Do you really get involved?

[bluescribbler]

Something I've wondered about for a while. How many DUers actually get involved in politics, and how many are content to complain on the intertubes? For myself, I am the chair of my Democratic ward committee. I volunteer in campaigns from city council to state legislature, to Congress, to State Constitutional offices, to the Presidency. I've held signs on street corners. I've organized fundraisers for candidates. I've spent hours on the phones trying to get out the vote. I've knocked on doors canvassing for candidates. I have been a delegate at nominating conventions, voting to nominate progressive candidates for elected office. I am trying to be a part of the solution. I am trying to push the Democratic Party to act in accord with my philosophy. Are you? If not, why not? I really could use the help.

[patrice]

1. I have done most of that for a few decades, but not as much lately.

I'm not sure why.

I have lost some loved ones in the last few years, maybe the fight is going out of me.

I should do something about this.

[PassingFair]

2. Multiple term precinct delegate who really works my area.

I am on/have been on executive boards of various
democratic clubs.

Pretty much all that you have said, plus, I donate
more than I can really afford to Progressive candidates.

:hi:

[jotsy]

3. I take things by the cause

Volunteer at a radio station news room when I can, attempted to help MadAsHell Doctors get some publicity, not very effectively I might add or single payer would have made the table. I admire your resolve and focus, it is clear you intend to be an asset to the democratic party. I'm a registered independent and would feel like I was fibbing if I didn't make that clear up front. If you need a hand with promoting organizations like PNHP or CodePink at events in the Pacific Northwest, and Portland specifically, I'd feel freer to help without feeling like I'm going against my own grain.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. Good question. Used to be involved. Not anymore.

Too tired and too harried.

When I retire.... if that day ever comes.... I'll get back on the horse.

[JeffersonChick]

5. I'd like to get more involved

I used to be a union organizer, and during that time did canvassing, calling for votes, etc. Since then, however, I haven't been actively engaged.

I really would like to though, I'm just not sure how to go about it. Problem is, I really disliked the door-to-door canvassing and calling, and I'm not sure what else there is I can volunteer for?

[HuckleB]

6. Is that the only way to be "involved?"

I hope not, because I'd hate to think that spending time working on a nonprofit board for an organization that serves developmentally disabled children, working on fundraising for a variety of health care research initiatives, and volunteering to coach and parent a variety of children's activities was a waste of time.

Sorry. I know this sounds defensive, but there are many ways to serve the community.

[JeffersonChick]

15. That's exactly why I was asking.

You may have misunderstood my post. I wasn't trying to give an excuse as to why I haven't been volunteering; on the contrary, I was asking what other ways were available, so that I could explore them.

I applaud your volunteer efforts. I too, do volunteer work. But I was specifically asking about opportunities for the DNC.

[skeptical cynic]

7. In my own way...

I'm not a registered Democrat, but a Nonpartisan, so working for the party wouldn't be consistent with my decision to leave it back during the Clinton Error.

I was a longtime Democrat, but concluded that the system can no longer be fixed from within. I still believe that, so I take a couple of approached to working outside the system.

First, I donate aggressively to NGOs that I believe are working to create the world I want to leave to my grandchildren. I won't list them here, because at least two of them barely stay on this side of legal.

Second, I like to spend my time out in the community getting disposable citizens pissed off about being disposable citizens. I try to raise their awareness about the reasons for their circumstances, how they live in a system that institutionalizes poverty. We discuss the role of poverty in creating citizen armies to do the bidding of the wealthy. They are very angry when they learn that the American Dream is a myth, and that their situation is by design. I direct them away from the two main parties and the mainstream media and toward alternatives like Green or nonpartisan or non-affiliated, and I encourage them to visit the IWW and World Socialist websites.

Other than that, I'm old and have a lot of family to influence, as well. I have a feeling the war in Afghanistan is going to drag on long enough for me to be able to teach my grandchildren (1, 4 and 5 years old) what war crimes and empire are all about.

[Bluebear]

8. Well, aren't you wunderbar?

:)

[G_j]

dupe

[G_j]

9. screw politics

I get involved in social justice, peace and environmental causes though.

[Bluebear]

10. That's where I am now.

The parties as they stand now do not stand for any of those.

[G_j]

11. I'll strongly support progressive candidates, but when they fall by the way side,

as they always do, my involvement ends, until voting day. Then I generally hold my nose and vote for a Democrat.

[Bluebear]

13. Likewise.

But my days of making blanket donations to the party itself are o-v-e-r.

[G_j]

14. better off giving to the Audubon society

seriously

[Bluebear]

18. Especially with the Gulf situation, good call.

[Hannah Bell]

12. our local dem shop is a closed club except during presidentials.

i stopped bothering years ago. they're not interested in a mass organization, just in some free labor during presidentials.

[Sherman A1]

16. I was appointed to our Municipality's Park Advisory Board last year

and left after 3 meetings. To say that it was a joke would be generous.

I have written my elected officials on a variety of topics over the years and sometimes get responses, sometimes not, but am fed up with the ones I do get.

I have written LTTE's (most published) through the years and it's pretty much a waste of time.

I have donated to several campaigns and will no longer do so.

I have voted in most every election and am now re-considering even doing that.

[elocs]

17. Nope. I'm unapologetically content to complain. I'm an American.

Oh, I get it. This is a guilt trip thread where everyone is supposed to say how involved they are or how they will surely get involved in the future.

No.