Rep. Jim Himes writes that on January 6, American almost lost its democracy. It's up to citizens to take the necessary steps -- including diversifying their source of information -- to protect it from happening again.
A thoughtful commentary by Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT-04).
Among other things, he decries bothsiderism and whataboutism.
He challenges readers who are concerned about the current state of affairs to get involved in state and local government.
[T]here is no better way to be a participant in our experiment in self-government than to actually get involved in it. Even if you're not thrilled by the details of school budgets or suburban zoning, the act of working with others on those things is an education that money can't buy. I've noticed that it is much easier to work in the Congress with colleagues who were mayors or governors, people who actually had to run police forces, organize garbage collection and get real things done in their communities.
When you have to act as a problem-solver on almost a day-to-day basis you get a better feel for the electorate. That gives you greater empathy for constituents if you make it to Capitol Hill.
It’s also true that many major reforms first begin at the state level and then gradually spread across the country. Massachusetts instituted a predecessor of Obamacare in 2006. Illinois became the first state to abolish its sodomy laws in 1962. New York became the first state to legalize abortion in 1970.
To continue the process of change in America, run for local or state office. Most states have elections for state legislature in 2022. And in a majority of states the minimum age to serve in at least one chamber of the legislature is 21; it’s 18 in a few states; and Ohio, Vermont, and North Dakota don’t seem to have a minimum age. (source)
