If you want to go big, go small.

That is, if you want to make any difference in the lives around you, start – and probably stay – very local.

Every politician (EVERY politician) in the country has thought at least once and probably lots more about being president. This is such an obvious thing that someone who denies it should be assumed to be lying about everything thing else as well.

But if you’re any level of politician, you’re not going to be president. Including the imposters, we’ve had a grand total of 46 men in that position.

Statistically, the odds are impossibly against you. Give it up.

What’s even more depressing for those who by some miracle get to that position is to realize how fleeting the fame is. I could offer a cash prize of $10,000 to any random person on the street who could name the, say, 9th POTUS, and I’d walk away with my meager savings intact.

Most local politicians are honestly trying to make a difference. In probably 90% of American cities, the council members and mayor make a pittance – the city where I live pays the mayor $14,000 annually. And those are thankless jobs. These people usually spend several hours a month in meetings, and a lot more time outside of those meetings on other issues. Many of them are publicly accessible by email or phone, and people are not shy about contacting them when even the smallest thing goes wrong.

But this is where a huge amount of important stuff gets done. We found out in the last two years that issues like mask mandates, vaccine passports, and civic openness were often decided on a hyper- local basis – by mayors, city council members, and school board members.

Not to mention positive stuff that you can do. You really can make your community a better place.

Of course, it’s hard work. Far easier is the role of the critic, sniping at those who are doing the work that needs doing.

If you want to fantasize about being president, have at it. But if you want to get things done in your community, go to work locally. It might be an elected office, or an appointed one, or simply a volunteer position. But start doing the work. Just maybe you’ll end up being a local big shot. And more important than that, you’ll have a chance to make the place you live a better one.