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Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (01/01/06 through 01/22/2007) Donate to DU
 
rpgamerd00d Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 03:45 PM
Original message
*** We need to do more - DU is not enough ***
Edited on Tue Jan-31-06 03:46 PM by rpgamerd00d
Simply posting on DU, emailing and making phone calls isnt enough

I realize that a lot of you have very full lives, and you can't manage much to help Democrats other than post here at DU, send out emails, and make phone calls to elected officials. But in all honesty, its not enough. Posting here at DU is great for info exchange between *us*, but virtually none of our information really, truly "gets out" to the populace. Emails and phone calls help a bit, but the information flow is still slow, stilted and totally unreliable.

We need to personally get involved in politics. Myself, I am a member of the DTC (Democratic Town Committee) of my town. I am in CT, and will be volunteering for a candidate that I feel needs my help, either for congress or Governer, once things shake out here. I implore you all to do more than just fight in the e-World. We need everyone of you do take this into the real world.

We need you get involved locally in your town/city. Enact change locally, and the result will be felt nationally. Local politics are so dramatically different from national politics. Republicans dominate local politics in most places simply because there is no organized Democratic presence AT ALL. Often times Republicans run UNOPPOSED. While I understand that sometimes, a town or district is so heavily Republican that running a Dem is virtually pointless and wasteful, we still need to at least have a name on the ballot to portray a presence. Lack of a Democratic presence is harmful to the overall image and effectiveness of all Democrats.

Local politics often boils down to mostly money management and taxes. The national issues you are all familiar with take a minor role of at all at the local level, such as civil rights, wars, health care, environment (much), etc. Those are all national issues. The local issues are virtually all about money, and Republicans are viewed as "better with saving money" (which we all know is bullshit). We need to change that perception.

Please do me a favor. Contact your local Democratic Town Committee, and join. Its usually low cost (usually under $50/year), and only meets once or twice per month in the evening, so doesn't interfere in your job or family life. I don't want to seem like a jerk here, but there is simply NO EXCUSE for anyone on this board to not be on their town's DTC. No excuse. The money and time committments are trivial.

Call your Town Hall. Ask for the Registrar of Voters, and then ask them where & when the DTC meets. They WILL have the info, its mandatory. Show up. Introduce yourself to the Chairman. Tell them you want to VOLUNTEER BIGTIME. Tell them you want to lead. Tell them you want to make a difference. They will LOVE you and welcome you.

My mission is to get everyone on this board to be a member of their towns DTC at a minimum. And if possible, get some of you into office, locally or nationally.

Post here if you are willing to fight.
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Skidmore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 03:48 PM
Response to Original message
1. If reform of the national party is what is wanted, then
the current operatives need to go. I don't want to see Schrum, Begala, Carville, Brazille, that Hillary Rosen, or any of the same old suspects anywhere near a campaign. I also am might sick of seeing some of the same old candidates too. We need fresh faces and fresh ideas.

If we're not willing to make these types of changes within the party, then we need to step outside the party and let them sink under the leaden weight of their political saws.
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rpgamerd00d Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 03:57 PM
Response to Reply #1
4. If us "new faces" don't run, then the DNC promotes the "old faces"
Give the DNC a CHOICE between multiple viable candidates and those "same old suspects" will be shown the door.

VOLUNTEER. ITS TRIVIAL in both Time and Money. JOIN YOUR TOWN/CITY DTC TODAY!
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Skidmore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:02 PM
Response to Reply #4
6. Alright then we need to organize. Do we invited to those DNC
meetings?
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rpgamerd00d Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:03 PM
Response to Reply #6
7. Step 1: Join your own town's DTC
Work your way up from there.
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Skidmore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:05 PM
Response to Reply #7
8. We don't have one. It's my husband, me, and one other couple
in a town of 200 fundies.
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rpgamerd00d Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:06 PM
Response to Reply #8
9. Form one. Contact the State party, tell them you want to start a DTC
They will guide you through the process.
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JuniperLea Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 03:49 PM
Response to Original message
2. Where do I sign up?
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rpgamerd00d Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 03:49 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. Like I said in the first post:
Edited on Tue Jan-31-06 03:51 PM by rpgamerd00d
Call your Town Hall. Ask for the Registrar of Voters, and then ask them where & when the DTC meets. They WILL have the info, its mandatory. Show up. Introduce yourself to the Chairman. Tell them you want to VOLUNTEER BIGTIME. Tell them you want to lead. Tell them you want to make a difference. They will LOVE you and welcome you.

If, by some ODD chance, your town does not have a Democratic Town Committee, google your State Democratic Party website, contact them, and start working on CREATING a DTC in your town.
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dogday Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:00 PM
Response to Original message
5. World Can't Wait Protest Tonight in 64 Cities
If you are near and can go, start tonight with this protest. Mine will be across from channel 11 studios in Houston Texas. I plan to stand for my son. I hope you can do the same....

http://www.worldcantwait.net/
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helderheid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:06 PM
Response to Original message
10. I'm a precinct chair and vice chair of our state progressive caucus.
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rpgamerd00d Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:07 PM
Response to Reply #10
11. Caucus' are good too. But get on your town DTC. Please.
Its trivial as far as time and money. Usually only 1 two-hour meeting once/month in the evening. Very easy to handle time-wise.
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helderheid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:09 PM
Response to Reply #11
12. I don't think we have a DTC. I'm on the Central Committee - same thing?
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rpgamerd00d Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:10 PM
Response to Reply #12
13. It could be, its often called different things in different states.
In CT, we have "State Central" which is the state-wide Democratic Party. Then, each town/city has its own Democratic Town Committee. If you are on your state's Central Dem committee, thats great.
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helderheid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:14 PM
Response to Reply #13
14. That I am. I am also a delegate. That may be one of the most important
things to become in the party. It gives you a vote in your party when electing party officials.
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goodhue Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:18 PM
Response to Reply #11
18. Different states have different party organizational structures.
There us no such thing as a "DTC" here in MN. A caucus state, the precinct caucus is the primary feeder into the process. From precinct caucuses, delegates go to their county unit or senate district convention. Senate districts and county units elect officers and directors and always have use for volunteers. Senate districts then feed congressional districts and the state party. At every level there are executive and central committees comprised of officers, directors and delegates. The best way to get involved NOW is to contact the chair of your senate district or county unit and volunteer to help with caucus and convention prep. Senate districts and county units generally have meetings every month, and by all means interested folks should go and help out. But everyone in MN should go to precinct caucus on March 7 and then move onward and upward. The party is very open here.
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rpgamerd00d Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-01-06 12:47 AM
Response to Reply #18
28. Cool, great info. Thanks for educating :) -nt
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The Backlash Cometh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:14 PM
Response to Original message
15. Someone made an excellent suggestion.
DU should become its own DNC. We could recommend certain candidates and even hire lobbyist.
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rpgamerd00d Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:15 PM
Response to Reply #15
16. No, thats a bad idea. Don't "DLC"-ize DU. :)
Just volunteer and start making a difference.
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The Backlash Cometh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:41 PM
Response to Reply #16
23. Been there, done that.
And it's pretty silly to call it DLC, because DLC supports right-leaning Democrat types. I said DNC. Pretty much we would support Democratic candidates who will remain true to Democratic ideals.

Anyways, the thread made it to the Great Pages and it was received well.
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rpgamerd00d Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-01-06 09:23 AM
Response to Reply #23
30. Well, my point was 'Dont split Dems up' - thats, like, bad. -nt
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alfredo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:18 PM
Response to Original message
17. See if your local Democratic party needs people to help
with voter ID. They should be doing that right now. Get involved with DFA (Democracy for America) and other progressive, pro democracy organizations.


Get involved


http://www.democracyforamerica.com/ Their aim is to get good progressives elected.

Your local party may need data monkeys, and people for phone banking. There are a lot of ways to get involved.


I am involved with three groups, the Fayette County Democrats, Change for Kentucky (DFA) and Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. Oh wait, there are four: Kentucky Veterans For Progress. Oh wait, there's another: Black Box Voting. There might be others, but my mind is kinda mushy right now.
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cry baby Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:21 PM
Response to Original message
19. Have joined my county dems recently.
I am totally impressed with the dedication and brilliance of the people there. I live in a very red county of a red state and was surprised to find such a high quality organization.
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theplutsnw Donating Member (104 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:27 PM
Response to Original message
20. If you live in the 46th District of Seattle
Which is basically NE Seattle from Greenwood Ave. to the lake, 45th to 145th. The 46th Legislative Democrats meet the 3rd Thursday of every month. We are a pretty active group, check out the web site at www.46dems.com. And again, if you are interested, I host a DFA Link-up in Shoreline at the Shoreline Conference Center http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=3970 .

Just joining your Legislative District Dems is a good place to start. Work your way into whatever you are comfortable with. There are lots of things you can do that do not require an election, including providing input for the state party platform.

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MadHound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:29 PM
Response to Original message
21. Many of us already are so involved
Some of us are involved elsewhere too, especially after yesterday's debacle. Good luck though.
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AZBlue Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:32 PM
Response to Original message
22. OMG, thank you for this post.
I sometimes forget that there are a lot of people on DU who think it is enough.
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byronius Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:46 PM
Response to Original message
24. Inspiring. O.K. I'm in.
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txaslftist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 04:52 PM
Response to Original message
25. I'm county coordinator for a Dem candidate for congress.
Seriously, all you have to do is go to a Democratic Party meeting and volunteer. It doesn't matter how liberal you are, if you are a Deaniac or whatever.

They will use you, they need you.

Get involved.
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babsbunny Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 06:54 PM
Response to Original message
26. How about telling our elected officials what we want them to do, and then
they do it? Oh yeah, that doesn't work.
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NMDemDist2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-31-06 07:18 PM
Response to Original message
27. I'm already working for a Senate candidate (against Kyl) and Shadegg's
opponent

does that work for you? :rofl:

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rpgamerd00d Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-01-06 12:49 AM
Response to Reply #27
29. Totally. :) -nt
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