Have you ever stopped for a moment and wondered why Democratic Underground is so very popular? Why it seems so very central to grass-roots progressive Democratic activism? Have you noticed how often the truly active, vital liberal movements and causes have to pass a hat around and beg for money when they are fighting for things that seem so critically important to our future?
If you want an answer and a slap in the face at the same time, just try to get a job on the inside of the party or at a mainstream Democratic organization.
Are you a renowned writer? I don’t care, sweep the floor.
Are you a talented photographer? Too bad, work the phones.
Do you shoot film and write music? That’s nice, go and get us lunch.
Are you a ballsy young journalist with a sharp eye for news? Interesting. Go and make these copies.
Yes, it really is that bad and they expect you to work for free even though we raise more money than the GOP does these days.
When the conservative movement sees an outspoken, effective messenger in their midst, they’re embraced immediately. In many cases they don’t even have to ask they are approached and made an offer. A place is made for them. They are given a chance to use their abilities for the benefit of the GOP’s goals and, this is most critical, they are rewarded with a comfortable salary and plenty of options. Those who do well are given an immediate career path upward. Not surprisingly, it has become quite popular, even for moderates, to take that route. Why? Because it’s a viable one. It’s not a lifestyle hit, it’s an upgrade. There is an unending line of effective communicators all of whom are pro GOP in some way or another.
Now where exactly, is the progressive counterpart to this?
Why does William Pitt eat Spaghetti-O’s?
Simply put, every talented liberal with skills to contribute to the Democratic message should have a comfortable, secure job from a party-related source if they desire one. It should be profitable to be a liberal, not a sacrifice. We shouldn’t have to go lone-wolf or beg for money, it’s a stinging humiliation that we have to do so when so many of us are tremendously wealthy. It hurts the party very badly.
Conservatives pump money into their causes like they are paying tithes, and it shows. Our funding tends to go upward. Can you image what loyalty it would inspire among the rank and file if outspoken, talented communicators could put their kids through college making our message? It would transform the party, and maybe that’s the problem. We are shut out. Donna Brazile gets the check, and uses it to go have dinner with Karl Rove. They don’t eat pasta out of can.
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Originally posted here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... back in '04, but a key part of the discussion today on this topic as well.