Paying attention . . . Yes, by simply schooling yourself on how our local governance is organized, who are the players, what are the screw-ups, where is the money and what things get reported you can legitimately call yourself a citizen, an advocate for democracy.
Citizen Tip = Look beyond conventional media (steeped in entertainment)
It's not quite so simple to compartmentalize local and national news in this economic recession (depression for millions). Listening to local news and to standard cable stations is where real disinformation is propagated. The Sunday shows are the worst of the worst. This is an opinion I share with an outspoken political blogger, driftglass. It isn't even about politics for this crowd, it's about a lifetime gig of punditry with staggering income.
"Because despite having long ago devolved into a sinkhole of Beltway centrist twaddle, it is still viewed by altogether too many people as a bastion of Very Serious people -- it's the strip-mall of political opinion where casual shoppers go to feel smart and validated."
Here, in the Democracy Now video below, is an alternative with a true journalist asking probing question of notable writers with actual facts to talk about why and how our nation's middle class and working people have been betrayed. Even presenting this is a leap of faith that our community is filled with people unafraid to read, to study and to ponder . . . just as they are willing to sit through council meetings, study agenda reports and write community commentaries and letters to the editor. We have our share committed advocates and know we will engage more. The times are becoming more and more critical to do so.
