Loudoun County Politics
From the desk of Republican Dude
Recently, in Loudoun County out here in the ‘burbs, there’s been much
hoopla about school boundary changes, I’ll spare you all the boring
details, but this issue has ignited that portion of Ashburn in which I
live. Now, I enjoy discussing national politics and the like as much as
the next person, but to be honest, I’m growing very weary of all the tired,
partisan rhetoric on both sides and the total lack of respect shown for
people of differing political persuasions. To be honest, no offense
intended, I think the blogosphere is obliterating common courtesy in
political discussions, which is a sad development in my opinion. Anyway,
the interesting thing about this school boundary issue is that it’s the
first time I’ve been caught up and been an active participant in local
politics, and it’s so wonderful to be involved in a real issue where actual
change in our lives can be measured and effected! I mean, I’m actually
helping to do something about our situation, and it’s not Repub vs Dems,
it’s local people of all political persuasions working together to better
our community. I can’t tell you how much more rewarding that is than
listening to the same old partisan drivel. One of my best friends, a
diehard liberal who voted for Hopey Changey, and I are working
shoulder-to-shoulder along with many, many others in getting the word out,
bringing people to the School Board and County Supervisors meetings, and
getting people plugged in and involved. Last night, the Loudoun County
School Board meeting was attended by about 1000 people, with about 90% of
them from our community and voicing their opinion. It was magical to see
the spirit of community at work like it’s supposed to. And we’re going to
win this thing!
Anyway, I’m not even sure what my exact point is, other than to offer the
observation that we all often overlook the “all politics is local” maxim,
and the importance thereof. The more interesting level of politics for me,
all of a sudden, is the local level where real people can actually band
together and make a difference in their lives. And once you remove the
partisan labels and bickering, it becomes about right and wrong and the
power of ideas instead of spitballing and stupid “yeah, but you guys did it
first” sophomoric sloganeering. I had been feeling, as I said, very weary
of tired partisan rancor on the national level, and now I feel I have a new
outlet for my political energy that is outside of the usual party
boundaries. It’s refreshing and cleansing, in a way.
Why am I telling you this? I don’t know, but I thought of you as I’m going
through this and somehow thought this was a thought that needs to be
expressed (that people should spend more of their energy on positive local
politics instead of vitriol towards the other party), and you’re more in a
position to express it than I.
Pinellas County just went thru this. The people were in uproar. That is why we ended in private school. I could not imagine a child in 80%+ free and reduced lunch, a “C” school based on the FCATS (Every parent’s nightmare) and the fact that the principal told me the they “mainstream” students to all get to a level and if a child is “succeeding” or “overachieving” they let that child help the rest of the class…
Makes you go Hmmm…
I love the way this guy writes.