So What Does 'Political' Mean, Anyway?
What does it mean for something to 'be political' and why do we treat it like a swear word?
Po·lit·i·cal; adjective. “Relating to the government or the public affairs of a country.” or “relating to the ideas or strategies of a particular party or group in politics.”
According to Wikipedia (I know, I know) “In everyday life, the term "politics" refers to the way that countries are governed, and to the ways that governments make rules and laws to manage the human society properly. Politics can also be seen in other groups, such as in companies, clubs, schools, and churches.”
It’s very easy to look at those definitions and see the far away buildings in DC with the lofty mottos engraved in them, and think that politics is jus the big picture concept we all see in an election year; the presidential debates, the texts for fundraising, and way too much internet discourse about it. (Ugh, the internet discourse.)
By far, the most important commentary I’ve ever heard about politics came from a conference call I was on for “Run For Something,” though I don’t know who exactly said it. We were talking about the 2022 midterm elections and just how many people don’t vote in them. (In 2022, an estimated 46.8 percent of eligible voters in the United States participated in the midterm elections.) And after talking about the importance of school board elections, what the facilitator said was “the further down your ballot a position is, the closer it is to your front door.”
This has stuck with me ever since, and I think shows the actual meaning behind the word ‘political’ - with the exception that I think every political office or piece of legislation, whether it’s on the national or city level, goes well past your front door and into every piece of your home. Big things like your property taxes, the roads you drive on, whether or not your dog needs to be on a leash, and the literacy rates of your kids. But small things too - the music you listen to, the books you read, the groceries you buy at the store, and the phone you’re probably reading this on.
We live in a world defined by politics. Whether we like it or not, or choose to be informed or not. Regulations (or lack thereof) on businesses dictate your costs of groceries, what your tax rates will be, and things like how clean your air, soil, and water, will be in relation to industrial pollution. Your local (town/city) level officials determine how much you’re going to pay for your water. What your water is going to cost every month. Your school board determines how your kids get taught - if they learn phonics and how to read, or if they’re going to have access to sports teams or shop class, or a career center to learn the trades.
Because we live in a country that is increasingly divided - socioeconomically, politically, religiously - and one that is also decreasingly civically educated - the word ‘political’ has been used to label something as ‘controversial’ because it may inspire some intense emotions. Or it’s been used to dismiss being involved - how many times have we all heard (or said) “Oh, I don’t get into anything political” or “why does everything have to get sooo political?” It’s a tag line used to shut down conversation about things, or make the people who care about politics feel like we’re being difficult, or silly, or superfluous. But it’s also a sign that someone has been told our political system is difficult, silly, or superfluous, and they’re not always wrong about that - sometimes the people in politics are incredibly silly, and there are definitely deep frustrations to be had there. (We’re going to talk about the insane paycheck-to-paycheck way our entire country gets funded at a later date.
In 2018 only 8 states required civics as a graduation requirement, and multiple states in 2024 are reducing history requirements - including Indiana, where I live. This is leading to a complete lack of understanding of the basic functions of government - at all levels - and the intentional creation of overwhelm for people in how to use the political system to enact change. It’s not dramatic to say that this is intentional - people in power don’t love giving it up, which is precisely what our system allows. But you have to know how to use it, and you have to be educated on it’s direct impacts on you in order to be motivated to even start.
We’re in an election year. With choices that are literally our same OPTIONS as the last presidential election, but somehow so much worse. That’s the top of the ballot; we know our options there, whether we’re excited about them or absolutely exhausted. I want to talk about the next couple steps down; the United States Congress. This year every single member of the House of Representatives is up for reelection, and 33 senate seats are in question. That’s 87 percent of congress. EIGHTY-SEVEN percent of the least productive and least popular congressional class in US history is up to get a new job.
Lack of motivation coupled with frustration means we’re seeing an abysmal turn out of eligible voters every election. In 2020 only 2/3 of eligible voters came to the polls - and that number was the highest national election turn out since 1900. Getting a 66% in most schools is failing.
The enraging thing about it is that our failure to turn out and show up actually results in more politicians getting to stay in office who are intensely disliked, and policy being decided by a minority of people, and motivated by money from corporations. For example - 87% of Americans want term limits for congress. It’s got wide bipartisan support, spanning demographics. But very few members of congress will run for limiting their own power. And those that are running on term limits will inevitably be crushed by large fundraising tactics of their opponents.
I’m still trying to figure out what the format of this little project of mine, but i’m hoping to have a call-to-action at the end of most of these. I’m trying to create hope, and the thing that gives me the most hope is getting to know that I’m doing something to create change - something that feels like action. Even if it’s a seemingly minuscule action. (I’m also likely to write these in the same meandering and frequently circular way that I speak, so feel free to scroll to the end of them for the action items.)
Your homework this week is to go to BallotPedia.org and learn about your options in your congressional elections. This is so easy; type in your address and your email, and it’ll provide you with a sample ballot to read through. You can select ‘concise’ or ‘detailed’ language, and take your time to be truly prepared for who you’re looking to fire or hire this year. Go to their websites and read their opinions. Read their voting records and people endorsing them.
Figure out what you care about and how those politicians are going to best represent you and your interests!
I like this format. Do you have any advice for staying engaged and not be overwhelmed or saturated by all the political positions? Few years back I tried to boycott a food producer but soon realized I can’t because all the companies are one giant corporation, it was exhausting.