We have, we can, and we must work together, starting now, today.
There is much to be concerned about. Issues that affect all of us. When one falters, we all falter. When one is lifted, we are all lifted. Too many have forgotten this simple, yet powerful principle.
Remember how we felt? Take a moment to look into the eyes of our brothers and sisters and see if the Spirit of Love is ignited.
This is what I am grappling with. How about you?
The ideas set forth here do not suggest changing anything that is already up and running. This is simply an effort to coordinate all of our efforts, certainly inspired by the experience of 10.2.10.
May I share that, since 10.2.10, I have been trying to keep the wave of cooperation and unity we felt on that sunny, warm, beautiful October day going. That effort continues and I believe we will have a framework for us to work within very shortly.
In the interim, will you join me in contemplating and taking an inventory of how much you may have, on a weekly/monthly basis to start working in your area to create an all-inclusive, cohesive, working group/steering committee now, instead of waiting until 2012?
These working groups/steering committees will be charged with the task of contacting and inviting all progressive group leaders to meet regularly in order to plan, organize, share progress, and all other information necessary to maintain cohesiveness and a Coordinated Message. Much more on this later, K? Do you have some thoughts on how this could be helpful in your area? If so, please share below.
Here's what taking an inventory looks like for me:
What is the degree of my commitment to help create a ground game now and in the future?
What are my abilities/talents/strengths?
How much time can I devote for meetings, outreach, or whatever is asked?
How much energy do I have to be "out and about" instead of being comfortably working from my home?
What can I afford $$ that might limit or expand my personal involvement to cover my expenses like gas mileage, phone outreach, etc?
Are there any emotional/attitude obstacles to joining and working locally? I've had to face my biggie: Insecurity that whispers "What if they don't like me". I concluded it's not the issue, get over it, and dare to join.
What is the level of my courage?
I have spent quite a bit of time on this one. Like so many here, knowing that there is no such thing as anonymous on line, I have the courage to blog and twitter. However, in this climate of vitriol, I have struggled with whether I have the courage to rally and/or march.
Many of us threw that concern aside and went to the DC rally anyway and I am so glad we did. It was inspiring.
This admission may sound odd to those of you who do rally and march. Perhaps it is my age, 63 almost, and the fact that I am uninsured. Can I afford to take any physical risks? And I am a woman. Watching what happened to the female MoveOn activist at Rand Paul's event was shocking.
Couple that with the potential expense of paying for court costs if I am swept up in a police detention action like we witnessed happening to Amy Goodman. Can I afford that? Who would I call for help?
Perhaps it is because I live in an uber, patriarchal Red State, and was verbally attacked by a slow moving truck load of young men, because I was carrying a "Reduce CO2 Sign" after a rally when Bush was in town, while I was walking with two small children ?
Also, knowing a tad too much world history, perhaps I fear repercussions directed towards my children (unengaged in politics) and my innocent grandchildren?
Anyway, I have grappled with "What is My Level of Courage" so I thought maybe it would make sense to invite you to do the same.
I have concluded that fear is an obstacle I/we can no longer afford. I do have the courage to stand up peaceably because I am motivated and committed to the cause. And, in the end, I want to be able to say "I did all I could do"
Have I forgotten any other considerations to take inventory of?
I understand DKos4 will provide some easier to use organizational tools. In the interim, if you feel you would like to help organize your area of the country, perhaps you could drop below and just name the state you are in.
It would be a start.
Thank you.
We are all in the same boat, regardless of our individual circumstance. Let's billow the sails together.
Poverty is not powerlessness, we can all unite.
If it's not love for all, it's counterfeit love.
I love you all!
Rough Draft MISSION STATEMENT:
- CENTRAL UMBRELLA: I propose we all be open to the possibilities of having a central umbrella to work under so that we can bring all constituencies under one roof for the following potential:
- CHOOSE BETTER CANDIDATES: If we can be huge enough, we can choose who runs for office. I am tired of only monied and/or famed people to choose from for candidates.
- VOTER REGISTRATION/GOTV: A coordinated effort, starting now. We can start talking to people about policies and principles to win the hearts and minds of our local citizenry.
- CALLS TO ACTION: A database can be set up to alert all organizations/members in calls to action, for an issue that needs to be addressed. Let your imagination soar, that's just how powerful this can be.
- POLICY VOTES: A database can be set up to receive each individual members vote on a policy, putting the pollsters in a run for their money. Congress isn't getting a really clear indication of the will of the people. Well, not as clear as having millions go on line and submit their vote on a bill or on an issue.
- MEDIA OUTREACH: Coordinate the message.
- CITIZEN JOURNALISM: A database to organize our citizen journalism. Imagine being able to call in a team to help investigate why that company is dumping radioactive waste 40 miles from your home. Who made that possible? Just mentioned as an example. We are losing journalism. 80 Reporters were just laid off from the largest paper in my area. 80!!! Or being able to organize a group to report on your local town hall meetings, State Legislature, etc. If we don't, we will be shut out of this process even more than we presently are. But we must act as teams and have a place to report our findings.
- COORDINATED MESSAGING: We all know we can use some improvement in this area. A system can easily be set up to do this. We are as clever as the BBDO's (a famous ad agency in New York). We can brainstorm and develop clever, clear messaging.
I apologize for the poor layout, but there seem to be some limitations with the html and/or my lack of knowledge. It bothers me when things don'