What this does for local candidates is give them the freedom to formulate their own platforms. The people of that region develop their platforms as it fits their needs. At times this can be difficult for voters because the Green Party candidate you are talking to in your local area may be far different than one you saw on TV or read about. It is vital to learn about that particular candidate, as they are quite free of party politics and appear far more independent—only because they are.

The foundation of the United States itself was designed to follow a similar model of grassroots democracy, which brings me to the second manner in which this key value plays out. In 2016, we saw a trend back to grassroots democracy. Over the last century or so we have lost the concept and yielded it to big government and the corporate interests that have bought it. Decisions have been based on donors and corporate interests rather than on grassroots decisions. We are no longer involved in the decision making at our lowest level; our hometowns. Lawmakers that are hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away are bought by these capital interests and then pass regulations and laws onto us for profit. This is not the America our founding fathers fought for, nor designed.