We often talk about national politics; the chaos in Washington, big-name politicians, and sweeping federal decisions. But the truth is, the government decisions that shape much of our daily lives including our schools, policing, public safety, housing, and civil rights are mostly made much closer to home.
In this week’s episode of A Couple Thinks, we dive into the famous Tip O’Neill quote: “All politics are local.” We explore what that really means—and how we’ve seen it play out right here in our own community. From a seemingly innocuous county sheriff running unopposed for years to a militarized police expo called Urban Shield operating under the radar, we share what happened when we learned the truth and decided to get involved.
We also touch on a recent event in Worcester, Massachusetts, where ICE arrests collided with local oversight or the lack of it. And we discuss what went down in Newark, New Jersey, where their local mayor was arrested while visiting a detention center.
But here’s the good news: you can influence what happens in your town and hold back Federal overreach. You can run for office. You can join a city commission. You can write postcards to voters. You can show up to council meetings. Your voice is louder locally than almost anywhere else.
We also highlight resources like Postcards to Voters and Bolts Magazine both of which help connect people to these vital but often-overlooked local efforts. We’ve seen how small actions,like a postcard or a protest, can ripple out into big change.
As always, we end with our Joyful Moments segment, where we share what’s bringing light into our lives right now from blooming artichokes to our encouraging podcast milestones. Because joy isn’t a distraction—it's fuel for the fight.
We hope this episode inspires you to dig into what’s happening in your own town—and maybe even take that first step to get involved. Change doesn’t only come from the top down. It often starts from the sidewalk up.
🎧 Listen now to our latest episode, All Politics Are Local
