Politics? It's Everywhere!

While scouring social media the other day, I found yet another person who swore up and down they weren’t into politics. And it took me back to something I learned while working as a reporter at the State Capitol – everything is politics and politics is everything.

Before I began my career as a reporter, I thought politics was something that focused on major issues such as war, taxation, social problems and business regulation. It wasn’t until I began splitting time between being a reporter and entering in legislative data that I realized there is little to nothing that is untouched by politics.

Want to just enjoy a peaceful day appreciating nature while not having a care in the world? Your ability to do that could be affected by politics. Whether it is EPA regulations or the lack of public funding for your favorite park or nature area, politics likely played some role in whether or not you get to enjoy your time in nature.

I would like to think most of us know that politics dictates most of what we experience when it comes to education, transportation, business and industry, tourism and commerce and public safety. Are you tired of hitting every red light on your way to work? Traffic flow is often affected by how traffic lights are scheduled or set up, and by train schedules and by rules and regulations on the types of vehicles that are allowed on the road. Plus, the laws focused on pedestrian and bike traffic can also have a big effect on your daily commute.

People typically don’t realize just how much of their daily lives are affected by politics. Whether it is brushing your teeth (regulations on dental products) or sleeping (regulations on products, marketing, etc.) or watching TV (FCC regulations on content), you can’t avoid politics.

Many people seem to hone in on federal politics when they complain – whether or not to go to war, whether or not we should allow abortions, whether or not we should help with the environment. But most of our daily lives are affected by the actions of those at the state and local level. Do you enjoy going to the park? Do you like having parades in your hometown? Do you get agitated when people text while driving? All these are issues that are regulated either by your city council, county commissioners or state legislators.

If you get upset each time someone talks about politics, I would suggest you exercise a little more patience. Because the truth is, your entire life is affected by politics and it is everyone else who is using their voice to have some effect on it.