The empty chairs at community programs across Lycoming County tell a story that goes far beyond budget spreadsheets and political maneuvering.
Our county continues waiting for funding from governments above, caught in the crossfire of political battles that prioritize winning arguments over serving constituents. This ongoing crisis has become a recurring theme in these pages because the ripple effects touch every aspect of community life. Each delayed payment represents families without childcare, seniors without transportation, and children without educational opportunities.
The frustration extends beyond simple inconvenience. These funding delays force local organizations to make impossible choices between maintaining services and keeping their doors open. STEP and similar organizations find themselves playing a cruel waiting game where political posturing in distant capitals determines whether working families receive the support they desperately need.
Watching this dysfunction unfold raises profound questions about what being American truly means in 2025. When did our national identity shift from building something greater together to scoring points against fellow citizens? The founders envisioned a system where different perspectives would create stronger solutions through debate and compromise. Instead, we witness endless cycles of political theater that treat governance like a zero-sum game where cooperation equals weakness.
The contrast becomes stark when observing how effectively our county commissioners operate. These three individuals demonstrate daily that people with different viewpoints can work together productively. They debate issues thoroughly, express disagreements respectfully, and ultimately find common ground that serves their constituents. Their transparency about challenges and collaborative approach to problem-solving create the kind of leadership that builds public trust.
Their success makes the dysfunction at higher levels even more maddening. If three elected officials can coordinate effectively to manage complex county operations, why do state and federal representatives struggle to perform basic governmental functions? The answer seems rooted in incentive structures that reward partisan combat over actual governance.
State politicians face electoral pressures that discourage compromise and cooperation. Media coverage focuses on conflict rather than collaboration, creating environments where working across party lines becomes politically dangerous. Social media amplifies the most extreme voices while drowning out reasonable discussions. These factors combine to create systems that punish the very behaviors necessary for effective governance.
The human cost of this dysfunction extends far beyond politics. Consider the families who cannot plan their futures because program funding remains uncertain. Think about the stress experienced by parents who do not know whether childcare assistance will continue next month. Imagine the anxiety felt by seniors wondering if transportation services will survive another funding crisis.
This uncertainty creates cascading problems throughout our community. Businesses cannot rely on stable workforces when employees face unpredictable childcare situations. Educational institutions struggle to maintain programs without consistent funding streams. Healthcare providers find themselves treating stress related illnesses that stem directly from economic insecurity caused by political gridlock.
The irony becomes painfully apparent when considering how much more could be accomplished through cooperation. Resources currently wasted on political battles could fund innovative programs that address real community needs. Time spent on partisan maneuvering could be redirected toward solving actual problems. Energy devoted to scoring political points could power collaborative efforts that improve lives.
Some families mirror these dysfunctional patterns, prioritizing being right over being happy. Relationships suffer when winning arguments become more critical than maintaining connections. Children growing up in environments filled with constant conflict learn that cooperation is weakness and compromise equals failure. These lessons create cycles that perpetuate division across generations.
Working together offers rewards that extend far beyond immediate outcomes. Collaboration builds relationships, creates understanding, and generates solutions that no individual could develop alone. The satisfaction of achieving shared goals through collective effort provides fulfillment that temporary victories in personal battles cannot match.
Our county commissioners prove that teamwork remains possible in modern politics. Their example should inspire rather than frustrate, demonstrating that effective governance requires maturity, respect, and genuine commitment to serving others. Their transparency and collaborative approach create the foundation for positive change.
The contrast between functional local government and dysfunctional state operations highlights what we lose when politicians prioritize personal advancement over public service. Chronic anger and constant conflict create toxic environments that drive away good people and discourage civic participation. Communities thrive when leaders focus on building rather than tearing down.
Perhaps most importantly, being perpetually angry damages both mental and physical health. Stress from constant conflict contributes to numerous health problems while robbing people of joy and satisfaction. Life becomes far more rewarding when energy flows toward positive goals rather than destructive battles.
“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success,” Babe Ruth once observed, wisdom that applies to families, communities, and governments alike.
