Action 203: Your party needs you!
Background: There’s been a lot of discouragement in recent years with the Democratic party, and it’s not without justification. “Conservadems” just haven’t risen to the occasion. They don’t seem to understand the urgency of what we all see, that our representative democracy, based in the constitution and the rule of law, is under vicious and effective attack from would-be fascists and plutocrats.
It’s silly just to sit back and complain. It is past time for us to rise up and defend the principles that the Democratic Party supposedly stands for. That’s where you and I come in. It’s literally up to us to energize and remake the party from the ground up, starting here at home.
In Maine that is relatively easy to do. The state’s population is only about 1.4 million. 40 states have more people than we do, and far more backward-thinking people. 78% of us (i.e. 1.1 million Mainers) are voters, split roughly 33% Democratic, 33% unenrolled, 29% Republican, and 4% other party. With the right priorities, and effectively communicating them, our Maine Democrats should be able to gather in a significant portion of the unenrolled, and even a few upstanding Republicans who have become disgusted with their party. The simple truth is, at the current moment, the stronger our party becomes, the better for the country. This is why realistic reformers like Graham Platner are running as Democrats rather than third party candidates. The midterms are coming, the national situation is dire, and we need all hands on deck.
Action:
1. On the local level, support - or take a leadership role in organizing - your local Democratic Committee. If you are in Hancock County and you don’t know who to contact, a good place to start is the person sending you these action items. Or, send an email to the Municipal Committee Coordinator (Joyce Schelling) c/o secretary@hancockdems.org
Municipal leaders are now holding monthly meetings to share and develop strategies.
2. Participate in the County-wide Caucus, taking place February 28, in person, in Ellsworth. Print out and post the attached flyer in your town. The caucus is an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with Democrats from all over Hancock County. At the caucus, you will be able to elect delegates to the State Convention in May in Portland. By electing energetic and committed delegates, we will be able to insert the values and priorities of Hancock County Democrats into the Maine Democratic Party.
Flyer attached is in JPEG. The flyer should be printable on 8.5 x 11 paper, landscape format. If you need “hard copy” please phone 207 756 4877 ASAP and leave name, mailing address and # copies needed. Please post flyers by February 20.