What office are YOU going to run for?

[corkhead]

Taking back our country from the PNAC cabal and the Corporatists is going to require that we win back political offices at every level. As Tip O'Neil said, "all politics is local". My experience as a Township Trustee has shown me that. As just one example of a local office having potentially large implications, the management of the elections where I live is handled by our Township Clerk; a Republican who ran unopposed in the last election.

The conditions are right for sweeping change in the '06 elections. A lot of things can change in a year, but one thing is certain; we will not win these seats without candidates running in them.

What are you doing to make sure EVERY elected office in your locale has a Democrat on the ballot? In the 2004 election, there were far too many unopposed republicans on the ballot where I live. Not only do we need a 50 state strategy to win back the Whitehouse in '08, we need to apply that very same strategy to EVERY office in every school board, township, village, city or county.

The time is NOW to start planning for next year's elections. Find out what elected offices are in your community. Check to see if last go-around, there were Democrats running for every office, from Dog Catcher to School Board Member on up. Consider running for an office yourself. If you are unwilling or unable to do so, find your local Democratic Party office and offer to help them try to find people to fill the ballot.

Worst case, we would seriously dilute the power of the Republican fund raising machine if they were contested in every office. Best case, we put ourselves in position to take advantage of the looming tidal wave of discontent.

It is time to start working on it now.

[TayTay]

1. School Committee

Town Democratic Committee
Co-Chair a committee for a County DA race
Volunteer for a Gov race and, maybe, a Senate race.
Donate money like hell

How's by you?

[corkhead]

3. I am currently a Township Trustee

and I think I may run as a county commissioner next year to try to unseat a perennial unopposed republican.

I think there are a lot of people who don't think they can have an impact where they live. It is amazing how much one can influence policy just by showing up at their local township board meetings.

[expatriot]

2. I am thinking of running for CIty Council in fall of 2007.

The office of city council in Yuma (metro region of 150,000+) pays a yearly stipend of like 3,000 dollars and that is the only compensation. So you get these "city founder" retiree types in there who run and win on having name recognition, friends in the country club, etc. I am really upset with one member in particular because he is supposed to be the "progressive" voice on the Council but he has the backbone of a jellyfish. He is voting EXACTLY like an evil republican. The people have no voice whatsoever. I think if I ran I'd be the first person under 45 that has ran for City Council for fifty years and the first person under 55 to run for City Council in 20 years. I don't know if I could win but I would certainly shake up the stew.

[abluelady]

4. I Could Never Get Elected

My mouth is too big.

[TayTay]

5. Not true!

My husband ran for School Committee in one town, then we had to move (lost the house, jobs, etc.) We wound up in another town in the same state. Damned if he didn't run again. He won a seat on the School Committee because no one else ran. (This is awful beyond words, but it also means that showing up and trying matters.)

Show up. The country needs people with passion and big mouths. Give it a shot. You just might be surprised at the outcome.

[corkhead]

6. you'd be surprised

I started showing up at my township board meetings about 10 years ago and I was most often the ONLY private citizen showing up. I was amazed at how much influence I had on the decision making in my township. Eventually I became "one of them", but as a Democrat in a VERY republican area.

[Roland99]

7. If I could get some financial backing, US Senate from KY.

I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[TayTay]

8. Start small, make contacts, work your way up

There are very few shortcuts for people who aren't rich or from famous political families. Just show up and start something.

Dmocracy depends on 'We the People' showing up and taking charge of our government. Don't let the naysayers get to you. It matters.

[Roland99]

9. Oh, I know...just saying if I had the backing, I'd jump right to the top!

;)