The tragic fires that are devastating the Los Angeles area should be a wake-up call to voters. The reasons we vote for one individual rather than the other is nebulous and complex. More often than not, we base our votes on issues that are self-serving. Jobs, wages, and government services are among the issues that affect the voter’s decision.

Mayor Karen Bass of Palisades, Calif., a “who’s who” in human rights and environmentalist activism, made huge cuts in the city’s firefighting budget. She poured more money into LA’s homeless than in the fire department. Seventeen ½ million dollars was cut from the fire department. Weeks prior, the LA fire chief warned Bass that they won’t be able to respond to large scale emergencies especially wildfires. Wasn’t Bass aware that the area has a long history of wildfires?

Incompetence goes beyond the local level. Gov. Gavin Newsom was warned over and over again that he needed to address deficiencies in California’s wildfire prevention. Apparently, the survival of an endangered smelt was more important than the safety of the people who put him in office. How does one rationalize such unmitigated failures in leadership by our elected leaders? That answer can only be provided by the voters.

George Pikoulas, Butler