Why America needs to revitalize its local politics

Our elites have lost touch with what's really happening in middle-class America. This has to change.

By focusing attention on local politics, more people can experience the power of government.
(Image credit: iStock)

Amidst all the recent talk of taking back our political process from the tyrannical influence of Donald Trump, very few politicians have advocated for a return to — and reinvigoration of — local politics as a way out of our present morass. But that's exactly what they should do.

The American working class is frustrated. As Andrew Sullivan aptly articulated in New York, this attitude is rooted partly in lower wages and unfulfilling jobs. But more than anything, the frustration stems from a lack of connection to the powers that be, and a sense of helplessness when it comes to changing the status quo. "The once-familiar avenues for socialization — the church, the union hall, the VFW — have become less vibrant and social isolation more common," Sullivan writes. "Global economic forces have pummeled blue-collar workers more relentlessly than almost any other segment of society."

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Gracy Olmstead

Gracy Olmstead is a writer and journalist located outside Washington, D.C. She's written for The American Conservative, National Review, The Federalist, and The Washington Times, among others.