Wow, thanks for making this group!

[Aerows]

We definitely need it!

[JimDandy]

1. I second that. n/t

[Warpy]

2. What we need to do if we are able (and I'm not, alas, I'm a wreck these days)

is to work our way into the local party structure. I'm afraid populist takeovers are generally a bottom up, labor intensive thing to do. It is also a slow thing to do as the conservative dead wood often has to be carried out of their jobs feet first to make room for populists to move up the feeding chain.

We can also work outside the structure, but it's a bit less effective, by the each one teach one method. It's taken me a lifetime to master talking to conservatives without shoving them into a defensive posture. More than a few of them have said I've made them think about things and folks, that is populist progress, also.

The conservative takeover of everything was done slowly starting in the 1950s. We're going to need to take the long view and be in it for the long haul, too. We will never have their funding. All we have are numbers (if we can convince them) and the truth.

[Eleanors38]

3. Good piece. We need to know our parameters, strategy & energies.

[rhett o rick]

16. I so agree. I think we need to prioritize issues that need attention.

Here is a quick attempt:

Free and fair elections

Corp money out of politics

Non-Corp Media

Environment

Economy / Jobs

Infrastructure

Reverse the wealth drain to the wealthy

Each can be broken down further. But we need to concentrate with specific tactics.

[sabrina 1]

35. Good post, and you're right, it will take time to rebuild the party from the bottom up, but clearly

continuing to do what we have been doing will only continue the march to the Right of the Dem Party.

As for starting locally, I think that is happening across the country now. What looked like voter apathy in this last election, wasn't completely that imo. Many people who may not have voted in the national elections, did make sure to vote for Ballot Issues locally and they voted by wide margins, for Progressive issues.

I agree that local elections are extremely important, we can continue to try to get Progressive issues on Ballots across the country and helping to support candidates to build a foundation from which we will have real, Liberal Democratic candidates for the future.

[jwirr]

40. You may all kick me out on my rear but we can learn something from the opposition on this. For years

they ran candidates and participated in local events in order to gain power. They had candidates even when they knew they were going to lose but it was for visibility. They attended meetings and stood up to talk, wrote letters to newspapers and all the old meet and greet ideas. In the beginning they were careful that they did not show their crazy side and once in one position used it to help others gain a foothold.

We need to attend party meetings, get on their mailing lists, and become recognized for our common sense so that everyone will wonder who we are.

The rethugs have been extremely good at this over the years. I had thought that they were over stepping with the craziness but apparently not - they are in control.

[truedelphi]

4. It is so very needed. When only 29% of a voting populace turns out in Calif.

You know there needs to be reform!

(California has 37.5 million people, so having a mere 29% out there voting means a lot of people are indifferent to the "Evil" vs "Lesser than Two Evils" meme.)

[truedelphi]

5. K & R number 3. n/t

[Zorra]

6. Yay! Hi everyone! nt

[Aerows]

9. Hey Zorra

You are one of my favorite posters. No surprise to find you here .

[Zorra]

43. Backatcha, Aerows!!!

[840high]

7. Yes we do. k/r for group

[QC]

8. I second that!

Thanks so much!

[Aerows]

13. I think we have a gathering

of some of the more awesome DUers in this group. You are another of those that lays it on the line and states it plain.

I hope we can come revitalize our spirits, our members and the party

[QC]

21. Thanks! I hope so too! n/t

[Alittleliberal]

28. Liberal surge 2016 incoming! N/t

[AtomicKitten]

10. Thank you for this group!

[demwing]

37. You are very welcome

please feel encouraged to submit your own content and ideas

[bvar22]

11. Does this mean that Conservtive Democrats & The BOG....

...can't post here?

I would love that,
and might be able to clean out my "Ignore" list.

[bigwillq]

12. Not sure what the rules are

I know that I occasionally post in the BOG.

[Aerows]

14. I would hope

that when they start the Tiger Beat fan worship they could get kicked. Populist isn't "status quo", neither is keeping it status quo.

[VanillaRhapsody]

27. Tigerbeat Fan club?

OMG if that isn't hypocrisy!!!

[BlindTiresias]

41. oh my god no

One of their scouts.

[rhett o rick]

17. What I propose is that anyone can post if they refrain from rudeness and ridicule.

If you can't make your point w/o ridicule then you shouldn't be here.

We don't need juries here but the mods can decide to keep out trouble makers. And we know who they are.

[Aerows]

18. Excellent suggestion

We know who are the troublemakers, for certain. Though I wouldn't know if the main ones visited since I had to put them on ignore for sanity's sake.

[rhett o rick]

19. I also have a bunch of them on ignore. I am not strong enough willed not to get bated by them. nm

[QC]

22. Very wise. They are master baiters. n/t

[rhett o rick]

24. I walked into that one.

[Aerows]

23. I nearly got put on

"vacation" by a few of them, and finally wised up and just put them on ignore. Some of them are so incendiary you have to wonder why THEY aren't given a vacation. Anyone that is passionate and has enough common sense to state what they believe in is a target - because they have common sense, are passionate about their opinions and don't agree with pure bullshit.

It's not in me to pretend bullshit isn't bullshit.

[peacebird]

30. I put about 5 folks on ignore and life has been MUCH more pleasant on DU. I *had* become

Concerned about the vitriol on DU until I noticed it was usually the same group of posters making the place reek.

[NYC_SKP]

33. I agree and I would add that this group would suffer if it becomes a place to complain.

To complain about other members or other DU groups.

This is a phenomenon seen with guns and religion and some other topics and I don't think it's what demwing had in mind in forming the group.

[sabrina 1]

36. I agree with that. Liberals generally don't need to ban people because they are able to defend their

positions. Ridicule and mockery are Right Wing traits so whenever I see anyone employing those tactics, especially when aimed at the Left, I know these are either Third Way operatives or Right Wingers.

Real Liberals don't need Think Tank talking points, they are far more honest in general and can speak in their own words.

[NYC_SKP]

32. I would say "no". There's no reason to prevent their posting here as a rule.

However, if their posts in this group are disruptive in nature, the hosts might have a discussion about it.

[demwing]

38. The rules here are pretty simple

SOME GROUND RULES:

• The PRG is a safe house for DUers interested in the progressive, populist reform of our Democratic party.
• If you disagree with PRG's message or goal, that's OK. Find a group that fits, or enjoy the DU forums.
• Everyone starts out as welcomed. No one earns their way in - only their way out.
• Follow all DU rules. Don't put the group at risk

I want everyone to have the opportunity to be engaged, to come here and help identify and promote progressive, populist candidates and policies. People who disagree with the message and goal of the group can freely elect to go play elsewhere. People who come here to disrupt will be told to go play elsewhere.

I want all PRG Members to feel safe in their Group, but don't worry too much about the possibility of trolls. You know that trolls can't help trolling. They will out themselves, and they will be tossed back under the bridge. Trust your Hosts, trust the Group, and trust the process.

The Populist Reform Group was designed for DU's progressive and populist left, but no one is banned by default. That's what I mean by "No one earns their way in - only their way out."

Fair enough?

[truedelphi]

39. What a clear way of expressing what needs to be

The playbook for expressing ourselves here.

I mean, I don't think it can get any clearer than that!

[jillan]

15. Thank YOU for this group! You must've been reading my mind :)

[rhett o rick]

20. I also thank you. Great idea. nm

[rhett o rick]

25. Hey! I just noticed that Manny is a host. It's important to know which personality will

be hosting.

[demwing]

29. I'm trying to be inclusive

So I've asked Manny and NYC_SKP to help host. Both have hosting experience and will attract a blend of posters.

it's an experiment, but as long as we all stick to and respect the purpose of the group, we'll all be welcomed!

[arcane1]

26. I just noticed it! I suspect a lot of activity will take place here

[tosh]

31. Yes, thanks!

We seem to be off to a good start!

[WillyT]

34. K & R !!!

[BlindTiresias]

42. Thank you for making this group indeed

Was most certainly needed in my opinion.

[demwing]

44. Kicked & Rec'd /nt