I see our town has made the OPED page of the NY Times. I see many scholars quoted (& I’ve read many of their books and value their perspectives), but I don’t see that they talked to anyone in Texarkana, whether in Bowie or Miller County.

I’ve lived in Texarkana for three years now (and have lived in the area in the past, going back nearly 40 years). I like this area. I see lots of progress and growth in Texarkana – and feel the pain (try I-30 sometime!) that growth brings. I see the dedication of city and community leaders. The big projects mentioned in the piece (and they miss the funding that went to our new airport) sound like good news for the community. But do we all experience all these projects in their fullness?

A generation ago the political slogan was, “It’s the economy, stupid!” The premise of Edsall’s piece is that since the Biden administration steered so much money, so many resources to the Texarkana area, residents ought to be grateful and give them votes. That’s not how either “the economy” or politics work.

Let’s say that a majority of voters in the region even know that all these projects are happening AND that it was “the Biden administration” more than their Republican representatives and senators bringing the largesse. Sure, imagining most know that is a leap – and a sure work of imagination. Even so, when does this take place? Are the projects fully up and running? Are members of the community experiencing them for themselves – and experiencing them as good things?

‘The economy” doesn’t happen instantaneously. Sure, politicians need to keep the focus on themselves to keep their ratings up and to get elected next time around, but the actions they take don’t immediately demonstrate their full results. And what do we mean by “the economy?” Do we mean the statistics and numbers we see on the business page and headline news? Do we mean what’s happening nationally? Do we mean what’s happening to our own jobs and finances?

Is the reason local voters go for Republicans over Democrats primarily economic? If so, which aspect of the economy are they voting on? Can the voters be bought? If they can be bought, do those doing the buying spend the time to find out what kind of buy out voters are looking for?

If I were a Democrat I’d get up close and personal with the voters. I’d ask, “What are you looking for? What is it about my brand that has caused my part to lose you over the past generation? What can we do to win you back?” Maybe the voters understand their reason for shifting to the Republicans. Maybe they can articulate their reasons. Maybe they’ll even tell the truth when asked by the opposing party.

I like the idea of elected leaders (on all levels) looking farther ahead than just the next opinion poll or election. I like to see them asking, “What is good for the country, for my region? How can I discern that good with my fellow citizens so I’m neither lording it over them with my superior wisdom nor pandering to their current desires?” I realize that our current political marketplace doesn’t reward that kind of thinking. That’s depressing (but not new).

Coming back home, I’ll say again that I appreciate our local leaders. I see them leading our city well. It’s not an easy job – and often a thankless job. Over the long haul, say, the next 20 to 30 years, I expect Texarkana to be much improved for all citizens. That improvement requires all of us to share in the work.