I believe you are correct in thinking the sheriff is possibly the most powerful elected official. If they so choose to use their power. Several sheriff's did come out openly stating they would not enforce the latest gun grab and would if need be deputize all citizens of their county to protect them. A wise man once said "worry about what you can control ". Local elections are something to worry about.
Found this from your link in “Living Local” (7/20/24). Thank you. What a great piece. I’ve served in multiple roles of local government (20+ years). In my experience Sheriffs are the most underrated public official of the system. Sadly there are far too many political hacks in their ranks, not the majority or even most, but enough that it’s a common perception. That underscores the importance of your point. If we have any shred of a chance left to avoid a national meltdown local governments will be the last bastion of defense. In my state (VA) their elected status makes them a constitutional (state) officer. As such they are empowered to act, as you say, against unconstitutional government edicts. Don’t wait for campaign season to contribute to qualified candidates. Every elected political official keeps a campaign organization alive throughout the term. Listen to their concerns (often outright warnings). Talk with (listen) deputies for the ground-level realities. Make yourself known in the downtime and you’ll be remembered when it counts. Couple that with community involvement and your sphere of influence expands exponentially.
Keep up the great work. You just got a new subscriber who will spread the word!
Another well stated piece, sir. Though the amount of people that are waking to the need for more closely observed local elections and politics it is still a far cry from where we really need to be.
Oh, no doubt we are behind the curve... behind the eight-ball... basically, we're behind. All we can do is encourage others, stay loud, and hope for the best.
Agreed. A serious challenge about local politics is the ease of making NOISE about national/Federal matters like CONgress and its antics. Everybody has opinions about both Biden and Trump, but I do not even know who is running in my county. Everyone reading this across the US, and the world, has oodles of data about US Presidents, but only my local area has any reason to care about my county's issues. I have severe trouble FINDING anybody to work with to learn what is happening and work to improve whatever I learn. One thing I think would help might be supporting our local newspapers.
I did visit my sheriff's office. They all too "oaths" to support the Constitution, which were empty words, nobody had a copy or read it. That's what I expected, no sense blaming or attacking basically honest people. Just find out where they are and move them up. I told them that documents like the Constitution are ALWAYS available free on the web. Their nearest copy was right in front of them on their computer.
I believe you are correct in thinking the sheriff is possibly the most powerful elected official. If they so choose to use their power. Several sheriff's did come out openly stating they would not enforce the latest gun grab and would if need be deputize all citizens of their county to protect them. A wise man once said "worry about what you can control ". Local elections are something to worry about.
100% on everything you said here. I have a feeling this Sheriff issue is going to come to head in some capacity, and sooner rather than later.
Found this from your link in “Living Local” (7/20/24). Thank you. What a great piece. I’ve served in multiple roles of local government (20+ years). In my experience Sheriffs are the most underrated public official of the system. Sadly there are far too many political hacks in their ranks, not the majority or even most, but enough that it’s a common perception. That underscores the importance of your point. If we have any shred of a chance left to avoid a national meltdown local governments will be the last bastion of defense. In my state (VA) their elected status makes them a constitutional (state) officer. As such they are empowered to act, as you say, against unconstitutional government edicts. Don’t wait for campaign season to contribute to qualified candidates. Every elected political official keeps a campaign organization alive throughout the term. Listen to their concerns (often outright warnings). Talk with (listen) deputies for the ground-level realities. Make yourself known in the downtime and you’ll be remembered when it counts. Couple that with community involvement and your sphere of influence expands exponentially.
Keep up the great work. You just got a new subscriber who will spread the word!
This is an absolutely fantastic comment! 🫡 Thanks so much for sharing it, and for becoming a Member - appreciate ya 💯
Another well stated piece, sir. Though the amount of people that are waking to the need for more closely observed local elections and politics it is still a far cry from where we really need to be.
Oh, no doubt we are behind the curve... behind the eight-ball... basically, we're behind. All we can do is encourage others, stay loud, and hope for the best.
Thanks, brother... 🤜🏻🤛🏻
Agreed. A serious challenge about local politics is the ease of making NOISE about national/Federal matters like CONgress and its antics. Everybody has opinions about both Biden and Trump, but I do not even know who is running in my county. Everyone reading this across the US, and the world, has oodles of data about US Presidents, but only my local area has any reason to care about my county's issues. I have severe trouble FINDING anybody to work with to learn what is happening and work to improve whatever I learn. One thing I think would help might be supporting our local newspapers.
I did visit my sheriff's office. They all too "oaths" to support the Constitution, which were empty words, nobody had a copy or read it. That's what I expected, no sense blaming or attacking basically honest people. Just find out where they are and move them up. I told them that documents like the Constitution are ALWAYS available free on the web. Their nearest copy was right in front of them on their computer.
Voting by itself is dangerously delusional.
Compelling argument, thanks for highlighting how we can somehow right this ship.