It’s holiday time again and the city is turning out in droves to do what we do best as Americans. Shop.

Every year the temptation is to write-off the whole event as an empty phenomenon of hysterical consumerism. But then I get a nice gift or two, give a nice gift or two, and I feel good about it, for a couple of weeks at least, until the credit card bill shows up and I’m again convinced I’ve been hornswoggled by the mighty market maker, capitalism.

Ah-well. Happy Holidays.

Bah.

About politics, it’s all local. National politics makes for entertaining bow ties and toupees, but in terms of economy of effort, it’s all local.

Local politicians, love ‘em, hate ‘em, whatever: get to know them. At the city level the process IS tangible, regardless of how sterile and detached it may seem.

Everybody moans and groans about national politics and what terrible injustices befell the blue-staters as the big W took back the office.

Fact is we were all attracted to the presidential election because of its entertainment value.

I’m not saying that the winds swirling around national politics don’t muss the hair of us real people. And I’m not advocating for isolationism. I’m saying that for real, honest-to-God get out of your chair politics go to city hall and talk to the people that work there.

Go to the State House and introduce yourself.

Attend the School Committee meetings every Monday.

This stuff is open to the public, and, I might add, can be quite captivating: which is different than entertaining.

For example, when city officials discuss putting a Green Line stop in your neighborhood you may find yourself taking notice, captivated, even, by thoughts of a brighter future.

But don’t get ahead of yourself. While energy, enthusiasm and intelligence may survive in the neighborhoods, homes and kitchens of our cities, the state’s still got us by the checkbook.

And that’s where we hit some snags.

As far as the Green Line goes, the current governor has been entirely forthright, saying he has very little intention of extending the Green Line through Somerville to Medford.

Mind you, this is a legal commitment the state is wiggling out of: one that has been in print for fourteen years, and one that involves multiple communities, not just Somerville.

It boils down to money. This has nothing to do with Somerville beyond the fact that we are to bear the burden of Governor Romney’s outsized pride and political savvy. Rather than upset voters outside the belt with higher taxes, tolls or a budget re-prioritization, he’s hoping no one will notice as these projects disappear.

Who is to save us? Who is to wrangle the energy, resources and influence to stand up to Governor Romney?

It’s up to us. It is up to us to hold the state to its word and bar the way for a renege. Imagine we all decided that we didn’t need to pay our taxes? I’ll hold a public hearing to discuss that idea. Maybe we should instead send our checks to a fund of our choosing.

It’s time to start strategizing. As Alderman at Large Bill White said, it’s time to wage war. And this is politics, so we all know what that means: Romney’s going to be making enemies out of friends he doesn’t even have. Just watch.

Nothing personal. Just local.