Instead of spending $250 million dollars on TV commercials every 4 years, why doesn't the Democratic Party start opening up neighborhood offices that help people with day-to-day problems like getting their heat turned back on or finding a lawyer or getting something to eat?
Not offices that open up for a few months and annoy people with a bunch of phone calls. But permanent fixtures for good. A recognizable brand, where you go when you need help from fellow citizens. Make the Democratic Party a palpable force instead of simply another consumer product being hawked on TV.
True loyalty comes out of stuff like this, a loyalty that can't be swayed by glib 30 second entreaties. This is the politics of the real, not a reality show.
When you stop and think about the system we have now, it's completely stupid: a new hairdo comes along every 4 years with a bunch of focus-grouped "issues" and the two parties put on a TV show that results in nothing...
but revenue for TV stations! The losing hairdo skulks off in infamy to grow a beard or lobby for some corporation - and the status quo tightens its grip. I'm sick of it.
Imagine a neon sign that says "Democratic Headquarters." Inside is a wireless internet cafe, Bulletin boards, volunteers manning help desks, different groups planning good deeds like planting trees, reading to kids, organizing neighborhood clean ups - I don't know...I haven't thought this all out. But giving people tools for Democracy. Imagine hundreds of these places, all over the country, where people can meet and talk and plan and organize.
Maybe it's my Chicago roots coming back.
Ask Soros to help. Michael Moore and his newly minted millions. Ask Hollywood honchos. How about "Newman's Own Democracy Cafes" with good organic food and nutricious politcal information. "Ben and Kerry's." Whatever. Make the Democratic Party a grassroots movement. And make sure you open offices in rural areas. Bush policies are going to hurt rural economies more that the cities.
Thousands of people donated money to get Kerry elected, and what did they get for their money? TV commercials. Air! Poof, it's gone! Why not ask people to donate to something lasting, that does real good, and has political clout as a result? I know I'd rather give money for this kind of political action than the Theatre of the Absurd we have now.
Sure, this is old-fashioned machine politics. So what? What have we got now? An advertising campaign with no product, just promises, promises.
This may be the revolution that evens the playing field with the Repug's use of churches.
Rush and Co. will call it demogoguery. Doesn't matter. When you help people, they don't forget it. And with the shit coming our way in the next few years, people are bound to need all the help they can get.
What do you think?
Democracy Cafes?
Revolution, Inc.?