All politics locally is a phrase often attributed to former US House of Representative Tip O’Neill, though he did not originate it.
If we look at voting behavior, turnout in completely local elections is alarmingly low. The US presidential election cycle is driving more voters, not local issues. An example of the impact of the presidential election on local voting is evidenced by the totals of votes for the Red Bank commissioner over the last two elections. In 2018, there were 3,856 votes for overall rank. By comparison, the 2020 election (with a presidential election) saw a total of 4,714 votes for a major seat. The vote increased by 22 percent and the winner of this race only gained 21 votes.
There are a few reasons why people are reluctant to get involved in, or even interested in, local politics:
Many people do not know how the various levels of government operate. Multiple research studies show that an alarming number of Americans are unaware of the functional roles of city and county government. Civic elimination from the school curriculum has had an impact.
The second negative force comes from the “mainstream” news media. Starting with the advent of cable news, the political focus is most often on races and issues at the national or state level. Local elections are only included if there is a fiercely contested race or when a candidate is gaining some notoriety.
Finally, the advent of social media has contributed to widespread distrust at all levels of government. Those who get their news from social media or only watch their pre-filtered sources live in their echo chamber. Again, the focus is usually on Washington, not home.
Why don’t we turn that dynamic on its head? While congestion in Washington is as American as apple pie, at a local level we can all make a difference. Polar issues get the most clicks on social media and views on television, but local issues are far more likely to directly affect our communities. It is also at the local level that we can all make the biggest difference. Apathy and low turnout should not continue to define local elections.
Participating in races close to home brings tremendous benefits, including: educating the public about the forms and functions of government that most affect our daily lives; foster the practice of voting and knowledge of the voting processes; and develop a path for aspiring political leaders by winning county, city, and school board races.
If you are interested in making a difference in your community, consider joining a local campaign as a volunteer. Better yet, think about running for a local job. In a local race, you don’t need huge sums of money. Successful candidates build dedicated campaign teams, knock on doors, and personally engage voters.
At a local level, true democracy is possible and perfectly practical. If we do not get involved, democracy inevitably becomes oppression. The People control any democracy and, together, we can work to create communities where elected political leaders are truly the people, by the people and for the people.
Lawrence Miller makes some good points in the caption article above. Greater involvement and closer examination of potential local applicants is needed. What will future candidates recommend in their candidacy? What are their views, are they clear, understandable, realistic? Will they seek a job for service or for personal gain?
However, this should not detract from what is happening now in our country at the federal level. We need to be reminded of the federal agencies that are unable to serve our citizenship with a legal vote. Can’t we do better than Nancy Pelosi’s oppressive rule?
Mr Miller’s article should not hide the past and ongoing disasters that President Joe Biden and his left-wing “behind the scenes” rulers have and will continue to inflict on this affecting nation of us locally.
What are main points of politics?
Politics is about making agreements between people so that they can live together in groups such as tribes, cities, or countries. In large groups, such as countries, some people can spend much of their time making such agreements. This may interest you : Latest announcement for 20.06.22 – A reading in prime time about what is happening in Florida’s politics. These people are called politicians.
What is the concept of politics? Politics (from Greek: ΠοΠ»Î¹Ï„ ικά, politiká, ‘city issues’) is the set of activities associated with group decision making, or other forms of power relations among individuals, such as the distribution resources or status.
What are the 4 types of politics?
The main types of political systems are democracies, monarchies, oligarchies, and authoritarian and totalitarian regimes.
What are the main features of political?
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- election of a political party contest.
- a political party forming and running a government.
- a political party making laws.
- the loss of an opposition role play party.
- opposition checks and balances.
What does it mean to be indifferent about politics?
It can be categorized as an individual’s apathy and lack of interest in engaging in political activities. This includes a lack of interest in elections, political events, public meetings, and voting. This may interest you : Lake County Music Guide – 6.23.33 – The Bloom. Political apathy can lead to low voter turnout and stagnation in state government.
What are the 3 types of power?
Power refers to the ability to do one’s will despite the opposition of others. According to Max Weber, the three types of legitimate authority are traditional, reasonably-legal, and charismatic.
What does Hard Power Mean? DEFINITIONS1. using aggressive military or economic actions to exert political influence. The new military budget underscored their desire to use hard power. Synonyms and related words. Power, authority, influence and leadership.
What is hard power examples?
Hard power encompasses a wide range of mandatory policies, such as compulsory diplomacy, economic sanctions, military action, and the formation of military alliances for mutual deterrence and defense.
What is hard power simple?
/ ËhÉ’Ë d ËŒpaÊŠÉ ™ / use of a country’s military power to persuade other countries to do something, rather than use cultural or economic influence: Recent opinion polls suggest that people outside the United States question America’s hard power. Compare. soft power.
What is politics in simple words?
Politics is the way in which people who live in groups make decisions. Politics is about making agreements between people so that they can live together in groups such as tribes, cities, or countries. In large groups, such as countries, some people can spend much of their time making such agreements.
What is politics in the world? Global politics, also known as world politics, names the discipline that studies the political and economic patterns of the world and the field being studied. At the center of that are the various processes of political globalization in relation to questions of social power.
Why the study of politics is important?
Studying Politics provides the kind of broad knowledge and skills that are particularly important to citizens in a democracy that is supposed to show interest in what their government does, and to vote accordingly.
What is politics in your own words?
Politics is the way in which people who live in groups make decisions. Politics is about making agreements between people so that they can live together in groups such as tribes, cities, or countries.
