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>> Power rests with small groups of retired homeowners who bother to show up. And decisions made there have a greater impact on your life than most elements of

• mieseratte 7y ago
  > so much this, young americans are systemically disenfranchised by how local governments are run If by "routinely disenfranchised" you mean "regularly fail to show up to vote" then I would agree with you. Perhaps with the exception of university students registered at a parental home, I don't see how one could claim young Americans are materially disenfranchised in regards to local elections.
  • coryrc 7y ago
    Council meetings are held when normal people need to be at work.
    • mieseratte 7y ago
      In my neck of the woods they are held in the evenings, well after a typical 9-5 working day.
      • tfandango 7y ago
        Same, I agree with the above poster re: failing to show up. I was involved for a number of years in an attempt to get a aquatic center built in my city to support both club and high school swim teams. By far the most difficult thing about it was getting kids (who would be the largest beneficiaries) to show support in city council meetings. Ironically, we are almost there, but my swimmer is about to graduate and will probably never swim in the pool.
  • voisin 7y ago
    How about regularly Hosting public meetings during hours when young people are working?
    • mieseratte 7y ago
      Given that this is the second reply of its class, sounds like some of y'all have sketchier local councils than I do. Perhaps this disenfranchisement is more of a regional issue.
      • chc 7y ago
        I don't think it's necessarily sketchy. Any time you pick will be better for some people than others, and it's possible that earlier is more convenient for the groups who demonstrably want to attend their meetings. For example, if the people who come to your meetings are primarily stay-at-home spouses and retirees, you'd probably be inclined to pick a time when they're most comfortable.