Small-time leader with a big mouth shows the problem with today's politics

[TexasTowelie]

The former mayor pro tem of Huntington Beach fancied himself the Donald Trump of Orange County, gaining national attention for calling COVID-19 a “plandemic” and “political sham” and for his confrontational refusal to wear a mask in public.

He recently quit less than six months into his first and only City Council term, apparently finding the minutiae of local governing — budget reviews, committee hearings, personnel decisions — less fun than sailing his boat through Huntington Harbour with “Trump” and “Tito” flags flying.

Brief though it was, Ortiz’s stretch in small-time politics reflects something much bigger: a political culture that spurs conflict, rewards intransigence and empowers the loud and adversarial, even if polls show most voters would rather their lawmakers give in some if it means getting things done.

Increasingly, politicians from City Hall to Capitol Hill are incentivized — by the bases of the two major parties, the flow of campaign contributions and by the outsized media attention they receive — to stake out unyielding positions, shun compromise and treat those who disagree with them as evil and the enemy.

Read more: https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2021-06-18/tito-ortiz-huntington-beach-run-shows-us-political-extremism

[RKP5637]

1. It has sadly become a confrontational sport for some rather than effective governing. And there

are too damn many spectators cheering them on as if at some bizarre sporting event. And, there is cash to be made.

[OldBaldy1701E]

6. Which is why it is happening

And, why it will keep on happening. If there is bank to be made in this country, you can believe that there will be a rush to try and make it.

[PortTack]

2. The last paragraph..cannot disagree more!

The two major parties are VASTLY different. To lump them together NO!

[TexasTowelie]

3. I disagree with that opinion also.

I am not sure who the writer is catering to with that mischaracterization.

[LakeArenal]

5. The Democrat base is all over the place

The Replicant base is narrow. Piss off Libs and abuse power to gain power

[leftieNanner]

4. Plus, like TFG

They are lazy attention whores.

Actual governing is hard work.