Running for (little) office

Local school board elections are coming up, which always reminds me that there are a myriad of political elected positions that need filling but don't get much press. Almost everyone is aware that they have 2 Senators from their state, but did you know that you probably have a local water commissioner? Most people can name the President and Vice President, but most people don't know that the District Attorney is elected, and Assistant District Attorneys aren't.

I've argued here before that the Federal government is a dead entity; I really think it no longer effectively addresses the needs of the people, and instead is completely preoccupied with national level issues. If you want to effectively govern smaller areas, like "states" then the Federal government needs to re-acknowledge the 10th Amendment and back off.

But the same is true for states. As effective as a well-written letter or phone call might be to your State senator, there are a myriad of local government officials you could contact and actually talk to a living human being and get a response that wasn't a form letter. Many state representatives work out of their homes, hold other jobs, and are readily available to the point that people could effectively waltz right up to them and discuss policy. Here in the Great Plains, mass transit really isn't a major issue, but gun control is. Members of the state government are much more likely to respond to your comments and opinions, as they are more sensitized to keeping your vote.


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