Where do we go from here?

I've been thinking about some ideas (4.00 / 2)

This is more related to our small town/county stuff, but hey, that's where I live.

The first idea I've floated to a couple of other Dems is to form a committee to take turns attending local boards when they meet, as citizen observer/commentators. Things like City Council, County Commissioners, Utility Board and so on.  The idea would be to have at least one person go (more would be okay) per meeting.  They take notes, keep tabs, speak up when needed, then pass it all on to the person who sends out a report to the group (probably me) and also to the next person on the list for attending. If we had a dozen or so people, no one would HAVE to go any more often than about once every other month. But it makes a statement that The People Are Watching.  Who knows, the GOP folks might copy our idea, and the next thing you know, all kinds of citizens might be turning up for public meetings! As if seeing that things are done right was in their best interest or something!

My other idea would help us get a younger demographic involved in our local party.  I would like us to host a Democratic Family Night once a month, and get parents to come with their kids to have some fun. I would blatantly steal all the best ideas from Scouting, Vacation Bible School, any group like that -- we could have crafts, games, awards for DOING things like writing a letter to someone in office, prizes for bringing a friend, and SNACKS!  The parents could have fun with their kids but get to talk to other grown-ups at the same time about issues or current events (Parenting Liberally?) Those active parents would also make a pool for us to draw from for things like the Meeting Committee mentioned above, or other projects that come up.

Right now our local party folks are concentrating on determining if there were any counting irregularities or mistakes in a really close County Commissioner race. (Our guy lost by only 40 votes, with 25 provisionals not yet looked at.) So we have to do that first, but I hope to lay the groundwork for both of these in the next two months so we can start with the new year.

Take heart! http://codeneonblue.net

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by: Susan the Neon Nurse @ Wed Nov 12, 2008 at 00:58:08 AM CST

other topics (4.00 / 2)

reproductive health, separation of church and state (hint hint), basic Capitol coverage.

The health and human services office is a few blocks away from me. There is always drama and corruption going on there.

Under the health care topic, the low-income clinic down the street has rules for enrollment bordering on violating human rights.

I live in 5 points, there has got to be a lot of stuff going on here.

I will be on Auraria in January, I'm sure there is energy there as well.

I know of other people who have been talking for a while about making things more localized, community service oriented and focused. This post melds perfectly with that.  

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by: sufimarie @ Wed Nov 12, 2008 at 02:34:16 AM CST

One problem is that there is still very little energy spent (4.00 / 3)

in El Paso County. We had a 15,000 vote undercount from the Obama vote here (over 104k votes) to the House races (just over 90K votes). John Morris has done a heroic job down here with few staff and fewer resources.

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by: tjlord @ Wed Nov 12, 2008 at 08:45:05 AM CST

What Energy Would Be Best? (0.00 / 0)

What ways would be best?  Is it at all possible to change there or should spotlight be shined on the corruption of the party in power?  Any ideas of how those 15,000 votes were not cast or counted?

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by: saindenver @ Thu Nov 13, 2008 at 02:37:12 AM CST

[ Parent ]

There is a possiblity of change (0.00 / 0)

The Rs running dead right are starting to lose, so the issue now is who can appeal more to the tings voters want - good roads, good schools, etc.

the problem here is that a "big" campaign fund is $30,000 - forget any heavy media. The same with the local media "free coverage" - the Indy, while great, is seen as the D paper and dismissed by the Rs; the Gazette basically only covers races that are getting on the air.

And all the major resources - state party, house majority project - even most of the unions - look at the numbers down here and say "good luck but the numbers are too bad to invest".

Finally, the Ds down here were so beaten down over the last twenty years you would be amazed at how many won't put out a yard sign "so as not to offend our neighbors".

In the Obama campaign, resources were tapped that had never been made available. The interns here from Chicago were great - organizing, etc. That just doesn't exist here - our greatest reservoir of talent is Colorado College and they are all concentrated in HD 18. So boots to help organize would be great. It is tough when the resources you have include precinct chairs - and this is a true story - get out of the car to canvass with you saying "I'm proud of what you are doing. There is no hope Anna can win but at least you are trying".

Finally, we need redistricting to help. Only HD 17 and 18 - now D - have less than 40% R registration.  

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by: tjlord @ Thu Nov 13, 2008 at 09:55:47 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Water (4.00 / 4)

Johne,

I think water would be a great topic. There is a lot happening in the West and across the U.S.

Coyote Gulch

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by: CoyoteGulch @ Wed Nov 12, 2008 at 09:17:44 AM CST

What Questions Need Asking? (0.00 / 0)

Are the aquifers being mined?  How rapidly? Do we really know?  How can this be resolved?

Is there a progressive view of water policy?  What voice do progressives have in the making of water policy?  Should this be increased?  How? By whom?

There has been a good deal of discussion about nuclear power becoming a part of the energy equation.  Has anyone really looked at the need for water to accomplish this? What is the balance between the need for energy and water?  

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by: saindenver @ Thu Nov 13, 2008 at 02:52:12 AM CST

[ Parent ]

two ideas. (4.00 / 3)

try to identify progressive dems in safe dem districts to support.

help dems in gop leaning districts with money and boots on the ground


SoapBlox - the new blog framework.

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by: pacified @ Wed Nov 12, 2008 at 11:10:13 AM CST

Glad to do it (0.00 / 0)

I'm glad to hear others are hankering for another meeting to discuss our future.  Lots of issues deserve our attention.  I think an exchange between blogger activists and elected officials would benefit both groups tremendously.

Besides, I like places with lots of good beer.  :)

A Responsible Plan for Iraq: endorsed by Jared Polis

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by: WeatherDem @ Wed Nov 12, 2008 at 13:42:42 PM CST

The Constitution and the rule of law (0.00 / 0)

There should be track for how the Constitution and the rule of law will be brought back into governing.

Sub topics

a). How the so-called "war on terror" via USA PATRIOT ACT and FAA is being distorted by DOJ's USAs to act that is contrary to the Bill of Rights.

b). The process to de-politicize the DOJ.

c). A through exploration about the problems of the militarization of American law enforcement and how to effect reforms that will adhere to constitutional safe guards.

d). How to limit the further integration of police and intelligence agencies and their private contractors so that the rights of the citizen are not compromised.

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by: therebis @ Thu Nov 13, 2008 at 10:14:49 AM CST