Unplug from cable news

This year, I ran for a trustee position in the village of Lindenhurst. Here are some observations from my campaign.

Before I start, it's important I state this: Trustees are the legislative body in our village, determining matters of policy, approving ordinances and resolutions and shaping and approving the annual budget.

Among the many things we don't decide is constitutional issues, such as the Second Amendment. We don't rule on abortion. And even if we were socialists, which is a laugh, we aren't setting up collective farms or centralizing the means of production.

Now, I knew as a candidate that I was in for a certain amount of, let's say, spirited conversation. But many, many of the odder comments I got simply would not have happened 20 years ago. I think they're happening now because people are consuming so much cable news. Don't get me wrong - national issues are important. And if you like shouting at people you don't know on social media, have at it. But they have zero bearing on village government. None.

Negative partisanship - a term used by Ezra Klein in his 2020 book, "Why We're Polarized," is meant to convey the idea that opposition to the other party, rather than support for your own, is what drives much of the thinking in modern American politics. I saw it over and over. Several people asked my major party affiliation. I ran as an Independent. But the answer seldom satisfied. "Who did you vote for, for president?" When I said it didn't have any bearing, I often got, "Well, I need to know your values!" It seemed that they could only understand an answer if viewed through the national political lens.

One gentleman, walking out of his garage threw his hands up (Halt! Papers, please ...) and said very loudly, "Socialism?!" I burst out laughing. I didn't know what else to do. And yes, I was asked what I was going to do to "stop the steal." How I'd rule on guns. On abortion.

We can complain all day - if that's what we choose to do - about taxes, or Springfield, or Congress. If you're passionate about those things, great. But we can also talk, and cooperate. We don't have to be spectators, shouting at the television, cheering one guy on who's shouting down another.

We can participate. I did a quick scan of the turnout in the precincts that voted on the trustee positions. Our turnout was 8.9 percent. That means that 10 out of 11 voters in Lindenhurst have decided to let other people decide who gets to decide. Their taxes. Their streets. How they get their drinking water. One guy I met said - and this is verbatim - "I think everyone should attend at least one board meeting in town. That said ... I've lived here for 36 years and I've never gone to one."

I had people give me an energetic two thumbs down through their window as I rang their doorbell, or look at me, expressionless, and just not answer the door.

"I'm not interested," said a few.

Interested in what? Me? I get it. In local politics? In democracy? I'll leave it to trained sociologists (or psychiatrists) to explain why people so determined to fight culture wars with strangers on the internet can't bring themselves to be interested in the daily workings of their local government.

But please, Look around. There's work to be done. For the sake of all that is good and holy - including democracy - turn off your screens and get out into the community.

• Patrick Dickson, of Lindenhurst, is an X-ray technician with NorthShore Medical Group and was elected to the Lindenhurst village board on April 6.