Howard Dean's entry into the race for DNC chair is having an effect like the Napster's effect on the music business.
Napster changed the record consuming public because it forced an understanding of how the recording industry works, because when the record industry started saying, "Think of the artists, they need to make a living," people looked at the music industry, and realized that it was a lie.
They saw that the labels made unfair record deals, charged bogus expenses, and stole from the artists.
They also learned how radio worked: How legalized payola meant that you had to let a major label stealing from you in order to get any air time.
Music buffs went from wondering why music was crap to understanding how the system is completely broken.
It's the same thing thing with the race for the DNC chair.
Most motivated "grass roots" Democrats have been passionate about issues, but have generally been disinterested in how the Washington Democratic establisment worked.
They did not know, nor did they care all that much, how DNC staff was selected, how the DNC chair was elected, etc.
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Just the music aficionado was really only looking for good tunes, they did not care how the Democratic establishment was organized, they just wanted winning candidates.
Howard Dean has gotten everyone, including folks who are working against his candidacy for DNC chair, to take a long hard look at the DNC, and how it runs itself.
In the past month or so, people have realized that it is at least as dysfunctional an organization as Clear Channel Communications, or EMI.
People are now scrutinizing the DNC, asking questions about how authority is concentrated among a small cadre of unelected individuals living inside the beltway, and they are asking "Why?"
Regardless of who wins, the likely consequence is more power in the states, less in DC, and more accountability all around for the political wonks.
Thank you Howard Dean.
People are now scrutinizing the DNC, asking questions about how authority is concentrated among a small cadre of unelected individuals living inside the beltway, and they are asking "Why?"
Regardless of who wins, the likely consequence is more power in the states, less in DC, and more accountability all around for the political wonks.
Thank you Howard Dean.