Perhaps we use issues and our perceptions of them as a prism for making judgements on whom to support and from whom we withhold support when we step into the voting booth today.
I think it was Tip O'Neill who's credited with 'all politics is local' as a mantra for how national elections are decided, but I think it applies more especially at the municipal level (perhaps more than we fully realize.)
There are, I suspect, dozens of towns in Connecticut, and hundreds (maybe?) across New England who are struggling, as we in Norwich are, with assuring larger and wider revenue streams from economic development but balancing that with a desire/need to maintain neighborhoods and preserve 'our history'.
Each of us, municipally speaking, seems to be struggling with our own tiny boats, barely afloat as we struggle and sometimes fail to appreciate the size of the ocean and how may more craft are in this with us.
We are thinking and acting locally, which may not get us as far down the road as we'd like. Our challenge is sorting that all out before we get 'farther down the road' and realize that we zigged when we could have zagged 'back there.'
Add to that, a reluctance to abandon well-intentioned but not well-functioning ideas (and our all too human tendency to hold grudges towards those whose ideas 'don't work') and we may not be as agile as we could be in embracing new ideas and approaches, and the people who offer and implement them.
If only one issue or aspect motivates you to go to the polls today, I'm sad because I suspect there's more at stake than you might be able to see.
I am, however, happy you are investing in our system of government by voting and thanks for not only making a difference but being the difference.
-bill kenny
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