Primary

Power springs from the grassroots.

It used to be that every cretin in Washington was once a down-ballot huckster peddling “big ideas” in backwater neighborhoods. Wasn’t that nice?

I think there’s something to be said for the old Emma Goldman rap that “If voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal,” but there are few things more important in a democratic republic than keeping a watchful eye on the crooked-footed monster scrambling for a piece of your ass. We can put a stop to them at the local level, before they do any more lasting harm to people.

And, on the other hand, we can take this opportunity to lift up local voices who shine a light on darkness and speak truth on behalf of the poor and the marginalized — those attentive organizers who seek a healthier society and, as befuddling as it seems, believe that public office is the proper route for real change. Who knows? Maybe they’ll go on to topple the oligarchy someday. But not without your help!

Every choice has consequences. But I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.