Metro Nation

Posted by Carol Coletta on September 06, 2008

Much has been written about regionalism and our "metro nation" lately.  But there is little evidence that local governments, even within a metro area, can cooperate on the big issues.  One organization stands in stark contrast to business as usual -- the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus of Chicagoland.

I was reminded of the very significant achievement of the caucus -- getting "competing" mayors to work together regularly -- at its party last night at Soldier Field.  Chicago Mayor Richard Daley was talking to me after his remarks and said again that mayors must get over their partisanship at the local level and find ways to cooperate with their neighbors on the big issues. 

Last night's event was a timely reminder that cities, suburbs and villages must work together to strengthen themselves and the nation. There is no "us" and "them" (despite last week's rhetoric that pitted small towns as the only places real Americans and real American values live).