After The Protests: Are We Really Ready To Run Our Own Communities?

The excitement of marching, chanting and making public speeches against current political leaders can be exciting and gives many long time activists a feeling of power. But what happens when we actually do register, vote, and put the candidate of our choice in a position of authority. Are we really ready to run our own communities? Do we really have the skills to review a budget, examine the sources of revenue, prioritize spending, hiring skilled people in important management positions, evaluate performances of staff, and make necessary changes to systems that need reform? Or do we just get in office, hire our friends and family, make a mess of things, and get voted out of office? In many African countries where the people lived so many years under colonialism, even when the Africans took control of the country, because they weren't prepared,,they end up giving it right back to the colonizers. What can we in America learn from their experience about taking control?