Bill Maher’s stand on progressivism is encouraging, but he’s missing this key point
Comedian Bill Maher has been on a political journey of late.
Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say that Maher has been standing in place, a traditional liberal watching progressives fly by him.
Either way, it’s been remarkable to hear some of the most cogent critiques of woke racial politics and senseless COVID policies come from Maher, whose HBO show “Real Time with Bill Maher” tackles politics weekly with something other late night hosts left behind long ago: humor.
Maher has figured out that progressives’ desire to control everything not only doesn’t work but also dooms the politicians pushing it. But he’s missing an important piece of the puzzle: local politics.
On comedian Adam Carolla’s podcast recently, the two Californians commiserated about the oppressive regulatory state. Maher has made a crusade of his years-long fight to install solar panels at his home, stymied at every turn by government that should be encouraging renewable energy. His extended exposure to the bureaucracy has him predicting that California might even go Republican at some point.
Eh, probably not, at least not soon. But don’t think this is just a rich-guy problem, either. Stifling regulation and constant roadblocks to business development are a huge reason why sensible companies can’t leave the once-Golden State fast enough.
Maher also exposed the source of so many people’s frustration with politics: the nationalization of everything.
“I don’t really get that much into local politics,” he said when Carolla asked him about the candidates for Los Angeles mayor. “I don’t know how much it really is going to affect me.”
Maher’s work requires him to focus on national issues, of course. And he acknowledged that if he did pay more attention to his backyard, “I’m sure I’d be a better citizen.”
But he’s like so many voters: Turning his focus to the frustrations and pettiness of national politics while ignoring the daily effect the city, county and school district have on our lives.
Some genuine clash of values is inevitable at any level of government. But we can all generally agree we want better schools, improved transportation and smart use of our tax dollars. Working with our neighbors on what’s needed here, rather than obsessing over what’s not happening in Washington, is how we improve the quality of our lives.
The federal government is distant and ineffectual. Frustration is futile, because it’s hard for one person to be heard in such a large country. And why get worked up about what happens in other states?
Let’s hope Maher’s journey leads him to realize that focusing on your community and its needs is a more fruitful use of your political attention — even if it doesn’t make good material for a national talk show.
Editor’s note: A version of this column originally appeared in our opinion newsletter, Worth Discussion. It’s delivered every Wednesday with a fresh take on the news and a roundup of our best editorials, columns and other opinion content. Sign up here.
