This is almost word for word what I tell students.
Even if you’ve been disillusioned by what’s happening at the state and federal level, you need to get out and shore up your local politics.
Like, a mayoral election could be the difference between your city and its councilors fighting tooth and nail against whatever nonsense comes from the left or the right and your city rolling out the red carpet for that same bullshit.
And it is easier to influence by levels of scale! You and three meatspace friends showing up for the monthly city council meeting can probably change local politics.