Looking for a definition for the term "grassroots".

[paineinthearse]

My definition of "grassroots" is raising cash by limiting contributions to small amounts and motivating the disengaged masses to get out to do canvassing, standouts, phone banking, etc.

Holding a fundraiser in a big city hotel, to me, is not a grassroots event. It is traditional politicing to the establishment and party elites. Many are unemployed and cannot afford $100-$500.

I posted an upcoming Howard Dean event at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston, advertised as "grassroots", from the Mass Dems website to the Massachusetts forum...

06/20/2005 RALLY WITH GOVERNOR HOWARD DEAN IN BOSTON
Monday, June 20, 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, Mass

Help as we PAINT THE NATION BLUE! The rally will benefit the grassroots efforts of the DNC.

$100 per person $500 Rally Host

https://www.democrats.org/support/boston.html?dsc=FNET237

How do you feel? Is this a grassroots event? Please provide your comments on the nature of a true grassroots campaign or effort.

[Shrubhater]

1. That's simple,

grassroots (n) the roots of a blade of grass

[brainshrub]

2. I never was very fond of the term "grassroots".

I know it's supposed to mean "movements based on local support among the people", but it also implies that it should be mowed down from time to time.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

3. I think of grass roots as

local, individual, part of a community united to achieve a common goal.

If the money raised at this event will be distributed further down the chain, to small groups within communities in order to help further the goals of the DNC, then, yeah, I think the language in that ad is correct.

But, no, the event itself is not what I would call "grass roots".

[libodem]

4. As one who weeds grass out of my flower beds

I often see grassroots literally. Little shoots sneak in from the lawn. A shoot starts. The roots spread out in a circle. The circle of roots, sends out shoots in all directions. From each direction, those shoots send out roots in a circle. Around that circle of roots, more green shoots pop up. It spreads insidiously. When pulling it out, if you leave a little piece of the root, bam!, here comes a shoot. Grassroots are all connected, one root line leads to the next. Yet, if separated, it will start its own colony. I like the idea, that the grassroots start out underground. They start from the bottom up,from the people. A broad base that forms an 'off-shoot', group. This is in opposition, to how the,GOP, operates as I see it, from the top down. They are told what to think, how to think, when to think, by their party, their pundits, and from their pulpits.

[Selatius]

5. My definition of grassroots democracy is something like...

direct democracy. There are citizen/worker organizations that employ direct democracy or something very close to it as a model of governance. Certain worker unions come to mind. Individual members have the power to directly vote on resolutions as well as introduce resolutions and amend them. Very large organizations have to set up several assemblies for its members to allow as much direct input as possible. Each of the assemblies are usually on equal footing with each other. As a result, you have something resembling a confederation.

Power comes from the base. The base itself makes the decision. In other words, decision-making power is concentrated at the bottom of the hierarchy. Those higher up are only empowered to carry out the mandate given to them. Thus, those elected are simply delegates, not trustees. That, in my opinion, is the hallmark of grassroots democracy.

[formercia]

6. GOP "grassroots" is really astroturf

That's where you put up a web site, have a lot of fund raisers and make it look like there is a large constituency behind it but in reality it's run by professional operatives and the usual cast of whores (usually members of the CNP, their family,friends and employees)show up to have dinner and donate whatever the cover charge is.

[HR_Pufnstuf]

7. google definitions

Definitions of grassroots on the Web:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&oi=defmore&q=define:grassroots

[starmaker]

8. rally will benefit the grassroots effort ???

Maybe they can lend a little assistance to the true grassroot orgs
fighting election malfeasance

[Radical Activist]

9. Neither of those definitions.

Grass-roots is an overused cliche. A real grass-roots movement is guided by individuals at the local level who have real power to make organizational decisions, not by some figure at the top.

[unkachuck]

10. 'grassroots' can be in the eye....

....of the beholder....the 'grassroots' are the day to day grunts of an organization motivated by common desire and belief....the progressive/liberal left is beginning to feel like 'grassroots' to me....

....I try to recognize the power and process by taking a page from the repugs' hard-right....they run, nominate and ONLY support their 'grassroots' hard-right candidates in their party....with unified support they carry their candidates through the primary to the public in the general election....

....when elected, the hard-right 'grassroots' hold their elected officials accountable for results or they try to replace them with newly slated 'grassroots' candidates next primary election cycle....

....we must do the same....

....1) we must ONLY support progressive/liberal candidates/elected officials within the party and its' primaries and run candidates against all others....
....2) we must ONLY support our partys' progressive/liberal candidates in the general elections....
....3) when progressive/liberal candidates are elected, we MUST hold them ACCOUNTABLE for RESULTS....
....4) if our progressive/liberal elected officials 'wander' or produce no RESULTS, we challenge/remove them next election cycle during the primaries with new 'grassroots' progressive/liberal candidates....

....progressive/liberals today are as unified as I've ever seen them...we are thinking like ONE, we CRY OUT for CHANGE and ACCOUNABILITY, we are the HEART and SOUL of the Democratic Party, we will now use our strength, for we are the 'grassroots'....