Because when you do have a local issue you need a local representative who is beholden to you and is more dependent on your vote.
I have an issue with a bullet ridden sign on the Erie canal that needs to be taken down. It's been that way for years and I'm tired of looking at it. I will first contact the canal corporation as it's their responsibility but if they do nothing the local assembly member for that district can make things happen.
It's funny - I only left the United States six years ago and yet this idea is already unimaginably weird to me.
Why is this your representative's job? It just baffles me. Why is this guy dealing with some sign?
The idea that government is broken so you rely on personal relationships to get around is fundamentally bad.
In the Netherlands, you would just take a picture of the problem and post it to the Gemeente (municipality) - in fact, they have an online map you can pin these complaints to, and it's public.
You get a case number, and you get updates until it's fixed, which is usually pretty fast.
If you aren't online, you can just walk in to the office and they'll help you do it.
I have an issue with a bullet ridden sign on the Erie canal that needs to be taken down. It's been that way for years and I'm tired of looking at it. I will first contact the canal corporation as it's their responsibility but if they do nothing the local assembly member for that district can make things happen.