Q&A: Elizabeth Wong Ahlers. Generational Consequences

Q –  What are some of the campaign issues since the primaries?

A – I was really excited after the primaries to keep that winning momentum going. Early results were a big relief at our celebration party. Everyone is so excited, and it’s been really fun. On May 4, we have our kickoff event for the campaign.

People are concerned about schools, curriculum in schools, crime, safety, taxes, how they can afford to stay in California, their water bills and the cost of gas to get to work.

So, there are cost of living issues. People choose to live here because it’s pleasant and it’s close enough to commute to LA if they need to. They don’t want to move because of financial or educational reasons.

“We don’t need to be a sanctuary paying for out-of-state people to get all kinds of medical procedures done when our own people have to live in a mobile home paying taxes.”

Elizabeth Wong Ahlers

Since the elections, people have responded, supported, and volunteered. They know that I am one of them, and I need their help. They feel like they are personally invested in a candidate who represents families. I grew up here. I’m a middle-class person. I haven’t been in politics all my life, but I’m learning and doing it for heartfelt reasons. So, they like my agenda. I’m a big-picture person, and I consider the long-term and generational consequences of our choices now.

We can’t just complain about things. We’ve actually got to do something. And running for La Crescenta City Council was something I could do. I have really enjoyed listening to the residents and hearing their concerns, but I am a big-picture person. The more I see the problems of our residents, the more I realize I need to help at the state level.

Q – Do you have ideas about what legislation or issues you might introduce?

A – We’ve got to lower the cost of housing. The cost of building has become prohibitive due to regulations, requirements, inflation, and the cost of materials and labor. On the legislative side, the burden could be lifted by lowering the cost of construction, which increases the availability of housing.

Also, insurance costs are high. Insurance companies are leaving because if there is a fire, the cost to rebuild is so high that they would go under. I think the burden on our people needs to be lifted, but we’re also dealing with the $73 billion deficit. I need to be at the State level to do that work. We don’t have a balance in the State legislature right now. There’s no other opinion “to say slow down.” We don’t need to be a sanctuary paying for out-of-state people to get all kinds of medical procedures done when our own people have to live in a mobile home paying taxes.

“The cost of building has become prohibitive due to regulations, requirements, inflation, and the cost of materials and labor.”

Elizabeth Wong Ahlers

I was at Three Valleys Municipal Water District last week. One of the things that impressed me was that they said that we need to change our mindset from one of scarcity to one of abundance. We need to manage our water resources, capture them, and have a long-term plan. The same principles apply to housing, cost of living, wildfire management, gasoline and the environment. We’ve got to be unselfish with what we have right now, but we’ve got to make an investment in the future in the next generation and start turning it around. There’s got to be a better way.

With my own children, I helped them. But I don’t want them to expect that everything they want is going to be handed to them. It’s about maturity, responsibility and learning, which extends to the larger community. Our legislators need to take that personal responsibility at the state level.

Q – Do you have ideas about curriculum and the parent’s involvement in student curriculum?

A – I saw your article about Mr. Harden. I really appreciate how he wants to work with parents.  There was legislation last year to take the curriculum and decision-making up to the state level. It needs to stay local. Curriculum decisions need to remain with our local elected school board so that the parents can be involved in the curriculum designed for their own population of students.

We need to stay focused on the old-fashioned 3Rs. Parents are sending their kids to public school so they can function in our world. We are spending $13.3 billion on education in California, and yet we are down at the bottom of the list on the test scores. That’s why half of the students in Pasadena are going to private schools; parents want better for their kids.

I would love to see a focus on hopefulness, where the kids don’t just dream about unrealistic things but can aspire to be like Abraham Lincoln, Astronaut Neil Armstrong, a great scientist or a great politician like JFK. Lately, a lot of emphasis in schools has put children in fear instead of hope,  confusion instead of confidence.

Q – How do you think social media affects students, especially with the protests on university campuses now?

A –  So many of these young people spend their day on TikTok and don’t have any idea what really goes on. They don’t really have a grasp of what the issue is. There’s some perceived virtue in disrupting the peace, but that’s not constructive. It’s not based solidly on facts.

“A platform of wisdom is my big-picture principle. And sometimes, I just have to offer it unsolicited to save some heartache.”

Elizabeth Wong Ahlers

That’s where the schools need to provide students with role models – people who have done it themselves, not just celebrities. Students need to know they have the resources to succeed, and they need to have the wisdom to acquire those resources.

A platform of wisdom is my big-picture principle. And sometimes, I just have to offer it unsolicited to save some heartache. My son says that to help the Gen Z population, I need to address their hopelessness. You can’t give them pie in the sky, hoping that the government’s going to provide them with everything they need because they’re already disillusioned.

I would love to see Gen Z reach out for help to the older generation. In my Chinese culture, I consulted with elders on everything. Even if I wasn’t going to follow their advice, it was just a way to honor and involve them.

Various cultures have strength on the inside because they have wisdom and determination, and they’re willing to stick it out for generational benefit. I think that kind of cultural wisdom could also benefit California.