upset with the party? think globally, act locally

[Orangepeel]

Several to many people here are very unhappy with the Democratic party because they believe either that the party no longer represents their interests and/or that Democratic elected officials do not fight hard enough for their interests.

One solution to this unhappiness that I have seen proposed on this board is to leave the Democratic party and instead support Green or other third party candidates.

I have an alternate solution to propose. If you feel that the national party does not adequately represent your interests, work locally instead.

Ironically, the Democratic party is run like a republic. Precinct captains are elected by Democrats in a precinct, these people elect representatives to the state, and the states elect representative nationally. There is (or should be) money available for support and an overall "brand name" at the national level that can be used at state and local levels.

But, there is a lot of real work to be done at a local level. School boards, county commission candidates, mayors, city councils -- these people not only make laws that affect us on a day to day level, but having progressives in these offices makes it easier to find support to elect candidates to the state house and senate, which subsequently makes it easier to elect candidates to state and national office. At the local level is where YOU as an individual can make a big difference.

You could also work locally to support Green or Independent candidates, but that would be much harder, IMO, and no more effective. If you get people you support elected at local levels, then state levels, then, eventually, these people can get elected at national levels. This will take a long time, but will be no harder than trying to build another party up.

If the local party is also too conservative for your tastes and won't run local candidates you support, work for your candidates in the primaries. That will probably be difficult, but if you can't win in a Democratic primary, you won't be able to win as an Independent progressive candidate either.

[soleft]

1. much wisdom here

:thumbsup:

[sweetladybug]

2. I totally agree with you.

very well said.

[Orangepeel]

3. thanks!

(and gratuitous kick)

[IndianaGreen]

4. I like Indiana Democrats (except for Evan Bayh)

The heartburn is with the national Democrats, the majority of which seem to be living in a fantasy of their own making.

I don't know if the solution is to do away with the permanent Congress. I mean, how many laws does Congress pass every year? Is the country so screwed up that they need to pass that much legislation? Where are the results?

Today's technology permits Congress to meet in cyberspace, while Representatives and Senators remain living in their home districts and states. No need to meet in Washington at all. No need for the Beltway!

Perhaps we can move the nation's capital back to Philadelphia, or New York...

[Been Fishing]

5. More of the bills passed by congress are for special interest

Check for the latest bills before the House and Senate

http://thomas.loc.gov/

Congress could get a hell of a lot more done if they cut out the pork barrel shit.

[cruadin]

6. Well-stated---I think we somtimes lose sight of the big...

picture, because the big picture is made up of so many small, but important actions.

[Orangepeel]

8. thanks -- some people are concentrating too hard on the big picture

they can't see the trees for the forest! :-)

A lot of people aren't liking the big picture the way it looks now -- one way to change it is to work on the individual small actions instead instead of tuning out altogether.

[kamqute]

7. Thank You!

This will also have the useful side effect of baiting William Rivers Pitt back lol.

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. Here is what you can do locally that will eventually help globally.

[moggie12]

10. Thanks for that link -- I want to get more involved n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. Any time. Election reform has been my passion for a while now, but

each new national election just makes me want it even more.

[moggie12]

12. yes, you're right, I'm going to stop screaming at my TV and

get involved in some local races.