“I’m not political, so I don’t keep up with the news on those types of issues.”
When a colleague said this to me the other day after our conversation veered into cuts to federal cancer research, I wish I could say I was surprised. But I’ve completely lost track of how many times I’ve heard or read some version of “I’m not political” or “I don’t do politics” from very smart, very well-meaning people.
Here’s the thing, though: Everyone is political because everything is political. Politics isn’t just something that happens in Washington, D.C., or around elections. Nearly every single aspect of our daily lives is shaped by local, state, and federal political decisions. A few examples?
Food
Did you go to the grocery store today or schedule a food delivery? Congrats, you’ve participated in politics! The food available on shelves is impacted by agricultural laws, import and export laws, federal tariffs, and state taxes (just to name a few). And those nutritional labels on the back or organic, GMO-free, or dye-free stickers on the front? They’re governed by state and federal laws. Also, I have three grocery stores within a mile of my house, while others in Indianapolis live in “food deserts” with no grocery stores in sight. Why? Local urban planning, zoning legislation, and business incentives all play a role in determining where companies locate.
Clothing
Did you happen to get dressed today? Yay politics! Depending on where those clothes were made, they are subject to various labor laws, including minimum wage requirements, trade agreements, tariffs, and environmental regulations. Whether you’re concerned with sustainable fabrics or prefer the lower cost of fast fashion, it’s all dictated by federal and international politics and policies.
Transportation
Did you take a Red Line bus, ride your bike on the Monon, or hit a pothole while driving your car? Also politics! The quality of roads is directly related to local and state funding as well as federal infrastructure bills. I’m also assuming you have a valid driver’s license and mandatory insurance coverage. And I doubt I need to point out the state and federal taxes, as well as foreign policy decisions, that impact how much we pay at the pump. On the other hand, public transportation (or lack thereof) is more of a local issue dictated by city planning and local and state funding. Finally, those beautiful bike lanes that Indy loves to tout? All due to municipal zoning, urban design decisions, and local and state funding.
Children and families
Do you have children or want them in the future? That’s political! Even before a child is born, state and federal governments have a direct influence over access to family planning, reproductive healthcare, and parental leave. And while children don’t have a vote, almost every aspect of their lives from birth to age 18 is shaped by local, state, and federal policies. Whether it’s vaccine requirements, private or public school funding, standardized testing, access to educational accommodations, free school lunches, juvenile justice laws, mandatory reporting requirements, or access to pediatric mental health care, politics is embedded in their childhoods.
Entertainment
Do you love visiting your local parks and libraries? What about the Indianapolis Zoo, Children’s Museum, or one of our amazing sports teams? Funded (at least in part) by politics! Public land use is handled primarily by local and state laws and funding, which has a direct impact on access for families. Federal and state funding, grants, and partnerships impact the ability to attract and sustain art, sports, and educational organizations.
Internet and Technology
Are you reading this on your phone from a link found on social media? Good thing for politics! Net neutrality laws mean that how fast or slow your internet is doesn’t depend on the type of content you’re looking up. Also, how private your data is online, as well as social media regulations, are impacted by federal legislation. Do you live in a rural or low-income area? You can also thank politics for encouraging access to broadband internet in more places.
Holidays
Did you just enjoy a day off for Labor Day? Again, let’s hear it for politics! The 12 federal holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day, were all established by law. Observance months are also dictated by local, state, and federal governments, which means legislation has a direct impact on which histories are celebrated and which are erased.
Going to the doctor, paying your mortgage, putting out the recycling, being able to buy alcohol on Sundays, having your garbage picked up by the city, paying your utility bill … I could go on and on. When you stop and think about it, almost every aspect of our daily lives is embedded with the influence of local, state, and federal political decisions.
So the next time you’re inclined to say, “I’m not into politics,” remember: politics is already into you. It’s in the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the roads you drive, and the parks you visit. By acting as if politics exist outside of us – something that’s only found on CNN and Fox News – we allow real, everyday decisions to happen without our involvement.
At the end of the day, recognizing that everything is political isn’t about becoming hyper-partisan or fighting strangers online. It’s about becoming consciously aware of your own political power and choosing to use it for the good of yourself, your family, your community, and your country.
