t prepared at all.

Let’s walk through how L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and her administration have utterly failed the City of Los Angeles.

The Budget Axe Fell on Firefighting

Months before the wildfires began, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass approved a $17.6 million reduction in the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) budget. She cut essential services like training, fire prevention programs, and emergency response capabilities, leaving the city open to a disaster like this one.

Vegetation Mismanagement

Vegetation management is a necessity in a fire-prone region like California. The LAFD’s brush clearance requirements for property owners are well-documented, but enforcement has been lacking. Uncleared dry brush and vegetation provided the fuel that turned these fires into infernos. The city’s inability to enforce basic fire prevention measures shows a glaring lack of leadership.

Water, Water Nowhere?

Some fire hydrants ran out of water, severely hampering firefighting efforts. How does a major city like Los Angeles run out of water during a crisis?

Years of mismanagement of the city’s water system have been blamed. Making matters worse, hundreds of fire hydrants were reportedly stolen for scrap metal in the months leading up to the fires, further crippling the city’s firefighting infrastructure. These failures highlight a broader neglect of critical public utilities.

The Donald blamed California Governor Gavin “Gruesome” Newsom:

Gavin’s “Have At ‘Em”

When questioned about the city’s shortcomings, Governor Newsom deflected blame onto local authorities, which did little to reassure residents.

The finger-pointing highlights a broader issue: a lack of accountability at all levels of government. Whether city officials neglect basic preparedness or state leaders shirk responsibility, the people of Los Angeles suffer.

No Crisis Leadership

As the fires raged, Mayor Bass was absent, traveling to Africa. Her decision to leave the city during a disaster and her prior approval of firefighting budget cuts have sparked widespread outrage. Even members of her party have criticized her handling of the crisis, with some calling for her resignation. Her absence was symbolic and practical, as leadership was sorely needed on the ground to coordinate emergency responses.

The Tax Burden

If taxes are what people pay for mandatory public services, imagine how the L.A. peeps feel today.

Income Tax

California has a progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 1% to 12.3%. The highest rate applies to incomes over $1 million, including an additional 1% Mental Health Services Tax.

Sales Tax

California's state sales tax rate starts at 7.25%. In Los Angeles County, additional local taxes bring the total to approximately 10.5%. This tax applies to most retail sales, including groceries and clothing.

Property Tax

Los Angeles County's property tax rate averages around 0.59% of a property's assessed value. For a median home worth $508,800, an annual property tax of approximately $2,989 is due. Proposition 13 limits annual increases in assessed property value to a maximum of 2% unless the property changes ownership.

Other Taxes

Mansion Tax: Los Angeles implemented Measure ULA in April 2023, charging a 4% tax on property sales exceeding $5 million and a 5.5% tax on sales over $10 million. This tax aims to fund affordable housing initiatives.

Parcel Taxes: Local measures may introduce parcel taxes, which are flat fees applied to properties to fund specific services like schools or public safety. These taxes require voter approval and vary by neighborhood.

Can you imagine paying all this and not getting government preparation for a well-known problem in Los Angeles, such as brush fires?

Wrap Up

Adam Carolla went on a rant about this, claiming that this fire mismanagement will turn even the most ardent leftists into Republicans. 

I’m not sure about that, but this sad episode will cost the Democrats in a state where Donald Trump performed surprisingly well in, considering his former opponent is Californian.

And knowing White males, Hispanic males, and Catholics pulled the lever hard for Trump, any inroads Republicans can make into Los Angeles and the surrounding counties is good news for them.

In the meantime, five people lost their lives, and countless others have lost their homes. Better preparation might have avoided these sad outcomes.

If you have an expensive government, expecting five-star service is reasonable.