Posted on 11/04/2004 9:30:07 AM PST by Rutles4Ever
Project for a New Democratic Party.
It's clear to most of us that the Democratic party power structure is not friendly towards the goal of most of us: a "success oriented" Democratic Party committed to moderate/progressive values. Over the last few years we all have tried to push the Democratic Party in our direction through a variety of means: supporting particular candidates, online donation, threats to desert to a third party.
All of these approaches have failed. And they have failed because the people running the party, the apparatchiks, are not threatened by electoral failure. They've worked their way into their jobs and those jobs are fairly secure for them.
We are not talking about professional politicians here. We're talking about nameless, faceless DNC officials, local party leaders, money men, etc. Their jobs to them are simply that: jobs. Once they may have cared about progressive politics...but now they no longer do. Now they care about payments on their second homes, car payments, their golf handicap.
The party won't change until we change the cogs in the machine. Changing the public face of the party isn't enough. It must be owned. pwn3d, even.
In short, we must become the party.
We must take over the party, at the lowest levels, and work our way up. Become ward leaders, precinct captains, henchmen, whatever. But we must insinuate yourself into the parties substructure so that any decisions that are made must be made through us. The party can't ignore an army when that army has the potential to refuse to fight for them. So we must become that party.
I am organizing a mailing list to help coordinate this takeover. I encourage you all to join. The express purpose is to create a newsletter updating the steps each member is taking to facilitate our increasing control over the party apparatus. We're not going to have a website (yet). Nothing fancy like a scoop based blog. Just a simple mailing list where we let each other know what we're doing.
The only terms I ask every member to agree to are the following:
1) all list members must become active members of their local party apparatus within 30 days of joining the list. This is an honor system requirement. We can't check up on you. If you tell us you've become a ward leader, we'll believe you. But it hurts us all if you aren't honest.
2) all list members must support the broad *tactical* principles of reframing progressive issues as values issues. Examples: "taxes" -> "tax fairness". "Gay rights"->"personal freedoms" a la George Lakoff.
3) Acceptance of our role as *opposition party*. In other words, no more "bipartisanship". We don't have to be mean, or nasty. We just don't try and help the Republican majority. Let them ram through their policies. Our point is to oppose them using the tactics from
2. Even though we will lose all these battles. The purpose of the party now is to articulate a Democratic set of values the public can recognize as such. Acceptance of these values we'll worry about later. First thing is to get them out there.
And that's it. If you want to join this list, please email me atMPProject for a New Democratic Party.
It's clear to most of us that the Democratic party power structure is not friendly towards the goal of most of us: a "success oriented" Democratic Party committed to moderate/progressive values. Over the last few years we all have tried to push the Democratic Party in our direction through a variety of means: supporting particular candidates, online donation, threats to desert to a third party.
All of these approaches have failed. And they have failed because the people running the party, the apparatchiks, are not threatened by electoral failure. They've worked their way into their jobs and those jobs are fairly secure for them.
We are not talking about professional politicians here. We're talking about nameless, faceless DNC officials, local party leaders, money men, etc. Their jobs to them are simply that: jobs. Once they may have cared about progressive politics...but now they no longer do. Now they care about payments on their second homes, car payments, their golf handicap.
The party won't change until we change the cogs in the machine. Changing the public face of the party isn't enough. It must be owned. pwn3d, even.
In short, we must become the party.
We must take over the party, at the lowest levels, and work our way up. Become ward leaders, precinct captains, henchmen, whatever. But we must insinuate yourself into the parties substructure so that any decisions that are made must be made through us. The party can't ignore an army when that army has the potential to refuse to fight for them. So we must become that party.
I am organizing a mailing list to help coordinate this takeover. I encourage you all to join. The express purpose is to create a newsletter updating the steps each member is taking to facilitate our increasing control over the party apparatus. We're not going to have a website (yet). Nothing fancy like a scoop based blog. Just a simple mailing list where we let each other know what we're doing.
The only terms I ask every member to agree to are the following:
1) all list members must become active members of their local party apparatus within 30 days of joining the list. This is an honor system requirement. We can't check up on you. If you tell us you've become a ward leader, we'll believe you. But it hurts us all if you aren't honest.
2) all list members must support the broad *tactical* principles of reframing progressive issues as values issues. Examples: "taxes" -> "tax fairness". "Gay rights"->"personal freedoms" a la George Lakoff.
3) Acceptance of our role as *opposition party*. In other words, no more "bipartisanship". We don't have to be mean, or nasty. We just don't try and help the Republican majority. Let them ram through their policies. Our point is to oppose them using the tactics from 2. Even though we will lose all these battles. The purpose of the party now is to articulate a Democratic set of values the public can recognize as such. Acceptance of these values we'll worry about later. First thing is to get them out there.
And that's it. If you want to join this list, please email me at projnewdemparty@yahoo.com
I'll be setting up the list over the next few days. If you email me today I'll subscribe you and you have 30 days to report that you've joined (in some official capacity) the local Democratic apparatus of the party. If after 20 days, you haven't reported anything, you will be sent a reminder to report. If after 30 days, still no report, you will be unsubscribed. IF at any time after that you do wind up going through and joining the party machine at some level, mail me at projnewdemparty@yahoo.com and you'll be resubscribed to the list. If you are already part of the power structure, you are automatically a permanent member. Just let me know.
Permanent members will be accorded status to coordinate and vote on policy positions for the list. By laws and such will be established soon by permanent members.
I hope this is a good idea.
projnewdemparty@yahoo.com
I'll be setting up the list over the next few days. If you email me today I'll subscribe you and you have 30 days to report that you've joined (in some official capacity) the local Democratic apparatus of the party. If after 20 days, you haven't reported anything, you will be sent a reminder to report. If after 30 days, still no report, you will be unsubscribed. IF at any time after that you do wind up going through and joining the party machine at some level, mail me at
projnewdemparty@yahoo.com
and you'll be resubscribed to the list.
If you are already part of the power structure, you are automatically a permanent member. Just let me know.
Permanent members will be accorded status to coordinate and vote on policy positions for the list. By laws and such will be established soon by permanent members.
I hope this is a good idea.
This reminds me of Islam's blueprint for taking over Europe.
Except that their plans are actually working.
thanks. ..this is a great read. :))
This is on a thread over at Dem Underground....
"Geppy (7 posts) Thu Nov-04-04 12:27 PM
Response to Original message
20. "Hey Freepers: There Will Be Payback."
I agree, we need Osama to come through for us now. He's our best hope."
thread is http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x20147
Dont they understand... John Kerry LOST BECAUSE he was so much like thier Utopian candidate? He lost because he was TOO MUCH LIKE THEM!
Guys... its HURTIN Time!!!
They should it the National Socialist Party...
ROTFL!
My sides hurt....
The party is declaring war upon itself. Civil war declared at DNC!
This is my favorite part.
bump
Over the last few years we all have tried to push the Democratic Party in our direction through a variety of means: supporting particular candidates, online donation, threats to desert to a third party.Heh: But they haven't failed!! You succeeded! That's why you've lost the election! Why don't these pinkos friggin' realize this?All of these approaches have failed.
Not that they don't agree with him, hope it happens, or want it to happen. But I think that specific post is a by someone wanting DU to look bad.
"Become ward leaders, precinct captains, henchmen, whatever. "
Henchmen? How appropriate!
They should call it the National Socialist Party...
A rose by anyother name, .....
In a weird way, I sort of admire this guy. At least he's proposing that they actually DO something -- instead of bitch and moan like most liberals.
I love it. More power to them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.