Reply #22: I think we both agree on the principle, it's the method

[Le Taz Hot]

that we disagree on. The problem I see with building from the state level is that, too often, the Chair and Officers of the state parties are purposely planted there by the same corporate whore Democrats we are fighting against. That's certainly the case in California and my guess is that it's true in most other states as well.

I'm more of a ground-up kinda gal and I believe that the Party Machine is less likely to interfere with lower-level elections. From there, of course, Progressives can move to running for high-level offices AND with a progressive track record and following, will be more likely to be able to fend off an attack by the Democrat Big Boys should one present itself.

For too long, we in the Progressive Movement have been told to "shut up and vote . . . NEXT time we'll get to your issues." Problem is, they NEVER get to our issues. It's the carrot they use to keep us coming back. The Republicans do the same thing with their voters in terms of abortion . . . they'd never ACTUALLY vote to ban abortion because they'd lose their carrot. And the fundies fall for it every time. What the Party Faithful fail to understand is that, by definition, Progressives are the group LEAST likely to follow along like non-thinking sheep so to hang their hopes on the "they have nowhere else to go" meme is pretty dangerous.

It's pretty simple, really. If the Democrats don't want to lose power, offer up Progressive candidates or, at least don't try to bury progressive candidates. :hi: