DFA inspired me to run for our Assembly District Democratic Committee. I got elected as an officer and a delegate to our state convention. I also helped recruit proxies for delegates who couldn't attend, and learned that choosing proxies who support progressive candidates is very important. We actually got a great candidate the state party endorsement by just a few votes, and blocked a bad candidate from getting endorsed by a single vote. We have also shaken things up in other ways, for instance, I authored a resolution calling for the impeachment of Bush/Cheney a year ago and got our Central Committee to pass it - a year before California finally passed the same thing.
As Media Watch Chair for DFA's local chapter, I've headed up several campaigns to raise awareness of key issues in our local media, such as the "fake news" Bush propoganda and the real agenda behind Arnold Schwarzenegger's ballot initiatives -- all of which were defeated. ;-)
Then last week, I took the next step, ran for our County Central Democratic Committee and got elected! Here in San Diego, DFA members have taken over control of many AD committees and have a strong voice on the Central Committee as well, once we're sworn in next month.
I'm also on DFA and the Democratic Party's candidate recruitment committee. It was so exciting last Tuesday to see a strong candidate that I personally recruited win his primary race -- and he's now launching a strong campaign to take back control of our state senate seat.
You're absolutely right -- DFA does empower people to make a difference. Together, we are turning things around!
If you don't believe it, just check out the public opinion poll now up at CNN, where they're asking if electronic voting machines should be abandoned:
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/ Power to the people!