One of Wiggins favorite subjects one he would bring up whether he was riding with a friend, or visiting over a cup of coffee, or sitting at his desk at the paper was local political responsibility. As government became more sophisticated and the problems more difficult, the rotating amateurs gave way to bureaucrats. There is the notion that bureaucrats know best. And the more professional they become, the more obsessed they are by the idea that if people let them alone they would do the best thing. From this comes the secrecy around what they do.
Power inevitably gravitates to the source of the money.
How we can go back the way we came is a difficult question. The ideal would be to reach an accord on what level of government could do what and stick to it. But on a local level they can clearly see what their share of any public expenditure is going to be. Inc. Reproduction without permission is strictly forbidden.