Politics

Should the newly arrived families involve themselves in the politics of their new town or city?
I believe that the level of involvement mainly depends on how large the community is. If it's a relatively small town or city, then I think that somebody (or more than one person) from the community should run for some sort of higher office. This is because the individual(s) will have at least some sort of chance at winning the election. If the town or city is relatively large, it'll be much harder for the person running to win and, I feel, that it should wait until there is a greater need or until the community grows larger.
I definitely feel that the community should involve themselves with the politics of their new town/city. I feel that way about any Jewish community anywhere in the world. The only way to get things done for yourselves is to show the elected officials that you care and that you VOTE. Nothing frightens an elected official faster than seeing his/her dream job go down the drain because a street won't get paved/trash won't get picked up Erev Pesach/ they won't give vouchers for private school... Never mind that last one. That's my dream for NYC/NYS.

Separately.... a thought just popped into my head. What if some sort of charitable fund was created. The fund would collect money and help people with the down payments of their houses. These donations would be tax deductible as well as counted against ones maiser amount. So while I might pay for your down payment, you would pay for my neighbors and he/she would pay for mine through the organization. It seems legal to me and it also seems Halachically acceptable. I think that as long as nobody can say, "Well, I gave $25,000 and I only got $22,000. I deserve another $3,000", it should be fine. This is where the Rabbi is necessary, as well as a lawyer.
Again, just a thought.