Increasingly, middle class fears about education, jobs, housing prices, and taxes are playing out in local town meetings. While these matters are so important that they should be national level debates, the real decisions are happening at the local level.

The New York Times describes the battles in one wealthy suburb of New York City, Bronxville, where taxpayers pay $40,000 in local taxes (!). Their example is rather extreme. In more middle class suburbs those debates are happening, too. 

Last night, I went to a meeting at in middle school gym, which was aimed at getting input from the community for the upcoming superintendent search. After we got past the platitudes about the perfect students and teachers in our town, the real concerns emerged– improving test scores, getting the stubborn seniors to fund the schools, and negotiating the budget with the town council. Many were worried about the quality of candidates that we would find, since Christie imposed a $145,000 pay cap on superintendents' salaries. 

The stress wasn't limited to this meeting. I hear it everyday. 

My babysitter is waiting to marry her boyfriend until he can find a job. Two years out of a local college with a business degree, the boyfriend is still caddying at a country club and living at home. 

Home values have dropped significantly, and residents are worried that they'll have to move out of the area at a huge loss, because they can't afford the taxes. 

Desperate for funds, the town council is considering putting cell phone towers in residential areas. 

I send in toilet paper and paper towels to Ian's school. Yesterday, I received a notice that the school  can't afford scrap paper for Ian's artwork. 

These are heavy pressures for local towns and for middle class families. Many have taken on a bunker-mentality to survive and are closing themselves up in their little homes. We need solutions. We need better leadership in Washington.