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Edited on Tue Feb-17-04 10:46 AM by Donna Zen
Lessons learned:
1. No matter whose campaign you supported: we do have power
2. There is a information-lag between what is going on out here, and what the Democratic party thinks is going on.
3. The internet can be democracy's friend
4. We are not there yet.
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1. Thousands of us came to together in various camps with the hope on achieving change within our country while working through the existing system. IMHO, the next set of moves need to include the question: why. What did we hope to achieve? Various candidates had various messages; however, those messages clearly overlapped. Yes, even Joe's message contained a very good healthcare proposal. That said, we have learned that collectively we are far stronger than we are as individuals, and we have agreed upon goals. Now is the time to focus that power. I would suggest that calls for goal setting both philosophically and logistically.
2. The Democratic party has caught on very well to the concept that we are "out." here; the problem is they see us as a cash-cow rather than people-individuals--who have demands, are not satisfied with the status quo, and who feel that the government on both sides of the aisle is no longer working in the American people's best interest. Again, we must define ourselves and our interests, because they are not going to do it for us. If we are unable to do so, then we should expect to be invited to participate in an astro-turf movement where the goals that we wish to achieve remain nebulous and the rewards for collective actions benefit the few. If we want to change the status quo, then organizing as a force outside the system but willing to work on the system's behalf when the party or factions within the party are willing to champion our cause(s), needs to be realized.
One example: It is vital to a democracy to have an informed citizenery and constructive, open dialogue. (I hope that you agree, so I'll assume you do.) Currently, the media with the help of both parties is moving us away from that bedrock ideal through infotainment and mergers. As we all know, sometimes they just "make shit up." A simple move such as demanding that media spend time on the issues rather than the "horse-race" during any campaign does not require much lobbying power but it does demand a "voice." A unified Democratic party voice. OTOH, stopping and reversing the current course of media mergers, while difficult, is also necessary, and can be achieved if we force the issue and frame it as a "democratic" ideal. On this issue we will find support in surprizing places.
3. The internet, which often publishes pure-crap, can be used as an organizing tool. We can: eblock, form writer's groups, raise money, lobby etc. If we are under an umbrella organized by an individual(s) then we may become driven by an agenda rather than our goals. Therefore, it is apparent to me that we need to take several actions: One, we need to define an agreed upon set of goals (#1). Two, we need to organize outside of the party, although not necessarily in conflict with the party, to create a "grassroots" identity that can be offered up when the powers that be are in agreement with our goals. And finally, as a body of individuals decide what it is we can do, and are willing to do through this mighty tool. Florynce Kennedy once said: "I know we're termites. But if all the termites got together, the house would fall down."
I think we would be wise to both attend to Ms. Kennedy's notion, and to avoid entering the "termite hotel."
4. We have caught the attention of the Democratic party; however, in the end, I would suggest that while attention is a good thing, it was not our goal. We came together orginally because of a stolen election and now we face BBV. How many people in the party are actually listening to us? How many people in the party care what we think? How many people in the party consider us "kooks?" How many people in the party would offer us Trojan Horses vs take action our behalf?
No my friends, we are not there yet. So the question now is "how do we get there?" I would suggest: #1, #2, #3. From observing the comments like Will's current thread, this one, many of us are circling the issue of continuing and creating more effective grassroots cyber politics. I invite anyone to add to, subtract from, and hammer out proposals such as mine. I believe we are on to something; I believe it is critical that we develop into an effective force for change; I believe there are great minds in this and other forums ready with the skills waiting to do this. And most of all, I believe if we fail to do this, we will lose our democracy. I am here to help in an effort to change that course of events.
If we dream individually, our dream remains a dream. If we dream in critical mass, our dream becomes reality.
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