Anybody know if the DNC is going to let people comment on the plaform and send in ideas again?

[Ken Burch]

They did that last time(they ignored most of the ideas, of course, which was half the reason we lost), and it would really improve things and help bring the party together at the end if this was repeated, and if in fact the rank-and-file, rather than any particular candidate, were allowed to shape the actual platform.

It's our party, after all, not the nominee's.

[Dhalgren]

1. I haven't heard, yet. But my guess is they won't open it up

to the masses. It will be drawn-up behind closed doors...

[Vincardog]

2. contact your state party. This coppied from the TX forum

Scott Cobb's diary on BOR
Advisory Committee to Start Working on 2008 TDP Platform

The 2008 Texas Democratic Party Chair's Advisory Committee on the Platform is having its first meeting next Thursday, May 8th at 10:00am at the AFL-CIO at 1106 Lavaca in Austin. State Representative Garnet Coleman, one of our House Democratic Caucus leaders and Chair of the policy-oriented progressive legislative Study Group, is the chair of the committee again this year.

(snip)
I am one of the members of the advisory committee this year. I live in Austin in SD 14. If any Democrats in Austin or elsewhere would like to make suggestions for the 2008 platform, please send me your ideas by email to [e-mail], call me at 512-689-1544 or put them in the comments. I would like to see as much grassroots and netroots input as possible into the platform drafting process.

You can also come to the advisory committee meeting yourself next Thursday. In the past when I have been on the committee, anyone who comes to the meetings could participate in the discussions, although if it comes down to a vote on any issue, it could be that only the appointed committee members get to vote.

[zonmoy]

3. They cant allow the people to counter their corporate or other masters.

[Donkeykick]

4. No. I don't.

But I wish they would do it. My father received a questionnaire, they sent him, along with my father sending them back the completed form and a handwritten letter. Most chances are they will probably just copy the name and address and phone #, then ask you for money. :eyes:

[mac2]

6. It seems the biggest job group today are lobbyists.

The good, the bad, and the greedy all beg for money to change what is wrong in the country. Bush has driven this group to their peak numbers.

I'm just giving too much with little return. I can't do it anymore. I'm retired now and will limit to self serving groups and Progressives.

[mac2]

5. Oh my god..."We the people" rule?

How democratic. An old idea is back in style? I doubt the delegates will get a say with Dean and the Super Delegates. It's no longer our party but the few "hanger oners". They aren't elected but "appointed" (by Dean) yet make the rules and decide who gets what votes.

"if it comes down to a vote on any issue, it could be that only the appointed committee members get to vote."

I guess I never knew how our party politics were so "undemocratic" before. No wonder we Progressives (which most the country support) have litte say or power. Not a good thing for democracy DNC.

All party platforms and rules should be open to the delegate floor votes. How else would it be fair and open?

-Withdraw from Iraq now? (yes) (no)
-Tax the top 1% to help the debt. (yes)(no)
-Move the government agency boxes back to pre-Bush. (yes)(no)
-Get out of the NAFTA, CAFTA, etc. treaties now since they are a failure and unconstitutional. (yes)(no)
-Bring the troops home to the borders. (yes)(no)
-Fund the Food and Drug Administration enough so they can do their job. (yes)(no)
-Demand all Faith Based funding be discontined since it violates the Separation of Chruch and State. No accountability has resulted in huge fruad and waste. (yes)(no)
-End Tax Exempt status for religious groups since they are too powerful and want to destroy democracy. (yes)(no)
-Investigate 911 fully to the 911 Families satisfaction. (yes)(no)
-Investigate Katrina and will demand better jobs of those in the area. No immigrant slave labor. (yes)(no)
-Fund private education only. Scholorships only public with public money.(yes)(No)

ETC. Two speakers can talk pro and con before the vote before the delegates.

That's a platform of the party members.

No only do we have a huge task to bring back democracy to America but our party needs to be more open and representive of the people and their goals. One candidate telling us what we should do and support is not good since they are not king or queen or are they?