LOCAL RACES VS THE STATE AND NATIONAL RACES

It is so tempting to want to comment on the big political issues of the day--"Will the Tea Party" and the GOP take back Congress?" "Will Sarah Palin run for president?" "Will the Health Care Bill passing wind up being the GOP's Waterloo instead of President Obama's?" All exciting and romantic topics in which I'd love to jump into the fray. However, lets talk about a side of politics that really touches our lives everyday!

How many times have you heard the old saying "Hey, I vote in the really important elections like the Presidency every four years?" Lets think about that for just a moment. No doubt, the President of the United States is in many ways--the most powerful man in the world--with large contingency of armed forces in which he commands--not withholding a nuclear arsenal that could destroy the world 10 times over. He also has the ability at times, to sway public opinion at a moment's notice depending on what his poll numbers are and what the issue is.

Then don't forget Congress--with the power of the purse string and the governors and state legislatures for each of the 50 states.

But what about the folks whose decisions touch our lives day in and day out here at home--our local city council and school board elected officials!

These are the people who determine much of the kind of quality of life our families will have and the kind of education our children will receive.

CITY COUNCILS

In Texas, if a city is incorporated, they will have whats called a "Manager/Council" form of government. The City Council and Mayor are elected and the City Manager is appointed by the council--and he or she manages the day to day operations of the city. And while the city manager has executive authority over the various city departments--the council and mayor decide the policies, the local ordinances (like local laws), determine the local tax rate, decides where those tax dollars are spent, and often set the pace and course for the direction of where the city will go.

Think about it--everything from how our streets are repaired, to what kind of animal control and health standards in our restaurants, to our public safety with firefighter and police resources, to whether or not we will have nice parks and places to recreate ourselves and so much more. Things that truly affect our lives much more day to day than what goes on in Austin or Washington short of a war or national disaster. And if you have a problem--its much easier to call your city councilman or mayor for a problem with your trash not being picked up than it is to call your congressman to get help with a missed social security payment. The people we elect as our city council members and mayor have a tremendous impact on our lives!

And yet--city after city--will only see a small percentage (maybe 3-7 percent of its voters) participate in those elections? And how often do not so quality or qualified people get elected to such positions--simply because there is no informed or participatory electorate?

SCHOOL BOARDS

While I tend to know a little more about how city councils work, I also know that who we elect as our school board members are also very critical to our children's educations! The board sets a wide array of policies--from many codes of conduct for school employees, to certain standards put in place for students in addition to minimum state and federal standards, to also setting part of our tax rate--and often at a huge disadvantage when it comes to trying to come up with the funds needed to educate our children! The board appoints a Superintendent of Schools, who also acts in a similar role as that of City Manager. The board and superintendent decide who will teach and administer all of our schools--which is no simple matter. Choosing who will lead each campus within the school district is no small task, nor is it a minor matter.

So my encouragement is this: Learn who serves on your city council and school board. Go attend council and board meetings when you can or watch them on your local cable channel. Read your local newspaper. Get to know your local elected officials. The quality of your family's life and your children's futures depend greatly on the decisions these people make.

And for me personally, those candidates who run for state or federal office--who are the most attractive to me--are the ones who have served locally and understand the bread and butter issues facing working families in each community. While I am not a big Sarah Palin fan--I am impressed at her resume of several years of local government experience before her rise to state and national politics. She was a very effective council woman and mayor in her hometown. While its probably not a democratic year for Texas state wide politics--I like Bill White's years as mayor of Houston. The kind of issues such people deal with in those offices, better prepare them to understand what the people back home are going through.

What do you think? Lets have a conversation.