Let's Open Up the Democratic Party to Public Participation

[gratuitous]

9. Here's how you can participate

Join the Democratic party. Fill out a voter registration card and where it says "Party," you put "Democrat" or check the little box next to "Democrat."

Find out where in your area Democratic party meetings are held. You can do this by contacting your office for the party. Then, attend those meetings. Get to know other Democrats in your area. Talk to them about what you'd like the party to stand for and do. Listen to them about what they want the party to stand for and do. Negotiate positions where you disagree, confirm issues and policies where you do agree. Depending on the structure of the Democratic party in your state, look into running as a precinct person for the party. Attend more meetings, talk to more people, listen to more people. Invest your time and talent with the local party, and learn why it functions the way it does. If it doesn't suit you, work with some of those people you've been talking and listening to, and change the way things are.

I can assure you that simply crashing a meeting with a list of demands for transparency and accountability in hand won't work. Really. Don't waste your time trying that.