Occasionally, I have given thought to running for office. City or County Commission, something local. But those thoughts always end the same way: my past is too checkered and I don't have a poker face, nor the temperament to suffer the slings & arrows of the public. Which is a shame.
The public wants real change in politics, but the path to public service is difficult. I doubt I'm alone in not wanting oppo research to tear apart my life looking for flaws, even on a local level. We've all seen what it's like on a state & national level.
I've also watched so many candidates over the last few election cycles who talked a good game and seemed to have popular support, only to be soundly defeated in the polls. Or worse, become John Fetterman. But I digress.
Voter engagement seems to be at an all time low, after seeing how dysfunctional government has become. I believe we suffer from voter apathy as well; what's the point of voting for this shiny new candidate if nothing is going to change?
And then there is the question of trust in the government. As far as I'm concerned, the Federal government should support State governments, which should in turn support Local governments. But that is decidedly not the case. The Federal government is doing it's best to hurt half the states, while not even managing the affairs of the Country. State governments are ignoring, or worse, harassing, Local governments of the opposite party (looking directly at you, Florida).
From the President to the local dog catcher, governments should be about making the country a better place for its residents. They should be making citizens lives the best they can possibly be. Not trying to crush citizens while further enriching the obscenely wealthy.
There are tangible, if pie-in-the-sky, things government could do to make the lives of it's citizens better, some of which are already being done elsewhere. First & foremost, universal healthcare. Medical debt, insurance, and medication costs are crushing the average American. Any minor illness, or heaven forbid, major illness or emergency, could bankrupt a family or individual, even if they have insurance. Politicians should not have better healthcare than the average citizen.
Next, would be true equality. All colors, all sexes. Also, stay out of our bedrooms & reproductive rights.
Next, Universal Basic Income. (this would be the pie-in-the-sky suggestion)
I do believe the US could be the 'shining city on the hill' if we could stop hating each other, and if people of character were elected to office, and if the corrupt politicians (all of them in both parties) were ejected.
What do you think?
