A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us at Daily Kos every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
|
The orange pinpoints are the location of each organized group of Daily Kos readers.
If you'd like to join a group, click on a point and a box will pop up showing contact links.
If you'd like to start a group, contact navajo for instructions.
View Interactive Map of Daily Kos Regional Communities in a full screen version.
|
Are You a Consumer ?
I am, I suppose. I guess we all are. We all have to buy stuff so that makes us all consumers, consumers with a small "c" anyway. You always hear that 70% of the US economy is consumer spending. I don't quite understand how something like that is even possible, much less sustainable, but that 70% makes us consumers pretty damned important. This is why they have to measure our sentiment and check our confidence. The University of Michigan publishes a Consumer Sentiment Index1 and you hear that mentioned every now and then, but the number that gets reported most often is Consumer Confidence. The Consumer Confidence Index2 is published by an outfit called The Conference Board3. I went to their website4 to check my confidence, it's down 7.4 points this month, and I found out that The Conference Board is undergoing some kind of restructuring. Here's a quote:
The continuing commitment of The Conference Board to providing insights on consumer attitudes and behaviors has led the organization to join forces with The Nielsen Company to create The Demand Institute™. As a result of this new direction, The Conference Board is phasing out the Consumer Research Center (CRC). Executives interested in the results of the Consumer Confidence Survey® and CEO Confidence Survey™ may continue to subscribe separately. Existing CRC members will have access to all data currently provided as a part of their membership until their subscription expires. We would like to thank our members for their continued support and valuable contributions.
Recently launched, The Demand Institute™ provides a broad range of consumer-related research and activities. The institute is focused on improving member’s ability to both sense and steer consumer demand, while providing a more holistic understanding of where global consumer demand is headed. Through access to tangible new performance opportunities, enhanced R&D methods and applied innovation, and the opportunity to strengthen capabilities and learn new skills, The Demand Institute™ is taking on work that few organizations have tackled. Please visit The Demand Institute™ for more information on membership.
So now I guess it's The Demand Institute. Still sounds a little dodgy to me but apparently their research is considered quite scientific by many people. NPR reports their numbers every month. The phrase that caught my eye in the above quote was "... improving member's ability to both sense and steer consumer demand." I remember when gas prices dropped. I kept hearing in the media that consumers were saving billions on gas so that meant they would surely be buying more stuff. Maybe that's what they mean by steering consumer demand. It didn't work that well for me. I haven't really been buying more stuff, but then, I'm not a Consumer.
Now, Consumer with a capital "C", that's something different. It's more like a culture, or a religion. I sure we don't have many of those here, most Consumers aren't really into politics. They don't see how it affects their lives. Like any other culture, the Consumer Culture has certain tenets or beliefs. These aren't written down but they exist. Consumers pick them up from watching television all their lives. Consumers believe, for example, that you are what you buy. That is, you express yourself through your stuff. This is sort of democratic in a way. You don't need any particular talents or abilities and you can be an impressive person just by buying impressive stuff. "That's why there's ..." How many times have you heard that ? Consumers believe that there's a product for every problem and dealing with life's difficulties is just a matter of making the correct purchasing decisions, buying the right stuff. Finally, there's a very troubling aspect of the Con Cult. It's fundamentally anti-democratic. Television operates on the audience delivery business model. The networks sell ad time to corporations based on the number of viewers, those viewers are the product being sold. This being the case, corporations, called companies because that's a less threatening term, are always portrayed in a positive light. Something like the Stockholm Syndrome5 sets in. Consumers see Big Business as a benevolent force in their lives, almost like an elder sibling. The average Consumer is OK with concentrated economic power and doesn't see it as a danger. They worry more about Big Government than Big Biz and never seem to consider that, unlike our government officials, we don't get to vote for corporate CEOs.
So there's my little rant for this Tuesday morning. What's up with y'all, got any good links to share and...
Are You a Consumer ?
Latest Updates on Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
List of All Existing Meatspace Groups
Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
by joanbrooker ♥ for New York City
New York City Kos gathered to remember and toast Cedwyn with her favorite icons, sippy cups and butterflies. "She touched so many lives and the loss to all of her friends at DK has been profound."
Here's one group photo:
From left clockwise: ericlewis0, DaveG, MBNYC, thirty three and a third, Mets102, sidnora, blue jersey mom, janosnation, Stacey, and joanbrooker.
Please visit joanbrooker's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New York City Kos by sending a Kosmail to kathny.
by Sara R ♥ for Koscadia
Koscadia, at it again.
We had a lovely meal together yesterday. The mood was a bit somber as we thought of our absent [Koscadia] friend, Cedwyn. The news of Cedwyn's death did not come until afterwards.
At our lunch, I received a special gift from ericlewis0 intended for both me and Ann, wrapped and framed by llbear. It was the original artwork for the Animal Nuz cartoon of Catwyn receiving her quilt. [Photo can be seen in Sara R's diary]
Here's one photo:
L-R: War4Sale (back of head), Sheila, slampros, watercarrier4diogenes, llbear, ozsea1, loggersbrat, quill, pdxteacher
Please visit Sara R's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join
Koscadia by sending a Kosmail to
Sara R.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast the date of your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Wednesday, March 4th
NOTE DATE CHANGE ^^^^^^^^^^
San Francisco Kos Welcomes joanbrooker to Town
TIME: 6:15 PM
LOCATION: Triptych, near Civic Center BART
1155 Folsom Street • San Francisco
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. joanbrooker
2. navajo
3. norm
4. side pocket
5. Richard F.
6. jpmassar
7. citisven
8. Meteor Blades
9. Lorikeet
10. dsb
11. boatsie
12. Lefty Coaster
13.
14.
15.
Reservation has been made for 15 people only.
|
Maybees:
dharmasyd
KC208
Plumbers, party of 3
|
Saturday, March 21st?
Motor City Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 7:00 PM or TBD
LOCATION: Taqueria Mi Pueblo
7278 Dix • Detroit (Corktown-ish)
ORGANIZER: Send peregrine kate a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. DoReMI
2. mideedah
3. BFSkinner
4. peregrine kate
5.
|
Maybees:
ProvokingMeaning
ChemBob
|
Latest diary: Michigan/Motor City Kossacks Weekly Open Thread: Meet-Up, Sat 2/14, 7:00 PM, Corktown(ish) Detroit
Sunday, March 29th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kos Meet-up
TIME: 12:30 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery and Restaurant
1201 First Ave S • Seattle
Cost: $20.00 for selective menu for a large group
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. John Crapper S.O.
3. Lefty Coaster
4. ActNowonClimate
5. ratcityreprobate
6. doingbusinessas
7. doingbusinessas' daughter
8. Flamingogrrl
9. MiddleEaarth
10. rvoget
11. LarisaW
12. bleeding blue
|
Maybees:
Eagle Keeper
Michael Foster Guest - Plant for the Planet Seattle
|
Latest diary: Seattle & Puget Sound Kos - Change is Coming - Meet up Sunday 3/29/15
Saturday, April 18th
San Francisco Kos Welcomes blue jersey mom to Town
Potluck style BBQ
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: kimoconnor's garden
[Address given privately to RSVPs] • San Francisco
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. blue jersey mom
2. navajo - [2 bottles of wine]
3. side pocket
4. Mrs. side pocket
5. maggiejean
6. kimoconnor
7. dharmasyd
8. norm
9. remembrance
10. Glen The Plumber
11. TLO
12. Lorikeet
13. dsb
14. FogCityJohn
|
Maybees: |
Saturday, April 25th
DAILY KOS CONNECTS KANSAS CITY
Our first regional Daily Kos gathering.
Join us for a day of camaraderie and progressive strategizing with Big Orange flavor. In a day-long seminar, learn how our Connect! Unite! Act! team maximized the Daily Kos forum to effect change in Kansas state politics. We are going to duplicate that effort across the nation. Participants will focus on organizing from the ground up.
You'll also get a chance to meet the blog's founder, Markos Moulitsas and some Daily Kos writers, such as Joan McCarter, Meteor Blades, David Nir, Jen Hayden and others.
TIME: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Alamo Drafthouse
1400 Main Street • Kansas City
SCHEDULE:
8:00 AM - Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 AM - Presentations, panels and Q&A's begin
Noon - Lunch served
1:30 PM - More presentations, panels and Q&A's
6:00 PM - After Party
REGISTER HERE: $30 registration fee at Eventbrite
Benefactor level is also available if you plan to attend and buy a scholarship for someone, you and your attendee can have a front row seat. Angel level is also available if you can't attend but want to help someone else attend.
We have five scholarships available thanks to our Benefactors and Angels. Please kosmail navajo if you need a scholarship to attend. |
Grow our network, unite our progressive communities, help win elections!
RSVPs:
1. Markos Moulitsas
2. tmservo433
3. Meteor Blades
5. Joan McCarter
6. David Nir
7. Jen Hayden
8. Monique Teal
9. Neeta Lind aka navajo
10. Cindy Kelly from Women4KS
11. Peter Gogol
12. Jeffrey Zamrzla
13. Brian82
14. C.M.
15. Sandzen
16. kj in missouri
17. artguy4life
18. Chris
19. pyoung
20. Madge Montgomery
21. cdtribble
22. Mrs. cdtribble
23. kd4dean
|
Maybees:
ColoTim
|
Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, 2015
DKos Asheville's Roadtrip and Two-Day Retreat to Roanoke, Virginia
From randallt:
After seven successful and engaging meet ups, DKos Asheville's core members decided to take our next gathering on the road. The first reason was that our chef and benefactor for all our meet ups has been Gordon20024 and we wanted say thanks by traveling to be with him instead of having him drive to be with us. We asked and he was thrilled and so the idea was born. Another reason is that it offers us the opportunity to meet more Kossacks from around the region including Virginia and parts of North Carolina to the north and east of us.
Grow our network, grow our community, help win elections.
|
TIME: 1:00 pm Saturday till 1:00 pm Sunday
LOCATION: Hotel Roanoke, Conference Center
110 Shenandoah Avenue • Roanoke
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. gordon20024
2. davehouck
3. randallt
4. Joieau
5. LamontCranston
6. Steerler Grrl
7. Steeler Guy
8. Otteray Scribe
9. DawnN
10. emmasnacker
|
Maybees: |
Latest diary: DKos Asheville: Open Thread
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.