Something's going on in our county that's seemingly little noticed but which is changing this nation in very fundamental ways.
Nearly all of recent political and regulatory changes are in what are called "Red" states in which Republicans - nearly all way out there Republicans - control most, if not all, of state government.
Idaho, Utah, Montana, Oklahoma, Arkansas and about 20 more of that GOP hue are moving independently - but in common movement - to the same ends. Ends like state regulatory reform, tightening state-level control of things like local school boards, usurping county and municipal government responsibilities and similar activities.
One of the spurious sponsors of these state governmental takeovers is the American Legislative Exchange Council - ALEC for short. Totally dedicated to all things ultra-conservative, ALEC is turning out format legislation for its member states - member states nearly entirely "Red." Even the subject of abortion control shows up in ALEC-formatted legislative paperwork.
This move to enhanced state control has its roots in the federal inaction of Congress. With that body tied up in political knots, the states have been emboldened to undertake action to get things done. And, a lot of those things are red meat to the far-right which has been waiting for a chance to show its political muscle.
Consider Idaho with its Republican control of nearly all things political. The Gem State has been something of a "proving ground" for ALEC. Many topics enacted into state law in the last few years have ALEC roots.
Using the ALEC handouts, Idaho has codified many subjects, including undercutting city and county government roles. Such things as local planning and zoning activities or forcing cities of a certain size to change to zoned elections. And more.
Red State legislatures have even affected local school boards with new rules laid down "from on high" containing new "do's" and "don't's."
As Red State laws become more similar, something of a "split" is developing between them and Blue States. It's almost like two Americas. One group drifting one way; the rest going another. If you overlay a map with states Trump carried in 2020 colored red with the Red States in the same hue, there is slight difference. But, only slight.
Are we seeing the emergence of more than one America? Will there eventually be laws for Red States and different laws for Blue? How would such a set of differences affect how we live?
If you live in a Red state, talk with some of your city council, county commission or school board members. Ask them if they've been affected by new mandates from state government. Chances are they have. Ask if they think such legislative activity is a good thing or bad.
If Congress can't get itself untangled politically - if there's more inaction from the feds - look for more of this shift to go on in the states. Look for more of this meddling in local governing activities. Look for more divisions between Red and Blue.