which affects you more directly: local (city/county), state, or federal politics?
536375
Can I say all three?\n\nI tend to follow state and federal politics more because the decisions made there seem to affect the local(city/county) government in a lot of ways.\n\nFederal politics definitely makes more headlines than the state government,so it is the easiest to keep up with what is going on on a daily basis. \n\nState politics I have to say,I keep up with what I can and make sure I let my opinions be known if I strongly agree or disagree with something.\n\nLocal politics are usually pretty easy going. If something is on a referendum,I will vote my opinion though. If something arises in between elections though,it is pretty hard to jump in. Just go to the city council meetings to voice your concerns or opinions,but they have some sneaky ways of getting things passed sometimes without the public knowing about it...\nThe schools are really an issue right now,with declining enrollment and lay-offs of teachers and staff...Going to the school board meetings are the only way to get the facts usually and to again,voice your opinion.\n\nAs to why it is said that all politics are local:\nI would have to say because they all affect us in one way or another and they all work together from the school system to the president,they're intertwined at some point along the way.
905791
Sometimes local or State laws are put to "referendum".  That means the voters have a direct relationship as to whether the law gets passed or not.  Otherwise the only thing you can do is write to your representatives and tell them how you feel about a particular law or issue and they vote to their conscience, perhaps taking the citizen's opinions into account.
68184
Such laws are set by local (usually county or city) governments, so the answer would depend.
920221
Safer?  Why that emphasis?  Why not better more generally?\n\nWhat politics I would adopt would be based on the premise that we can fit government back inside the Constitution.  And most specifically, that the Tenth Amendment implies that much of what has grown up as federal bureaucracy either ought not exist at all or ought to be done by the states individually.  \n\nIn many cases, small local programs are swallowed up in the glare of federal funding.  No, the feds don't literally control the program, but they control the funding, and that controls the program to a remarkable degree.  Move that to the state level would be an improvement.  What the states do with it is up to them.  Move as much as possible to the county level, we would hope.\n\nBut the Tenth Amendment also comes right after the first nine that spell out some pretty wide areas of rights of the individual in this country, and we need to remember that the rest was left to the states or "to the people."  That is, not the business of legislation or regulation at all, but of individual decisions.\n\nSo if I was the president, I would institute a policy of Constitutional Law Reform:  fit the country back inside the Constitution.  Streamline the process for challenge of new laws based on Constitutional grounds, and use Constitutional research as standard procedure in the congress when new laws are written.\n\nMake sure people understand that we are dedicated to living within the rules of the country we set down in writing, a sacred contract with ourselves and our posterity.
346186
I think the senator, because ultimately they make the federal law. They influence much of what the presidents do and how he/she do it. They also have a major impact on the local economy since they bring ideas from their local people’s constrains and put in implementations that would resolve most issues Americans face. One example of that could be New Orleans. They also have a major impact in the global economy. For example, funds to rebuild Iraq have to go through the senate. The senate imposes trade barriers with China. The senate put in embargo with Cuba. We also know presidents have to be approved by the senate prior to become one; my concept about governor is not bad but we have to think their duty involve much of the local economy. They can move very little resources as compare to senators and work more independently with what the federal government gives them.  Federal laws also control governors; but for senators, let me just say they are the law. If the senate does not like what one Governor do, they can stop him/her from doing it; but it does not necessarily work the other way.
813820
National, state and local. The Dem. party operates the same way.
384311
Neither, I'm an independent who votes for the man or woman running for office, regardless of party affiliation. I've found this takes a little more time and research divining the candidates real political stance, but usually it's time well worth it, because you really know who you're voting for, not just the party some candidates seem to hide behind.
905855
You should just stick with local issues...who the mayor is of their city, etc. Keep it simple, they don't understand the abstract of  US "politics" yet...
71903
Contact the local media and elected officials, they may have some influence.
759966
First - Local offices are more convienient for those who need the services they provide. \n\nSecond, They're usually staffed by local citizens who are more aware of the prevailing conditions that apply to the area's special needs demands. e.g. Small towns without public transportation services. \n\nThird - Civic organizations, such as the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, VFW, church groups, and volunteer community programs augument any government programs, and in many cases are the only assistance available to people with special needs.
244001
I think it's more localized rather than statewide.
511850
It depends on your priority.  There are an honorable handful of Republicans (and a few Democrats) who have a genuinely libertarian perspective on individual liberties; if your local is one of those, you might want to vote for them AND send them a letter saying why.\n\nIf both the Rep and Dem in your district have equally statist or authoritarian biases, then vote Libertarian or write in a local Libbie.\n\nIf the Republican is better on economic issues but authoritarian on the Bush New World Order, and the Democrat is good on civil liberties but too anti-capitalist, then you have to decide which is a bigger threat to your personal liberties right now.  Right now, I'd argue that the Bush people are scarier by far; but that's my priorities speaking.
879477
Read the voters guide. It's different from state to state.
406834
By counties?\nBy watersheds?\nBy majority democratic or republican votes (red vs blue states)?\n\nMore specific please.
539036
that depends on your city or county employment policies
517730
It varies from state to state
226193
Major political parties are businesses and deal with business issues.  You could work on staff with a political party.  Mayors of large cities are in charge of a large business operation and also deal with local and state businesses.  You could take a professional position in a city government, learn the "political ropes" and even run for mayor.  US Representatives and Senators come from a variety of backgrounds and deal constantly with business and ecoonomic issues.  I believe US Consulates deal with business issues involving US-foreign trade.  Good luck.