About a week ago the Broomfield County Democrats passed a resolution that put pressure on Colorado elected officials to support the Public Option. My County's Democratic party is holding it's monthly meeting next week and I was thinking about going to it and advocating for them to issue a similar resolution. There's only one problem.
I have no Idea what I'm doing.
The Broomfield resolution reads:
Be it resolved: The executive committee of the Broomfield County Democrats, on this date, on behalf of Party members across the county, declares its support for President Obama’s call for a robust Public Option health care plan, one that is an integral part of comprehensive reform that ensures that all in America have affordable access to quality basic health care, irrespective of health condition, socio-economic status, or employment status. The present opportunity for true health care reform that meets the above objectives is too fragile and too important to our nation for it to be lost to the politics of special interests.
It should be clear by this proclamation that all elected officials and candidates for office desiring the support of our Party, either financial or by ballot, must evidence clear support for this resolution as stated. This applies to our Democratic colleagues Senator Udall, Senator Bennet, and Representative Polis, as well as any other candidates seeking office in the City and County of Broomfield.
I've never even been to a Democratic party meeting before. I'm sure I could go next week and scope it out and learn the ropes in order to advance my plan at next month's meeting. But I'm afraid that next month will be too late to make a difference, and there is already an agenda item for a healthcare resolution this meeting. I have a few questions for those that have experience with these meetings and such:
- Are these meetings even open to the public? I don't see anything about any requirements to come to the meeting. I am a registered democrat, I'm assuming I can go, but I'm not really sure of this.
- Should I draft a resolution myself? Should I just write one that is similar to the Broomfield resolution and try to submit it to the committee or whatever it is that runs the meeting, or should I just bring a copy of the Broomfield resolution and let them hash out the details.
- Should I try to get a big group of people to go with me? I'm not sure if this is the appropriate venue for that sort of thing, is it?
- How should I address the meeting? Do these meetings typically have a way for people who show up to suggest these kinds of things, or will I look like an idiot if I try this? If I can address the meeting what is the best way of doing so? What points should I make to be persuasive? Are there "do's and don'ts" for this kind of thing?
At the last count I saw there were 45 Senators who supported the public option. I would really like my Senator (Wyden) to be the 46th. Any advice would be appreciated since I really have no idea how this works.