Over the past century, all around the globe, more and more people have been moving to cities.  By 2050, demographers estimate that two-thirds of the world’s population will live in or very near a city they will identify with for much of their lives.

As life on the planet has evolved from our hunter-gatherer roots, to an agricultural orientation, through the industrial era to today’s technology-based economies, humans have migrated towards each other to survive and thrive. As much as we emphasize our personal and national independence, most of us are extremely dependent on others, many, many others. I smile with amazement in the checkout line at the grocery store when I think of all the people, places and actions that took place which allow me to schlep my groceries to my kitchen table. This thought can be replayed for almost every aspect of our material and spiritual life.

Perhaps now more than ever, humans require the talents, skills, dedication and efforts of each other to stay safe and healthy in order to enjoy our brief and miraculous time on earth.   Someone should write and widely publicize a Declaration of Inter-Dependence to remind us of this vital and humbling reality of modern life.

As we strive to adapt our cities to contemporary challenges, we do so knowing that cities are often where excitement, fun, creativity and employment opportunities thrive. City life is not for everybody, but cities are known as places where personal and business relationships often begin and are nurtured. Cities are where we often go to enjoy art, culture, sports, higher education, medical expertise and so much more. Cities are where diversity thrives and is increasingly welcomed.

But cities convey a bigger lesson and one which our nation and world would be wise to recognize.  

As we watch this year’s State Legislative session resume and as the 2016 presidential primaries begin one is reminded of the enormous difference in tone, approach and effectiveness between pragmatic local governments and our ideologically driven state and national governments.

Here and in most cities, local elected officials, staffs, boards and commissions are generally practical people who focus on problem solving. Sidewalks, pot holes, trash, water quality, safe buildings, storm clean up are non-partisan, non-ideological, day-to-day matters that need to be and are generally handled pretty well. We all generally want what is best for each other and to live our lives in a fair, safe, and equitable environment. Maybe because we are often face-to-face we all behave more reasonably and rationally, less influenced by money, campaign contributions and partisan ideology.   

As we again watch the Governor and State Legislature return to action, as the Presidential Candidates posture daily, often outrageously for campaign funds, votes and media attention, I wish they would think, behave and act more like our local officials. Less ideology and more practical, pragmatic problem solving skills and efforts would go a long way to maintain and improve the quality of life for all Americans. In fact recent surveys indicate that 72 percent of Americans have confidence in their local government, 62 percent have confidence in state government and only 19 percent have confidence in the federal congress.

We can always do better locally but perhaps it’s time for our partners at the state and federal governments to consider taking a page out of the local playbook. It's time our political systems move away from exploiting our differences and get back to making a difference. Our people and planet would surely appreciate it.

Tom Barwin is city manager for the City of Sarasota.