New Group called Grassroots Democracy starting up

[JoMama49]

I am sending a similar message to every progressive democratic
grassroots movement I can find on the Web and to the organizers -
moderators and leaders of such groups that I know.

My name is Mike Kaufman. I am the organizer of a Chicago based group
called Grassroots Democracy. We grew out of the Illinois Kerry-Edwards
grassroots movement. I presently chair the Steering Committee of this
organization. We believe that now is the time to organize the
progressive democratic base and to be a real force in the Democratic
Party.

Of course we need to continue to fight the vote fraud issue in Ohio and
elsewhere. The Bush presidency was not legitimate in 2000 and it will
not be legitimate on January 20th. But it almost certainly will happen.
We will not give up. We need a Democratic Party true to its progressive
base that will be able to fight the takeover of our United States of
America by the radical, fanatical right.

All of us need to expand our local membership base and prepare for
fights on specific issues and begin now to organize for the 2006
Congressional races, and for local elections in general. We all so must
form a national coalition of grassroots democrats and amass enough
political strength to win us a seat at the table in the politics of our
party. We are tired of losing elections that we really did win. And we
are tired of losing elections that we really should have one. The only
way to start winning is to start organizing.

There has been some talk on the listserves of a convention of
democratic grassroots movements to be held this year. As a start I
would like to propose a preliminary meeting soon of the leadership of
as many organizations as possible. There is a lot to be said for the
value of face to face discussion. I think each group should send at
least a couple of people to such meeting. I think we could arrange to
host such a meeting in Chicago - which is fairly central. We could
probably find members who would house visitors for a couple of days if
folks wanted/needed free housing. Speaking for myself I would be
willing to go anywhere to get this off the ground.

I am proposing this on my own initiative but I am pretty sure it will
be supported. I will present to our Steering Committee and to our
membership. If you agree with me please contact me. Please discuss this
on your own lists and with your own people. Please post this on as many
other lists as you have access to,

Let us start the New Year right. Let us organize so we can fight and
win.

Mike Kaufman, Ph.D.
Chair
Grassroots Democracy
312 -427 -8849
our list serve: [e-mail]
at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/grassrootsforum/

[justinsb]

1. Another group - with a global perspective

Also grassroots but with - so far just over 130 members from about 20 countries

"Earthlings United is a group of activists, writers, artists, musicians and concerned citizens from around the world dedicated to working cooperatively for the principles of peaceful self-determination, environmental protection, human rights, social and economic justice for all people in all nations."

Wherever you are, whatever actions you are taking I'd urge you to join us there as well. We have both a yahoo listserv and a (very new and just gearing up) online message board.

http://www.earthlingsunited.info/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EarthU/

[FogerRox]

2. I belong to 2 similar Kerry--now grass roots groups and I have my

30 Veterans of Trenton, the folks who on dec. 12 marched for >http://www.51capitalmarch.com /

My Mission: TARGET CBS

Join the protest @ CBS in NYC or protest in DC--If enough Peeps show @ CBS I will extend the efforts to other outlets, Like ABC & NBC.

Power to the People ! !! ! ! RIght On Brother KIP ! !! !

http://www.51capitalmarch.com /
[e-mail] /

[StClone]

3. You seem to have the Credentials

And commitment to redirect Democrats at the Grassroots level. However from my view I am now leery of new personalties appearing to "help".

This is for several reasons:

1) We need to coordinate all efforts.

2) We got singed throwing our support behind a personality (Bev Harris most notably) that appeared worthy only to deteriorate to the our regret.

3) We really need time to settle then brainstorm, formulate and implement.

We could be primed and ready to go, but I am willing to wait a bit and make thorough analysis of our past activities and how they relate to the current situation.

In reference to #2 we may indeed follow your sincere lead but I urge all to avoid a false Messiah or even worst a Rove plant.

This is not an attack on the truth and urgency you may have, it is just the situation we are in. We must be very careful because we have well-funded, hateful and determined enemies at many levels. And, we have so much to lose.

[FogerRox]

5. Dont look for Peeps showing up to help

help your --self start your own group---


My Mission: TARGET CBS

Join the protest @ CBS in NYC or protest in DC--If enough Peeps show @ CBS I will extend the efforts to other outlets, Like ABC & NBC.

Power to the People ! !! ! ! RIght On Brother KIP ! !! !

http://www.51capitalmarch.com /
[e-mail] /

[Bill of Rights]

4. I like your idea of a convention of grassroots organizations

What do you think of the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA?) Have you looked into them, at all?

[cyberpj]

6. I'm afraid the Dems will split into so many "new" groups that

it will damage our chances of changing the party from within.

What about PDA? They have Dean and other well know Dem reformists aboard -- what's wrong with going that way?

Just asking........

[sunnystarr]

7. Seems to me many small groups would only be effective if

all operated under a single umbrella and agreed on lobbying projections in the areas of major concerns. If we're too splintered then our dollars are wasted. The only way to have any meaningful power is in numbers and dollars. This is why leadership and organization is so important. I joined and contributed to 4 groups and now I find not one of these seems interested in election fraud, election integrity, etc. They've all moved on to unsupportable future issues since all their efforts depend on at least a level playing field where the fix isn't in.

We are part of over 50% of the voting population. Seems to me that a lobbying group in whatever form should be there to represent our concerns and issues. Independent offshoots sure can reach many people over time, but won't ever reach the level of clout that would exist if all operated under one main umbrella.

DU is loose example of this. With many of us representing various individual efforts we all come and communicate here to organize efforts to make a meaningful difference. I've seen many successes but think of what actually could be accomplished if the necessary organization existed, especially to raise the necessary funds and where contributors would feel assured that their dollars are going toward the reason one contributes.

I'm just the average nobody out here, frustrated because I know my individual efforts won't amount to a hill of beans. That feeling of helplessness can be overwhelming. I really believed that contributing to the Kerry campaign and the DNC for recount and challenge efforts would give me a tiny voice and felt betrayed when those funds weren't expended for the intended cause. If it wasn't for the Greens and Libertarians where would we stand today? So my limited ability to contribute would have been better served contributing to them.

Like the average nobody, I never involved myself in the political scene believing that there was nothing I could do. I have to thank DU for giving me the opportunity to speak up. I called and wrote Sentators and Representatives for the first time. I signed petitions and wrote letters to newspapers around the counry. But I know it takes money to make a difference and do the necessary work. While I can't afford much, I can contribute on a monthly basis and if all those out there like me did the same, we'd have a powerful voice to take our country back and preserve our democracy.

We need one umbrella and organization that will unite all the small groups in one united effort.