I drafted this letter to the Mayor Of Los Angeles, but had difficulty submitting it due to a computer network glitch:

Dear Mayor, I understand that you are in a difficult position in that you have tough decisions to make, but why would you agree to pay $1 million for the Laker parade when we are in such difficult economic times? Unlike many of your employees who are having their work days reduced, I am fortunate enough to be able to make ends meet, but I do try to keep my thoughts in perspective and have empathy towards my fellow citizens in that many of them are struggling beyond belief, many of them as the result of decisions you have made in reducing the days they work to serve the wonderful City of Los Angeles. During the times when my husband and I are unable to put money towards "wants" (such as vacations, shopping, etc.), we have to cut back because the "needs" take priority. Why does this not apply to the Laker Victory Parade? Please have the Laker organization foot the total bill for the event. After all, the parade is a luxury during these tough economic times, not a privilege. Respectively, Lena C.

Response to the Mayor's comments on today's 1 p.m. broadcast on KTLA 5:

Thank you Mayor Villaraigosa for your response to the entry that I posted earlier. I have to say that I know your intentions to raise money from the private sector to cover the cost of the parade are well-intended, but it is insufficient to say that you "hope there will be enough money donated" to off-set the $1 million the city is putting towards the parade. Due to the state of the economy, you need to be 100% certain that no money will be drawn from public funds. Even if you raise $900,000 and have to use public funds to make up the $100,000 that remains, that is $100,000 that could go towards helping pay the salaries for city employees who may be losing their homes, unable to pay for necessary medical care, or put food on the table so their children will not go hungry. As a Laker fan and spectator to this situation, you are not effectively prioritizing what is taking place and this scares me as well as makes me question your decision-making process. For all of the citizens who will have to continue to struggle making ends meet after the three-hour parade is over, please convince the Laker organization to pay the total cost for the parade so that people who truly need financial help will continue to look up to you as a reputable leader and politician.

Thank You,
Lena C.