How much time, energy, diaries, comments, and bandwidth was spent flushing out our differences on Senator Obama's post? The battle between purist Progressives and partisan Democrats raged in full force last week, clamoring about disappointment in the "spineless" Democrats in DC, the lack of focus and message from our national leaders, the lack of conviction shown in their action.
We were a huge group of lefties embroiled in what we do best--eating our own--all while the current GOP regime continues to crumble, destroyed by its own corruption.
To all of you I scream:
Stop spending all your time worrying about DC!!!!
Time spent on national politics has the least Return on Investment out of any sort of activism. The constituencies are too huge (especially for Senators), and most of what DC does has a very negligible impact on people's day to day lives. Sure, the Feds can make huge sweeping decisions that affect us all, but most of the time they do not. Citizens daily lives are dictated more by the acts of our state and local governments.
::: flip :::
Follow the words of one of this blog's favorite national Dems, Howard Dean, and focus on the '50 state strategy'. We need strong Democratic/Progressive movements in every state to take back this country in '06, and '08, and for generations to come.
Enter SoapBlox
This is exactly what we folks in the SoapBlox Network are trying to do. We're trying locate dedicated bloggers to organize with other bloggers in their state to open up community/group/dKos like blogs which focus exclusively on state politics. Already we have had success with launching the following sites:
- BlueJersey.net - Dedicated to NJ politics
- SoapBlox Chicago - focusing on IL, with some bleed into WI and IN
- SoapBlox Colorado - All the politics of the Centennial State
- Calitics.com - Politics, California style
- OhioWatch - All things Ohio
- Florida Politics - Coming Soon
- My Left Nutmeg: All Things Connecticut - Coming Soon
- Michigan Liberal - Coming Soon
Why you should forget about DC
Ok, don't
forget about it, but don't spend all your time on it. Remember, we live in a Republic. We have 50 states governed by 50 different sets of rules. If you can't get the DC Dems to be something you can be proud of, make your local chapter of the Dems better.
And that's what these State blogs are all about: fighting for more progressive candidates throughout entire state legislatures who will pass progressive legislation that can serve as a template for other progressive policies in other states, then on a national level.
This is where you can have an actual, tangible, meaningful impact on the course of politics in your community. Get out and meet your neighbors, your County officers, your State House representatives. Support local Dem candidates who share your views, who you can proudly support through time and turkee.
Remember: if we get control of more states, DC will fall in line
Conclusion
Next time you're pissed at the DC Dems, don't start writing a diary about how much you hate them. Instead, let it go and start figuring out how you're going to get more progressive candidates into your state house legislature or senate. Or how you can get a candidate you can get behind with all of your heart to run for County Comissioner, or School Board.
Where do you think national leaders come from? They usually start as local/state politicians. Help build the bench of future Progressive candidates--ssomething you can do right now.
Instead of opening up the circular firing squad, drop your weapons, and fight for your beliefs in your town, your county, and your state. Make your local Dems stronger. If your local Dems become successful in governing with progressive legislation, I guarantee that template will be exported to Democrats all over the country.
So I repeat: Think Nationally, Blog Locally
Also, if you might be interested in starting up a SoapBlox blog in your state, post a comment in this thread. We ain't stopping until we get all 50 done!
Oh, and don't forget My Left Wing- it runs on SoapBlox too!