Democracy in Santa Ana? Not quite!

I had been away from politics for some time before jumping back into the water this year, so I had forgotten how dirty elections can get in my City of Santa Ana. This year has been no exception – it has in fact been the worst ever. To wit:

• Independent Expenditures from Hell: Sal Tinajero felt the sting this time around as an organization called the California Real Estate PAC, and the crooked folks at “Californians United” attacked with gusto. They brought back the ghost of Nativo Lopez, and Rosie Avila, as well as the “reformed” Tim Rush and let loose on Sal. It was wrong, wrong, wrong.
• Public safety (greedy) unions: the police and firefighters worked overtime again this cycle – doing all they could to elect council members who will pay them even more. Hey guys – we have such little money that all our libraries, save one, have been closed. How much more do you want? The firefighter’s union even screwed up two mailers late last week – wrongly noting that the police had endorsed Pulido puppet Tino Rivera. But they are very sorry about it! Yeah right…
• Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce: This is a nice scam. They are funded, in part, by the City of Santa Ana. But their “independent” PAC does all it can to elect Pulido’s puppets – so they can keep the corporate welfare coming. What a joke – but the joke is on us!
• Signs attacked: Not enough for Pulido to attack his opponents, this year he had the city send nasty-grams to those opposing his puppets – and some of their signs were seized. Fortunately cooler heads prevailed and the letters were rescinded – after we exposed this here at the Orange Juice. But Nelida Yanez’ signs all disappeared this weekend – and surprise – David Benavides’ signs appeared in their place. Imagine that – he is a Pulido puppet and a magician too!
• Pulido’s disappearing act: Now you see him, now you don’t! He showed up to one forum, held by the South Main Merchant’s Association, introduced his puppets, and promptly cut and run! Said he could not find a babysitter. But I know Carlos Bustamante was available!
• Commission Bingo: Pulido puppet Benavides offered his opponent, Yanez, a city commission if she would pull out and endorse him. She had to remind him that she is already a commissioner! Benavides himself was handed a spot on the Planning Commission mere weeks before the filing deadline.
• Developer moolah: Pulido shook down his developer buddies and found tons of money for his puppets – none of them had to do their own fundraising. And none of them should be trusted if they get elected and end up voting on development issues! Benavides already had to give one developer his money back after the media discovered a conflict of interest because he is a Planning Commissioner.

Ever wonder why Pulido and his puppets work so hard to get elected? Take a look at Pulido’s financial statements! He has become a millionaire while serving as our Mayor. He has come a long way since he fought to save his family business, and ended up getting elected to the mayorship. Long way down that is. Power corrupts – and Pulido is absolutely corrupted.

There is no real democracy in Santa Ana – and we will find that out tomorrow. God willing some of those opposing Pulido and his puppets will prevail, but I won’t bet the house on it. No wonder Pulido didn’t let us vote on mayoral term limits or ward-specific council elections. He won’t let the power go until he has tired of it – and by his own admission he wants another decade in office. Don’t let him get away with this – vote against Pulido and his crooked cronies tomorrow!