I've noticed that there is an awful lot of debate over democrat vs. republican, conservative vs. liberal, etc, etc. There is also a great deal of concern over the federal government - the president, the supreme court, the legilature, etc. Now, I am concerned about those things as well, but it occurred to me that the one area where we have the most control is on the local level and yet we almost NEVER discuss local political issues. I realize that not everyone is in Houston, but does anyone else pay attention to or concern themselves with the workings of local politics? I've also noticed that our BBS seem to be a mirror for the voting process. Large scale, national elections always recieve far more attention and participation than local one's, yet the school board, bond and coucil elections for example that, in a city the size of Houston, only manage a few thousand votes are the elections that have the most impact on our daily lives. It is interesting to debate the implications of the national budget or legislative process, but it seems to me that the more local you get, the more impact the laws have on our lives and the more power we have as individuals to change it. Thoughts? ------------------ The internet is about the free exchange and sale of other people's ideas. - Futurama
Large-scale politics are sexy. You do not have to know too much about the issues to feel informed. You can chant slogans like crazy. Local elections give citizens the closest version of direct democracy we can get. Local politicians also have a greater deal of accountability. local elections can also be much more important to everbody's lives. Problem is, they require more effort. That is why there is a lower amount of interest/fervor/participation. Sad, isn't it? ------------------ "You sanctimonious philistines, who scoff at me!"
I pay attention to my local politics, as much as I can. It's often hard to get information about goings-on in the city of Arlington since Dallas (and often Fort Worth) overshadow Arlington. Because of the media coverage, I probably know more about what goes on in Dallas than in Arlington, as far as local political matters are concerned. Of course, we haven't had much going on in Arlington. Other than starting the pitch to get the Cowboys, the new state law allowing city's to spend part of their sales tax on road repair (or something like that) and Univeristy of Texas at Arlington getting significant funding from the state (in order to make it a "flagship" university, according to the Star-Telegram), there hasn't been much important happening that I've heard about. ------------------ Houston Sports Board Film Dallas.com AntiBud.com
Rimbaud: I disagree. I think that local elections simply provide more pragmatic issues that are less fun to argue about, especially with people who don't live near me. Some of the important local issues confronting Brighton, MA today: 1. lack of affordable housing 2. too many students have chased families out 3. BC expansion - the case of BC vs the city of Newton is currently before a US Court of Appeals; residents want BC to build more dormitories (but only in "appropriate places", but want BC to forfeit the chance to build a new student center and soccer fields because it would the "ambience" of town. Say what? BC was here before the community. They're ruining our ambience. The City of Newton refused to sign a building permit, but BC won a case before a District Court, citing a law that prohibited unreasonable zoning restrictions against non-profit or religious institutions. I want my student center, dangit. 4. Mandatory closing hours for bars and nightclubs - currently, all such places must close at 2am. The governor wants Boston to change that to attract more conventions. The Mayor opposes... None of these issues are transparently ideological, and none of them affect anyone but me. I would assume that most people on this board have similar issues that they have opinions on, but don't really make for rousing arguments on clutchcity.net. ------------------ A few years back on the Senate floor... Phil Gramm: "If Democrats could, they'd tax the air we breathe." Ted Kennedy (jumping up): "By God, why didn't I think of that sooner!" Boston College - NCAA Hockey National Champions 2001 [This message has been edited by haven (edited June 05, 2001).]
Haven, I wasn't really speaking about this board, I was speaking in broader context. More people vote during national elections than just localized... I am sure even the local issues you listed do not create as much debate as nat'l issues (they certainly do not seem to last as long). ------------------ "You sanctimonious philistines, who scoff at me!"
