Neighbors
People want their elected leaders to listen, but they aren’t sure how to be heard.
For many individuals, their introduction to local politics starts with one minor issue: a pothole that needs to be fixed or a disruptive construction project near their house. They decide to reach out to their city or maybe attend a public meeting. And soon enough, they lose patience and give up. U.S. democracy depends on the active and vigilant participation of its citizens, but that duty has become too much to bear for many people today.
Right out of the starting gate, anyone who would like to get involved in their local government quickly finds the process overwhelming and frustrating. Any newcomer faces a torrent of information, a backlog of unfamiliar issues and a rigorous meeting schedule that could comprise a full-time job.
This is leading local civic engagement in the U.S. toward a crisis. Trust and participation in government, news media and other institutions has plummeted, and a culture of isolation and cynicism now hangs over many American communities.
More than one third of Americans currently believe their political leaders don’t listen to them and that they act only to benefit a privileged few.
And unfortunately, the political establishment’s track record only reinforces this distrust. Studies show that public support has a negligible impact on the passage of a law. Money and special interest groups wield far more influence. Young people in particular are increasingly concerned about the direction of their nation and government, yet many see politics as a dead-end for enacting change.
We believe we can make it easier for you to get involved in your local government.
We also believe that right now it is needlessly complicated for average citizens to communicate their priorities to their elected leaders. Our goal is to give you a voice in your government.
