American politics has become two realities: one of national discord and another of communities coming together to find solutions to real problems.
The author feels a sense of disconnectedness, citing recent headlines filled with ugliness, including a candidate's racist text messages and a major political party's state organization leaders being ousted over violent and hateful texts.
Credit, of course, to the folks who found this revolting and unbearable and demanded they leave the party.
The local candidate forum serves as a refuge from the national nastiness, focusing on finding the right people to fix real problems.
Author's summary: Local forums offer hope amidst national discord.