Tim,

You know, the best part about last night's meeting was sitting down with a variety of local committee chairmen, township presidents, and precinct captains to find out how local politics works. They told us how it's been done in the past and why it broke down....mainly a lack of new volunteers getting involved. Boy, did we independent voters really screwed ourselves in the last few decades thinking we could just vote for candidates...while letting a small group of party regulars keep the progressive cause alive.

I think they were as glad to see us last night, as we were to meet them. I had a real good feeling coming out of this meeting. The first steps have been taken to put things back together.

During last year's election, it was obvious that there were plenty of volunteers helping out, but we weren't communicating with each other and thus we wasted time and effort duplicating and wasting resources. That's over.

Isn't it great to know that we don't have to re-create the wheel? There is a structure and a wealth of experience just waiting to be tapped. I sensed a feeling of pride among those who shared their stories of past successful campaigns and a sense of relief among the rest of us just being baptized into the fold.

All the money in the GOP money-laundering treasury can't duplicate the dedication and optimism of the progressive Democratic Party today. This is the start of something great.

Thank you, Dr. Dean, for getting us back on track.

Our talks about the locals elections last week and looking at demographics showed that right now...we need to reach out to the Independents and the NOP (No Official Party).

I couldn't attend a meeting last night, but am very glad to see this started. One thing I have sorely missed is a way to get my voice heard by those who formulate policy. I hope this community-up approach will make that possible.

Here's my 2 cents' worth: I think that we should make the immoral conduct of the Administration and its Congressional allies the centerpiece of our attack on the Republican Party. We can all differ over the morality of such matters as abortion, gay rights, immigration policies, affirmative action, etc., but I think most Americans would be disgusted by their support for torture (despite John McCain), CIA secret detention camps, the denial of habeas corpus, and their countless lies, misrepresentations, and concealments-- IF we Democrats would pound away at this behavior. We must keep repeating that it is unAmerican and violates the core religious principles of every major religion. The Republicans have been very succesful in attacking our strongest points, such as John Kerry's war record; we should learn from that, and use the ammunition they have provided.

Hey All,

Congrats on the organizing!

I had a late class and was unable to attend an event, but for what it's worth, here's my 2 cents on what the democrats should take as our agenda going into the midterm elections- feedback appreciated...

1) Energy Independence, to be achieved through domestically produced renewable energies. This has not only environmental benefits, but will also undercut terrorism financing and provide enormous economic benefits for American workers .
-This should be done through market-based approaches as opposed to regulatory ones. For example, instead of raising the national mpg rates, congress can add a 1% sales tax on every mpg any car has that’s less than 35, and then give a 1% rebate via a tax deduction for every mpg a car you buy has over 35.
-Also, a large investment in mass transportation and smart-growth urban planning because that reduces oil use and helps revitalize cities so they can compete with the transportation-subsidized (through the federal highway system) suburbs in the free market for jobs. Likewise, instead of regulating pollution away, just tax each ton of carbon whatever-oxide that powerplants produce, so it becomes economically viable for energy producers to make clean energy. These taxes will not only help the environment and motivate cleaner fuels, but also raise revenue, which brings me to point #2…

2) Balance the federal budget and return to the Clinton-Era surpluses that kept interest rates and inflation down, reduced our economic dependency on China, and kept the economy booming. This will have to be done by repealing the Bush tax cuts to the highest bracket, as well as the taxes raised in point #1. But Democrats can’t just be about raising taxes. It’s time for democrats to start talking about small government, and make some serious spending cuts. A lot of this can be done in a non-heartless way. For example, one way to reign in the huge Medicaid costs is to not let recipients of Medicaid purchase crap food with their food stamps. Most people on Medicaid are also on food stamps and a lot of public health costs are multiplied by the heart disease, diabetes, and obesity epidemic that’s sweeping the country and is disproportionately among the poor. So, if the federal government only lets people spend their food stamp money on foods that mean minimum standards for health, a lot of Medicaid money will be saved. Likewise a sales tax on soft drinks and alcohol will also reduce these health problems and raise revenue. This is only one example of innovative cost-cutting measures that democrats should embrace.

3) Education, education, education. Education is the #1 civil rights issue of the 21st century. Also, education is the only way the US is going to remain at the forefront of the globalized world. No Child Left Behind is a good framework, but the democrats should ensure it is funded properly. In addition, the democrats should run on universal pre-k. Studies show that you by far get the most benefit for your public education buck when you have pre-k for 3 and 4 year-olds, and it also saves taxes in the long run through reduced public safety costs and increased worker productivity and helps us remain globally competitive. Also, dems should increase the affordability of public higher education. The Pentagon should help fund this, because without its technological edge, our Military won’t be the strongest in the world forever.

4) Business innovation through science and technology. Give massive tax-cuts for scientific firms, aggressively attract foreign talent, and increase the National Endowment for the Sciences.

5) Cut corporate taxes. This is necessary to keep America businesses globally competitive and will also undo the anti-capitalist image that the democrats have unfortunately gotten tagged with. This will also help create American jobs, and the revenue will be recouped through increased income and capital gains.

6) Reduce crime. It’s funny how the GOP used to run on law-and-order, but it took Bill Clinton to send crime to historic lows, only to have them start creeping up under Bush’s leadership. Clinton was helped by a booming economy, but he also started the COPS program, which put 100,000 more law enforcement officers on the streets. It’s mind-boggling how Bush could have cut that funding in the age of terrorism and meth epidemics. Regardless, democrats should run on restoring that funding. Likewise, we should advocate prison reform and give states incentives to drastically reduce their recidivism rates by encouraging education and drug and psychological treatment in prisons. Crime reduction also has great economic benefits.

7) A sensible immigration policy. America needs immigration to keep the economy strong, and one of the greatest things about America has been its embrace of immigrants. Democrats must crack down on illegal immigration, because that’s a national security issue. But unlike the republicans, democrats should aim to drastically increase legal immigration quotas. Not only does this help the economy, but it also will help our global power remain competitive with China’s, who pose such a threat mostly because of their huge population.

8) Have a worldview that believes in democracy for all. Its really fucked up how a notion like this seems to make democrats wince just because Bush has used this in his rhetoric. The truth is, Bush is on democratic turf when he talks like this; before Bush, this was the mantra of Woodrow Wilson, FDR, and JFK. We should differ from Bush in his means (ie, war) but not in the ends. Some sort of free trade agreement that ties free trade to democratic and human-rights benchmarks to any country that meets these benchmarks will help democracy everywhere by making democracy economically viable. Likewise, we should win hearts and minds in Iraq and Afghanistan by strongly increasing the infrastructure aid we are sending them. Did you know that Afghanistan gets less than $ 1 billion a year from us? That’s 2% of the annual budget of New York City for Chrissakes.

9) Support free and fair trade. Free trade is the best antidote for world poverty. Its time for democrats to get off the subsidy-oriented mindset. No amount of subsidies can reduce poverty as effectively as good old-fashioned capitalism has for India and China, among others. Putting in minimal workers’ and environmental rights will make the US be on equal footing with the rest of the world, and stem the loss of jobs here for those reasons, but also allow better-paying jobs abroad.

10) Competence and civic responsibility. It’s time for the democrats to take the mantle of the CEO management mindset, because Lord knows, the republicans are a complete joke in that area.

11) Universal healthcare. We’re currently the shame of the industrialized world.

Bring on '06, baby!!!!!

I hosted an event last night almost as a whim. I've been on sabatacal from politics for a year after being very active when I lived in Iowa (including a 5 month stint working for a Gov. from VT). We had 6 people come out and had a great time. Dallas has a growing Democratic movement. We are planning to get together again soon and everyone took a Democracy Bond app. home.
Fabulous to see the posts of the other gatherings.

Wow, our smart history making Democrats are like ants working their ant hole house! I am so impressed! Never before have I felt like so many Democrats will take Republican seats. I am so glad we have young energetic people working their minds and putting their heads together for the good of our Nation. I am sure everyone is noticing and thanking you in their heart even if they are too busy helping to tell you. Let us take back our rightful place in Government and History.

TAMPA - I had around 40 people show up for my house party. We had some of our regular DEC and DFA members, and lots of new people who found us on the DNC website. Phyllis Busansky, who has thrown her hat into the ring for FL-9 Congressional District, stopped by and the guests were thrilled to get to talk to her. We also had Jim Davis' communications director here. My friends and I had made up packets with some basic stuff (how to write LTE, contact info for Congress, DEC and DFA calendars, etc.) We also spent time talking about the Democracy Bonds and the different volunteer activities we will need help with. Collected signatures on redistricting petitions also. It was a great party and I'm planning to invite the same people back again after the holidays. I need a specific action for us to take when we get together. Any creative ideas???