Dems Pivot Toward the Progressive

By JOHN HARLOW | Editor-in-Chief

The Pacific Palisades Democratic Club revamped its leadership as it shifted from almost intoxicated anger to political focus at its annual meeting at the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club on Sunday, Jan. 28.

The most notable change was the election by acclimation—applause—of new President Erika Feresten, who proudly identifies as a Progressive dedicated to still-controversial issues such as single-payer health care for California.

While it’s the norm in Europe and once again high in political discourse after billionaire Warren Buffet scorned for-profit healthcare as the “tapeworm in the American gut,” traditionalist Democrats wonder if such a scheme will be paid for in an already heavily taxed state.

Feresten is a relatively recent newcomer to the local party, but many recognize she represents a younger, more activist demographic with a lot of personal charisma and energy that is vital if the Democrats are to “wage war” on Republicans in the November midterm elections.

Her predecessor, Melissa Grant, will now help coordinate Southern Californian parties that she helped bring closer during her seven-year presidency.

Both were loudly applauded at a meeting that was slightly quieter than last year’s meet in the wake of the 2017 Women’s March, but, to keep it lively, one row held up signs spelling out congratulations to Feresten and thanking Grant for her service.

They now both embark on honeymoon periods with their new colleagues, which may last for a few months as they endeavor to, as one leading Democrat put it, “get [expletive] done.”

He sounded almost presidential.

The annual meeting also heard from local Democrat leaders such as Supervisor Sheila Keuhl, who is reforming health care on a grass roots level with a “no wrong door” policy for patients.

State Senator Ben Allen celebrated the #MeToo movement, revealing that both his wife and mother suffered sexual harassment at work and “it was time for it all to stop.”

State Assemblyman Richard Bloom was followed by Councilmember Mike Bonin, who talked about local homelessness issues, still an uphill struggle as 400 people lose their homes in Los Angeles every day.

On cannabis legalization, Bonin said it was right that most LA pot shops will open in communities that were most victimized by “racist anti-drug policing policies as a form of compensation for those who suffered.”