Participate in Local Government

By WILLA DUBOIS ‘20

Two years ago, Donald Trump was elected. Since his election, many have been shocked and upset by headlines. Despite the shocking ineffectiveness of Trump’s administration  (according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, Trump has sent about a third of the number of rules Obama sent to the OMB in the same frametime), he has held the nation’s attention. Countless people ridicule his poor form and unprofessional tweets, but what is actually happening in our government? Trump has effectively stagnated change in America. We could be making effective legislative changes in our communities, but instead we are writing repetitive opinion articles on the appropriate use of @POTUS on Twitter. Instead of petitioning mayors and starting programs to help our local friends and family members, we are getting into heavily partisan arguments about the fate of our nation. This arguing doesn’t help anyone.

Though America is a united nation, the importance of each state is evident even in the name: the United States of America. From the time the Constitution was written, the role of the state has been protected so that states can create legislation of their own. The issue of marijuana is prime example of states’ power. The decision to legalize marijuana has two sides, but there are only nine states in which it is legal to smoke recreationally and forty one in which it is not. By focusing on their own region only,  advocates of recreational marijuana were able to legalize it in their states.

Obviously, Trump’s administration is focused on far more impactful issues than smoking weed. However, marijuana advocates set a good example. It is unlikely that enraged comments and even articles, no matter how rational or accurate, will create real change. After all, we can’t impeach the president because he is doing things we disagree with. However, the American democracy does allow an individual state to legislate and thus create a society that works for its inhabitants. Trump has figured out one of the best ways to push his agenda: stopping Americans from utilizing the pathways for change readily available to them. Trump is exactly like that one kid in the back of your 3rd grade class that kept you from ever learning how to simplify fractions; he’s so annoying that he distracts everyone from focusing on what is happening right in front of them. Yes, it is challenging to make change in our nation, but it is far less challenging to make change in one city or town. It isn’t all that likely that your senator will even read your letter, but your mayor probably will. Creating small change will directly impact the many people living in your community, including your family and friends. Change has a ripple effect. Rather than worrying about outrageous national headlines, it is imperative to focus your energy on what you can change. By focusing on achievable change instead of Trump’s ridiculous behavior, we can create the society we want in our own communities and, eventually, in our country.