Pension crisis

Pension crisis

I do not think that any elected officials have a viable solution to the pension deficit issue which will continue to grow.
As I said before there is no simple solution. This is an issue that affects every level of government (City, County, State, Federal, Etc.). No one solution or one individual can solve this problem. It would take a committee with multitude of financial planners and an open mind to modify the plan as it progresses, when some facets of the plan do not work as anticipated.
But as the crisis grows, we as people of this great country must put our differences aside and work for the common goals and restore our City, State and the Nation to the spirit of our founding fathers.
I think that every politician or candidate should state what they propose to do to correct the situation and not attack their opponent or the opposition.
Tell me and or show me what you can do, not what the other did not do or did wrong.
Action speaks louder than words.
We need to remain vigilant, especially as the City of Los Angeles is facing a monumental fiscal crisis.
Public confidence in the integrity of the Government is indispensable to faith in democracy; and when we lose faith in the system, we have lost faith in everything we fight and spend for.

Thank you

YJ Draiman for Mayor of Los Angeles 2013

The Survival of Humankind, and Improving the World, Society, and Yourself!

 

The Survival of Humankind, and Improving the World, Society, and Yourself!

Yet who can the world trust to be idealistic and moral enough to help all of humanity and the environment, and at the same time, be practical enough to make extremely difficult decisions that can and will harm a great deal of people?

Humanitism is a philosophy for the continued survival and perpetuation of the human race. Humanitists (people who believe in humanitism) do not have the luxury of trying again after failing. Humanitists must be more vigilant than environmentalists, because we will not have a second chance at survival.
The survival of humanity is more important than the well being of our environment; however the environment is necessary for humanity to survive. That does not give the right for big businesses to continue doing whatever they want with only minimal or no consideration for the environment, so long as our surroundings support human life. We need to protect the environment for the continued survival and future well being of humanity. Keep in mind that without the human race, there would be no one and no need to protect the environment. Therefore, humanitism is more important than environmentalism.
It seems that in the past 50 years the human race has pursued the money train, that such desire for financial gain has caused society to ignore and abandon honesty, values, morality and candidness etc.
The race to financial gain has caused our leaders and the executives of the corporate world to disregard laws, ethics and the caring for each other and humanity as a whole. Deception, fraud and outright theft are their new motto all for the sake of financial gain, personal ego, fame and success.
It seems that for the sake of success and profit people will step on anybody, family friends, co-workers and anyone who stands in their way or take advantage of anyone that could help them achieve what they want.
That is not to say that honest and compassionate people who care do not exist, where honesty and integrity is a way of life for them, but they are a very small minority.
As we begin the year 2011, we should all look at the past and decide with determination that everyone will from now on contribute to the betterment of humanity, society and mankind.
We should all learn to live with each other and respect each other for the sustainability of mankind. Humanity should strive for harmony, tranquility and peace
Compiled by: YJ Draiman – 3/31/2011
PS
The human survival instinct prods us to outlast afflictions and, if circumstances permit, to reach old age. Nothing, of course, could be more quintessentially natural than aging.
These ideas stated within are where mankind has already been slowly diluted and polluted over time. Aristotle knew it, he said Tradesmen "money-makers" should not be accepted as citizens because they were pre occupied with making a profit and would not do what was right for the people regardless to what they know is right. Mankind knows wrong from right every day of the week. It's time to eliminate apathy and Encourage, nay demand this world to act on what hey know is right. We are on the cusp of falling towers the great or the evil. I will not take one day off, I will not hesitate to state my opinion and I will not hesitate to Work everyday to stifle the ignorance and enlighten all. Light up the darkness. Time to act, not tomorrow, not two days from now, not a year from now but right now! I refuse to digress. We can do this. We have a responsibility to all of mankind before us. And to all of mankind to come. I have had these feelings for years. Please spread the word, spread the love, and pay it forward. Everything hinges upon this one event. It will be the most beautiful thing to occur in history if we will just stand up and fight for what we believe in. And patiently educate those in the manner of what is right and what is wrong and how to act. We are all affected. Together as one we will survive. This is my generation.  I still have the most massive compulsion to do everything in my power to help. We must serve as an example and an inspiration to current and future generations.

By: Draiman

Draiman - My quest to restore Leadership, Experience and Integrity to City Hall

Draiman - My quest to restore Leadership, Experience and Integrity to City Hall

YJ Draiman

Candidate for Mayor of Los Angeles (2013)

I’m not a politician. You won’t get politically correct doublespeak from me, just the plain facts. The plain facts are often disturbing and as a NC Board Member I’ve never been shy from revealing the sometimes ugly truth about the way the City functions.

Career politicians like the current have no interest in serving the public; rather, they use public office to serve their own interests and those of the small but wealthy cadre of greedy “special interests” who fund their campaigns in return for favors when decisions over controversial matters such as billboards and development have to be made by elected officials.

All too often, the City Council’s actions support the special interests at the expense of the interests of the ordinary people like you and me.

When common sense dictates that our already over-congested streets should not be further burdened by more high-density luxury condominium developments, current elected official’s side with the developers and contractors who funnel campaign contributions to further their interests. We need a Los Angeles with Financial Sustainability that is my goal.

My pledge is for a “City of Los Angeles for the people” not for the politicians and special interests.

Rebuilding Trust in Our Government (R)

Rebuilding Trust in Our Government (R)

One of Americas statesmen stated “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” His presidency ushered in an era of disdain for government and a widespread cynicism that government could be effective in addressing our challenges.
Today, as we confront a crisis that has shaken confidence in our financial system and economy, we have an opportunity to restore public trust and confidence in the legitimate role of government. Indeed, to effectively tackle our economic challenges and to implement the reforms we need in our healthcare, education, energy, and environmental policies, our government will need to garner strong public support.
However, rebuilding public trust will not happen in the face of a pervasive perception that government is not transparent and accountable, cronyism is rampant, and public officials are more interested in helping themselves than in serving the public good.
Taking strong, swift, and decisive action to address abuses and begin to rebuild public trust should be the first priority for our city, state and federal government in the new legislative session.
Create a Task Force on Public Integrity with a mission to develop a comprehensive proposal for ethics and lobbying reform in our city and state. Which addresses reforms in three areas: (1) strengthening enforcement of ethics, campaign finance, and lobbying laws; (2) strengthening civil and criminal penalties for abuses; and (3) improving awareness and education for public officials.
Reinforce honesty, integrity and transparency by government officials as the core requirement to be and stay in office, any violations of these core tenets will cause the removal of the public official and the loss of "all benefits" retroactive. I think we should consider putting public official on a base salary plus commission based on performance.
While the many of our elected officials and government employees are honest, dedicated public servants, the actions of a few create a dark cloud over all.
Taking strong, swift, and decisive action to address these abuses and begin to rebuild public trust should be the first priority for our city, state and federal government in the new legislative session.

"The benchmark of a civilized society is the quality of its justice"

Compiled by: YJ Draiman for Mayor of LA - 2013

PS

We need honest government with integrity.

“Good leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion”
Public confidence in the integrity of the Government is indispensable to faith in democracy; and when we lose faith in the system, we have lost faith in everything we fight and spend for.

As citizens of this democracy, you are the rulers and the ruled, the law-givers and the law-abiding, the beginning and the end.

Change is inevitable. Change for the better is a full-time job.

Action speaks louder than words.

Every age needs men who will redeem the time by living with a vision of the things that are to be.

Freedom is not an ideal; it is not even a protection, if it means nothing more than the freedom to stagnate.

Action speaks louder than words.

An Independent is someone who wants to take the politics out of politics, a person with principles.

"The benchmark of a civilized society is the quality of its justice"
YJ Draiman for Mayor -2013

http://draimanformayor.net

PS
Voting: In the United States, it is often said that those not voting in elections have no right to complain about the outcome. Voting is extolled as our primary civic duty, and the most legitimate means to express protest.

YJ Draiman files papers running for Mayor of Los Angeles - 2013 – Press release

YJ Draiman files papers running for Mayor of Los Angeles - 2013 – Press release

Motivated by the desire to serve the Los Angeles community and to hold City Hall accountable for it’s actions, I have decided the best way to accomplish my goal is to run for and become the next Mayor of Los Angeles As Mayor, it would be my duty and goal to not just protect the quality of life in Los Angeles, but to improve it.  More importantly, as Mayor I intend to protect and improve the quality of life for ALL the people of Los Angeles, not just a select few.

The most consistent complaint I heard from some residents of Los Angeles when I ran for City Council was that no one knows what City Hall is doing anymore. The good of the common people seems to have been lost in the process.  City Hall has become self-serving with little or no accountability, which is why I have adopted and will instill a policy of "transparency and accountability" in City Hall.  A government "for the people" must be held accountable by the people. 

One of my biggest goals would be to make City Hall account for every single cent spent. Some of my more specific goals are balancing the budget, encouraging economic vitality, preserving and improving the City infrastructure, protecting the quality of our neighborhoods, supporting our open space and bicycle trails programs, working with the Neighborhood Councils and the Chamber to encourage local, innovative green businesses, and proper Urban Planning for Los Angeles, among others.

Without question some will raise the issue of my not being a politician.   Quite honestly, I am proud not to be another well-polished, slick-oiled career politician.  At this junction of difficult times for most, I do not believe the people of Los Angeles would best be served by yet another politician.  What is needed is a Mayor who truly understands the needs of the common people.  What is needed is a Mayor willing to put City Hall in a glass building for all to watch while working diligently to serve the interests of the common people and not just the interests of a select few.

While I am not a politician, I am proud to state I am a family man. I am married to a darling wife for over 40 years, we have two grown children – my oldest son is David Draiman a famous Rock Star with a Band by the name Disturbed, my younger son Benjamin Draiman is a Psychologist doing research and playing music.

Current Elected Member of the Northridge East Community Council 

I am currently working on my PHD in Energy Conservation.

A dedicated family man with an extensive business background including but not limited to mechanical engineer, healthcare administrator, real estate developer with neighborhood gentrification, project manager of a major 5 star hotel construction,  operator of a chain of retail electronic stores, reseller of deregulated energy sources,  energy efficiency implementation, utility audits and consulting services.   

I have over 25 years experience in energy efficiency. I am a strong proponent of Energy Independence.

I am looking forward to being elected and serving the people of the City of Los Angeles.
We must work together as a cohesive force to improve our city.
“Transparency and accountability is my motto”

Draiman for Mayor of Los Angeles   -  www.draimanformayor.net

“A vote for DRAIMAN is a vote for you”

YJ Draiman for Mayor of Los Angeles

Instant gratification and No commitment

Instant gratification and No commitment

People today are looking for instant gratification without considering others or the consequences. They are reluctant or lacking any intention of making a commitment and abiding by that commitment.

Politicians are known for saying the right things at the right time with no real intentions of believing in what they say or the desire to adhere to their promises. It is all for show in front of the Media and the public. Everything has to do with what is politically correct, whether it is the right thing to do or not. Money, economic benefits, fame and power are the controlling interest. The honest concern for the public is covered up with make believe and illusion of responding to public outcry.

Many of the causes are; Peer pressure, living up to the joneses and today’s fast moving society and technology.

The technology we grew up with could easily have cultivated a "now or never" attitude, a predilection for instant gratification that no previous generation had to encounter.

It is time to look beyond self interest, fame and glory. It is time for a conviction to do what is right and ethical for the public interest with no hidden agenda. It is time to regain the trust of the public with honesty, integrity and true intentions and deeds for the public benefit.

Do not look for the quick fix, the best and lasting fix takes strong resolve, hard work, determination and perseverance to accomplish the ultimate goal on behalf of all humanity.

YJ Draiman