Search

The article comments on political and economic developments all round the world. A year from now the last presidential primary will be completed in California, the party conventions will be setting up in the steamy South, the field of candidates will be radically depleted and perhaps three-quarters of the estimated $400 million that Americans are going to spend on the 1988 election will be distributed to television stations, consultants, advertising-space buyers, airlines, printers, telephone companies, district workers and the myriad recipients of what has become a quadrennial national welfare system.

The article presents information on a tiny enclave in the vast Los Angeles Basin, California, that, according to the author, inverts the demographics, politics and poetics of what Americans consider normal urban life. It is reported that it stands the traditional population pyramid on its head, that is only about 6 percent of its 36,000 residents are under 18 years of age, and a quarter are over 60. Its 1.9 square miles contain hardly an inch of undeveloped land; even without many conspicuous high-rises, it has the densest population of any city west of the Mississippi.

Criticizes California Governor Ronald Reagan's budget and tax program. Political platform of Reagan; Characteristics of Reagan; Observation on his Creative Society; Information on his budget cuts; Good example of Reagan's early appointment philosophy; Actions taken in preparation for campaigning for the Presidency.

Analyzes the impact of the Vietnam War on the political campaigns of pacifist candidates in the states of Oregon and California in November 1966. Impact of the war on the campaign of Howard Morgan for the Democratic senatorial nomination in Oregon; Background of the campaign to take the Democratic congressional nomination from Representative Jeffrey Cohelan in the 7th District of California.

Discusses issues related to politics and government in California in 1965. Challenges to the administration of Governor Edmund G. Brown; Background and commentary of the political process in the state; Assessment of the political leadership of former Governor Ronald Reagan; Evaluation of the political leadership of Brown.

Offers a look at the social condition in the Watts area in south central Los Angeles in California as of June 1966. Action taken by the police to keep order in the area; Details of the incident on May 7, 1966 which almost triggered a revolt; Emergence of the nationalist movements of the African American community in the area.

Analyzes the competition between California State Controller Alan Cranston and Pierre Salinger for the U.S. Senate seat in 1964. State of politics in California; Comparison between the two candidates; Political background of Cranston and Salinger; Characterization of the candidates' campaign.