Living in El Cerrito, it’s easy to feel like you’re in a bubble. There’s a prevailing sense that everyone shares the same views on politics, social issues, and how life should be lived. But the reality is that everyone doesn’t see things the same way. El Cerrito, like many small California towns, can become isolated in its thinking, assuming that its values are universal.
One of the assumptions I’ve noticed is that if you live in El Cerrito, you must be a Democrat. It’s taken for granted that everyone here shares the same political affiliation, when in fact, that’s far from true. Political diversity exists even in a small town like ours, but it’s often overlooked because of the overwhelming presumption that everyone’s aligned with the same party. This narrow mindset shuts down meaningful dialogue and blinds us to a wider range of perspectives.
My wife and I have homes here and on the East Coast, and it’s clear how different the political and fiscal environments can be. Spending time on the East Coast has given us a broader perspective, especially regarding how local governments manage their finances. Here in El Cerrito, the assumption seems to be that raising taxes is the solution to every financial problem. But in many other parts of the country, people value fiscal responsibility—living within their means, rather than relying on new taxes to cover overspending.
In El Cerrito, our leadership often takes the opposite approach. Instead of addressing root financial problems like overspending, the solution is typically to increase taxes, bonds, or fees. But that’s not sustainable. The assumption that everyone agrees with this approach or that it’s the only solution isn’t just naive; it’s limiting.
This bubble mentality has led to complacency and a false sense of security. In reality, our financial challenges aren’t going away just because we add new taxes—they’re being kicked down the road, leaving future generations to deal with the consequences. Meanwhile, other parts of the country are more willing to face hard truths. Fiscal responsibility means addressing the problem head-on, not masking it with more revenue streams.
In El Cerrito, we could benefit from a broader perspective—one that prioritizes controlling spending and being accountable to the public. That’s why I’m reconsidering voting here in El Cerrito instead of the East Coast. My state needs my presidential vote, but El Cerrito also needs a dose of reality. The down-ballot issues and the need for true fiscal responsibility matter to me. Local elections have the power to shape our town’s future, and we need leaders who are willing to address overspending, not just raise taxes.
To my fellow El Cerritans: You may think that the way things are done here is the only way, but not everyone agrees. And that’s okay. It’s time to recognize that other perspectives, especially those that differ, are essential to building a stronger future for our town. Fiscal responsibility isn’t optional, and neither is political diversity. It’s time we embraced that.
#FiscalResponsibility #ElCerritoMatters #LocalElections #VotingForChange #TaxReform #PoliticalDiversity #election2024
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 