The morning of Saturday May 6 was unusually cool, but the discussion with Congressman Alan Lowenthal at his Coffee and Conversation event was decidedly hot. A standing-room-only crowd in the Los Alamitos City Council chamber clearly arrived with strong feelings and firm opinions—and came ready to express them.
Lowenthal opened the proceedings by saying, “I love these meetings. I enjoy the opportunity to talk with you and listen to you and have you share your concerns with me. Such a large turnout at ten in the morning on a rainy day is an indication of the temper of the times. Six months ago there probably would have been fewer than twenty here.”
To point out his involvement in local matters and the fact that cooperation achieves good results, he cited bi-partisan Congressional legislation that provides financial support for our school district, necessitated by the fact that much of the area, unlike that of others, is federal land.
He also cited bi-partisan efforts in creating special programs to take advantage of the expertise of personnel on the Joint Forces Base. Fifth-grade students are invited onto the Base to broaden their interests in science, technology, and engineering and to excite them to become involved in those fields. One such program is a NASA lab.
You would not need more than one try to guess the leading and most emotion-provoking topic of the day: health care. In that regard, Lowenthal listed some of the reasons that he opposed the bill recently passed by Congress and why he considers it to be bad legislation. He believes that many people—especially those ages 54 to 64 and those people with pre-existing conditions—will lose coverage or be priced out of care.
Another flaw he named was the fact that prior to the voting there were no hearings, no review, and no input from involved and knowledgeable sources such as health-care professionals. Several members of the audience spoke about negative effects this bill would have on them and their families if it should become law.
When Lowenthal asked for questions, the place became a room of raised hands. People were more than ready to speak up. Some voiced strong beliefs and released feelings before asking a question.
From time to time there were murmurs of disagreement and—more often—applause for a popular view. When one person followed up a question by saying, “I have one more question,” Lowenthal got a laugh when he replied, “All right, but that’s a two-fer.”
The topics raised for discussion were like a study list of important problems and issues confronting us today:
• Redistricting and the need for independent commissions in each state to deal with the problem of gerrymandering of Congressional districts with the resulting creation of so-called safe districts.
• The increasing huge national debt; why does it not get more attention?
• Russia and its possible influence on our election; will investigation be continued, and if it is, will it be independent?
• Potential oil extraction on the Pacific coast (group seemed unanimous in disapproving).
• Presidential executive orders; how effective are they?
• Possibility of churches having increased freedom to engage in partisan politics, thus allowing tax-exempt donations for political purposes.
• The flow of vast sums of money to affect elections—even local campaigns.
• The Citizens United Supreme Court decision that corporations have the same free-speech rights that individuals do and so can’t be limited as to political contributions (Mr. Lowenthal’s solution: legislation that puts a limit on what individuals can contribute, thereby limiting what corporations can donate).
• The opioid epidemic, which is devastating so many areas of the country but is overlooked.
• Gun control; should people on the no-fly list be allowed to buy guns?
• The recent budget agreement to avoid a government shutdown.
• Immigration and deportations.
• North Korea and the risks of brinkmanship.
Several people mentioned being troubled by the end of collegiality in Congress and the increasing polarization in society.
Dave Emerson, of Los Alamitos, said that he regards himself as a moderate but feels pressure from both sides of the political spectrum. Emerson elaborated, by saying, “We have so much in common. We should be able to work together.” He was applauded for this.
Lowenthal demonstrated his wide range of knowledge by responding to every question with insight and information and context for the subject.
To conclude, one audience member addressed him: “I want to thank you for working on our behalf in such an acrimonious atmosphere at such a soul-crushing job. And thank you very much for meeting with us today.”
Lowenthal’s reaction, with a smile: “OK, everybody heard that, right?” which got some laughter.
This article appeared in the May 10, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.
