During the ongoing Los Angeles fires, the DEI-driven government of Los Angeles has shown how ineffectual it is when it is really needed.
Looking for photo ops in preparation for his — to this point — inevitable run for the White House, California Gov. Gavin Newsom showed up for the cameras. He was draped in self-righteousness. His hair arrived separately for fear it might be an accelerant. U-Haul sponsored his TV segments.
I am not always sure what DEI means, but with Newsom, in guessing D and I must stand for dental implants, and E for ego.
Maudlin hand-wringing has followed this predictable man-made disaster. And an illegal with a blowtorch is reported to be the "man" in "man-made." Citizens had to make an arrest. The guy might face charges in California because he used a gas blowtorch and not an electric one.
All these politicians show up, spinning the disaster to their own benefit. Newsom just got back the emergency powers he had during his draconian rule under COVID. They feed his ego and ambitions. And just try to get a nice table at the French Laundry without power.
To make matters worse, Biden showed up. He cannot even go to the disaster scene because cadaver dogs go nuts barking. Newsom is dogged by years-old bad decisions, affairs with married women, a 19-year-old, and a drinking problem. Biden welcomed him like a long-lost son.
Native Californian Kamala Harris hasn't helped much since she is not currently running. She will only go out and help if the fires start to reach wine country.
More than 12 million people live in the Los Angeles area. These fires in Hollywood did one good thing. They got people there talking about something other than what usually consumes them day to day: how to get their screenplays produced.
This is what happens when you are a local government virtue-signaling on global warming. California probably did not stock enough fire retardants because it felt that the word "retardant" was offensive.
But do not worry, the city is focused on diversity; capability be damned. Their "historic first" leaders involved are all at least one of the LGBTQ consonants. As president, Gavin could bring the California dream to the rest of America: an illegal with a $1,000 smartphone checking his EBT balance from an $800,000 government housing unit.
When you pursue "Trump-proofing" your government, DEI obsessions and your mayor is on a boondoggle attending the inauguration of the mayor of Ghana (a person she had never met before), Rome burns. With the highest tax rates in the USA, 12.3% on top of the federal 37% for a nice round 50% rate, you'd think politicians could protect their citizens.
Government should be simple and limited. Have competent police and fire and minimal regulations. Do not let your people be killed by something you could have prevented.
If Gavin cared about the "average person," gas would not be $4.99 a gallon in Los Angeles. I just paid $2.45 in the Free State of Tennessee. There would not be robberies all over the city. I got robbed at a gas station in Los Angeles the last time I was there; fortunately, I was able to get a good look at the thief: It was pump number four at the Wilshire Boulevard Chevron.
The homeless situation is so bad there that if you call an Uber, it's likely to be a shopping cart.
With Gavin's policies in California, the state might get onboard to build a wall. This one would keep more disgruntled taxpayers from escaping to Tennessee and Texas.
We all can learn from this. For example, Gavin Newsom and his cronies just learned that water is helpful in fighting raging fires.
Contact Ron Hart, a syndicated op-ed satirist, author and TV/radio commentator, at Twitter @RonaldHart.