It seems like everything and everyone has gotten more political over the past year. Families and friends engaging in regular screaming matches about Washington. But the funny thing about that? You, me, and anyone you know personally (with rare exceptions) have almost no influence in what happens in Washington, and we are mostly ignoring the area where we do have lots of influence: our local governments.
The vast majority of people can’t name their mayor, much less their town council members. Even less than that have ever been inside city hall, or their equivalent, and even less have been there for an actual session. What does that mean? That since under 5 people show up to a regular city council meeting (and I am talking about cities smaller than 100,000 people, not Columbus), you can have a big influence if you do show up.
Most city council members just run on a few big issues and aren’t super partisan on the rest, and are open to good ideas, and as libertarians, we have lots of those. If you want to get a law changed, all you need to do is show up to a few meetings, find an area where you and the city council largely agree, and propose some sample legislation. We even have it already written for you, whatever you want to do:
Decriminalize marijuana.
End no knock raids.
Reduce restrictions on gun rights.
And much more .
So yes, I am saying that if you want to change laws, become a lobbyist. But don’t do it for a corporation, do it for freedom and the rights of everyone. This is far easier than getting elected, and unlike arguing around the thanksgiving table, this will let you change and contribute to your home.
Drake Lundstrom, FCLP Vice-Chair