How we take back the Democrat Party
While Senator Sander is correct, that when we as a nation come together, there's nothing we can not do. However, being "pragmatic" about it, we need to insure we don't have to keep demonstrating in the streets to achieve our goals, rather we need to make sure we have the right people, in the right places, to insure our agenda, a progressive agenda and progressive candidates are on the table, and most especially on the ballot in down ballot races.
We have already seen just how far left we have dragged Hillary, kicking, screaming, lying like a republican to the left of her normal comfort zone somewhere to the center right moderate zone, with Senator Sander being in this presidential race. I'm speculating but I think many on this site are already aware of what a terrible candidate Hillary actually is. I'm not posting here to preach to the choir, but to help inspire it and keep it moving forward, full steam ahead.
Now, in order for us to help cement Senator Sanders' political revolution, we have to be strategic in our approach in accomplishing this mission impossible, as "they" would say. How we do it is actually quite simple really, but does take time and determination. Stop and think for a moment, the Tea Party took over the republican party in the house using this simple technique, and did it within a year.
Comments
Meteor Blades
Meteor Blades was a precinct leader once before and he talked about how important it is when he was in KC not too long ago. I have not followed up and done anything about it here however.
glitterscale
RRooster
Glad you signed up here.
Look forward to reading more of your writing.
As for some of the local parties, I'm in MA - and it is the most entrenched, staid, "you have to pay your dues", how much money will you contribute, who do you know, biased group of people I ever encountered. I'm an Independent, and plan to stay there unless Bernie Sanders is elected.
Hope those in other states have better luck.
OK ... I'm convinced
Holmes County, Ohio, 14th precinct ... here I come!
Bottom to Top Takeover
I suggest we look closely at the Tea Party, they did it in under a decade, but it was from the bottom up. The endgame should be to control the entire game. Focusing on one contest, or as Bernie says, if we think that just a President can change everything... I'll stop there, I think you get the point.
For that, and only that, I give the Tea Party credit. They are now swallowing the Presidential race, and will have complete control over the Republican Party, if not already.
Progressive to the bone.
I wrote an OT about that subject taking over the party
unfortunately shaharazade knew the magic words to talk me out of it, saying something like "it's a waste of time".
But it might not be at all. Here's what I need to do in order to take over the local party. Get my birth certificate...so I can renew my driver's license (they don't want terrorists so you have to prove you're an American!)...so I can re-register as a Democrat ('cause the local party doesn't want non-Democrats in any position)...so I can become a Precinct Person and have a say-so and a vote at local meetings.
However I took too long and the deadline passed to get on the ballot. I'll have to wait two years now.
Another way to take over the party is to get disgustingly rich and then buy it.
Unfortunately
all our paths are frought with obstacles, whether it be in the Democratic Party, or a Third Party. The problem with a Third Party, is we dilute the left into 2 Parties, and that only benefits the Republicans. However I will point-out, that if ever the Republicans splintered (oh please make it happen this year!), then Third Party or Fourth Party, whatever, becomes very viable, perhaps even easier.
Personally, another reason I brought up the Tea Party thing is, I believe our establishment is just as asleep at the wheel as the other side and is ripe for the taking. Hubris? check. Entitlement? check. Corruption? tons. You and I together I'm sure can go on and on with what's wrong with the POS Democratic Party.
But for now it is there...just waiting for the taking.
Progressive to the bone.
Start with the foundation
We start here first, build us up then develop additional relationships, bring energy and gain MO. Then start working on a local level and building from there- easier said then done.
My goal/dream is to work now and reap small benefits in 2018 then 2020 nominate our candidate (because we need to plan for the worse case scenario regarding this election).
Thanks for that information
Sadly (although happily for me), my wife and I can't participate (being expats). But yes, this makes sense and I wish I had my current level of political interest and my growing level of political knowledge about 30 years ago.
A lot of wanderers in the U.S. political desert recognize that all the duopoly has to offer is a choice of mirages. Come, let us trudge towards empty expanse of sand #1, littered with the bleached bones of Deaniacs and Hope and Changers.
-- lotlizard
We tried it partly because of MB's
encouragement. Shah was a precinct person we joined the County Party and we got so called progressives elected in our city and state governments. No Republican can win in our county it's 85%. So now we have a Democratic majority in the state house and our city is all Democratic but they are just as bad and corrupt as the national Dems. Our police force is full of unfettered thugs the city supervisors and councilmen are demolishing this city they are privatizing our the water bureau, they don't even bother to
They are bulldozing trees and old houses and gentrifying ,'developing' it for a the rich hipster yuppie demographic and pushing out, (shades of kos) the demographic they find not suitable. Nobody can stop them. I belong to a fb group called Stop Demolishing Portland and working within the Democratic party here just validates the freaking crooks. Lot's of corporate investor money in every level of government from dog catcher to school boards. Ask me the bait and switch Obama campaign and victory sealed the deal as far as wrecking the party from the bottom up. Precinct by precinct as Dean said they own our party and there is no way through Democratic boots on the ground to take it back.