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polichick

(37,626 posts)

58. Yes, we need to build a democratic party...

Sat Sep 14, 2013, 11:22 AM

Sep 2013

The question many of us long-time Democratic Party activists are asking ourselves (and our fellow liberals) is where to put our passions (which are based on policy, not party or personalities) and energy to work in the future.

The guys who run this place have been very generous and I know this is pressing my luck, but so be it. (No worries, if this is a step too far and I get tossed.)

We are at a place where we have to decide if this party, with its current structure and inclinations, is worthy of our talents and energy - and, more importantly, if the changes that 99% of the population desperately needs will likely come through this party.

After being away for several months, I came back to see where DU was on this. What I've noticed is how many liberals I used to post with are no longer here. Those of us who are still here seem to be asking the same question. Would it be best to rebuild the Democratic Party or should we build a new people-driven democratic party?

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If You Think the Democratic Party Is Not Doing Its Job, [View all] MineralMan Sep 2013 OP

We are out of centrist corporate Democrats. But they are like Dorritos... Safetykitten Sep 2013 #1

It's up to you, really. MineralMan Sep 2013 #2

To make more Dorritos? I'll pass. Safetykitten Sep 2013 #8

OK. Your choice, then. MineralMan Sep 2013 #14

Get back to me on the new flavor of Dorritos that get bought, then realized it's Dorritos. Safetykitten Sep 2013 #15

I don't think I'll bother getting back to you. MineralMan Sep 2013 #18

Excellent! mimi85 Sep 2013 #74

Indeed. Talk to those who care and will DO Hekate Sep 2013 #135

Buzz words "centrist corporate Democrats" means nothing. lumpy Sep 2013 #104

The reason we don't have "leaders" is because everyone is looking for leaders. JaneyVee Sep 2013 #3

You are absolutely correct. MineralMan Sep 2013 #4

Truly. I like that. lumpy Sep 2013 #103

"Get involved and become the party." R. Daneel Olivaw Sep 2013 #5

If you have been active in your local party organization MineralMan Sep 2013 #6

Actually I have participated, and I have run into some of the most R. Daneel Olivaw Sep 2013 #7

Good for you for participating. MineralMan Sep 2013 #11

I'm not sure that you understand my post. R. Daneel Olivaw Sep 2013 #20

canvassers get a half hour of training. mopinko Sep 2013 #30

Seriously?? Really?? I'm supposed to believe that a canvasser can't answer a simple question R. Daneel Olivaw Sep 2013 #43

ever tried it? mopinko Sep 2013 #47

What a joke of a retort. I've phonebanked enough in my time, aand I have at least had to R. Daneel Olivaw Sep 2013 #99

i call bullshit. mopinko Sep 2013 #117

You can call your mother for all I care, and when you do ask her to send you a fresh R. Daneel Olivaw Sep 2013 #130

people who beat up on volunteers have a special place in my heart. mopinko Sep 2013 #131

"people who beat up on volunteers have a special place in my heart." R. Daneel Olivaw Sep 2013 #132

Just put a sign on your door letting people know not to waste their time on you Hekate Sep 2013 #136

How about this. R. Daneel Olivaw Sep 2013 #146

you don't understand the purpose of canvasing. mopinko Sep 2013 #154

"you don't understand the purpose of canvasing..." R. Daneel Olivaw Sep 2013 #157

people should know this about the ignore button- admins mopinko Sep 2013 #158

Please go. Go away. R. Daneel Olivaw Sep 2013 #160

You should probably make Olivaw's script part of your training, as in: "If you meet this guy... Hekate Sep 2013 #167

yeah, usually there is a warning passed along mopinko Sep 2013 #169

Start a Democratic Book Club in your area. JDPriestly Sep 2013 #59

Very good advice. People can form their own clubs, invite their Democratic friends and it can lumpy Sep 2013 #102

Here's what I do in my precinct walking activities: MineralMan Sep 2013 #83

You are one hardworking and effective precinct chair! nt Hekate Sep 2013 #137

It's fun, too. MineralMan Sep 2013 #143

I have no simple answer for your question. MineralMan Sep 2013 #31

Actually it is OK with me. At least you gave me an answer. R. Daneel Olivaw Sep 2013 #148

Are you saying people could have done better than Obama? leftstreet Sep 2013 #9

I'm suggesting that people think about tomorrow. MineralMan Sep 2013 #10

When local party politicians will not demand that Obama remain true to traditional Democratic values AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2013 #32

And how do you suppose those local party politicians MineralMan Sep 2013 #36

From what I can see, none of them have gotten the message. AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2013 #44

Replace them, then, locally. MineralMan Sep 2013 #48

I wish that you were a politician in my geographical area. AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2013 #54

Listen to what Mineral Man is saying. He is trying to educate you how to become involved lumpy Sep 2013 #105

Sorry, when I played football, others were the cheerleaders. AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2013 #106

If you think that's what I'm doing, that's because I agree with the Mineral Man wholeheartedly. lumpy Sep 2013 #110

If you think that the world revolves around you, you are too self-absorbed. AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2013 #112

Sounds to me like people aren't holding Skidmore Sep 2013 #165

No one is asking the President to "growl at ... local pols." The local pols should be growling AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2013 #166

You are looking at the whole process backwards treestar Sep 2013 #95

I wish that you were an actual politician in my area. AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2013 #98

Maybe if Obama promised to be more of a Nixon...That would be a start. Safetykitten Sep 2013 #13

Nixon would be hounded at DU as a radical leftist leftstreet Sep 2013 #21

Not a chance: Nixon was a bigoted right-wing authoritarian, who happened to face a liberal Congress struggle4progress Sep 2013 #140

Because that worked out so well with MoveOn.org's chosen one in 2008? MotherPetrie Sep 2013 #12

My post is nothing of the sort. MineralMan Sep 2013 #16

What you are exhorting voters to do is exactly what many DID in 2008. Proving that there are no MotherPetrie Sep 2013 #22

If you don't participate in choosing candidates, you get the MineralMan Sep 2013 #23

I understand you perfectly. MotherPetrie Sep 2013 #24

Clearly you do not. MineralMan Sep 2013 #26

You wish. MotherPetrie Sep 2013 #38

I doubt you understand perfectly. You haven't learned a damn thing from this thread. lumpy Sep 2013 #108

You've convinced me. From now on I'll just shoot the messenger. Eleanors38 Sep 2013 #17

Better than blaming the voters leftstreet Sep 2013 #33

x2. Absolutely right. AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2013 #27

You just told a banned troll she was right. Quelle surprise. nt msanthrope Sep 2013 #168

Oh dear, you spoke truth. This could be a big problem. Safetykitten Sep 2013 #28

So the admins finally showed you the door, huh? They have been cleaning house and totally Number23 Sep 2013 #141

+infinity BumRushDaShow Sep 2013 #145

I just noticed that. Wow! MineralMan Sep 2013 #177

Lots of really yucky posts all over the site. So stridently anti-Obama there was no question Number23 Sep 2013 #180

Does "Job" = that for which you're paid? nt bluedeathray Sep 2013 #19

No. "Job" means doing what we want them to do. MineralMan Sep 2013 #25

Absolutely right bluedeathray Sep 2013 #29

When you do the job of taking care of your car, do you get paud for it? lumpy Sep 2013 #109

gotta be like the wingnuts- start with the school boards. mopinko Sep 2013 #34

Precisely. It is at the local level that all candidates for office MineralMan Sep 2013 #39

i live in one of those neighborhoods affectionately known as mopinko Sep 2013 #115

And that is precisely what I'm talking about. MineralMan Sep 2013 #116

usually power is there for the ducking. mopinko Sep 2013 #118

You are so right. MineralMan Sep 2013 #119

i was asked to join my ward party's board because mopinko Sep 2013 #121

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2013 #35

To find out what I'm talking about, just read the post. MineralMan Sep 2013 #40

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2013 #52

Please, liberals/Progressive are not ants or bees Iliyah Sep 2013 #51

you, of course are correct etherealtruth Sep 2013 #37

Thanks! MineralMan Sep 2013 #41

k&r HappyMe Sep 2013 #42

K & R Iliyah Sep 2013 #45

Thank you! MineralMan Sep 2013 #50

If you want to make a difference, get involved locally liberal N proud Sep 2013 #46

Yup. Once you get involved with local party organizations, MineralMan Sep 2013 #49

My local and state parties are incompetent and corrupt. Fuddnik Sep 2013 #53

Well, that's not the case in my districts. MineralMan Sep 2013 #64

Mineral Man, this OP should be a special feature on DU. JDPriestly Sep 2013 #55

Thank you. The more people there are who feel as you do, MineralMan Sep 2013 #66

I can't believe how much resistance and ridicule there is for Mineral Man's Politics 101 suggestion NBachers Sep 2013 #56

It's the same old response he has to everything. Hissyspit Sep 2013 #63

Those who say it makes no difference make no difference. MineralMan Sep 2013 #68

Got great people in my precinct. They fight for our interests. Hey, even had Kucinich as a speaker. freshwest Sep 2013 #100

Unfortunately bromides cannot overcome the complete permeation of Hate Radio Doctor_J Sep 2013 #57

No, they can't. Hard work can, though. MineralMan Sep 2013 #91

Yes, we need to build a democratic party... polichick Sep 2013 #58

If you want to build a new party, then do that. That's up to you. MineralMan Sep 2013 #70

How long have you been working within the party? polichick Sep 2013 #71

Let's see. I started working in the Democratic Party in MineralMan Sep 2013 #78

Since the 70s, but for me it's always been about issues and policies, not so much... polichick Sep 2013 #80

I've always been interested in both. MineralMan Sep 2013 #82

I agree with your OP, but disagree with one minor point here Jim Lane Sep 2013 #133

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. MineralMan Sep 2013 #144

Good question. AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2013 #81

I love how we now have a call to purge Cryptoad Sep 2013 #60

They do!? How would you know that? Rex Sep 2013 #65

I live in a Sea of them! nt Cryptoad Sep 2013 #92

Actually, that call is being made by people who don't really participate MineralMan Sep 2013 #72

No way can I comment on your election.... sounds like your Cryptoad Sep 2013 #93

Thank you for saying that. Just another K&R. gtar100 Sep 2013 #61

Thanks for the K&R! MineralMan Sep 2013 #73

Hello, broken record. Hissyspit Sep 2013 #62

It's my favorite. I play it all the time. MineralMan Sep 2013 #75

Is another kick needed? AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2013 #67

I don't know, but thanks for the kick. MineralMan Sep 2013 #76

I'm thinking that some people are tired of playing the role of Charlie Brown. AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2013 #79

Why would you assume that I do not? MineralMan Sep 2013 #89

Call Jim Dean at DFA, ask what you can do locally. DFW Sep 2013 #69

Thanks. MineralMan Sep 2013 #77

dfa is the best mopinko Sep 2013 #123

Howard and Jim are the best DFW Sep 2013 #124

Here's some direct action that is apparently effecting democratic change: Hissyspit Sep 2013 #84

OK. Now, let's elect legislators who will make changes. MineralMan Sep 2013 #87

Edward Snowden isn't going to get people elected. nt msanthrope Sep 2013 #171

That's right. Sitting around and just being cynical Jamaal510 Sep 2013 #85

You're absolutely right. MineralMan Sep 2013 #86

Cynicism is like the measles, its catching and can ruin your eyesight. lumpy Sep 2013 #111

Great OP, get involved,the party reflects it's most sufrommich Sep 2013 #88

Yup. And the candidates and elected officials listen MineralMan Sep 2013 #90

K&R treestar Sep 2013 #94

That's right loyalsister Sep 2013 #96

I know they're not doing their job. They don't even bother to ask for my vote. Egalitarian Thug Sep 2013 #97

Some take the work of the Democratic Party for granted. They have forgotten or ignored reality: freshwest Sep 2013 #101

Thanks for your links! MineralMan Sep 2013 #113

Nothing is happening at the federal level unless we get some leverage in the House. Warren DeMontague Sep 2013 #107

That shouldn't stop us from trying to get the best possible MineralMan Sep 2013 #114

I agree 100%. And I'm not suggesting we shouldn't try to retake the house, rather Warren DeMontague Sep 2013 #128

house seats are not out of reach of small dedicated groups. mopinko Sep 2013 #120

Absolutely. While not every district is a possibility, MineralMan Sep 2013 #122

Your point that we can overcome with registration was proven in 2012, with media against us... freshwest Sep 2013 #125

I am not sure my county Democrats are still in the party Generic Other Sep 2013 #126

Up to the District level in my area is still that way. MineralMan Sep 2013 #127

So the state level party ignores the Districts, and then you complain those District level folks Romulox Sep 2013 #149

No, it doesn't ignore the districts. It includes platform items MineralMan Sep 2013 #152

Right. Your top down process doesn't have the support at the grassroots level. Wherefore surprise? Romulox Sep 2013 #155

You are correct Generic Other Sep 2013 #183

Agreed! KNR jazzimov Sep 2013 #129

KnR, MinMan. GOTV 2014! nt Hekate Sep 2013 #134

People should be bookmarking this thread as Politics 101. MinMan, Mopinko, & JDPriestly... Hekate Sep 2013 #138

Thanks for the post, Hekate! MineralMan Sep 2013 #142

Very happy to kick and rec this thread! calimary Sep 2013 #139

"this is what I was always taught by Mr. Pangloss, and I see plainly that all is for the best." Romulox Sep 2013 #147

A quote from "Candide" is always a sign of an educated person. MineralMan Sep 2013 #150

The quote has a hidden meaning that I intended to relate to the content of the OP! Romulox Sep 2013 #151

No, your meaning is not hidden. I just choose not to argue with you about it. MineralMan Sep 2013 #153

I didn't ask for any argument; I made the point I wanted to make. nt Romulox Sep 2013 #156

Yes, and I thanked you for the time required to reply. MineralMan Sep 2013 #159

You are passively-aggressively claiming the right to approve or disapprove of my post. Romulox Sep 2013 #161

Actually, I'm not doing that at all, MineralMan Sep 2013 #162

I don't think this exchange is flattering to you, or the point you were attempting to make. Romulox Sep 2013 #163

Well, you're wrong in that. It just makes you look like a fool who doesn't care if Dems lose... Hekate Sep 2013 #164

I'm not putting in ANY hard work to get "sensible centrists" elected. Deal with it. nt Romulox Sep 2013 #174

Then you would think wrong. nt. NCTraveler Sep 2013 #170

Very simple and is the base of polotics. NCTraveler Sep 2013 #172

Thanks for your reply. MineralMan Sep 2013 #173

"Other reasons" definitely come into play. Hekate Sep 2013 #175

While I think that could be a possibility, MineralMan Sep 2013 #176

Upbeat Hekate Sep 2013 #179

Good post! gopiscrap Sep 2013 #178

I will not give a nickle to the Democratic Party. mick063 Sep 2013 #181

Reading this thread ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #182