Poll Results -- Now Take action! -- Links and Resources Thread

[Totally Committed]

Yesterday, I posted a poll with the question:

Poll question: How Would YOU Fix The Democratic Party?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2098240&mesg_id=2098240

I have broken the results down in order of number of votes, which could or could not be an indication of how most DU-ers feel about the state of this Party and what should be done about it. (The poll is far from scientific, and the sample is really small in relation to the number of actual members on this site)

Noting the order of preference, and all the great responses to the poll, I'd like to use this thread to discuss real -- concrete -- solutions, and if you have them, please post links and resources for people who really want to do something about any of these suggestions.

Answers in order of number of votes:

#1 (31 votes) -- We have to start nominating and electing those we know will represent our interests over corporate interests

#2 (24 votes) -- We have to work to get paper ballots and hand counts in every state.

#3 (17 votes) -- We need to start really fighting for what we believe in, and elect (and re-elect) only those who are obviously willing to do the same.

#4 (7 votes) -- We need to try present issues, and run candidates that will pull in more voters from the Red States.

#5 tied (4 votes each) -- We need to work hard on media reform, and insist the media start doing its job in a gutsy, complete, fair, and unbiased way. AND

We need to face it -- Our Party sucks, is utterly worthless, and there is no fixing it!

#7 tied (2 votes each) -- We have to start nominating and electing more Liberal, traditional Democrats, that more reflect the "base". AND

We have to learn to "frame" our issues and debates better, and make sure our spokespeople all speak from the same "talking points", just like the Repubs.

#9 (1 vote) -- We need a Democratic version of Karl Rove.
Other (5 votes) -- various suggestions (great ones, too) -- see thread.

Just some of the great comments*:

"we continue to witness a party that thinks it can be driven in an ad hoc, candidate by candidate manner rather than by developing a long-term vision and building a long-term 'movement' ..." -- wT2

"I can tell you that on the ground our party is weak and ineffectual. The focus always seems to be on the hopes that a great hero will come forward and save us. The reality is it's going to take many years of grunt work, party building and the like to regain what we have lost." -- JNelson6563

"We have a lot of research, writing, and groundlevel work to do. We do not need (indeed, it would be foolish to be like the neocons, and claim that we have an answer for everything) to have a complete agenda and roadmap with every detail filled in, because, circumstances always change the reality, meaning that such a detailed plan would be worse than worthless. What we need is to show direction, intent and a willingness to adapt to circumstances, using our best experience and judgment, always remembering that America comes first - all of it. All ages, sexes, races, religions, agnostics and atheists included, regardless of backgrounds and financial standing." -- antifaschits

"If the media were really doing its job--honestly, independently, fairly, covering the important events--most if not all of the other problems would take care of themselves. We'd have election reform. Guys like Rove couldn't get away with their evil deeds. We wouldn't need to worry about framing as much, or at least framing favorable to our side would get fair exposure. And most importantly, the voting public could make informed decisions, and settle at the ballot box (the way it's supposed to be) the questions about whether our party should move right or left, be run by insiders or outsiders, and all the rest....

This is gonna sound incredibly undemocratic (little "d"), but I've come to wonder lately that maybe the reason liberalism made such great progress in the past but seems sometimes stymied now, is because in the past average people were almost totally ignorant of the issues and could only elect people they respected and trusted to do what was right. Now, we have the internet and 24/7 corporate news. Far too many people think they know everything, when in fact they are relying on what is at best partial information, and more often completely wrong information provided only by the sources that reinforce the opinions they already hold, and then twisted by big-money, Madison-Avenue-style advertising, PR campaigns, and corporate-owned media manipulation. And the politicians... well, they pander to the ignorance to get elected, and put more money and effort into getting on TV and looking good than in actually saying or doing anything to educate, inform, or God forbid, take care of the real needs of their constituents." -- Jai4WKC08

"There will be no Democratic victories... as long as Republicans count the votes." -- Time for change

* please go and read the thread, if you haven't already -- DU has some great minds posting here...

So, please share your ideas for solutions, articles to read, and links and resources so people can get involved if they wish. Thanks to everyone who participated.

I'll start, with resources right here DU, itself:

State and Country Forums:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=136

Politics & Issues Forums (Including the DU Activists Forum):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=204

Individual Candidate Groups:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=348

TC

[Chef]

1. Fix

It seems that there needs to be some sort of manifesto of core beliefs that the party can coalesce around. The repubs did this with their phony contract with America and it helped them to get where they are today. When I grew up, you know that the Democrats stood for Social Security, the minimum wage, restraint on the excesses of the marketplace, a progressive tax system and a social safety net. These are still valid causes. To these you can add a national single payer health system, campaign finance control, and balancing the budget. There are more, like a sane foreign policy, the right to choice, but there are some Democrats that would limit that because of religious beliefs and protection of the environment. It would be so simple for require our elected officials to sign on to the core values and go from there.

[Totally Committed]

2. I totally agree with this...

I found this in my files (it is from another blog). There is no url with it, so I'm not sure if it original, or from a printed source, but I think this could help:

The Blue Stories: A Liberal Moral Creed

- I believe people are more important than things

- I believe all of our children should have access to a high quality education - I believe we should respect those who are different than ourselves and treat them with dignity

- I believe everyone should be treated equally under the law

- I believe the most vulnerable among us should be protected

- I believe that while war may regrettably be necessary it should only be undertaken after all other solutions have been exhausted

- I believe encouraging diverse viewpoints makes us stronger

- I believe society should be responsible for endeavors, that support the common good and are beyond the scope of individuals

- I believe it is my duty to pay for the costs of services government provides

- I believe it is wrong to dictate the beliefs of others

- I believe that none of us should be forced to live in poverty

- I believe everyone should have enough to eat

- I believe everyone should have a place to live

- I believe everyone should have access to quality healthcare

- I believe all religious traditions deserve respect

- I believe that those who claim to speak for God have not been listening carefully to the words of God

- I believe that "moral" positions which promote hate are actually immoral

- I believe I am responsible for my own behavior and the consequences of that behavior

- I believe that policy decisions should be based on facts and science

- I believe we should try to eradicate the root causes of crime

- I believe criminal justice should never be cruel

- I believe it is wrong to take advantage of others

- I believe we must resist the temptation of majorities to tyrannize minorities

These beliefs are, by no means policy as they are written, but we could try and think about policies based on them.

TC

[JNelson6563]

3. Excellent use of the internet

for political activism TC! I thank you for the compliment on my comments and I applaud not only your poll and requst for input but your subsequent follow-up! This is just what we need to be doing.

Bravo! :applause:

Julie

[Totally Committed]

4. Thanks, Julie!

I am going to kick this so the lunch crowd can see it and maybe add to it now.

TC

[JNelson6563]

5. I'll see your kick and

raise you one.

:kick: