Making the Case for the Solano League’s Observer Corp.
Local politics and local issues often set precedent for political moves on the state and national levels. Chances are if you are concerned about an issue in your community, you can rest assured other communities are struggling with the same issue. Take homelessness for example. It is not just a California problem, but a problem in every state. That’s because of the various reasons “why” people become homeless, i.e., lack of affordable housing opportunities; lack of mental illness and substance abuse assistance; and lack of transitional housing and services for those struggling through a tough period, like a medical emergency, or a job loss.
Despite the federal resources given to states and local governments to provide solutions for issues like homelessness, how these funds are spent and distributed is up to the local elected officials. Therefore, the most accessible place to implement laws and policies that address community issues and impact people’s day-to-day lives and quality of life is at the city and county levels. That’s why it is essential for citizens to be engaged participants in the public dialogue and decision-making process in their hometowns.
(Note: whether federal funds given is enough is not the subject here.)
With each upcoming election cycle, it becomes clearer that our democracy is tittering on the edge of a cliff. Nowhere is this more evident than in Washington, D.C., proving that civic engagement is more critical than ever. So, where are the people, in this we-the-people democracy? They are in our hometowns.
Civics teaches that citizenship or civic engagement starts at home where residents as well as local leaders see their community as a vital component in their lives. Thereby, citizens are encouraged to be morally and civically responsible members of the community. Unfortunately, civics is no longer an education priority. Furthermore, studies show that without that basic understanding of what government does, and without a cultivated community mindset, more citizens complain and opine about local issues and solutions than those who get involved to solve them.
Yet if more citizens were engaged with local leaders, i.e., volunteering, sharing ideas, and participating in community improvement projects, they would have a hands-on perspective not only of how government works, but the value of their input in making it work. With that kind of know how and experience, the desire to honor and respect the role we-the-people must play to protect our democracy would trickle up into the workings and institutions of state and national politics.
In every election cycle, voters look for an elected official or political phenomena to blame for what is not right in their personal lives—the president; out-of-touch senators and representatives; extremism; un-engaged young voters; gerrymandering; voter suppression; messaging. These factors, usually addressed within a national frame of reference, can be overwhelming. Meanwhile citizens pay too little attention to the city council notice asking for community input on drawing voting district lines, for example, to ensure everyone has access to equal representation. Too few voices are heard calling out local leaders for not listening to them to resolve community, thereby, individual needs. The primary reason for this neglect is that the seats in our city halls are virtually empty when, let’s say, there is a discussion on whether to include a new school in a deal made with a developer or to impose a new tax on homebuyers to accommodate the new growth. We pay too little attention to cynicism, apathy, and ignorance, that are not only used to exploit hatred and fear, but are also tools used to fragment we-the-people, a proven means by which to dismantle democracy.
This discouraging we-the-people dynamic enables the spread of the misinformation that feeds and nourishes anger, violence, and the undeniable “no-show,” not only at city council and board meetings, but at the polls. That brainwashing comment, “my vote doesn’t count” promotes the uncast vote that can’t be counted; dumbfounds the voices of truth and power; and becomes the brick and mortar that paves the road democracy takes to the cliff’s edge. So why do we dance around the fact that what’s currently missing in our democracy—a government of, by and for the people—is the people? An underlying, unaddressed cause is that too many in our electorate are under-educated in history and civics, and feel entitled by this ignorance. Too many voters refuse to understand that this ignorance denies them a frame of reference, which defers their power and renders them beholden to their anguish, and vulnerable to lies and power-hungry leaders.
To sustain democracy, citizens must demand “sunshine” or openness in government which is a right protected by the right-to-know Freedom of Information Act, the Sunshine Act, and the California Brown Act. They must embrace the concept that by attending city council and school board meetings, for example, citizens can safeguard decentralized programs like law enforcement to not only work correctly and include cultural awareness, ensuring diversity and inclusion, but empower citizen advisory boards and commissions to identify and stifle corruption.
Local leaders, by mere proximity to constituents, can hear the voices of voters essential to making impactful policies and laws. And to the local leaders—the elected stewards of democracy—transparency is the most valuable tool to build trust between citizens and their government. Democracy protecting leaders make public records such budgets, agendas, meeting minutes, planning materials, etc., available to citizens on demand. These leaders recognize that there is power in numbers that can lead to a fair and productive common-good solution to a community issue—a public policy that works for all—and hold regular open public forums and meetings that create opportunities for all citizens to listen, learn, and be heard.
Democracy is all about the balance of different perspectives, not just different ethnicities. Local politicians are the most reachable government officials to citizens and are most likely to listen to constituent concerns about improving the community, especially when many voters join the conversation. The more diverse perspectives are included in our political system, the more balanced our system will be.
I know how exhausting our current state of government is. I get how challenging it is to acquire time to participate — i.e., voting, attending government and board meetings, reading, and learning about legislative processes —to figuring out how the government works and manages our tax dollars. However, our democracy has reached a crossroad. This mid-term election is shaping up to be a building beam to hold up democracy’s institutions. We must harness our collective power, ignore the noise that feeds our fears, and vote to maintain and enhance democracy’s foundation and infrastructure, so we can protect and sustain our unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Finally, remember the adage, “knowledge is power.” But keep in mind that applied knowledge is even more powerful. Make this election a referendum on trickle-up democracy. Hold elected officials accountable by participating in local government. If you are concerned about how government impacts your day-to-day life, attend city council and board meetings; join an advisory board or commission, and ask “why” and “how.” Organize a community group to time-share the responsibility of attending and informing neighbors about community issues and the government laws and policy solutions proposed to solve them.
Engage with local elected officials to prevent our government’s institutions from crashing down on us. Participate in local government processes to protect, build up, and nurture the democracy our forefathers yielded—a government of, by and for the people.
