By Ellen Russell Beatty
Ponder This
Ellen Russell Beatty
The mantra that “all politics is local” is attributed to former Massachusetts Congressman and long-term Speaker of the House Thomas “Tip” P. O’Neill, who served in that role from 1977 to 1987.
O’Neill was hailed for bipartisan deal making during difficult political times. His tenure in the House of Representatives from 1953-1987 included the Civil Rights era, the Vietnam war and the American development of a middle class. Regardless of one’s party affiliation, O’Neill was considered a formidable politician and legislator during periods of intense political debate, cultural shifts and changes in American society.
An unabashed New Deal Democrat, O’Neill managed to govern civilly and successfully, especially with those with whom he had significant and intense differences. Former President Ronald Reagan and O’Neill shared a mutual respect for one another and the governing process despite important and often fierce disagreements on national policy issues.
The “all politics is local” philosophy apparently stemmed from an early legislative loss that O’Neill experienced. He learned from his initial local electoral defeat in a bid for city council that it is most important to listen to local people. His first political run and loss may have been due to taking his local supporters for granted.
He learned to actively listen to what mattered locally. In his memoirs, O’Neill wrote in detail about how to win elections, govern and remain in power, noting that local issues motive voters.
Politics can be thought of as the activities engaged in by a government or political party. From within this narrow view, the statement that all politics is local holds true. All seekers of local positions on councils and boards should heed it.
But there is also a broader definition of politics that refers to governing a nation, and the administration and control of both internal and external affairs. Traditionally, and perhaps in times of civil discourse, the broader view of national politics may not be necessary, with a local focus remaining most important.
There is a different interpretation of the mantra about local politics that is now needed. Our national political landscape is changing rapidly, and O’Neill might agree that this requires a more inclusive approach than what matters locally. Politics is also about making decisions in groups that affect distribution of resources, appropriation of funds and enactment of policies.
National political decisions have an effect, perhaps indirectly and in the longer term, on local conditions and the people. Changes in policies regarding health care, Social Security, education, veterans’ benefits, tariffs and taxes have a profound impact eventually. Local political discourse can no longer focus on a protected area of distinction that is separate from what is happening nationally.
An example that may best illustrate this national-to-local connection may be the federal changes in contract administration at the national level. Federal employees have recently had contracts changed, terminated or delayed without notice. This does not bode well for local businesses or employment contracts in general.
What will happen locally if violation of contracts is normalized as a justifiable practice at the national level? Economic recession, competing funding priorities and/or shifting national defense goals may be presented as justification. The impact on local business operations, establishment of new small businesses and the cost of distribution of goods and services will have profound local effects.
National decisions affect everything locally, from classrooms to road repairs. Our local political leaders must be held to account to pay attention and respond to expenditure and contract mismanagement at the national level. It is our local leaders who have the obligation to educate constituents and potential voters to understand these connections. It is our local constituents, including veterans, seniors, families and children, who will bear the brunt of these more national decisions.
Never could it be truer than that all politics, in the broader sense, is local.
Dr. Ellen Russell Beatty served five terms on the Milford Board of Aldermen. She served seven years as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at Southern Connecticut State University, and also served as interim Academic Vice president, Dean of Health & Human Services and Director of Faculty Development. In addition to the broad perspective and a multitude of skills required of high-level administrators, her areas of special expertise lie in strategic planning, accreditation, assessment and planning and budgetary allocation.