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Los Angeles County, CA April 8, 2014 Election
Smart Voter

Lack of Personal Responsibilty in Long Beach

By Mineo L. Gonzalez

Candidate for Mayor; City of Long Beach

This information is provided by the candidate
What I feel is the second most important problem facing Long Beach.
There has been a huge disregard for personal responsibility in the last decade. It seems as if everyone has just let everything go and blame the outcome on someone else. They want to believe that their problems are not their fault. That it just was not in the cards for them to enjoy the basics of life. They may see that their neighborhoods are in distress and they are helpless to do anything about it. In order for the city to progress we need to bring back the notion of personal responsibility. We need people to be good citizens, educate their children, and report crimes that they see being committed. That not everything is the city's responsibility. We need to empower people with the notion that they are in control of their lives and their happiness. That they have the power to take back their neighborhoods and better their everyday lives.

Once we gain their trust we can explain that they have to help city hall in order to progress. Not everything is the city's job to fix. It is up to our citizens to take on some of the responsibility. They have to be the eyes and ears of the city. If they see litter on the streets in their neighborhoods then pick it up or ask that neighbor to keep their area clean. i have seen many people have the cleanest car in the neighborhood because they throw all the trash in the street because the street sweeper will get it. That mentality is what hurts Long Beach. Emphasize that they have to be good citizens and make their neighbors want to also be a good citizen. They have to be part of the process to make Long Beach progress. They can start by making sure they are doing their part. Then make sure their household is doing their part and finally influence their neighbors to be good citizens.

Social progress has always come from everyday people being personally responsible and demanding that their government works for them and for what is just. They know that progress does not come without some sacrifice. The mayor can and should model this through their leadership. It is going to take strong and respected leadership to make people realize that they have the power to fix the cities problems through how they live their day to day lives.

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ca/la Created from information supplied by the candidate: February 9, 2014 21:47
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