Politics as Usual

In 1911, Teddy Roosevelt said something in San Francisco that applies to today. In 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt came to San Francisco and took the idea even further. Photos: Library of Congress
Politics as Usual

Spaghetti time

Taking a cue from FDR and seeing what works
By John Zipperer

Note to myself: Stop making political predictions on stage.  Last month, during a live political roundtable, I predicted that the voters of Chicago would elect the tough-on-cr... Read More
Politics as Usual

51 years

The long life that came after
By John Zipperer

It wasn’t wintertime, because the water would have been iced over. I don’t know the exact date, but it was an evening about 51 years ago — I know that. It is one of my e... Read More
StockSnap/Pixabay
Politics as Usual

Mayor HAL 9000

It’s time San Francisco really leads on city governance
By John Zipperer

“I keep coming back to the love thing, because I love you. . . . You’re married, but you don’t love your spouse. You don’t love your spouse, because your spouse doesn’t ... Read More
Downtown is more than just a dense area of offices and stores; it is a cultural center fed by the coming together of people, businesses, artists, ideas, and activities. Photo: John Zipperer
Politics as Usual

Downtown’s up and down

By John Zipperer

As someone who grew up in small cities, I’ve always had a fascination with big cities, and particularly their downtowns. Tall buildings, lots of people, the energy of hundreds o... Read More
Santa Claus
Politics as Usual

Ho-ho-who?

What a justice-involved Santa taught me about the real meaning of democracy
By John Zipperer

’Twas the month before Christmas, when all through the townNot a creature was stirring, as voting wound down.The people cast ballots with caution and care,In hopes of results th... Read More
Politics as Usual

Who asked you?

Ballot measures give you the illusion of being in charge
By John Zipperer

When Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer got sick of whitewashing a fence, he came up with the great idea of tricking other kids into doing the work for him. Problem solved! When special... Read More
Politics as Usual

The jig is up

The state puts San Francisco under the microscope
By John Zipperer

California officials have announced that San Francisco has the dishonor of being the first city in the state to be subject to a review of its housing policies and practices. The s... Read More
Politics as Usual

A NIMBY intervention: We’re really just beginning

By John Zipperer

Perhaps if you sell a bunch of those Google shares you’ve been sitting on, take out a loan against your 401K,  and put off that major dental surgery you promised your dentist y... Read More
Running this city requires constant physical and mental conditioning. Photo: SpartyZag
Politics as Usual

Centering oneself in spirit and politics

A little political coaching for the mayor
By John Zipperer

It’s 6 a.m. in the mayor’s office. The lights come on; the mayor enters, sits on her exercise bike, and turns on its screen. O.K., people! Let’s have a great workout toda... Read More
Politics as Usual

Giving up on free speech

They say ‘talk is cheap,’ but increasingly, it’ll cost you
By John Zipperer

Somewhere between Elon Musk bullying Twitter into submission, the Biden administration launching a “misinformation board,” and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis bullying Disney and ga... Read More
It’s a great market for job seekers. PHOTO: Clem Onojeghuo/Unsplash
Politics as Usual

Someone hire this man

Chesa Boudin’s career transition
By John Zipperer

Hi, Chesa, So great to hear from you after all these years. I know things have been a bit bumpy in your neck of the woods lately, so I totally understand your request for a let... Read More
Politics as Usual

The lieutenant, a panda, and the abominable snowman

Finding a hill to defend
By John Zipperer

In 1974, Japanese soldier Hiroo Onoda finally ended World War II. It had lasted about 30 years for him, because he refused to believe that Japan had actually surrendered in 1945. ... Read More
Politics as Usual

What to expect in our brave new world

Your questions answered about the next stage of the pandemic
By John Zipperer

With the delta variant on the wane at last, our elected leaders and public health officials are finally starting to relax the restrictions we’ve lived under for the past two yea... Read More
Dianne Feinstein’s political career didn’t seem to be much hindered by a failed recall attempt in 1983. Photo: SFPL/Public Domain
Politics as Usual

A lesson plan for the school board recall

Pay attention when you vote
By John Zipperer

School board elections are important, but they’re usually of low interest to the general voter, who probably can’t remember whom they voted for one week later. But when the el... Read More
Governor Newson is already generating talk of his succeeding President Biden in the White House. Photo: The White House
Politics as Usual

Regaining their mojo

Newsom and Breed get early starts on their New Year’s resolutions
By John Zipperer

Several months ago, I received a press release from one of the candidates in the gubernatorial recall, in which she bragged about her performance. Most politicians brag; what made... Read More

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