Okay, you guys have all seen how bad we Democrats have it in Arkansas...or rather, how bad some so called Democrats from Arkansas are. Part of that larger problem is the good ol' boy system we have here-the institutionalized wait your turn, go along to get along, keep things the way they are mentality. As I'll explain shortly, the net result of that system is to shut a lot of people out of the Democratic party that could make a real difference. The ways they do it are actually very simple, but frustratingly difficult to uproot. So I'm asking you guys to share your experiences from across the country if you would. Activists here in Arkansas are looking for ways to change things, but it would help if we knew what worked elsewhere and what didn't. So if you would, please listen to our problem, and offer whatever advice you have.
I'm not the first person to jump on this. I was contacted by an activist who reads my blog Blue Arkansas about this problem and about what can be done to change it.
The problem is that the county Democratic committees are very insulated. Members of the committees are supposed to run on the ballot. If no one can be found to run, then the members can be appointed. That said, it's very hard to find out who's on the committee in many counties, harder still to find out how to get involved, and the people that could have some sway on this, including committee members themselves, often have no idea how to go about it or simply brush off concerns. The net result is that people who could make a difference here in Arkansas-progressives, blacks, latinos, women, union workers, conservationists, LGBT activists, community organizers, etc.-all get shut out of the process and the same people, generally wealthy, well connected, mostly white, older, more conservative members of our communities stay in power.
I look around the country and I see county and state parties taking active roles in pushing our senators and representatives on many issues. If just one or two county committees here made a fuss about healthcare, passing a resolution for instance calling on Lincoln to support the reform efforts, it'd be much harder for folks like Lincoln and Ross to move to the right. But to get to that point, we've got to find a way to open the Arkansas Democratic Party up to people outside the establishment so change can come from the ground up.
So I'm asking all of you that might have experience in this area, please, share your insights. How are things done where you live and work? How have your reform efforts paid off and how did you go about doing them? Those of you in Arkansas, what's your take on this? What's the best way for us open these doors?
Thanks in advance for any and all help.