Should Local Officials Reject National Political Dialogue

 We are moving into uncharted territory as a nation as hyper politics breaks down freedom of speech and pro-social options. We have a highly charged political environment where winning seems like the only thing that counts (At least to the people who take much and give little. They would rather lose our future vitality versus use common sense reasoning). Good moral conscious, safety of the nation, protection of democracy, strengthening the republic and inclusive society that maximizes it benefits is increasingly skewed for the political elite on either side of the isle. Local officials should chart their own course even if that doesn't fall in click heals national political pressures. Do what is in the best interest of their people and support those who are fit to lead and not those who are the most connected.

I want you to read this article by Contact: Jeff Karoub  and Daniel Rivkin entitled, "Michigan local government officials worry about local impacts of national political discord" which is based on the Michigan Public Policy Survey. Its an interesting concept that local officials are concerned about the impact of national hyper politics on their communities. (Where democracy started and thrives are concerned about the decisions of their national leadership.)

-A full 61% of Michigan’s local leaders believe the current environment of national partisan politics hurts relationships

There are some other statistics and polls that indicate declining trust but this is the one I would like you to ponder for a moment. Hype politics is destroying the foundations of democracy and the momentum for increased conflict is rising. Encouraging a larger central leaning Republican and Democrat base mixed with greater access for independents can do a lot to break up the current aggressive dynamics of leaders. People are becoming increasingly encamped and engaged in destructive behaviors that should lead to local communities rethinking negative national influence🙉. 

This isn't about winning elections. It is about ensuring the republic, democracy, and our ideals stay in tact from this generation to the next. The coming elections will be a big one and will determine whether we have the capitol to overcome our international pressures and emerging threats over the next 10 years (Behaviors between two communist oriented states seem to be in tandem to knock Statue of Liberty off her perch. Its not even about them! Its about order and stability in the U.S. and the world at large). Inadvertently (in most cases but not in all) our politicians are increasingly part of the problem and have no idea how they are making our adversaries smile (See China-Russia Collaboration. Should we expect them not to be strategic about our internal strife and encouraging the selling to highest political bidders our time honored values? This isn't an emotional argument as much as it is a strategic one). 

Just like I would encourage the Millennials to reject hype politics as they rise to positions of authority I also encourage our local officials to think about connecting to each other (local Republicans, Democrats and independents working together around some basic American principles) versus taking any negative prompting from the national political elites (Take what is good and reject what is bad.). If there is one thing that local leaders can walk away is this, "Don't let national dysfunction into your communities and into your decision making." Do what you were elected to do and safeguard the needs of the people in your community. Success can only happen by bridging the political gaps and working toward constructive solutions (Reject the voices tearing us apart).. Your inner voice is more important than the wonton political ramblings and self-interested rhetoric of an elite national few. Make choices based what that little inner voice tells you to do (inner values). It will come to define you. 💓

Side note: I have always been transparent about my political beliefs. I lean a light right Republican on fiscal values and maximizing individual choice while slightly left on encouraging development of an inclusive middle class (including small business). The rest is sort of situationally dependent on the challenge and resources available; called evidence based thinking (at least as much as I can do.)