I’ve long been focused on the importance of local matters and of supporting locally owned businesses, of being involved in local movements, local
charities and local service. Because local
is where we live day in and day out.
A tragedy unfolding in a distant land captures our attention and, of course, the media conduct saturation coverage of the downed Malaysian airliner, illegal immigration, Middle East mayhem and Russian military adventurism. But, despite the air time they dominate and the collective mental position they assume, those issues don’t seem to change the rhythm of our lives in noticeable ways except insofar as they cause us anxiety.
A tragedy unfolding in a distant land captures our attention and, of course, the media conduct saturation coverage of the downed Malaysian airliner, illegal immigration, Middle East mayhem and Russian military adventurism. But, despite the air time they dominate and the collective mental position they assume, those issues don’t seem to change the rhythm of our lives in noticeable ways except insofar as they cause us anxiety.
I received a voter’s pamphlet in my mailbox last week and
began reading about the people who’ve put themselves up for election to local,
county and state public office, along with those who for some reason would like
to be members of Congress. It's time to exercise one of my most fundamental rights and I’m
shame-faced to admit that I’ve paid little attention to most of the candidates, though
some are familiar, having already done creditable work for all of us who live
around here.
Everyone seems to have an opinion about Barack Obama, and
the news media track his movements for us minute by minute. We always know where he is, what he’s said on
just about every subject and how his job approval ratings have lately risen or
fallen. But the President’s itinerary, speeches and policies seldom have immediate effect when it comes to local practice of law
enforcement, the creation and tending of parks, management of schools, maintenance
of roads, formulation and interpretation of zoning laws, provision of mental
health services and dozens of other matters that do, in fact, directly touch us and our
children and grandchildren in our towns, schools and neighborhoods every day. Those matters are the province of the offices sought by people whose names appear on the “off-year” ballot and, in presidential election years, below the candidates for that "highest office." I'm of the mind that our ballots are built upside down.
Daily choices make our community what it is and what it will
become. Our choices to inform ourselves about
those who speak for us in local matters of public policy and administration have
impact on our experience and enjoyment of life.
Perhaps we should pay more attention to them.