What a year it has been! Not even one full year into the Trump Administration and we’re dealing with Epstein file leaks, an unstable economy, the perpetual question of whether we do or don’t have tariffs, skyrocketing grocery prices, and everyday goods costing more than ever before.
Meanwhile, a devoted cult tries to warp reality by insisting this is all “part of the plan.” Woo!
But let’s not focus on the federal dumpster fire this time. It’s the holiday season! Let’s keep it local, where the dysfunction is at least more manageable and occasionally entertaining.
It has certainly been an interesting local political season. The Santa Clarita City Council yet again passed over Councilwoman Marsha McLean for a leadership position, selecting freshman Councilwoman Patsy Ayala instead. I don’t personally have a problem with this decision. Patsy is a friend of mine and a great leader with whom I simply differ on political party affiliation. But it was certainly interesting to watch unfold. I almost want a tell-all or “burn book” from Marsha, because seriously, what was that about?
The local William S. Hart Union High School District has passed the gavel from the forever woman of class, Dr. Cherise Moore.
A woman who led the district through the pandemic and chaos with remarkable grace … to none other than the shock jock king of insanity himself, beloved by wanna-be Tea Party crazies everywhere: Joe Messina. This should be a fun term, and certainly great timing for his upcoming re-election campaign. I cannot wait to see what insane policies emerge from the district, all wrapped in nice headlines with the performative cries of “Save our Children” as they actively work to ruin them. But hey, that’s the Republican playbook these days.
Perhaps the most interesting development was, as usual, at the Saugus Union School District. The darling of Moms for Liberty, Anna Griese, was passed over in the rotation for board president. Mind you, this is a Republican-controlled board, and it’s almost like they recognize that the monster they created isn’t actually good for governance. Imagine that: Even her own party can’t stomach elevating her to leadership.
It’s almost like Republicans aren’t actually good for the public in general, unless “the public” just wants to waste their tax dollars on the longest government shutdown in history and endless golf trips.
I’ll admit something that saddens me: I used to be someone who truly looked up to all elected officials. The title commanded respect regardless of the level of office. However, as our government has devolved into a reality TV show (what did you expect when you elected what you did?) I’ve realized that to command respect, you must be respectful and respectable. Yet what we’ve been electing to these seats commands little, if even your attention, beyond their desperate attempts to become the next Kardashians.
These aren’t serious people engaged in serious governance. They’re performers playing to an audience, more concerned with viral moments and culture war soundbites than actual policy that improves people’s lives. It’s exhausting watching competent public servants get sidelined while attention seekers grab headlines.
With all that said, ’tis the holiday season! The time when, no matter our differences, we show love to one another … after all those paragraphs of course.
This past week, I sat across the dinner table from a man I affectionately call Pop-Pop, a man with whom I see almost nothing eye-to-eye. He’s someone who served our country, maintains an open ear, and is quite honestly as hilarious as can be. While we disagree fundamentally on many issues, he is respectful, and his openness is what commands my respect. I am lucky to consider him a friend who challenges my thoughts and keeps me honest.
That’s what civil discourse looks like. Not the performative outrage of board meetings or the manufactured controversies that dominate local politics, but genuine conversation between people who respect each other’s humanity even when they disagree on policy.
This holiday season, I encourage all of us to find our own Pop-Pop. Someone who challenges us, who sees the world differently, but who engages with kindness and genuine curiosity. Democracy depends on our ability to maintain relationships across political divides, to remember that our neighbors aren’t enemies simply because they vote differently.
I hope you all enjoy your holiday season: from Christmas, to Hanukkah, to Kwanzaa, and everything in between! May it be beautiful and joyous, and may you have a blessed New Year filled with love, laughter and perhaps slightly less political chaos than 2025 delivered (Lord I hope so).
See you in 2026, dear readers, to bring you laughs, rage, or new thoughts in the next article.
Until then, happy holidays from your friendly neighborhood political commentator who still believes, despite everything, that local engagement matters and that we’re capable of being better than our worst political impulses. Because, our community is always worth fighting for together.
Cheers to a new year and the ongoing work of building the community we deserve!
Andrew Taban is a former legislative staffer. “Democratic Voices” appears Tuesdays and rotates among several local Democrats.
