You don't have to feel overwhelmed. You can't do it all.

[wyldwolf]

If you're a Democrat, it is easy to feel overwhelmed in these trying times. And this often leads to apathy. Some people, knowing there is so much to do, choose to do nothing because they just don't know where to start.

Others are taken in by propoganda coming from the right and the left - propoganda designed to convince us that the Democratic party is in shambles or that we need to look elsewhere for a better way.

I say the reports of our demise are greatly exaggerated.

Don't get distracted by the sideshows. Don't fall for the doom and gloom from the right or the "purer than thou" mentality that some on the left project.

You CAN make a difference but only if you trust that others will make a difference, too.

By now, Democratic candidates are laying plans across our country to challenge Republicans in Governor, House, Senate, City council, and other races.

You have several choices. You can sit on the sidelines and do nothing.

You can bitch and complain about Republicans and/or Democrats that don't pass you smell test.

... I don't recommend either of those if your goal is to make a difference.

However, you can find several candidates in your city, county, or state that you believe in and volunteer in their campaigns. THAT will make a difference. A small one, granted, but trust that other Democrats are doing the same in the next city, county, or state over.
Remember - you can't do it all. Don't set yourself up to feel overwhelmed!

Or --- here's a novel idea...

Run for office yourself!

Find an office you think is winnable. And I'm here to say that the tides are turning and Democrats will be winning in red states very soon.

Research and learn the issues locally. This is very important!

Use Democratic Underground's State Forums to build yourself a volunteer staff. Or join a local Democratic club!

Read this book!



http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=Lf4X9lABG5&isbn=0871318784&itm=1

or this one...



http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=Lf4X9lABG5&isbn=0738869147&itm=7

Stay focused. Remember the traps I mentioned above that will be layed out in front of you.

Ignore naysayers - these will include your friends and family.

You can't win if you don't play ... or run!

[fooj]

1. Great message! Stay active- not passive!

Peace!

[dandrhesse]

2. no races are winnable if the GOP has control of our electoral process

free and fair elections, the vote is the only issue, all others are moot until this is addressed. In which case I feel it is appropriate to do nothing as far as campaigning is concerned. It's a joke. Why are we throwing away our hard earned money on an election process that is rigged?

I write lots of letters, make phone calls and send faxes and emails to senators and house members concerning various issues but the DNC as well as any other Dem entity aren't getta another dime from me until they address the election situation.

[TheWatcher]

3. Sadly You Are Correct

And even more sadly, this reality is ignored, because it isn'r what people want to hear or think about.

Because it is beyond their control, ot they simply choose not to believe it at all.

Four PRIVATE Corporations own and control the Electronic Voting Infrastructure in this country.

All four have heavy financial ties to the GOP and the Christian Recontsructionist Movement.

Mike Malloy has covered this in great detail.

Even here this issue doesn't get addressed a whole lot.

But it is real, and there will NEVER be another Free Election in this country until it is DEALT with.

The question is how exactly to do it.

So far the only answers I can think of would not be wise to post.

I honestly do not know how you fix this legally and peacefully.

[WeHoldTheseTruths]

4. I think the answer to stopping the election fraud...

...requires a lot of work at the local and state level. I recommend the "2004 Election Results and Discussion" forum here at DU. Good things happening, but it takes effort and time.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=203

My computer froze and I lost the first draft of this comment, and I've lost the train of thought, but the above stands anyway.

Man I hate it when that happens. Lucky I could find this thread again.

Good post, wyldwolf. And good comments.