Dear DNC/DWS,...

[NCTraveler]

Dear DNC/DWS,

Last night I got home in eager anticipation of the pending clown car debacle and to watch the democrats win the republican debate without even being there. As a non-cable subscriber, I realized I really didn't have much of a chance to watch the debate live. I do have internet and antenna TV, I thought that would at least be all that was necessary. I spent approximately thirty minutes online looking for where to watch. Some people helped me find links but none of them worked for me and I was somewhat uncomfortable with them. I am not the most computer savvy person, but I can normally navigate the internet.

I was born into a lower middle economic household, turning into upper middle by the time I was in high school. Now, as a middle age person, I am currently solidly in the middle economic rung. I believe that is why I was taken back by what I saw last night with one of the two major party's. My ignorance in this area is on display for all. I was not aware that a sizeable part of the population does not have access in their own home for the debates that were on last night. That is a blatant failure of those who are suppose to support the democratic representative republic process the most. Many of the people missing out are currently on the lower economic side of the equation. Cable prices are out of hand and have simply out priced many. I made my decision to go without cable for personal reasons, I realized last night that in itself is a part of my economic privilege.

Why is this a big deal? It is simply another angle where voters are disenfranchised. Ex: A family in St. Pete, living pay-check to pay-check, and not having the ability to afford a cable subscription, are simply not able to watch it in their own home; even if they do have internet access or "air" TV. They did not have the ability to see that the republicans were working completely against their interests. They are also not able to talk about it around the water cooler the next day. Once again, if they wanted to, this in itself makes them feel as outsiders in the process. It keeps them disenfranchised at the most basic level.

We need to ensure our debates are accessible by as many people as possible. A good move in this area might also bring some good faith on your part from Sanders and O'Malley supporters who you have royally pissed off. Sanders, as are all of our candidates, is campaigning on economic justice. It is his number one issue. He, his supporters, and the democratic base would greatly benefit from our candidates being seen by as many on the lower economic rung in society as possible. The group of citizens I am talking about need to hear our message. They need to be able to talk about what they see at work the next day. Not have it explained to them by someone else. They should at least have the opportunity.

Here are some suggestions:

1) When negotiating with the major networks carrying our debates, make sure they will be streamed live online without the need for a cable subscription. This can easily be done in the negotiation process by bringing more than one outlet into the process. Eg: Negotiate with CNN contingent on cspan being given the rights to stream live.

This will still not address the whole problem, though it would be a step in the right direction.

2) All negotiations with the major outlets should be contingent on PBS having the rights to the broadcast feed to be shown in real time. This is what I feel must be done. Many household I have been talking about have "air" TV that includes PBS.

Please ensure, by way of negotiation, that as many Americans as possible have access to our debates.

I thank you for your time,

NCTraveler

End

I am not the best letter writer or writer in general, but I plan on sending this to the DNC later today. If anyone has suggestions on how to make this aspect of the process more equitable, please let me know. We also have a member here who has the ear of many higher-ups in the DNC. If you read this, it might be worth a conversation in the circles you travel. I fully admit I had no idea. I have always thought I recognized voter disenfranchisement and how systemic it really is and has been. This is how accepted it is among many of us who simply don't live or understand the lives of others. It was educational for me. I have never heard this discussed other than a couple of excellent comments to a post I made last night looking for a place to watch the debates. I mentions this aspect in that op.

[C_U_L8R]

1. This!

[stone space]

2. I had no idea that the debate wasn't broadcast.

I don't watch much TV, and wasn't inclined to make an exception for the Clown Debate last night.

Had I been in the mood for some comedy, and had I discovered that I couldn't even watch the debate on PBS, I would have been Royally Pissed!.

If the same nonsense happens for the Democratic debates, my level of pissed-offedness will increase beyond all bounds.

Maybe it's time for states to add their own debates to the schedule, and invite the candidates on their own?

[global1]

3. K & R....

I think Fox did themselves, the Repug Party and the American Electorate a major disservice last night. I agree the Dems need to air their debates to as many Americans as possible. If I was any one of those 17 Repug candidates I'd be majorly pissed off today as to the treatment received by Fox News and the RNC. I believe they have set themselves up for a historic loss in Nov 2016 because they shut out a massive part of the American Electorate from the decision as to whom is the best candidate. Fox and the RNC want to make that decision for the American People. That is not how we elect a President. The Dems need to make sure they don't fall into the same manipulative pattern. We need to elect the best person for the job and the emphasis is on WE. Historically, many years from 2016 when a person orders up the book 'The Making Of The President 2016' for their tablet, it will speak to this major disservice and mistake both Fox and the RNC made to the American People that hastened the end of the Repug Party.

This country better wake up and realize that the way to better ourselves is by including all Americans in the process of electing our representatives.

Right now it looks like TPTB want to control us and every aspect of our lives. We can't let them continue to do that.

Wake Up America!!!!!

[Scuba]

4. K&R

[kenfrequed]

5. Agreed!

Kicked to the top!

[NCTraveler]

6. Sent with minor changes.

http://my.democrats.org/page/s/contact-the-democrats

Snail Mail as well.

Democratic National Committee
430 South Capitol St. SE
Washington, DC 20003

[Juicy_Bellows]

7. Well said. I completely agree.

Internet streaming and live on PBS over the air - anything less is unsatisfactory.

Cheers!