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Matt Strabone

@mattstrabone.bsky.social

1.3K followers 64 following 270 posts

City Treasurer of La Mesa, California Also: attorney, campaigner, occasional writer (bylines in US News & World Report, The Hill, The Diplomat, SCMP, New Straits Times, more)

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Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 1h

Some people are not the right people for this moment. That, too, can be hard to accept.

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 2h

Not long ago, I spoke to a crowd of ~200 well-meaning folks about the state of the country. Their questions were essentially, "But isn't it *illegal* to do that?" I told them, listen, the law is not the issue here, it's the usage of raw power. Stony silence in response. It's hard to accept!

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 5h

I don't feel like doing this anymore. Your approach is all wrong for me. I don't allow myself to be negatively polarized, but you aren't helping your cause.

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 5h

What I think you are not grasping is that I don't think upzoning is where all of this political capital should be spent. All of this time and energy has been spent on something that I don't think is a cure. It's like insisting that I must pick an NHL team. I don't watch hockey!

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 5h

Then make better ones.

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 5h

I don't find your arguments compelling, but you certainly have the right to keep making them.

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 5h

You have my opinion. You just don't like it.

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 5h

I don't need to take a stance on it. I believe in social housing. I do not think market solutions will solve the housing crisis. Upzoning and local control are not interesting issues to me, and as a city treasurer, I do not need to have an opinion on them.

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Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 6h

Why are you asking me more questions? What about my question?

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 6h

I rent. I find your patronizing tone insulting, but I'm answering your questions anyway. You should grant me the same courtesy.

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 6h

The President takes many positions that piss off his donors. Is that the same?

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 6h

I don't have a strong opinion on it. I don't vote on bills. I don't work in housing policy. My interests lie elsewhere.

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 6h

Housing politics has broken your brain. I've seen it before. You can recover, but it isn't easy.

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 6h

I'm firm on this.

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 6h

She's running against a lot more people than Rick Caruso. And you should respect yourself more than to be satisfied with just voiced support for one single bill you like.

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 6h

Remind me: Is she running against Newsom?

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 7h

Nothing Katie Porter has done since she claimed that her loss in a 2024 Senate primary election was "rigged" has suggested that she should be our next governor.

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Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 1d

Can't believe I'm using this twice today but you've earned it

Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 1d

FOLKS

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Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 1d

The "after" shot wouldn't have been nearly as compelling.

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Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 1d

I encourage you to vote Yes on Proposition 50.

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Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 2d

I will be commenting on the pasta tariffs at the appropriate time. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

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Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 3d

There is a growing realization among our generation—journalists and non-journalists alike—that we're going to have to rebuild this country's media institutions from scratch.

James Hell Brooks @kleinman.bsky.social · 3d

The need for fearless. independent journalism has never been greater. Which is why I'm excited to announce that I have accepted a job to become the Head of Research at @heartlandsignal.bsky.social. We have big things in store so check us out.

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Matt Strabone @mattstrabone.bsky.social · 3d

I wish more candidates scolded us upon launch. "You've left me with no choice but to pursue this office, shame on all of you."

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