I have to say that I'm at your father's low point. Both at the state and Federal level we have too many individuals who are just feathering their own nests. Getting reelected is the name of the game. Doesn't matter what is good for the people. It's staying in power that counts. The Founders never envisioned a government of administrative lifers. It's sad. Frankly, I don't have the optimism about the future that you have. The 2024 election proved that the majority of voters don't care about character or morality. Truth is relative in this new age of plutocracy. We should be embarrassed that it has come to this.
The founders didn't envision the role that campaign finance would play either, and in their day "the press" was multifarious, contentious, and not dominated by a handful of corporations and/or very wealthy individuals. Imagine them coming back and reading the Citizens United decision (or the Bruen decision for that matter).
As a sometimes Mainer I always look to our esteemed senator Angus King as an example of a person of service not seeking power (solely). You’re right there are bright spots and bright people and the real work gets down at town hall on a Wednesday night. Tune in!
There's a lot of "giving up in advance" going on, especially on social media, even in the comments of the Substacks I subscribe to. Some people seem sure that Trump's "dictator on day one" promise is going to come true word for word, even though the man is a marathon liar who doesn't seem to know what "truth" is. These are not, as far as I can tell, people who are likely to be seriously threatened by the Second Coming of Trump. As far as I can tell, the pro-democracy forces are better organized and more experienced than we were in the shellshocked fall of 2016. Mitigating the incoming damage has to be the top priority, but at the same time we can't neglect the long-term obligation to repair the flaws and faultlines that have been decades in the making. I keep coming back to Rabbi Hillel the Elder's very famous words, especially the last part: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?”
And ironically, or maybe depressingly, the elections where we can have the greatest impact are all too often the ones we ignore, even as we turn out in (modest) droves for the ones whose outcome we have the least effect on (especially if we live in non-swing states).
So true. I worry that towns meetings will be done away with for that reason. Nantucket has already proposed it. They’ve a heightened set of circumstances where that would seem preferable, but it would make those things worse. It takes commitment to participate, but I geek out at the very fact we still have this true democratic path. That, and Massachusetts process of initiatives, makes me proud.
Brookline -- which last I looked had more than twice the population of the entire year-round Vineyard -- has a representative town meeting. Do you know if Nantucket has considered that? I should look it up!
Unsure, but if I recall correctly, think the were considering an Executive board model, the citizen voting requirement, except for the officials running for the office.
I have to say that I'm at your father's low point. Both at the state and Federal level we have too many individuals who are just feathering their own nests. Getting reelected is the name of the game. Doesn't matter what is good for the people. It's staying in power that counts. The Founders never envisioned a government of administrative lifers. It's sad. Frankly, I don't have the optimism about the future that you have. The 2024 election proved that the majority of voters don't care about character or morality. Truth is relative in this new age of plutocracy. We should be embarrassed that it has come to this.
The founders didn't envision the role that campaign finance would play either, and in their day "the press" was multifarious, contentious, and not dominated by a handful of corporations and/or very wealthy individuals. Imagine them coming back and reading the Citizens United decision (or the Bruen decision for that matter).
The core of our current political climate, Seth. You've nailed it!
Is it redeemable? Any way for those who feel the call of public service to be believed these days?
As a sometimes Mainer I always look to our esteemed senator Angus King as an example of a person of service not seeking power (solely). You’re right there are bright spots and bright people and the real work gets down at town hall on a Wednesday night. Tune in!
There's a lot of "giving up in advance" going on, especially on social media, even in the comments of the Substacks I subscribe to. Some people seem sure that Trump's "dictator on day one" promise is going to come true word for word, even though the man is a marathon liar who doesn't seem to know what "truth" is. These are not, as far as I can tell, people who are likely to be seriously threatened by the Second Coming of Trump. As far as I can tell, the pro-democracy forces are better organized and more experienced than we were in the shellshocked fall of 2016. Mitigating the incoming damage has to be the top priority, but at the same time we can't neglect the long-term obligation to repair the flaws and faultlines that have been decades in the making. I keep coming back to Rabbi Hillel the Elder's very famous words, especially the last part: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?”
You are so right. Politics at the local level, from school board to animal control warden, is what matters in folks daily life.
And ironically, or maybe depressingly, the elections where we can have the greatest impact are all too often the ones we ignore, even as we turn out in (modest) droves for the ones whose outcome we have the least effect on (especially if we live in non-swing states).
So true. I worry that towns meetings will be done away with for that reason. Nantucket has already proposed it. They’ve a heightened set of circumstances where that would seem preferable, but it would make those things worse. It takes commitment to participate, but I geek out at the very fact we still have this true democratic path. That, and Massachusetts process of initiatives, makes me proud.
Brookline -- which last I looked had more than twice the population of the entire year-round Vineyard -- has a representative town meeting. Do you know if Nantucket has considered that? I should look it up!
Unsure, but if I recall correctly, think the were considering an Executive board model, the citizen voting requirement, except for the officials running for the office.