Tip O’Neil Said it (actually he said, “All politics is local”, but why quibble?), but is it true in our political discussions today? Perhaps I’m just talking about myself, but do those of us who comment on the national political scene really know what’s going on at the local level? Sure, I know my Senators (Rubio and Nelson), and my Representative (Dennis Ross), but what about State, County, and local representation? Am I the only one who pays far too little attention to the people who are representing me closest to home?
I know that JD Alexander is my Florida State Senator, and Ben Albritton is my representative. I voted for both and they’ve been doing a good job. But I have to admit that I know far less about them, and what they’re doing, than I do about those in the federal government.
But it gets even worse.
I live in a very small town — 1.4 square miles and less than 2500 people. I have to admit I only knew the name of the Mayor (J.R. Sullivan), but I couldn’t pick him or any of the city commissioners out of a lineup.
What point am I trying to make? Maybe none. Maybe just a reminder to myself that the small local stage is as important as the big national one. There is also the question of where can I (or anyone else) have greater direct influence? At Freedom Connector they have a group called the Unified Patriots Precinct Committeeman Strategy which lists this as their mission:
Do you want to become a more informed voter? Want to learn how to GOTV? Want to motivate Republicans-In-Name-Only to start following the Constitution? Want better conservative Republican Party candidates with a chance to win the primary and general elections? Become active in the Republican Party. Take command of your neighborhood and get out the vote. Become a Republican Party precinct committeeman. Precinct committeemen elect the leadership within the Party and vote to endorse the Republicans in the primaries. The more conservatives in the precinct committeemen ranks, the more conservative the leadership and the primary winners will be.
And that’s only one way. At the very least, become informed about local issues, officials, and whatever is going on where you live. Get involved. Find like-minded people near you. Get Local.
Cross-posted from bRight & Early