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We have no justice system, but we do have a Department of Justice and a legal system. Our problem is how federated the authorities of individual districts are

We have no justice system, but we do have a Department of Justice and a legal system. Our problem is how federated the authorities of individual districts are within each state. There can't be a sweeping national reform that fixes everything, because most of this comes down to district-local decisions in each state. Some people believe the POTUS holds all the power, but your locally elected DA is a lot more likely to have a direct impact on your life than anyone in DC.

pc86 8y ago
Things discussed at my borough's (pop. ~1800) council meeting this past Monday: - Evicting tenants because their landlord can't follow the law (didn't do required inspections, obtain required licenses, etc) - Existing arrest warrants for said landlord - New liens against properties - Tax increases in the neighborhood of $80-300/yr, which is considerable when the median income is roughly $2250/mo gross. These are councilors that are elected in unopposed races the vast majority of the time, and when they are opposed the margin may only be a dozen votes. Because they're in off years you're looking at maybe 8-10% total turnout (~45 or so per voting district), and there may only be 25 or 30 total votes in even opposed elections. For folks given the power to evict, halt property sales, etc. I'd argue the power given per vote require is on par with state executives and higher than a freshman member of Congress.
- specialist 8y ago
  I didn't grasp the importance of local races until I became involved. Short of everyone running for office (at least once), I wish there was a way to communicate this truth to the average voters.
  - derefr 8y ago
    I'm still unclear on why there hasn't been a mass movement that tells people who are interested in affecting political change, but who live in enclaves where everyone already shares their political views, to instead move to a city/town where their views are radical, and then run for city council there, giving like-minded but disenfranchised voters of that district someone to vote for.

pc86 8y ago

Things discussed at my borough's (pop. ~1800) council meeting this past Monday: - Evicting tenants because their landlord can't follow the law (didn't do required inspections, obtain required licenses, etc) - Existing arrest warrants for said landlord - New liens against properties - Tax increases in the neighborhood of $80-300/yr, which is considerable when the median income is roughly $2250/mo gross. These are councilors that are elected in unopposed races the vast majority of the time, and when they are opposed the margin may only be a dozen votes. Because they're in off years you're looking at maybe 8-10% total turnout (~45 or so per voting district), and there may only be 25 or 30 total votes in even opposed elections. For folks given the power to evict, halt property sales, etc. I'd argue the power given per vote require is on par with state executives and higher than a freshman member of Congress.

specialist 8y ago
I didn't grasp the importance of local races until I became involved. Short of everyone running for office (at least once), I wish there was a way to communicate this truth to the average voters.
- derefr 8y ago
  I'm still unclear on why there hasn't been a mass movement that tells people who are interested in affecting political change, but who live in enclaves where everyone already shares their political views, to instead move to a city/town where their views are radical, and then run for city council there, giving like-minded but disenfranchised voters of that district someone to vote for.