You want to do something big to make a difference. You're tempted to join "Operation Hilarity" because, hey, it would be hilarious if the Republicans were stuck with Santorum as their nominee.
But then you think, "Is this the best use of my time and my vote? What can I do to bring about real change in the Democratic Party?"
If you're tired of a centrist Democratic Party and want to drag that tired old lazy donkey to the left, don't waste your vote on some half-assed attempt to make the GOP look stupid. They can look stupid all on their own. What you want to do is go to your precinct caucus on Super Tuesday and vote for delegates to the convention and resolutions. For more information, follow me over the Fleur de Kos...
If you've never gone to a precinct caucus before, this is the perfect year to do it. Not that many people will show up, 'cause nobody's contesting President Obama. So it's your chance to get in on the other business conducted at the caucus, namely voting for delegates to the State and National conventions and for resolutions.
The caucus is where you, as a grassroots activist, have the best chance of having your liberal views taken seriously and actually affecting change in the party.
The main purpose of the precinct convention or caucus is to elect delegates to your District convention. One of those delegates could be you! Yes, you! As I said before, in these no-contest year, a lot of long-time Democrats will stay home, giving you an opportunity to get involved. As a delegate to the convention, you get to vote on party matters, you get a chance to advance to the state convention, or even the national. At the conventions, you can even get elected to serve on a committee where you can turn your your liberal views into Democratic Party policy.
The next order of business is my personal favorite--voting on resolutions. What's your pet cause? Medical marijuana? Public transportation? Marriage equality? Free birth control? Write it up as a resolution and submit it to the group. It'll probably pass, and you'll probably meet other people with similar resolutions. Once those resolutions pass at the precinct level, they go "up the chain" to the district, state and national conventions, getting voted on at every level. If your resolution makes it to the national--congratulations! Your liberal idea is now written into the Democratic Party Platform.
For an example of how activists work together to write and support each others' resolutions, check out this thread on Democratic Underground.
Attending your precinct caucus is not as hilarious as voting for Santorum, but it's your chance to help make a difference in the direction of the Democratic Party.
Sound like fun? It really is, because you'll meet more like-minded people than you ever knew existed and you'll be doing your part to bring the Democratic Party back to its liberal roots.
Or, you could vote for Santorum. Your choice.