Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading this one. A 78-year-old cardiologist and local politician, Gary Miller, has become an internet sensation after his video about building sidewalks in Danville, Virginia, went viral. I mean, who wouldn’t want to watch a video about sidewalks, right? But seriously, Miller’s crusade started with a concern that a child might get hit by a car trying to cross a busy road to get to the grocery store. He was worried that he might even be the one behind the wheel. So, he began a four-year quest to build sidewalks along Kemper Road, a historically disinvested and predominantly Black neighborhood in the city.
Miller’s video has gained over four million views on TikTok and X, and over 175,000 likes on Instagram. People are praising his no-nonsense approach to politics and his focus on solving everyday problems like filling potholes. He’s even been compared to Zohran Mamdani, the young New York City mayor, for his communication style. I have to say, Miller’s got style, and his “biblically accurate waistline” has become a meme.
But what’s really interesting is that Miller’s video has tapped into the public’s desire for anti-performative politics. People are tired of politicians who just talk the talk and don’t deliver. Miller, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air. He’s a local leader who focuses on everyday problems and gets things done. As one user on X wrote, “The American voter cries out for an old man with hiked up pants who has never once opened ‘The InstaFace’ and just wants to solve something tangible.”
Miller’s efforts have also highlighted the importance of sidewalks in urban planning. In Danville, 81% of the roads accounting for most fatalities and serious injuries are located in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. Miller wants to bring sidewalks to other neglected parts of the city, and his video has inspired people to take notice. Michael Pollack, a professor at the Cardozo School of Law, has even written a book about the importance of sidewalks, titled “Sidewalk Nation: The Life and Law of America’s Most Overlooked Resource.”
Pollack says that Miller’s video made it easy to understand the importance of sidewalks, and that it’s one of the best pieces of political media he’s seen. The video is popular because people just want local government to work. And that’s exactly what Miller is doing – making a difference in his community, one sidewalk at a time.
In conclusion, Gary Miller’s viral video is a reminder that local government can make a real difference in people’s lives. His focus on building sidewalks may seem mundane, but it’s a testament to the power of dedicated public servants who are committed to solving everyday problems. So, the next time you’re sipping your coffee and scrolling through your social media feed, remember Gary Miller, the sidewalk hero of Danville, Virginia. And who knows, maybe his video will inspire you to get involved in your own community and make a difference, one pothole at a time.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
