L.A. Mayor crowdsources designs for tote bags

In Los Angeles nowhere is decay more evident than in the infrastructure. Constant "carmageddon" construction projects show very little in improvement; they're not meant to. They're only small bandages, a half-assed, albeit costly cosmetic touch-up ignoring a much larger problem.

The LA Unified School District, which is so corrupt and piss poor at providing education that the only stories I ever hear about it are how teachers are being arrested for child molestation, schools spend a billion (that's billion with a 'b') on iPads while superintendents of poorly performing districts rake in $663,000 in total compensation.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the nation's largest public utility, sent out out as many as 70,000 inaccurate bills, while also misappropriating 40 million dollars in ratepayer money. Subpoenas will supposedly be issued to find out where the money went, but I'm sure they'll never find it. I saw Chinatown.

While Hollywood lives in its own bubble, the Have Nots of Los Angeles contemplate where they're going to get their next rent check. Guess which group represents the majority?

It's not a beautiful sight. And believe me, this city is in dire need of a makeover, both from a physical and a branding standpoint. And I can say this because I live in Los Angeles. Since living here, my taxes have gone up every year and I have little to show for it. There are certainly no city improvements in sight. But that doesn't stop the public servant jackholes from demanding more and more from us.

So is it any wonder I'm livid our new mayor is now crowdsourcing designs for a tote bag?

From the website of Mayor Eric Garcetti:

Los Angeles is home to some of the best designers in the world. So when it came to finding a logo to go on the official city tote bag, I knew that all I needed to do was ask my fellow Angelenos. Use this page to submit your design and/or vote on the designs of others.

With the help of Councilmember Paul Koretz, we're giving away reusable tote-bags across Los Angeles. The winning image from this contest will be silk-screened onto the Los Angeles Tote bag and distributed citywide to become one of the most recognizable images of a new plastic-bag free Los Angeles.

Because why should you pay those best designers living in the city, for amazing designs that will represent your city in perpetuity right? We're only paying your fucking salary. Why should you owe us for handing you a large scale portable tourism campaign?

If you haven't figured out that paying for quality will get you more quality than if a bunch of amateurs to do it for free, think about it this way: In the late 70's another city was in financial ruin, teeming with decay, crime, high taxes, and very little to show for any of it. Instead of crowdsourcing people, insulting their intelligence and their talents, they hired an ad agency and the best designer around. That city was New York. And like the logo, the rest is history.

But that's the difference between New York and L.A., then and now. One still saw value in work. The other demands you work for free, while they gain the reward for it. But hey! You'll be able to tell all your instagram friends, so you got that going for you. Everyone knows the new generation isn't moved by money, only social currency. Until they try to spend it, that is.

It would have been so amazing if the people of Los Angeles said "no," but unfortunately, there are suckers born every minute.

Especially in this town.