I’ve been mentioning this in several of my previous pieces on FL-Sen. Let me give it the full treatment here.
First, a selection from a piece written right after the November election called Maintaining the Obama Network in Florida:
[From] Robert Reich, in one of his regular Marketplace commentaries on public radio . . .
Obama's agenda can survive all [the challenges facing it], but only if he continues to mobilize and energize the public behind it. That means creating a new politics, utilizing his vast campaign network of volunteers, grassroots activists and Internet participants and turning it into a movement to take back our democracy from the lobbyists, naysayers, pork peddlers and moneyed interests that normally run things in Washington.
This is exactly where I want to go, taking back our democracy. I have a vision as to how that might be done here in Florida
[snip]
Common Cause [and others have] been trying to get initiatives for two state constitutional amendments on the 2010 ballot for redistricting reform (one for congressional districts, one for legislative districts). . . . If you want to know more about this go to the FairDistrictsFlorida.org site.
[snip]
[T]he first step . . . is getting the redistricting initiatives on the ballot and passing them during the [2010] election.
Using the social networking skills developed during the campaign, getting the necessary 600,000+ petitions signed would be a piece of cake for the Obama network. People can keep having house parties, but instead of organizing phone banking or canvassing, you sign petitions or take them around for voters to sign.
If this can be successfully achieved, then a light bulb is going to go off in everyone's head. If we can [get] this initiative [on the ballot], why can't we [get] others? And the first one I would suggest would be a constitutional amendment creating a true referendum process, where people would be voting on making new laws or revoking existing ones, and where only a 50% majority is needed along with a smaller petition requirement.
Now THAT would be real power to the people. This is what the people at Ballot.org are talking about.
This would also eliminate the bi-annual blarney we have to endure about how we're filling up the state constitution with ridiculous amendments. (Hey, if that's the only outlet people have, that's the one they're going to use.)
The problem I struggled with in that piece was who could be persuaded to be the front for this effort. It was only months later that I realized Dan Gelber would be the perfect person to do this. I arbitrarily chose the name Democracy Czar to describe the job:
I'm hoping that we can encourage State Sen. Gelber to become what I've decided to dub The Democracy Czar. This person would be the face of promoting Redistricting Reform so that the state constitutional amendments addressing this issue pass by the necessary margin. The DC would also be responsible for developing here in Florida a constitutional amendment which would create a true voter initiative process, as described at Ballot.org. That way the entire slate of statewide Democratic candidates would campaign together under a banner of Taking Back Democracy from lobbyists and an unresponsive legislature.
Now, the Democracy Czar is not an actual office. It would be similar to the title, Mayor of Castro Street, attributed to the San Francisco openly gay politician Harvey Milk. The title would reflect and acknowledge the real power that comes from a Leader's ability to inspire constituencies and be a focal point for action along with having access to other movers and shakers in the community.
What does the job description demand?
You want some who is considered beyond corruption. You want someone familiar with social networking experience who has connections with the Obama grassroots supporters. You want someone familiar with what changes are needed in the legislature. You want a lawyer capable of drafting propositions that would actually accomplish what you desire. You want someone with bi-partisan appeal. You want someone on good terms with Charlie Crist in order to bring him on board the effort.
I think we can all agree I just described Dan Gelber.
So why would Dan want to do this?
Well, the dirty little secret here is that he would end up with more REAL power to actually change how Florida is governed than Kendrick Meek ever dreamed of.
I mean, being a US Senator is a cool gig and all, BUT IT ‘S STILL JUST A GIG! I mean, why are they all so happy to get an administration appointment to get OUT of there. Come on, most of it is sitting around listening to a bunch of gasbags bloviate. YUCK!
Dan, let Kendrick have it!!
What I’m talking about is going to actually touch more people in more relevant ways than anything congress does.
For example?
How about getting gay adoption passed? The last poll showed 55% of Floridians supported it. With the new proposition process requiring only 50%+1 for passage, that’s a GO. Dan, how wonderful would that be? You would be LOVED for getting it thru.
What else? EVERYTHING ON THE PROGRESSIVE AGENDA. (Hey, maybe THIS is what Howie Klein was talking about!!)
Campaign Finance Reform
Including the legislature in the Sunshine Law
Developing authentic transparency and accountability in the legislature
Non-partisan elections for all state races
Instant Runoff Voting
Do I need to go on or do you get the picture?
In past posts I have razzed Dan for his Days of Service, saying they are based on a campaign strategy that is 35 years old. But, this is the irony. If Dan actually does this, he will truly become and be remembered as a great statesman in the model of the liberal heroes of Florida politics. Men like LeRoy Collins and Reuben Askew.
Dan, THIS IS YOUR TRUE CALLING.