Candidate for
Supervisor; County of Los Angeles; Supervisorial District 3

We need to encourage, engage, educate and empower citizen's to use their voice and their vote for our collective future.

In 2012, 132 million people voted in American Idol and 122 million voted in the Presidential election. http://www.itv.com/news/2012-05-24/x/

The first step to recovery is to admit there is a problem, even within the Democratic Party.

I personally have been discouraged to run for this office. In addition, some organizations they endorsed another candidate to discourage people like me from running. It seems like there is a coordinated effort to keep out newcomers and to perpetuate the chosen few.

In addition, at least at the local Democratic Clubs in Malibu and West Hollywood, it appears that the whole endorsement process is a farce. The process is being hacked by outsiders who will do anything to get their anointed candidates the endorsement. At least one candidate gamed the system by paying for numerous "members" with one check and those "members" never again participated in our local Malibu Democratic club.

Candidates throughout LA County will raise millions of dollars before June 3. What does that money buy? Usually more hit and attack mail pieces or advertisements that might result in some votes, but I have been told those hit pieces turn off many people. I have issued a challenge to all candidates to give back 10% of their campaign funds to local non-profits that make LA County better today, not policies that they promise to enact later. By working together, political candidates could collectively infuse $1 to $2 million back into our communities. Maybe this type of action would appeal to voters who feel like candidates give back beyond their own campaign.

Rock the Vote and other organizations have done a great job of encouraging youth to vote, and I hope we can work collectively to reward people who voted with policies that help the average person, instead of policies, which help those who voted and paid for a candidate who has raised the most money in elections.

Another way to reduce voter apathy is to change the game. Team Love LA hopes to start this process by engaging people through social media and asking that they give their love, not just their money, to help make LA better for all. Many people say this can't be done, but we say it has to be done. If we buy into the Money v. Money game we will NEVER win. Team Love uses the most powerful weapon we all possess - - - LOVE.