Just remember you are lived under enforced austerity brought to you by these people:
"Calif. lawmaker gets costly swearing-in bash" Associated Press October 16, 2014
LOS ANGELES — Democratic Senator Kevin de Leon was sworn in as the first Latino to head the California Senate in more than a century with an expensive and out-of-the-ordinary soiree Wednesday night in downtown Los Angeles.
The event at Walt Disney Concert Hall, with an estimated price tag of $50,000, resembled a presidential inaugural more than the low-key affairs at the state Capitol held by past Senate leaders.
‘‘What a beautiful venue,’’ de Leon said of the modern architectural marvel designed by Frank Gehry. ‘‘This is a grand public building and the centerpiece of my district. I chose this venue because it sits close to the working families who put me in office, and it is a visual representation of California’s innovative spirit.’’
The California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation, which receives donations from special interests seeking influence in the Legislature, picked up the tab for the event and organizers emphasized no taxpayer money was involved.
So that makes it all okay, huh?
Other than the location and size of the ceremony, there was little Hollywood opulence at the event.
The frills included a traditional mariachi band that greeted guests outside, and the more modern Mariachi Divas, who performed the national anthem inside.
Most guests wore business suits and dresses, but a few women had fancier dresses and clusters of teens invited from local schools came in shorts and sneakers.
The swearing-in party comes during a year when two Democratic state senators were suspended after being charged in separate federal corruption cases, a third resigned after being sentenced to jail for perjury, and another faces DUI charges after a night of drinking that included late-night revelry with Latino caucus members inside the Capitol.
The corruption of the political cla$$ is rampant.
Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, said Senate leaders should ‘‘be extra careful not to be engaging in excess of any kind.’’
However, Latino caucus spokesman Roger Salazar said the swearing-in is not too elaborate for such an historic event.
‘‘While it is an inauguration, it also is a fairly down-to-earth one when you really think about it,’’ he said.
Ya think?
After the ceremony, a reception was held in a blocked-off street outside the hall.
The event is being staged even before votes are counted in the election next month, when de Leon — the overwhelming favorite — is running against fellow Democrat Peter Choi.
The swearing-in ‘‘is less about seating the incoming Senate president and more about seating the big money lobbyists ever closer to the power center of the California political system,’’ Choi said.
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