"I'm really sick of the Democratic party."

[crispini]

"The Dems are spineless -- they just roll over at every opportunity. I've had it with them!" :rant:

Sound familiar? You've probably read something like that here on DU. You may even have posted something like that.

Well, I've got a question for you. You obviously see the problem. Are you part of the solution? By which I mean, are you a part of your Democratic Party? Are you a precinct chair? Are you a member of your state and local Democratic party? Are you involved with local politics?

Almost 20 Texas DU'ers will be attending their State Party Convention to submit changes to the TDP rules, vote on the platform, and who the next party chair will be. I wish it were 200, but it's a good start.

How about you? If you don't like the party, what are you doing to change it?

[ruggerson]

1. ************************ crickets ***********************

n/t

[maddezmom]

2. as an ex-pat I'm with you in spirit

Thanks to all the TX dems making a difference. K&R

[ClassWarrior]

3. Go County Dems!!

I'm with you, crisp!! And I'm making a difference.

:patriot:

NGU.

[Swamp Rat]

4. SUPPORT FEINGOLD!!! ... SUPPORT CENSURE!!!

STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT!!!

SUPPORT FEINGOLD!!!

:patriot:

[Gabi Hayes]

24. yeah baby!

Yeah

get a spine!

[Tigress DEM]

26. Some DEMS want more than censure...

they want to dig in and get the whole truth.... in hopes of grounds for impeachment?

Do you know if the censure goes through if that will become, "Oh, my God, he's already been censured, what more do you people want?" I mean will the rethugs be able to subvert an actual impeachment by whining if *ush gets censured?

If we can have both, fine; but I'm more for getting the lout out of there than slapping him on the wrist.

[Swamp Rat]

38. Yes, but I don't give a fuck what republicans say.

I want Bush censured.

I want Bush impeached.

I want Bush imprisoned.

Nothing less will satisfy me.

Censure is step #1.

[Tigress DEM]

42. I can understand that.

Again, all I'm saying is that if we can have both censure and impeachment - hell yes.

If it comes down to one or the other, I'd have to go with impeachment.

All I'm really worried about is that if the censure resolution works like "double jeopardy" does and it would count as him serving time for the crimes. I want him out of there, not just sitting in the corner with a dunce cap on.

Know what I mean?

[Swamp Rat]

51. Yeah, I understand what you mean.

I want to try all of the above (peacefully, if possible) in order to remove those monsters from our White House and Congress.

Right now, worrying about what republicans think and say is a waste of energy... that's my attitude of late, anyway.

[MissWaverly]

50. I doubt they will impeach

I can just hear them now we have to have time to investigate properly and it's already
07 and 08 is an election year, why divide the country, divert our energies away from
electing a democratic prez and when we finished our investigation, we would only get him out of office 3 months early, why bother, why spoil our chances for 08. Whine, Whine, Whine

the problem is this president has exceeded his authority and has done things that
we should account to the world for, if we do not, we pay all be paying a very
high price tag for the rest of our lives.

[dorktv]

54. Answer: Dick Cheney

[mattclearing]

83. Any impeachment of Bush will take down Cheney as well.

Win back that House and you have President Pelosi.

[MissWaverly]

88. Heard, Rove is tattlling on Cheney

I heard that Rove is the source for the (newly discovered) 150 e-mails from Cheney's Office,
he is "co-operating" with Fitzgerald. You know what that means!!!!!

[tlsmith1963]

52. I Heard...

...that Republicans are planning to "scare" voters by saying that if the Democrats get a majority in Congress they will impeach Bush. Damn right we will! And since more & more people are fed up with Bush, it's possible that the Repubs' strategy will backfire (if they don't try their old standby--stealing the election).

Tammy

[fooj]

86. BWAHAHAHA! They think that will SCARE Americans?

Are you kidding? Hell, it would make people line up in the streets to sign up for it.

Finally, Little Lord Pissypants becomes a UNITER and not a DIVIDER!

Impeach the treasonous, rat bastard NOW!

Peace.

[tomp]

74. i'll vote for any candidate who includes in his/her platform...

... the solemn vow to bring to justice the bush administration for all their crimes, including the theft of 2000, 2002, 2004 and 9/11. if we win in 2006 or 2008 and let bush slide like we (i mean ford) let nixon slide we are just as doomed as if we let the repubs win. the legal pursuit of bush et al is absolutely fundamental to the preservation/reinstitution of democracy. any candidate not on board with that will do us no good, imho.

edit: i realize the above may be a little obtuse relative to the original post. to clarify: i have no obligation to register as part of, or work for the improvement of, or support any particular party. that's not part of the deal. i believe as a citizen i have the obligation to engage in the public debate, to let my elected representatives know how i feel and what i think. i believe voting is optional. i believe it is the obligation of the vote seeker to win my vote. if i see no acceptable candidate i have the option to withhold my vote.

to me, everything else sounds like apologia for corruption in the democratic party. if YOU want to help the democratic party win my vote, by all means go ahead and try. but i don't feel the obligation suggested by the op.

[madokie]

31. Kick the bastards, repukes, while they're down, they do no less to us dems

[Tigress DEM]

39. Only if you're kicking them OUT.

I'm sick of their whining when they are down and being kicked. Being mad at them is fine, but kicking them while they are down is only going to generate sympathy for them by people who don't know what sick and evil bastards they are.

Save your boots, get a group and find a way to pick them up out of their filthy lies and ride them out on a rail. Impeach, imprison, impune away.... hold them up to the light of day and get their deeds noted and bring on the prosecution.

Make them pay for this with their political lives. These awful people who have been swindling Americans for all this time don't deserve to do a little pennance with getting their asses kicked off and handed to them. They must be so thoroughly exposed for their crimes that they are dumped out of the political arena and NEVER allowed to return.

Locked up in jail. Turned into laughingstocks forever. Put into the position to HOPE that guy from Burger King will give them a job.

What these assholes need is a taste of real life, living in the real world without the protection of billionaire friends who will take the blame if you shoot them in the face.

[Swamp Rat]

40. Kick them, punch them, completely destroy them!

I want to destroy the republican party!!!

[niceypoo]

5. Yes to all of the above....

And yes, they are as spineless as a jellyfish

[DanCa]

6. Thank you for doing something...

Note at first I was going to rip into this post than I read it. I am glad I did because I agree with it 100 percent. If people dont like the direction of the party than do something to change it. Great post . :thumbsup:

[crispini]

10. Heh, I thought I might

get a few eyeballs that way. :evilgrin: :rofl:

And thank you for all of the good lobbying work you do! :thumbsup:

[skipos]

7. You have to own the house before you make the renovations

I think it will be far easier for democrats to push to the left and get things done when we have our majorities back. That's why I am working for dems on 06 in MI and OH. I don't think I have made a "I am fed up with the dems" type post yet.

[ClassWarrior]

9. That's a beautiful analogy.

May I use it?

NGU.

[skipos]

12. I think I got it from someone else on DU,

so be my guest! :hi:

[Warpy]

15. That is partially true

but most Democrats at the local level who have tried to volunteer over the past few years and been told "write a check, don't let the door smack ya.." don't believe a word of it. They don't think there will be any change until and unless there is a change in leadership, that Dean alone won't be able to do it, that something drastic has to happen within the party to toss out all the entrenched conservatives and their anitlabor, procorporate, anti grassroots philosophy.

Owning the house isn't much fun if you're legally obligated to house a bunch of relatives you don't like very much.

[Jane Austin]

18. "Most Democrats . . . who have tried to volunteer . . . told . . . don't

let the door smack ya . . . ."

I've seen one regular poster who has written about about an entrenched local party, and I don't doubt her a bit; but it sure hasn't been my experience and I haven't seen many others writing about that.

I was welcomed with open arms when we moved out here and my ideas and participation were just as welcome as my "warm body".

Most local Dem organizations are so small, that if you rounded up a couple of carloads of your friends, you could take over. :)

[crispini]

20. Confusing state, local and federal parties.....

A pretty common problem here on DU and one that I have in fact sort of taken advantage of in my OP in order to make my point. You are correct, as a local activist there are only a few ways to make a difference in the national party. One of them is to get elected to the DNC. You'd have to have a pretty long history of local activism in order to take that step, though. However, your local county party is usually a pretty small place and it's pretty easy to effect change. Don't believe me? I've seen leadership changes happen locally in a fairly short period of time. Local politics can be quite entertaining. :D

[Tigress DEM]

23. It takes transparrent elections to get that job done....

One thing I would like to see is US getting AHEAD of the crap and being prepared for 2006 by knowing:

1) WHO IS COUNTING THE VOTES?
2) Do they have conflicts of interest?
3) Is there a money trail?
4) How can we be certain that voter registration will run fairly for all?
5) Who and what is on the ballot and is there a simple way to get that out locally ahead of time so people can take time to be informed?
6) Can we trust our voting equipment?
7) WHERE'S MY PAPER TRAIL?




Personally, there are some DEMS I have issues with, but every day I see more and more reasons to be proud.

Just today I saw a DEM on Wolf Blitzer keep on track with finding out why we have a climate of secrecy shrouding just about everything in this administration. The repuke who was on was attacking the NYT again for telling the truth about *ush's super secret program to spy on American's.)

Since when are the American People "the enemy"?

Since the administration decided to destroy the country and don't like anyone pointing it out.

People who have done no wrong become the enemy of the state when the state decides to do wrong and hide it. Plain and simple.

[crispini]

27. Why not join your local league of women voters?

They're pretty good. I for one can answer all of your questions about my county, mostly thanks to my involvement with them.

[Tigress DEM]

34. I'll check it out. Gotta do something.

It just keeps occurring to me that we DEMS say we need to take back our seats, and we still aren't covering the bases that allow the votes to count.

It's great to support wonderful people who can make a difference, but Gore and Kerry won and they still didn't get their rightful seats. Diebold et al won't sell their machines to Ion Sanchez in Florida because he proved their shit stinks. Only problem is those who won't deal with him are the only "authorized" dealers of equipment. His whole county could be without the means to vote because he's proven systematic cheating exists.

With this administration's MO and looking back over the last 30 years of entrenchment and corruption, I have to wonder if this isn't just the tip of the iceberg? I wonder if everyone should double check their own area and make sure we have all the bases covered for fair elections to take place so that whatever vote is cast by a valid voter is counted and then not manipulated afterward.

What if (for example) it were proved that Texas isn't actually as RED as it seems and has been more of a PURPLE - divided on some specific issues. Say that those willing to stoop to corruption there have had the foresite and ability to manipulate the counting of the votes and the feed of information to the media for a long time?

Before 2004 if you had told me that a DEM Mayor of St Paul would take money from the RNC and support a Republican candidate over a valid DEM candidate for pRes, I would have looked at you like you were daft. But FORMER Mayor Randy Kelly did just that. If it can happen in true blue MN, it can happen anywhere.

[crispini]

36. Yes, we need more transparent elections.

Common Cause is good, too; they were 'thisclose' to getting a good paper ballot bill out of the our state elections committee last fall when the annoying R chair torpedoed it.

Our party is becoming more and more aware at least at the grassroots. Several precincts passed this resolution and it will be going on to State:

A RESOLUTION
IN SUPPORT OF H.R.2239 AND S.1980
WHEREAS the Help America Vote Act of 2002 began a rush by states to purchase new voting technology, and
WHEREAS computer-based systems are subject to errors, breakdowns, and design flaws; computer based systems inherently cannot be secured to the extent required to protect voting integrity; and source code may not be available for public inspection, and
WHEREAS this new voting technology provides no assurance that the voter's vote was recorded as the voter intended, and no means for conducting a meaningful recount of the ballots, and
WHEREAS there is technology available that is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities and also allows voters to verify their paper ballots before they are cast, and
WHEREAS electronic voting machines have proven to be unreliable, since in recent months voters in Fairfax County, VA, Broward County, FL, and elsewhere have had their votes changed on electronic voting machines or not had their votes counted at all on new voting technology, and these problems have resulted in a lawsuit due to the lack of ability to do recounts/audits; and
WHEREAS there are bills in both houses of the United States Congress that will address these problems.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the ____________ _______endorses the passage of H.R.2239 and S.1980; The Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2003.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:
Voting systems in Texas be prohibited for purchase by the State and its Counties unless they -
• Incorporate a voter verified physical ballot, deposited at the polling place in a secure ballot box or delivered by the US Postal Service;
• Operate such that the voter is able to void a ballot and cast a new one;
• Maintain the anonymity of the voter; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:
Elections systems management policies and rules be established in and for Texas and its counties that -
• Establish that physical ballots have precedence over electronic data as the true copy of voter intent for recounts when required by statute or if challenged: and
• Require random checks of the physical ballots against the computer system totals for system audit purposes.

[liveoaktx]

8. Yup! Working to change it

from the grassroots

[Wickerman]

11. precinct chair here

County convention in two weeks. Had two resolutions that passed at the City level - restore Medicare funding and no to allowing vote on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Hope to see them both forwarded to state.

Hope to see many others from DU chime in to this list. I hope we are ALL active and not just part of the 101 fighting keyboarders.

[crispini]

13. Hey, precinct chair!

:yourock:

[Wickerman]

16. It's a small town

and largely Republican, but the DFL (Dem) numbers are growing. With little activity we were nearly 45% in 2004. I plan to push hard this year (1st year) and get things moving and see if we can't get to 50%.

[crispini]

17. What are you using for voter management?

I have 500 strong Dems in my excel spreadsheet but that's only with one round of blockwalking in 2004. There are actually 2500 registered voters in my precinct. I think I'm going to have to learn a little something about real databases if I don't want this to get too crazy... but I'm just lazy and I know how to work Excel...

[Wickerman]

37. I just inherited the Excel files

but will probably start using Crystal Reports to do uh, the reports. Word for mailings. Primative.

I just know that a LOT more has to happen here than has in the past. I find it amazing how unmotivated folks are this year, being an "off" year. Good luck - if I find anything that works well I'll share - do the same, kay?

Thanks for this thread.
:toast:

[CanonRay]

14. In Colorado

...we kicked out the old State chair last year who was very corporate. Last week I got a pro-censure resolution through our caucus and believe it will pass the county assembly. I plan to fight for it at the State Assembly in May. Take that, Harry Reid!

[crispini]

21. Good job!

It seems like our state parties are often a LOT more liberal than the national party platform is. My state party platform is pretty far left -- and I'm in Texas!

[JNelson6563]

19. Whoooo-hoooo!!!!!!!

Bravo!! Excellent post!! :toast:

[Talismom]

22. Spending time I don't have to support the progressive dems of america

(www.pdamerica.org)and back their efforts to take the party back from the beltway bandits!

[ClassWarrior]

28. God bless you for that.

:patriot:

Never Give Up.

[Talismom]

56. Thanks so much for the supportive words. They make a big difference--

really feels good to be encouraged by like-minded people.

[ClassWarrior]

58. I hear ya.

PDA is doing God's work. I'm glad you're so dedicated to it.

NGU.

[NMDemDist2]

25. in spite of plans to move before the election, I am on the House party

committee for Herb Paine www.paineforcongress.org against John Shadegg and have already contacted the County Chair of the new town where I'm moving.

As a house committee person, I contact people who have expressed an interest in hosting a party, I assist them with invitations, setup and make the big push for donations after the candidate speaks, then try and get more folks to sign up for more parties.....

and so it goes.

I fully expected to be hitting the streets all fall (and plan to do the door knocking 4/29 for Dean in my neighborhood)

In fact, I'll probably still be hitting the streets all fall, just in a different state.

5 hours a month people, 5 hours a month!! make a difference!

[crispini]

29. 4/29 door knocking....

How did you get hooked into them? I got the email asking for funds but so far have not heard how or where I can sign up to actually distribute the flyers?

[NMDemDist2]

30. when the call came out last week, the site said "Watch for updates

on how to get involved"

so I'm watching for updates :rofl:

I'll probably call my State HQ in a week or so and go get the hangers. A nice stroll in April around the neighborhood will do me good!

[welshTerrier2]

32. fair question - here's my answer ..

i'm in Massachusetts ... we have a GREAT party platform here ... it contains a strongly worded anti-war message ... i fully support the platform ...

and, yes, i'm politically active in the local party ... i'm an elected delegate to my State Party's convention ...

and, i'm giving very serious consideration to leaving the Party ... this doesn't mean i don't strongly support selected Democrats; i do ... my Congressman, Jim McGovern is one of the very best in the Congress ... and i'm working to elect local and statewide progressive candidates ...

but something is REALLLLLLLLLY broken in DC ... even so called liberals like Kennedy and Kerry have continued to vote for more war funding ... your question is a fair one; am i doing enough to change the direction ... with each passing day, the phrase "falling on deaf ears" seems to be yelling louder and louder ... i just see a Party that doesn't want to hear from its constituents unless we send a check and agree with them ...

a poll posted yesterday on DU said that something like 2/3 of Democrats want a speedy end to war ... and then i read articles about how Democrats are "coalescing" around a plan to have all troops out of Iraq by the end of 2007!!!!! 2007? yeah, i'll "coalesce" behind that ...

we need major reforms in our party ... we need to demand that our elected reps spend regular time in their districts at FREE, PUBLIC events and not just fundraisers ... they need to stop taking our votes for granted ... and we need to tell them in no uncertain terms that we will not continue to support them and vote for them if they fail to do their jobs and they fail to represent us ... they don't even show up in public to make their own case let alone listen to what the little people have to say ... they're invisible ...

the "yeah, but they're better than republicans" is exactly what's getting old ... we know they are ... the problem is that they aren't honoring the democratic process and they aren't adequately aware of the needs and preferences of their constituents ... it's time to let them know that our money and our votes will be going elsewhere or nowhere if they don't shape up ... if we just keep supporting them i see no incentive for them to change ...

[crispini]

35. The age old problem, party vs. elected officials.

When you're mad at Kennedy and Kerry and Reid, be mad at THEM. I too see a problem at the very top with some of our leadership and elected officials. For me, continued support of my local and state parties is a way to raise future leaders to take their place.

I don't know what to do about our federal level elected officials who don't do what the grassroots want. Part of that is a leadership problem, in that whoever is in charge has a tough job of cat-hearding and really has to figure out how to better bring the caucus together. And maybe part of it is your solution is in your post, making them more accountable to their consituents.

I guess for me personally I haven't give it a lot of thought since most of my elected officials representing me are Repubs, so I mostly want to get them OUT. I have one Democrat representing me because of a little creative gerrymandering, and she's a fighting liberal member of the Congressional Black Caucus who votes exactly the way I would, bless her. :D

But being angry at the party organization like the DNC for the shenanigans of elected officials is like kicking the cat 'cause the dog pissed on your carpet, IMO.

[Acebass]

33. I like the way you talk!...do somethin or shut up...n/t

[SeattleGirl]

41. Right on, crispini!

My thoughts exactly, and in fact, I often say things like you what you have said to people who moan and groan about Democratic party, especially about Democratic politicians. It's not just up to THEM to do something. If one considers oneself a Democrat, then it is up to them too, to do something. Speak up and speak out, folks. Let your Senators and Representatives know you're not happy with them or with something they did or did not do. And tell them often. Don't vote for them next time. Get involved with the Party on a local level. Run for office or volunteer for someone who is.

It's not just up to THEM, folks. It's up to US too!

[Patsy Stone]

43. K&R!

:woohoo: Great rant!

[derby378]

44. I made a similar challenge to DUers a month or two ago

I told everyone that if you don't like where the Democratic Party is going, GET OFF YOUR ASS.

We learned a hard lesson with our defeat in 2004. If we want change within the Democratic Party, we can't get that change by simply throwing money at it. We actually have to get in the party and start working the changes from within, starting at the ground level and working our way up to the top.

In short, we have to DU the Democratic Party.

Two years ago, I was just another DU activist, but I became a precinct delegate and then a senatorial delegate. That was a start. My wife took it even further - she went to the state convention as an alternate, and got promoted to full delegate at the convention.

Now it's my turn. Not only have I become a precinct chair, I'm heading to State as an alternate, while my wife has been elected an honest-to-God delegate. So, little by little, I'm getting further into the machine. And I have a few folks at DU to thank for showing me the ropes, including crispini and TexasThoughtCriminal.

The primaries in Texas and Illinois are now history. That's two states down. The rest of you DUers in the other 48 states have no excuse if you want to start changing the Democratic Party starting at the local level. Indiana, North Carolina, and Ohio - you guys are next. Your primary is in early May, so get the hell up and get cracking. Get educated on the candidates and their views on the issues. Get involved in your local party structure. Get off your fucking asses and get out there.

Because we cannot change the Democratic Party unless all of us across America take part.

[Hissyspit]

46. And it hasn't been forgotten!

Did you add the thread to your journal?

[derby378]

49. Yep, it's in there

I'll probably have to get a little aggressive with other folks on here who keep saying "Oh, boo-hoo, I'm leaving the Democratic Party because I can't be bothered to participate in it." If I can do it, so can they. They have no excuse.

[SomewhereOutThere424]

45. Yes, I am part of the solution.

I actively write senators my feelings; not just insults and a few replies but deep rooted and thoughtful emails or letters and have sometimes even recieved replies my ideas have been considered and have helped to get the right thing done.

In insulting the dems -- I do good all its own. Because if I just sat back and patted them on the back for failure I teach them failure is okay. Teaching your officials failure is okay when failure can mean your life and livlihood is by far more detrimental than being a false optimist with political delusions of party grandeur.

I have not conformed to any idealogy regardless how often I am insulted for my views. In that, I stand to aid not just today's battles but the futures aswell. Selling out just because you're currently on a democratic forum and don't want to cause an uproar is silly. They're all human. They shouldn't get away with the 'we make mistakes like everyone else' routine anymore. They are in office so they won't make mistakes normal people might in interpreting the constitution and helping to keep this country safe and prosperous. They are in office to be our warriors on the political field against a horde of angry, lunatic crusaders. They should not simply give in and smile, neither should we.

[Justice Is Comin]

47. The problem is the deck of cards

that WE have to play with though. Our two leaders are like a DVD on pause. They blow my mind. How many times does the opposing team have to practically beg you to score a touchdown by constantly giving you the ball?

The goal post is -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->THAT way Reid and Pelosi. Don't stand there like a Goddamn mental patients.

[Emit]

48. Going to mine, too, next month -- Las Vegas, Nevada n/t

[MadHound]

53. Been there, done that, again and again and again and again. . .

And still got the DLC and a corporate controlled party to show for it.

Until we seperate corporate money from politics, via publicly funded election campaigns, the only voice that the Democratic party will consistently follow is that of Corporate and Big Money America. Yes, there are exceptions, especially on the local level. However statewide and national politics especially is where the golden rule is gospel, but I'm not talking about the gospel golden rule. No, I'm talking about whoever has the gold in politics rules.

Now this is an issue that we can work on piecemeal, here and there. Four state have already initiated this measure to one degree or another. But if we do so on a state by state basis, it will take us forever. Only twenty three states in the country can put issues like this up to the people on a ballot via initiative petition. The rest have to push the issue via their state legislative process. Or we can try to push through something through nationally, perhaps an amendment.

But the spectre leaning over any of this is will there be politicians of courage who would take this on? Sadly, in both of the major parties bringing this issue to the forefront is to commit political suicide. And the few courageous politicians who would rally to this cause would be cast aside, cast out, and cast away. Again, corporate money would see to that.

But sadly it is this reform that is neccessary before any ofther reform. Until corporate money is taken out of our government, the controlling hand will be Corporate America, no matter whether the Dems or the 'Pugs are in power. Welcome to the Second Gilded Age.

[Greyhound]

55. "Things fall apart, the center cannot hold..."

You are right and there is little that can be done. Nothing can really change until the $ is forced out and the only people that con force it out are those that will be hurt the most, unlikely at best.

Maybe it can be rebuilt as it was in '32. :kick:

[crispini]

59. Yes, and we have to work on this as best we can.

We passed a resolution calling for public funding of elections at our Senatorial district. Not much but as best as I can do as an individual activist.

[harpo]

73. then nominate candidates who won't take pac money

[TexasThoughtCriminal]

57. Amen, Amen, Amen! K&R

It's far easier to take over a party (the Xtian Coalition did) than it is to build a 3rd party from scratch or to run Independent candidates. Our Democratic Party Rules are actually pretty democratic (though sometimes imperfectly adhered to) and prescribe its direction from the bottom grassroots up to the top. It may take a few election cycles for changes to percolate through, but sitting on your butt and whining will bring about change... never!

[mistertrickster]

60. Damn right, Crispy! Look at what the radical right did for the Repukes.

The radical leftists (that's us) can do the same thing FOR GOOD that they did for evil.

But you've got to do the hard work of organizing and getting involved.

[Singular73]

61. Not time for offense yet.

Impeach and Censure all you want when we have the majority back.

Political suicide to give them issues to solidify their base with.

[ClassWarrior]

62. Wrong.

Read EarlG's excellent take on the "impeachment solidifies the RW base" meme:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2517089&mesg_id=2517089

NGU.

[jsamuel]

63. no, what political suicide is, is to ignore democratic principles and

destroy OUR base because we are scared of theirs...

stupid 2002/2004 politics...

[Singular73]

77. Look at the recent polls

I would agree with you if the American people didn't want Dems in charge by a landslide.

Why do you think they've been baiting Reed on the impeachment issue.

Look, this country is stupid enough to vote these guys into power based on issues like Gays, Guns, God, etc...

Don't let them strawman another issue.

There is no advantage.

Dems need to hit issues like immigration and Health care hard. Its enough.

[jsamuel]

87. and the polls went up for Dems when Feingold came out for censure

and when Reid shut down the senate for accountability
and when dems filibustered the patriot act
and when dems filibustered alito


when we stick up for democratic principles, our poll numbers go up...


We need to give people an alternative vision from Republicans and acting like Republicans only makes us seem weak/stupid/wishy-washy.


Impeachment is not a bad issue for Dems, don't shy away. However, we will not be able to actually ACT until we have the house, so we can't start anything anyway. The only ones who can right now are repubs.

[ClassWarrior]

65. "I don't see any serious evidence of that."

Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat, insists his proposal has nothing to do with his political ambitions. But he does challenge Democrats who argue it will help energize Republicans.

"Those Democrats said that within two minutes of my announcing my idea," Feingold said in a telephone interview last week. "I don't see any serious evidence of that."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1769200

NGU.

[debbierlus]

64. I am a delegate, a member of the local committee, and I am fed up

To high heaven with the leadership of this party.

They betrayed us HORRIBLY on Alito. They PROMISED they would not allow an extremist judge on the bench. They rolled over.

I am only with the dems because I plan to help infiltrate the party with true progressives.

There are some tremendous dems.

But, as a party they are scattered, wishy-washy, and ineffective.

They roll over on the most important issues. TWO STOLEN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS and they won't even TALK about it (with the exception of a few of the tremendous dems I noted above).

If that is not cowardice, I don't know what the hell is...

[progressoid]

66. Hear Hear!

I saw myself as an armchair quarterback (or internet quarterback I suppose). It was time to stop whining and get in the game.

I'll be at the district convention next month and am going to work like hell to get rid of out douche bag representative.

[Maven]

67. Posts like this are just as perennial and just as much nonsense

I've been involved with my local Democratic Party since I was old enough to vote. You don't have to run for office to contribute.

Many Dems *have* been pretty spineless lately, and people like to vent. Big deal. Every time one of these trends comes around, there's inevitably a "be a part of the solution" post like this in response, like someone's going to read it and go "OH, I didn't think about doing that..." :rant:

[ClassWarrior]

68. This isn't just about "contributing."

It's about getting involved. Please take your spite somewhere else.

NGU.

[Maven]

69. I AM involved on a daily basis.

I WORK at a civil-rights-related legal organization. It's my life, hence I don't have much TIME to complain. Please don't assume you know what people are doing to "get involved" because they're not running for the school board or the state legislature.

I meant to demonstrate that the OP was intended merely as an ego massage to certain activists who see themselves are more "righteous" and "involved" than others.

Thank you for proving my point, and have a nice day.

[ClassWarrior]

71. The OP was about the Dem Party...

...not "a civil-rights-related legal organization." (Civil rights related? Reminds me of a local restaurant that advertises "chicken flavored noodle soup...)

Anyway, I'm not the one with the sneering, spiteful attitude. I'm simply the one who politely asked you to take it elsewhere.

NGU.

[Maven]

78. No, you're the one with the snide and condescending attitude.

The organization focuses on civil rights. It is, however, a legal advocacy organization. Hence "civil-rights-related."

Really, how dare you.

[crispini]

75. People need to be reminded.

Really, they do. There are new people who sign on to DU every day and they need to be told, often explicitly, that they should go out and get involved.

I needed to be told. Dean told me, and I listened.

[Stephanie]

70. I am a member of my Democratic County Committee (duly elected!)

and I am volunteering for my Democratic Senate candidate, Jonathan Tasini, a progressive, anti-war candidate running against Hillary in New York.

www.tasinifornewyork.org

[crispini]

79. Yay! Good for you Stephanie! nt

[KoKo]

72. Yes...involved in all of the above.....

right now...I'm kind of sick of the spinelessness and lack of support for the Conyers/Barbara Lee's/Feingold/Boxer, etc. wing of the party.

I think it's because I'm involved and have seen the spinelessness that I'm feeling kind of down.

[crispini]

80. Yes, our national leaders are sometimes disappointing.

But hasn't your involvement locally borne some fruit you can be proud of? I know that I have personally seen the results of my involvement.

[Texaroo]

76. Very disillusioned, but happier now...

...that I have found others in Texas who feel the same way I do. I feel that this great state was hijacked by a bunch of midwestern carpetbaggers during corporate relocations to Texas in the 1980's. They were joined by the likes of Carol KMRS, Phil Gramm, Rick Perry, and the other turncoats who used the GOP as a meal ticket, and who made it OK to celebrate being a bigot.

I have been a politically active Dem since I was 5 years old, going door-to-door distributing flyers against GHW Bush. I survived being in the family of 1 of only 3 libs in a Wallacite precinct in the late 60's, in the state HQ for the Klan, John Birch Society, and the American Nazi Party (yep - "wonderful" town). I spent a decade in public service, including time coordinating with Shrub's staff on "charitable choice" (sandbagging just about every chance I got to prevent state funds from being used improperly). W had the most cynical rise of any modern leader, blatantly financed by a neo-con oligarch who made his money from investing on behalf of an old-time oil family, buying him a share of the Texas Rangers so that they could get a nice publicly financed stadium and enrich themselves personally at taxpayers' expense (an unbroken pattern).

Texas Dems have plenty of support, but they have been WORTHLESS for about 15 years, either cowering by not running candidates, capitulating (like on illegal redistricting) or just being ridiculous (like installing a former GOP'r as Chair, who couldn't do anything but whine and be outrageous). In Texas, it's kind of crazy to have allowed the Democratic Party to be called "liberal" - save for a couple of anomalies, it has not been that traditionally.

So what do we do? I live in District 22 (one of the folks that Tom DeLay redistricted just so he could represent me). Every time I put a yard sign out, some redneck numbnuts drives through my yard to knock it down. Frankly, I would rather have Kinky Friedman as Governor just for the novelty of it - to show what a joke Bush's background and "experience" are. Chris Bell is hardly a "charismatic leader," but he does remind me of the older-style Texas Dem, fiscally conservative, but tolerant. The sad truth is that the position of Governor is not strong enough - we need to retake the Congressional delegation and target the Lt. Gov. to make a difference

We need to "out" Perry for the idiot hitman of realtors and other lobbies that he is. We need to get in the face of the GOP leadership of the house and senate on school refinance, and show what failures they have been. We need to consistently point to the new "fees" that have been enacted since Bush became Governor, all at the hands of the GOP, and call them TAXES. We need to point to the corrupt breaks that businesses in Texas have received directly as a result of supporting the GOP.
We don't need a frigging novelty act to stand up to the GOP - we just need to shine a brighter light on them with credible, factual statements, pointing out that even they are fracturing (Strayhorn) and USING THAT AGAINST THEM.

I have tried to be active with the local Democratic party, but it is stodgy, outdated in its approach, and has very few ideas. I haven't seen the progressive arm for quite some time. The old guard still controls the agenda, is unwilling to take risks, and fails to moderate comments for practical appeal to the public. We have PLENTY of ammo to mount a charge, but I haven't found many captains. Where are they???

[crispini]

81. Yay, Texas!

Please come by the Texas forum here on DU for tea and sympathy (and strategy sessions) with your fellow Texas Dems! :toast: Will you be joining us in Fort Worth in June for the State Convention?

[Texaroo]

82. Gladly, but alas...

...I am not convention-bound. I DO have an idea or two, though!

[crispini]

84. You'll find us here....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=180

A lively and fun Texas crew! :toast:

[derby378]

93. Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[WilliamPitt]

85. *koff*

http://www.pdamerica.org

[sandnsea]

89. People like you

ran people like me out. So good luck to you. I hope your incessant bitching and negativity wins over the voters.

[crispini]

90. What on earth does this have to do with the OP?

Please point out how a request -- nay, a call to arms -- for people to get involved can be characterized as "incessant bitching and negativity"? Thanks.

[NoPasaran]

95. Damn your incessant activism and organizing!

You're driving this party straight out of the ground!

[crispini]

104. Snarf snarf snarf!

:hug: :loveya:

[sandnsea]

"dems are spineless" "I've had it with them"

Sick to fucking death of listening to that shit. If you think that kind of bitching is going to win over voters, knock yourself out. It didn't work in my local elections, when the "grassroots organizer" was going to show us how it was done. And lost his election, but won't shut up. I quit going. I can't stand meetings that are nothing but incessant bitching and repeating every idiotic Democratic attack that comes down the pike, from the left, the right, doesn't matter to the Dem bashers.

[apollo56]

98. I agree with you - be united not saying how bad things are!

If we don't get our act together the Dem will go down and that means compromise for all people in the party and not just the nuts who come up with statements that they hate the Dem. It will take all of us to come together to get things down. I am so surprised at some of the extreme people on this site and that is one of the main problems now. They are not willing to give or take!

[crispini]

105. Um, did you read the OP?

It wasn't about bitching, it was about, If you are going to bitch, why not get out and start organizing and show 'em how it's done.

[sandnsea]

109. I already have that

All those bitchers that you want to show up at the local Dem party? I've got them, thank you very much. If they want to "take back the party", more power to them. I'll be waiting for them to win an election, which they haven't done yet.

[TexasThoughtCriminal]

96. Some people are only happy when they're unhappy

You know the type... Bitch about the darkness rather than flip on a light. Whine about no food in the fridge rather than go to the store. Gripe about the Democratic Party rather than jump in and help. When things get back to normal in this country (no thanks to them), they'll find something else to bitch about.
:eyes:

[sandnsea]

97. Like the OP and the rest of the Dem bashers

Always whining about the "spineless Dems". Fuck 'em. I can't sit in the same room with them anymore. I call my local Dem leader, get a private list, and do my own GOTV work. I don't need to listen to this incessant bitching to help win elections.

[mattclearing]

103. Did you not notice that this post was against pointless Dem bashers?

You seem like you might have more in common with the OP than you realize.

[sandnsea]

108. It was encouraging pointless Dem bashers

to go to their local meetings and take back the party. My local party is full of them, which is why I left. All they do when they show up is bitch and whine and repeat their "spineless Dem" shit at the local level. I get enough of that on DU, sure don't neet to listen to 3 solid hours of it several times a month.

[mattclearing]

110. It takes a little while to learn the ropes and be productive.

You'd think you'd be happy to get some fresh blood into the works. At least people are interested.

[TexasThoughtCriminal]

111. LOL, guess what sandnsea, we're all on the same page!

Notice that in the OP, the "spineless Democrats" rant was in quotes. Crispini was making fun of complainers; that was not her own voice. So you and she share the same views.:hug:

[mattclearing]

92. LOL. Good riddance. n/t

[apollo56]

99. Stop hating and join us to get things done!

xx

[mattclearing]

101. You know nothing of me.

I'm just heckling someone who clearly deserves it.

The only hate I have is hating it when DU'ers assume they know something about me.

[mattclearing]

100. .

[derby378]

94. Hah?

How is what crispini doing in the OP "negative?" I'd like to know, too.

:popcorn:

[mattclearing]

107. SnS clearly has a grudge that doesn't have much to do with this thread.

;)

[0007]

91. Remember to remember, it's all about taking back one vote

at a time.

Keep a stiff upper lip, young lady.

[cynatnite]

102. Hey, I'm allowed to bitch

:)

I do get frustrated with them at times, but I keep going. I still write letters, make phone calls and fire off some emails. I couldn't look in the mirror otherwise if I didn't do all I could.

[crispini]

106. Amen, baby!

Bitch all you want & let yer hair down in the bar :beer: and then get back up the next day and kick'em in the ass! :loveya:

[tulip]

112. Yes I'm attending my state conv.

.....as well as the JJ dinner. So far I'm the only one in Indiana going from DU. Am hoping there will be more from Indiana who will read this post and make the decision to go to one or the other. My presence may not change Hoosier Democrats but it's a start. No looking back only forward.

Thanks for the post.

[musical_soul]

113. I know what I'm going to do about it.

I'm gonna bust my butt in it so I can be taken seriously when I want things to go in my direction. The party won't listen to those screaming from the outside.