I love that you highlight local politics. I currently live in Washington D.C., and no place has shown me the need for local politics more. It is a very interesting city, with many transient people who stop in for a few years, or ones who are chasing a career in politics or business and put down roots. However, neither of these people seem to care, or be able to do anything about local politics. I am unsure if it is the way the city is set up, or if there is just not a majority of people who care and actually accomplish things for the city. Either way, it has heightened my desire to actually make a difference on a local level.
