Role of the Local Community in Creating a Better America
July 29th 2009 11:24
There is more than a verbal tie between the words common, community, and communication.... Try the experiment of communicating, with fullness and accuracy, some experience to another, especially if it be somewhat complicated, and you will find your own attitude toward your experience changing.
~ John Dewey
~ John Dewey
When the subject of politics on the federal level is brought up in casual conversation the average American attributes apathy and disinterest on the subject due to lack of relevance in the grand scheme of day to day activities.
Day to day activities that have a focus on how we are able to live our lives, provide for our children and build a better future for the next generation are on top of the list of practical concerns for every American.
As much as politicians running for national office would like to promise us a better outlook in these parts of our lives if we support their causes; these things do not filter down to benefit the lives of the average American without the support of the state and local community.
Communities that are making decisions about the daily welfare of American citizens in thousands of towns, cities, municipalities and counties that stretch from sea to shining sea.
As much as we enjoy the debate of what man or woman would best lead the most powerful nation in the world we can not forget the power of the local community.
This is the place where conversations about how to best guarantee a first rate education for our youth, how we can provide safe and nutritious food for our families and promote the general welfare of the community should begin and end.
With all the talk of fear between the two major political parties and battles of control we have somehow forgotten the roots that built this nation.
The roots that banded together in the first meetings that sparked a revolution which ultimately gave our nation independence.
The roots in small towns that started the Civil and Women’s rights movements long before the marches on Capitol Hill sparked national interest on these issues.
The roots that we need to return to if we are ever going to get a handle on the issues that are causing desperate situations around the nation.
If we are ever going to gain back control over a food industry that has chosen to rely on industrialism instead of supporting the local farmer this movement has to begin by taking a look at the men and women who need our support.
Men and women in our local communities who devote their lives to hard work and doing the right thing for their fellow man as opposed to taking short cuts to make extrat profit.
When we break things down to the basics and support our neighborhoods and regions it creates a greater system of accountability, safety and community.
The basics of supporting our school systems on the local level through volunteerism and being involved with Mayors, Board of Supervisors, School Boards or City Councils long before decisions are made to cut funding or close schools.
We can not sit on our hands and wait for national figures to make bold speeches about what needs to be done by way of federal spending because as history has taught us over and over again it is a long filtering process of campaign donors, dirty hands and accountability for federal money to make its way down to where it’s actually needed.
What we need in this nation is not a rejection of federal support nor is it a total reliance on government to take care of all the needs of the local community but rather a balance.
A balance can only be created through conversation and understanding as we listen to the things that have worked in some areas of the country while keeping our eyes and ears attune to the things that have failed in other regions.
The things that may work in my hometown of Stafford County Virginia may not be the kind of thing that will work 50 miles up the road in Washington DC but we can never reach the point of figuring these things out by remaining closed off and having partisan arguments.
Our nation needs to go through a period of critical thinking when it comes to figuring out ways to achieve the end game.
There are too many people that have great ideas that aren’t being heard or applied for the betterment of American citizens.
If we are ever to regain the sense of community from yesteryear it will come from the hearts and minds of the American people beginning with each and every one of you.
To do this I am encouraging you to get involved with your local community from the ground level up to challenge our elected officials to think past the partisan labels and let good ideas be good ideas instead of pillars for advancement or road blocks to progress.
We can lambaste President after President for tearing this country apart but the real problems that are hurting the American people have been and will always begin within our local communities.
It is in this place where we have the power to make a difference and the time is now to do so for our fellow community members.
For my readers in the state of Virginia I have began writing about issues in my own community of Stafford County.
Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday we’ve been having a discussion on issues in the county and around the state.
I am encouraging each and every one of you to click the link below,catch up on the current discussions, subscribe and join the conversation.
Stafford County Non-Partisan Examiner
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