Intolerable local Democratic Committees

Anyone have intolerable local Democratic Committees? We have one such committee locally that is comprised of village old-timers who are very unresponsive to a Progressive agenda. We've tried on several occasions to break new ideas and solicit endorsements of the committee. However, your surname determines village politics. Our local Democratic Committee is basically and old-timers club. In fact, a good third, including it's chairperson, are snow-birds.

What disturbs me most, is that in 2006 there are two vacancies for village trustee, with the majority of the Democratic Committee in Florida or otherwise, there was no debate about who we could run for these vacancies. So we took action on our own, without the committee.

Unfortunately when these folks return from their wintering in Florida, there WILL be discontent within the party locally.

This is what really burns me: we took action into our own hands, and decided to wage a write-in campaign for special elections on Tuesday. We've got the votes required to win locked up.

Or so we thought.

Unfortunately another group of Democrats who felt the same way locally are waging a similar hush campaign for write-in on Tuesday because of similar feelings towards the Democratic Committee.

It bothers me greatly that the entire process has had to take place in secret, behind closed doors in our homes, keeping fellow Democrats in the dark about plans for decisive, progressive action, only to be derailed by a similar effort. The collective effort could have been drawn together, yet because of old-time politics, we've been forced into secretive action, which may or may not have produced the best candidate for the position(s) available.

Anyone else feel similarly? Or we the only ones?

Heavily Republican area here.

I'm right there with you on progressive causes, but for my area I hope even for moderates.

the self appointed chair brags openly about buying Reid with campaign donations to get pork for her non-profit business. I'm on the verge of filing as a non-partisan just so I am not locally identified with these jerks.

The only way to solve this is to get control of the committee. It can be done, but it may take a while.

We've been doing some of the same thing here and we're starting to influence the agenda and even control some of the issues we take positions on. It's not easy, and the Old Guard fights dirty when they fight back, but we're right and we're not giving up.

They have had control because they've aligned with the local power structure (Republicans) so we've got to remove them. They're not really Democrats, they're just people who want a power bse for their own agendas.

Unfortunately 2006 is not the year to be splintering alliances. However, the root cause is far more important in my opinion to sit idly by until a more opportune moment arrives.

Glad to see that other's are in a similar situation and making positive strides towards compromise.

I have tried several times to get in touch with my local Dem party head. I have sent her a few emails informing her that I would like to become more involved with the local party, that I am interested what their pet projects are and when (if ever) there are caucuses. All to no avail. None of my emails or phone calls have been returned and I am starting to get really frustrated at the apparent lack of concern for cultivating new membership and the absence of publicity for ANY local causes. Unfortunately, I have recently learned that our local chair is the type of person who believes in taking on any cause, no matter how big or small, and that the local Dem caucus is paying the price for her supreme concern.

So, I feel your pain. But I'm not going to quit.

I couldn't find a local democratic organization anywhere. I had been looking in the paper since early 2004 and nothing. Once I saw something about a fundraiser that I couldn't attend and that was it.
I went to the caucuses and still couldn't connect. At the county caucuses, I finally was able to leave my name and email with the county secretary. I heard nothing.
Since I got to go to the county convention( by default), I was able to talk to some people. I talked to the secretary again. I explained that I had been trying to get more active and had no idea how.
I also told her that there must be more people like me out here. They actually acted surprised.

I am now on their list and get emails all the time. I got a special invite to their meetings (yes, they have them!)
And the secretary wrote a LTTE inviting anyone who is interested to come to the meetings. I just don't think they even thought about getting new people involved.

Going to my first meeting tomorrow!! Yay!!