Leadership in Washington is often the subject of heated debate, but for many everyday Angelenos, the question of what they would do differently if they were in charge of the country sparks immediate, passionate responses. On the streets of South Los Angeles, residents carry their own visions for how to make the nation better — and their priorities reflect frustration, hope, and a desire for real change.
From calls for greater accountability among political leaders to urgent reforms in immigration policy, locals have strong ideas about tackling the country’s most pressing challenges. For some, the first order of business would be cleaning up corruption and ensuring elected officials actually work for the people who put them in office. For others, the need is to make government actions more humane, particularly when it comes to immigration enforcement.
While some residents focus on domestic improvement and addressing local issues before sending aid abroad, others believe the answer lies in term limits — trimming back the careers of politicians who remain in office for decades and, in the eyes of some, fail to keep pace with the times.
Their answers reveal a shared belief that leadership should be responsive to the needs of ordinary Americans, not just the entrenched political class. They also reflect a desire for practical, actionable change — not just promises. Whether centered on transparency, compassion, or prioritizing homegrown problems before international ones, these perspectives show that people are thinking critically about the country’s direction and the leadership required to change its course.
In this week’s Street Beat, residents from Leimert Park, Los Angeles, and Inglewood share what they would do if they were the ones making the big decisions in the nation’s capital.
Johnnie Raines, Leimert Park
“Clean house and hold elected and appointed officials accountable for what they’re supposed to be doing.”
Allysa Moore, Los Angeles
“Handle immigration policies in a better and more humane way. Like not snatching people off the streets when they have documents.”
Jordan Jamerson, Inglewood
“Help the United States first and stop trying to send money elsewhere. We have a whole bunch of problems going on here that need to be addressed.”
Bryce Austin, Inglewood
“Lower the maximum term limits for politicians in office. A lot of the things they do are outdated and their mindset is just not up to date.”
Compiled by Cynthia Gibson in the Crenshaw District.
