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# Untitled
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/040403-story-2/
- Published: 2003-04-04T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:01:26.000Z
- Author: Bill Bauer
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

Every day, many of us differ with the establishment on a variety of subjects.

Some of us complain about things such as the overzealous meter maids, our vagrant population, traffic, parking, public safety and other esoteric issues.

Weighty issues affecting the community’s future also generate debate, such as who and how to financially support our schools or how much money to spend on a new city library.

What happens when the city, schools or other civic entity does something you don’t agree with?

There’s a couple things you can do. Write a letter, phone or e-mail. Air your grievances. Keep in mind that you are most likely raising issues about an approved system, policy or situation that is firmly in place. So there’s a good chance, at best, you will be looked upon with suspicion or, at worst, as a trouble maker.

If you’re really piqued, write a letter to the editor. Going public upsets their apple cart. The target of your complaint will circle the wagons and institute a well-rehearsed scenario to deal with you and your rhetoric.

Reaction No. 1: Deny, deny, deny! Example: “The speed bumps on 20th Street are too high.” Response: “Oh, No. They’re built exactly to correct specifications.” They insist they’re right and it’s you that’s wrong. They might offer to “check into it.” Of course, nothing is done and hopefully, you’ll forget about it. In cityspeak, this is “ignore and conquer.”

Reaction No. 2: Your complaint is very unusual. Example: “Inebriated vagrants are always hanging out at 14th and Wilshire.” Their response: “Nobody else has complained about this kind of thing, that’s something new.” They want you to think that you are the only person who has a problem with this. In cityspeak, this is “isolate and conquer.”

Reaction No. 3: You don’t understand. Example: “The city’s affordable housing doesn’t go to Santa Monicans in need.” Their response is, “You don’t understand the situation” or “You’ve got your facts wrong” and “You’ve been misinformed.” They’ll try to convince you are unable to grasp such a complicated issue and then they’ll cast doubts on your credibility. In cityspeak, this is “confuse and conquer.”

You’re still complaining and now others are supporting you. “They” feel threatened and “they” have strategies for dealing with this situation.

Reaction No. 4: The co-opt. If you’ll change your mind, stop complaining and get with the program. You could be appointed to a city commission, task force or advisory committee. In cityspeak, this is “buy ‘em and conquer.”

Reaction No. 5: Roll out a public relations campaign. Counter the (now multiple) complaints. Examples: Distribute success stories about how city-sponsored social programs have gotten homeless off the streets or how dividing Santa Monica High School into six separate units will make for a better educational experience. In citys-peak, this is “propaganda conquers all.”

Reaction No. 6: You’re an official “Enemy of the People.” You’re evil, trailer trash, loose cannon, brigand, deranged or a drooling, babbling moron. Example: Hotels owners are “Taliban” enslavers of low wage employees.

Landlords are nasty money grubbers. Those opposing the new school tax proposal are ignorant, vile, devils incarnate who hate children. In cityspeak, this is “insult and conquer.”

I especially love it when the establishment sets out to get a person who disagrees with them. Unfortunately, this kind of reaction is becoming routine in a community that prides itself on its liberalness, diversity and tolerance. In a sophisticated, urban city where a high percentage of residents are intelligent, well educated and supposedly open minded, the intolerance and vilification apparently applies to persons whose agenda is far more important and correct than mine.

Last fall, when Measure EE, the first school parcel tax proposal, was voted down, some of us who opposed the tax were viciously and personally battered by some of the most respected and upstanding leaders in the community simply because we dared to disagree with the way the district wanted to raise money.

Airing opinions, including unpopular ones, is important to a well functioning, democratic society and if something is good, right and correct, it will ultimately prevail.

In sunny Santa Monica, altruism is often cast aside by those out to preserve their power at any cost and promulgate their personal agendas without encumbrances. (Bill Bauer is a longtime Santa Monica resident.)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 4, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/040403.pdf?ref=smdp.com)