Karen Bass Reports

The following message is from an email to me from the offices of Congresswoman Karen Bass

Do you know how many members of Team Trump have left or been forced out?

Since Donald Trump took office in January he has hemorrhaged nearly a dozen high level advisers, staffers and cabinet members. From Steve Bannon to Michael Flynn to Sean Spicer to Tom Price, their abuse of power, ineptitude, dishonestly, and ties to foreign governments and white supremacists have led to their departures from the White House.

Let’s be honest-like Trump himself, this team is not just incompetent-they’re creating policies that are actually harming families. From trying to orchestrate the repeal of the Affordable Care Act to being behind tax cuts for the rich to advising the President to end DACA.

This extraordinarily high turnover has us wondering-who’s next? And we want to hear from you.

Should it be:

Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Sessions has been hanging on to his job by his fingernails for awhile now. He’s feuded with Trump, been caught making inconsistent sworn statements about the Trump campaign and Russia, attacked sanctuary cities, and rolled back progress made in recent years on criminal justice reform. And did you see him stumble and tumble when Rep. Bass grilled him about a controversial and biased report the Justice Department put out? If not, it’s really worth a watch.

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. With no experience in education or government, DeVos was facing an uphill battle from the start of her confirmation hearing. And as she’s learned what her job entails, she’s reportedly struggling to implement her disastrous plans to privatize public education.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. The hero of hedge funds doesn’t seem capable of understanding—or telling the truth—about the impact of GOP’s proposed tax cuts for the wealthy. His liberal use of government planes for questionable trips doesn’t help his job security either.

Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt. Even on the heels of a rare hurricane season, Pruitt refused to talk about climate change, has rolled back President Obama’s environmental protections, and he’s cutting his department’s ties with scientists. Will his brand-new $25,000 phone booth at his office be the final nail in his coffin? ([email protected])

A law went into effect on January 1, 2012 as a result of the financial scandal in Bell. The law gives the state Auditor or broad new powers to investigate misuse of taxpayer funds by cities and counties.

Another law requires health insurers to included coverage for autism.

If you were asked what was the average used-car price last year what would you say? If you said $18,600 you would be right, because so many formerly leased vehicles are coming on the market and are commanding a premium according to Edmunds.com.

On May 6, 2017 the world’s oldest and smallest army accepted forty new members after the new recruits swore an oath to protect the Bishop of Rome as a Vatican Swiss Guard. The annual May 6 Event commemorates the day in 1527 when 147 guards died protecting Pope Clement VII during the sacking of Rome. In keeping with tradition, the recruits must commit to at least two years of service, be Catholic and younger than thirty.

At the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library until January 7, 2018 will be the first of its kind exhibition not seen anywhere else before the Titanic. Experience real artifacts from the Titanic and items used in the discovery of the famed ship alongside props, sets and costumes from the blockbuster movie. 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, CA (800) 410-8384.

If you used the Supplemental Poverty Measure which accounts for regional cost-of-living, the average poverty rate in California from 2014 through 2016 stood at 20.4 percent, the highest among the states and second only to the District of Columbia’s 21 percent average. The national average over that period of time was 14.7 percent. While the Golden State accounts for 12 percent of the nation’s population. Our citizens comprise one-third of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits. California has some of the highest income, sales and corporate tax rates in the nation.

Your friend, my friend, our friend Maxine Waters Congresswoman in October introduced legislation in the House of Representatives that would shut down Americas largest banks if they exhibit repeated wrong-doing to consumers.

Going to Europe for business or pleasure next year? If so call Norwegian Air Shuttle for the cheapest prices.

Are you or someone you know interested in a law enforcement career? The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is now hiring Deputy Sheriff Trainees starting range $64,789 - $80,483. Check out these requirements over 19, high school grad, or equivalent U.S. citizen, or permanent resident, and has applied for citizenship valid class “C” drivers license good general physical fitness. Call (800)-A Deputy or (LASD carrers.org).

For those who missed an article, all my commentaries can be found at http://www.culvercityobserver.com; scrolling down the page and underneath Opinion look for Rubenstein.