How many of you leave your house to do something political once a month?

[LoZoccolo]

Continuing on my "DUers are seldom doers" theme, I'm curious to know how many of you actually leave the house, actually go and meet other people, to get political work done, and what it is that you do. It could be MoveOn.org, Democracy for America, DNC meetup, local party meetings, ACLU, People For The American Way, anything like that. I'm not counting protests for sake of this discussion because they are not regular and sustained and are loosely organized. Don't argue with me about why I'm not counting protests if you don't want to be accused of hijacking this thread.

I'm not trying to disparage nor discourage people on DU, and not trying to generalize, but I just don't see these sorts of things happening here to the extent that I think they should among people concerned with politics, and people have a tendency to post in a manner consistent with being frustrated with what other people are or are not doing and not having any power to change it (usually by choice, I would say). It's pathetic that the "momma's basement" stereotype seems to be partially true. I see a scattered post here and there calling for a "revolution" or that we should put all the Republicans in jail as enemy combatants or have a general strike or some more extreme things I don't even want to repeat (thankfully they were deleted), but then people generally won't even do anything real where people are wanted to do real things. Do you think this makes any sense?

A place you could start if you're not sure what you'd like to do yet is DNC meetup:

http://dnc.meetup.com

In Illinois we actually have a very active resource in Illinois Dem Net:

http://www.illinoisdemnet.org

Even if you're from another state, you might want to check that site out because I'm hoping someone else might get the idea to import the Illinois Dem Net concept to another state.

[aintitfunny]

1. I do so, in June so far

I have had 1 local dem club meeting, as well as a club social gathering, I have a meeting tonight I will attend and another committee meeting next week. I just attended a candidate's meet and greet and been on the phone for a statewide campaign I am supporting.

Next month it really gets busy.

[mcscajun]

2. Three times so far this month.

Once to vote in the primary, Sunday night was the borough committee's meeting, last night was the county committee's reorganziation and biannual convention.

:) DU-ers (as in DOERS) check in, please. :)

[Betsy Ross]

3. Local Dem club meeting tonight.

Just put the label on a quilt I made that will be auctioned at the club's fundraiser next week. Do I get credit for all the hours it took to make the quilt?

[SCDem]

4. My calender is flooded with dem events

First at least one county political forum a month.
Second our Dem County Executive Board meeting once a month.
Because it is political season - I've been attending about one fundraiser per week - for various candidates that are in town.
Our County Executive Board met with neighboring County Executive Board to see how we could assist them.
On top of all that I'm involved with conversations with democrats just about daily.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. I do it like it's my job!

Oh... wait... it IS my job? Crap. :D

[wyldwolf]

6. once a week

[Totally Committed]

7. At least once, sometimes twice a week...

I see it as service to my country AND my fellow citizens.

TC

[LoZoccolo]

8. Seven responses. Pathetic.

The people who are active, tend to do quite a bit though. That's really great that there are people there who are willing to pick up the slack.

:kick:

[cmd]

9. More than once a month

And often more than once a week. As elections approach - more than once a day. I'm lucky. I'm retired and can do it.

[LoZoccolo]

10. Also, you can use this thread to plug your activity.

If you'd like to post what you do so that others who might be interested can do it too, go ahead. Please be specific and practical though. Going on message boards and demanding "HAND-COUNTED PAPER BALLOTS NOW!!!!" does not count.

[dsc]

11. I am involved in my education association (teacher's union)

and also attend gay rights events (pride, pflag, etc). I canvased for Bowles for Senate in 04 (Kerry wasn't contesting NC). I was bigtime involved in Dean's campaign attending festivals, canvasing, etc. During the school year maybe a couple times a month, during summers more often.

[Tom Rinaldo]

12. More than once a month

Involved in local Democratic Party Club meetings and fund raising events every month. Also attend political events, like "lectures", skills trainings etc. Also targetted activities, like currently carrying petitions to get Democratic candidates onto the official ballot. Also attend some local government public meetings etc.

[tnlefty]

13. Currently I am sick of pancakes and hot dogs! Does that tell you anything?

I attend at least 2-3 meetings each month, but we have many local candidates running for offices so I've attended many campaign kickoffs, rallies, etc. during the past 12 months in addition to trying to also contribute money and time. Yes, this includes wearing a candidate's t-shirt and standing on the side of the road holding signs and waving, phonebanking, etc.

I have 2 candidate events on my calendar for this weekend.

[LizW]

14. More than once a month.

Most of my activity is local.

[lonehalf]

15. I don't

I am a volunteer caller for the local Democratic committee.

I don't have to leave my house.

It isn't an easy job. Most North Georgia Democrats are very hostile to us.

I've been called a communist, anti-American, anti-military, and numerous things that would get edited.

My expectation right now is that we will lose 2 House seats and won't win back the Governors office.

[JNelson6563]

16. Great stuff!

And I commend your sustained effort to encourage as many as possible into action!! :toast:

Julie

[Pushed To The Left]

17. Yes!

I go to Meetups, just got involved with a Universal Health Care group, I did some phone banking and walking before June's elections, ran for Central Committee, and just signed up for the "Precinct Captains" program. I'm actually pretty shy and introverted, but this political stuff has made me more outgoing! If I can do this, anybody can!

[OzarkDem]

18. Two events this weekend alone

And our Dem club meeting is Wednesday.

Get out there, folks, and put your talents to good use.

[serryjw]

19. Daily

n/t

[TayTay]

20. Once a month or once a day?

I have been to nearly an event a day lately. I have local elections, state elections, national concerns and a local peace group that has events.

Ahm, Actually, I need a vacation. Thanks for the reminder.

[Ferret Annica]

21. I am a forest activist

And just spent the weekend working on the issue of the Biscuit timber sale the Bush Administration is trying the ramrod through to extract wood from a roadless area that should be allowed to recover from a forest fire naturally.

I do more political stuff then forum posting.

[SeaNap05]

22. Politics in daily life

I have been active with campaigns for 15 years and hold a masters in public management and my activity now is focused on discussing politics in many places. Attending events, rallies, or meeting with organizations is not the only way to be active. The power of politics through the influence of just a conversation is as vital as volunteering or donating money. However, being active by attending events etc... is key, but the single conversation between two people is crucial too.

I use DU as an outlet to examine new ideas as well as old ideas, and have another source of information. I'm young so there will be more campaigns to come.

[ulysses]

23. I do it every day.

I teach.

[seabeyond]

24. i live in such a red area democrats arent in phone book, i dont

know where they are to meet up.

right now i am getting names of black leaders in town (2) to see what they are up to in hte community.

but i do something almost every day. i drive around in my car and 10 bumperstickers i am getting the word out. not to mention talking with strangers all over the place.

[JimDandy]

25. I watchdog my state and local governments almost daily.

I also:
frequently file FOIA requests for government records;
attend my local LWV meetings, although less frequently now that election season is here;
attend county council meetings, although " " " " " " " ";
meet with other like-minded election reformers to develop strategies and discuss how to implement them;
poll watched early elections off and on these last two weeks;
arranged and attended a meeting to jump start a recently established election reform website;
met recently with a couple of lawyers to discuss a records request appeal I'll be filing tomorrow with the state... etc, etc.

Those 'outside the home' activities don't include all the hours and hours spent each week telephoning and emailing government officials and others to get the answers I need!

I'm a "DU Doer" for sure. Pleased to meet all of you here that are too!

[bread_and_roses]

26. three times a week, on average

is my best guess. 90% is local. "Elections" start in April, at the latest; the closer it gets to November the more hours I put in; usually there's a hiatus after the election till the New Year, but there are always various initiatives, bills coming up for votes, etc.

Activity includes endorsement process, petitioning, phone-banking, door-to-door, Lit drops, developing Lit, lots of meetings.

I work for selected Democratic candidates, including in Primaries, but I'm not a Democrat: I'm one of the "fringe" even "far" Left who is only interested in getting more Progressive Pols into office and will not work for or even vote for a candidate simply because s/he has a "D" after his/her name. Nor do I (or would I) do any of this work under the umbrella of any Dem organization. (I realize that in some areas that may be the only option for someone interested in participating in the political process, but happily not so here.)

I am not retired and work a full-time job, which until very recently had no polititical aspect to it.

I wonder if you wouldn't get more responses were this question presented as a Poll? The only reason I happened to catch it is that I am up particularly early.

[murielm99]

27. I am a precinct committeeman and

treasurer of our county Democrats.

I walk my precinct and talk to the Democrats here. I am not tabling this year, but I walk in the parades around the area. I register people to vote and try to make sure they get to the polls.

I just attended a county board meeting, and I met with some of the board members. I will be working hard to unseat one of the worst repukes on that board.

Last winter, we joined a group that will help the Democrats in our four county area work together more effectively. We are helping candidates jointly, and sending them to training.

I need to do a better job of networking with other Democrats around the state. I will be working on that. I need to join Illinois Democratic Women, and attend their convention. They offer a lot of help.

Right now, my husband and I are selling tickets for our picnic/fundraiser. And being treasurer is a big deal at certain times of the year. I have to do all the campaign finance disclosure reports and send them to the state board of elections when required.

I know I could do more. We have some members who do more than me, and hold full-time jobs.