Why you should attend political events

 Why you should attend political events

By Patrick Fero 
Political misfeasance and nonfeasance begin at home.
A poignant litany. Experience suggests any problems start at the local level where there is little if any oversight, but plenty of action, reaction, and nonaction. There are few citizens with the time or ability to examine. They rely on local news outlets that may lack resources for deep investigations. Very few political officials are dubious, and some media outlets do provide valuable investigative reporting. While citizens can use public records, and other methods, to obtain the truth, getting time and opportunity can be daunting. 
Local officials are responsible by law for only local affairs such as roads, handling public emergencies and land use. They do not get into abortion, TV programming or policing neighbors from hell. Your councilpeople and supervisors deal with the issues of place, not morals. However, when you vote for these people, you might want to concern yourself with their morals and ethics and judgment.
For one thing, note how many of those state and federal elected officials you wonder about started out as township supervisors, borough councilpeople, mayors and even school board directors. Yes, many use the lower offices as steppingstones to higher ones. They give politicians gravitas, experience, and visibility, and those offices are often easier to get into because there are so few competitors.
People, even people who are deeply skeptical and may see their state and federal representatives as reprehensible miscreants, accept somehow the notion that their local representatives are different.
Think about it. How interested are you in subjecting yourself and your family to the mendacious scrutiny and vicious attacks that attend even the lowest political races these days? Your answer probably is, no way. Then think about why the people whose names you see on the ballot are willing to risk going through that gauntlet.
A wonderful way to find out is to attend political events and regular meetings in which candidates are available for scrutiny. You can also see government officials in social, unscripted settings by attending meetings throughout the year.
Only knowledgeable voters can best influence who represents them in the governments of any assembly in Pennsylvania. Through civic engagement they have the democratic power of informed voters to hold officials accountable. When you attend meetings where your officials are available to you on a personal level, you exercise your responsibility in a democracy.

Back in business

 A New Year in Politics

By Patrick Fero

This year we have no presidential sweepstakes to inhale all the political oxygen. The American electorate can take a deep breath and relax until the primaries approach, which are May 20. (Petitions can be circulated beginning on February 18.)

Unless you are in Lancaster County’s 36^th Senatorial. Then, you will come to attention earlier for the 36^th special election on March 25.,

In 2025, a so-called off-year, we will have plenty of decisions to make as county-wide races take place in the judiciary, District Attorney, Controller, Coroner, and Recorder of Deeds. We’ll see plenty of local municipal elections for borough council, township leaders, school directors, etc.

People who have a lot to say about your quality of life.

The 2024 national elections highlighted the deep divisions within American society and the challenges facing democratic institutions. Economic issues will continue to be increasingly important and shape political discourse. Globally, the rise of nationalism, the resurgence of authoritarianism, and the ongoing conflicts in various regions present significant challenges to international cooperation and stability.

Here are just some of the issues Pennsylvanians will face in the new year.

Pennsylvania has one of the oldest populations in the nation. This affects key services such as healthcare and social services and presents businesses with workforce issues. We are facing a caregiving crisis.

The state is large and diverse. A rural-urban divide presents dissimilar needs and priorities such as population growth, and economic opportunities. Pronounced social values diverge between the rural and urban areas.

While Pennsylvania is still predominantly white, its cities are becoming increasingly diverse. This shift is bringing new perspectives and cultural influences, but also potential challenges related to integration and equity. Pennsylvania's economy has traditionally been based on manufacturing, but it's shifting towards sectors like healthcare, technology, and energy.

Pennsylvania and York County are facing a mental health crisis: high rates of mental illness, increasing demand for services, suicide rates trending upwards, a shortage of mental health professionals especially in rural areas, the mental health of youth is a growing concern, crowded emergency rooms, and the opioid crisis, particularly in rural areas.

The landscape of education in the U.S. is undergoing rapid and notable change, driven by technological advancements, evolving pedagogical approaches, new school models, equity concerns, and shifting societal needs. These changes present opportunities and challenges for students, educators, parents, and policymakers.

 

While Pennsylvania, state, and local governments have recognized these issues, much more can be done. Will 2025 be the year where Pennsylvanians make great strides regarding these problems, and others I haven’t room to mention? Or will divided government again stymy needed action? We’ll see.