Cynicism, Thy Name is Local Politics

Just a quick scan of today's LA Times should serve as a reminder why so many people are turned off by politics. Example 1:

The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety has given special treatment to dozens of construction projects sought by political insiders, including nine current and former city commissioners and donors to the mayor and City Council, records show.

The department assigned the projects to the little-known Case Management Unit set up years ago to speed large and complex construction jobs, such as public schools and affordable housing. By sidestepping the standard permitting process, big developers can avoid delays that might otherwise cost them millions of dollars.

And Example 2:

The text of a ballot measure that would ask voters to ease term limits in Los Angeles and impose restrictions on lobbyists was crafted by a prominent law firm that represents lobbyists in the city, raising a new round of controversy Thursday.

The measure was written by the Sutton Law Firm of San Francisco, which represents the Los Angeles Lobbyist and Public Affairs Assn. and has often represented lobbyists before the city Ethics Commission.

The City Council unanimously approved the measure for the Nov. 7 ballot Wednesday.

But then again, maybe I'm just a cynical bastard.