Carlos Alvarez, a legal assistant, is a longtime community activist and a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
Daily Bruin: Why are you running for mayor?
Carlos Alvarez: I’m running because my campaign is different than those of the other candidates in that it is a socialist campaign.
In the midst of these hard economic times the need for such a campaign is greater than ever.
We must defend the rights of workers in the Los Angeles area and protect them from the looming threats of the ailing economy. Currently, instead of using all available resources to aid workers, we are perpetuating a system where corporate giants are amassing huge profits while workers suffer. This needs to change.
DB: Which two issues do you feel are the most important issues facing Los Angeles right now and why?
CA: The first is spending; too much of the city’s budget is being allocated to the wrong departments and projects. One example is the LAPD’s budget: currently half of the city’s overall budget. At the same time, too much money is going to prisons, money that should be going back to the communities. This goes hand in hand with the second issue: lack of jobs. The government will afford its citizens a jail cell, but not a job. The resources are there, the problem is allocating those resources to the appropriate areas.
DB: So you believe this approach will improve the local economy?
CA: Well, as a socialist I have different ideas about what makes a good economy than many economists as presented in mass media. The popular view holds that a healthy economy is based on the well-being of major corporations and their wealthy CEOs. I, on the other hand, believe that a healthy economy is an economy in which the workers’ best interests are taken to heart.
DB: You seem to have very different views from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. What, as mayor, would you do differently from him?
CA: First of all I would be sure to move on my word. I’ve heard a lot of lip service from Mayor Villaraigosa on gay and lesbian rights, for example, but have not seen much done to support their rights aside from talk. In addition, I would hold the police responsible for their actions and create an all-civilian control board to see that this is done. The LAPD should not be allowed to investigate themselves. In, I believe it was 2006, over 300 claims were filed against the LAPD for wrongdoing, yet none of these were seen to have merit. I would also immediately fire Chief William Bratton. I believe he should be held responsible for police attacks at the May Day rally in 2007 and for the behavior of the police in general, especially in communities of color.
DB: You’ve spoken a lot about increasing job availability, yet many citizens are also facing foreclosure. What will you do to address this issue?
CA: I would create an immediate moratorium on foreclosures and evictions. This (economic) crisis should be on the backs of wealthy corporations and banks, not on the backs of working people.
DB: What would you say to undecided students at UCLA?
CA: To students I would say that the most important thing is to get involved. Throughout history we have been able to take the necessary steps to advance the way people are living and promote equality and justice. This is the next step.