Facts get distorted into sound bites and polarized camps form. In the end, a majority coercively imposes their will on the minority. Most people are unempowered, not feeling they can make a difference. The extremes are engaged in their debates but the voice of the vast middle is largely missing. Local government either seems to serve a particular constituency or to be bureaucratic and inefficient.
Government employees suffer from a lack of leadership from the people.
There is a limited opportunity to be entrepreneurial and serve effectively, combined with an ongoing culture of criticism and distrust. We need to start talking about what is really important. We need to get to the heart of issues rather than debating in sound bites. We need to be respectful of differences and reach wise, consensus decisions that benefit everyone. Everyone needs to be part of the decision-making conversation, not just the powerful or those who are especially interested in one issue.