McLean County

This is my third year living in McLean County, yet I still know virtually nothing about the history or the politics of it. However, let me preface that by saying that I only knew of six of the 102 counties in Illinois: Monroe, Macoupin, St. Clair, Randolf, Madison, and, of course, Cook County. And that is just knowing of their existence, let alone their political and historical attributes. I know a *slight* amount about the history of Monroe County (my home county), but I know virtually nothing about the political endeavors.

I do know, however, that Bloomington is the county seat of McLean County, and that there is lots of farming (as a drive through indicates). The main source of my political apathy regarding McLean county may be attributed to my priority list and the respective costs and benefits of deleting/adding items. At point "t" in time, I may choose between, "A," informing myself about McLean County or, "B," doing homework, working, socializing, or a host of infinitely many other activities. What would your typical American do?

Rankin consistently brings up a very good point, however. The politics surrounding McLean County are the politics that impact those who reside here directly. What the President does rarely affects our daily everyday lives, but it's our representives and locally elected officials who do impact our daily lives. And I think therein lies the reason for having a solid knowledge of both the political history and the modern political undertakings of this county. If I still have another two years here, the least I can do educate myself about the McLean County, and I really think that the old courthouse museum will enable me to do that.

P.S.: It did.