A PROPOSAL TO SAVE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
I've tried to get the attribution for this message below, but was not able to find out who wrote it.
Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com
A PROPOSAL TO SAVE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY:
Instead of spending $500 million dollars on TV commercials every 4 years, why doesn't the Democratic Party start using its money to open neighborhood offices that help people with day-to-day problems like getting their heat turned back on, or finding a lawyer, or getting something to eat? I'm not talking about political offices that open up a few months before an election and annoy people with a bunch of phone calls. I'm talking about permanent offices where people can get real help for real problems. Finding a doctor. Getting a tutor for their kids. A gym for kids to play ball in after school.
You know what you've got if you build something like this?
A recognizable brand, that's what you've got.
A trusted brand.
A political party that's known for rolling up its sleeves and getting its hands dirty and making a difference in people's lives. A political party that's not corrupt. A political party that's a palpable force - instead of simply another disposable consumer product being hawked on TV every few years.
True loyalty comes out of stuff like this, a loyalty that can't be swayed by glib 30 second entreaties. This is the politics of the real, not a reality show.
When you stop and think about the system we have now, it's completely stupid: a bunch of new hairdo's comes along every 4 years with a bunch of focus-grouped "issues" and the media puts on a reality show that results in... nothing! Nothing but revenue for TV stations! And, of course, another big thumbs up for one of the two wings of the ruling party. After it's all over, the losing hairdo skulks off in infamy to grow a beard or write his memoirs or lobby for some corporation - and the status quo tightens its grip.
I'm sick of it. We`re all sick of it.
Imagine a city street. Imagine an old storefront, refurbished and redecorated. Imagine a neon sign that says "Democratic Party Headquarters." Inside is a wireless internet cafe, bulletin boards, volunteers manning help desks. Maybe there's a cafeteria in there, maybe a health clinic, a child care center. Whatever it is, it's real people, together, helping each other, creating a community. Using the money they raise to make a real difference in the neighborhoods where they live. And giving people the tools for Democracy. Imagine hundreds of these places, all over the country, where people can meet and talk and plan and organize.
Hey, maybe it's my Chicago roots coming back.
Ask Soros to help. Michael Moore. Barbra Streisand. Clooney. All the usual Hollywood honchos. Steve Jobs.
How about "Newman's Own Democracy Cafes," with good organic food and nutritious political information.
"Ben and Kerry's."
Whatever.
Make the Democratic Party a grassroots movement. And make sure you open offices in rural areas. Bush policies hurt rural economies even more than they hurt cities.
Thousands of people donated millions of dollars to get Kerry elected, and what did we get for our money? TV commercials. Air! Poof, it's gone!
Why not ask people to donate to something lasting, that does real good, and has political clout as a result? I know I'd rather give money for this kind of real political action than the Theatre of the Absurd we have now. Sure, this smacks of old-fashioned machine politics. So what? What have we got now? Nothing but an advertising campaign with no product, just promises, promises, promises. It works for the corporations and the giant media conglomerates. But it's worthless for everybody else The creation of neighborhood Democratic Party Headquarters could be the tactic that finally evens the playing field with the Republican's use of churches.
Say what you will about right wing churches - but if one of their flock needs something to eat, they can at least usually get a hot meal. That's more than you can say for the great progressive party of the New Deal and the Great Society. When's the last time the Democratic Party ever fed anybody - let alone found them a job?
Sure, the wingnuts will call it demogoguery. They'll call it a return to machine politics. They'll say Democrats are buying votes. Good!
Let `em say it all they want! The point is, when you help people, they don't forget it. And with what is coming our way now, people are gonna be needing all the help they can get.
What do you think?
Much merit here...who was it once said...
"All politics is local?"
It seems to me however, that we would need to PAY people to staff these offices/drop-in centers. Volunteers are fine, but a cadre of pros would be necessary.
Sure, Starbuck's has its barristas...
Not sure what to call our employees, though. Democratistas sounds like followers of a hard-line ideology, which is what we're fighting, not what we are.
Doesn't BuzzFlash have this Democracy Cafe thing going? Why can't there be physical ones, in addition to the virtual one?
http://www.lastchancedemocracycafe.com/index.php
Caro
Great Potential
It would show the people that the heart of the democratic party is with the people, walking the talk so to speak.
Let us be heard
No doubt we need a real Democratic Party that takes actions to help the American people. I also believe we need a media infrastructure to confront and set straight the constant barrage of lies and regurgitated RNC talking points put forth by mainstream media and radio talk shows. We also need to take the party back from the corporations. Don't hold your breath waiting for campaign finance or lobbying reform. We can finance our canidates now. We are many. Millions strong. 10-50 bucks a pop from each of us and our candidates dont need corporate money. In fact we make it an issue that if they take corporate money they dont get our votes.
It worked before
My uncle was a Ward Boss in Pittsburgh in the 60s and 70s and carried it 98% Democratic every election. I found out why some years later when I met a woman who grew up in the ward. Her father had an accident at work and smashed his hand very badly, loosing 50-60% use of the right hand. My uncle had given money, groceries and made sure the medical bills were paid, and then arranged for him to return to work, when he was able, in the same job at the same pay. This family was staunchly Democratic because it was understood the Democratic Party was there for them when they were in need.
I just looked up Crime
I just looked up Crime Victim's help in Washington State. There is no help for people who have been tasered by the cops. There is no help even though they did it with a 9 year old daughter who was there after they went through a gate just because they wanted to because the did not like the male on the other side of the fence. There won't ever be any help for this under your proposal. I think you 'progressives'' are just more social justice frauds. There is a new law for courts in Washington State called the "community care exception', by which is meant the exception to the Constitutional Amendment that requires warrants. This is called an exception because there is no pursuit involved. In this blue state you are just more fascists.
Well, that was a short stay,
Well, that was a short stay, wasn't it?
Bub bye...
So everything isn't peachy for ya?
So you sit your ass on the fence, and sling insults at those who are out of power whilst not lifting a finger yourself?
There is nothing else to assume about you; correct?
I mean someone with something to say, says it, rather than offering zero constructive criticism.
---And of course, you do not even bother to check IF your concerns would be addressed by this thread because your ego is bigger than your heart. Enjoy standing for nothing as you stand for the VERY few.