Lofty Ideals – Poor Execution
By fdrjim on July 19, 2008 at 6:15 PM in DNC, Delegates, Democracy, Democratic National Convention, Democratic Nomination, Florida
I Own My Vote: www.iownmyvote.com
A life-long Democrat, who has never voted Republican, the ideals espoused in the Preamble to the Democratic Party have been the coalescing force behind my dedication and loyalty. Without fail, I, along with millions of others, have rededicated ourselves to the principles that have not only “sustained” our Party but also maintain and enhance our Democracy.
Unity to a common purpose does not mean “falling in line” to support a “selected” candidate. Rather, unity to uphold our Democracy and the principles of our Party are paramount. The resistance by loyal, life-long Democrats to automatically support the presumptive nominee is often characterized as an act of disloyalty; that we “sore losers”. No, on the contrary, we are vanguards of our Party and we stand united to right the egregious wrongs we have witnessed.
CHARTER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
PREAMBLE
We, the Democrats of the United States of America, united in common purpose, hereby rededicate ourselves to the principles which have historically sustained our Party. Recognizing that the vitality of the Nation’s political institutions has been the foundation of its enduring strength, we acknowledge that a political party which wishes to lead must listen to those it would lead, a party which asks for the people’s trust must prove that it trusts the people and a party which hopes to call forth the best the Nation can achieve must embody the best of the Nation’s heritage and traditions.What we seek for our Nation, we hope for all people: individual freedom in the framework of a just society, political freedom in the framework of meaningful participation by all citizens. Bound by the United States Constitution, aware that a party must be responsive to be worthy of responsibility, we pledge ourselves to open, honest endeavor and to the conduct of public affairs in a manner worthy of a society of free people. Under God, and for these ends and upon these principles, we do establish and adopt this Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States of America.
Listen to those it would lead
Perhaps our Party Leaders should rededicate themselves. Perhaps they should learn to listen. A “Party which wishes to lead must listen to those it would lead” but for months voters nationwide demanded the Florida and Michigan issue be resolved. Petitions, protests, letters, oranges, tea bags, shoes, undergarments, calls, and the many other means to get our Party Leaders to listen fell upon deaf ears. Do they really want to lead?
Trust and Responsiveness
Why should we trust our Party Leaders?: “a Party which asks for the people’s trust must prove that it trusts the people”.
The Democratic Party has not earned our trust. Party Leaders have done little to nothing to gain our confidence. This election cycle has been most unfair, dishonest, and untruthful. The suppression of votes, the tolerance of sexism and misogyny in all forms of media and by our own elected officials, the stealing of delegates, the calls for a candidate to drop out of the primary, the artificially imposed dates for Superdelegates to endorse, the coercion and strong-arm tactics, and the blatant lies by the Democratic Party are despicable.
Furthermore, “a Party must be responsive to be worthy of responsibility”. Are we to believe that the 5-months it took our Democratic Party to resolve the votes of 2-million plus voters as responsive? Is the Party worthy of responsibility?
Freedom
“Individual freedom in the framework of a just society, political freedom in the framework of meaningful participation by all citizens.”
Can we characterize the 1.75 million Florida voters as having had “meaningful participation” in the electoral process? Can the same be said of Michiganders. And, what about the thousands of potential caucus-goers who were not able to participate because they were infirmed, had to work to support their families, disabled, intimidated, or otherwise. Is this what our Democratic Party believes to be “political freedom” and “meaningful participation”?
Personal Insight
I began making calls to the DNC early March. I made a commitment to call almost every day. I was incensed my vote did not count. I was distraught the votes of my fellow Floridians did not count.
I became increasingly frustrated by the impudence the Party displayed. Their insistence the “rules are the rules” was befuddling. As a business owner, if my clients or constituents were at risk because of a faulty rule in my warranty policy, I assuredly would resolve the rule expeditiously so as to earn their trust and loyalty.
Over the period March – April 26th, I had been in contact with Therese from the Chairman’s Office. When I appeared at a DNC rally with 250 Floridians, a demonstration sponsored by LULAC, the Director of Operations saw my name-tag and asked that I come inside to meet someone with whom I have had a “telephone relationship”. I agreed. When I finally met Therese, I was informed her actual name was Kathryn Dvorak. I was floored. I was also asked to “tone down” my conversations. I did not comply.
When I asked for a list of the members of the Rules & By-lays Committee, I was told that information could not be released. I wanted an explanation and was given some story that the RBC members are private citizens and therefore could not be released. I called the ACLU for clarification. I then called Kathryn Dvorak (aka Therese) and informed her of my conversation with the ACLU and told her I would be more than happy to conference them in. She responded it would not be necessary and 5-minutes later I was emailed the RBC committee members.
I began calling the DNC the beginning of May to ascertain the location of the Rules & By-laws Committee meeting. As with every other request, I was met with resistance. For several weeks I was told the location had not been determined.
Yet, as a result of my “Action Item of the Day” program implemented through Florida Demands Representation, I knew on May 9th where the meeting was going to be held. Having this knowledge, from a RBC Co-Chair, I called every day and was given the same response: “the location has not yet been determined”. Finally, Monday, May 19th I told Kathryn Dvorak (aka Therese) that I planned to call CNN. She told me that would not be necessary. The next day the location and the credentials process were announced.
Listen? Trust? Responsive?
Failure
The Democratic Party has failed every tenet of its preamble. The Party and its leaders have not listened. They are not trustworthy. They have been, by design, unresponsive. They have encroached both individual and political freedoms.
Yet our Party Leaders are confounded that we have not “fallen in line”. We are being asked to unite. I, for one, cannot unite behind a Democratic Party that has flaunted this type of behavior.
I Own My Vote! Has the Democratic Party earned yours?
(Release: November 13)
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Beautifully written! I love this! I’m sending this post to my family and friends. Thanks so much fdrjim. I couldn’t agree with you more!
Yo Eddie, you have access to the internet? Hey, somebody get hizzoner Guv Rendell’s attention.
We’re all funny ears, so to speak.
CHARTER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES…Might as well be written on a box of cracker jacks…look at the cheap prize inside.
Yep and all I got was this littlewhatchamacallit thing. More peanuts, please.
The demoKrat party has bared it’s soul this year. The charade is over with disgust and loathing visible for all to see.
The New democrats are Two Bit totalitarian thug dictatorship wanabies that takes its directive from all the Obama supporting dictators who want to be his friend.
Exactly Mzzz Moss (or Mr)
but I agree!
Dawnelle,
I’m a big white guy who likes to champion womens rights because,
This was The Year for a Woman to win the white house.
Not only was Hillary the best woman to ever run but also the best candidate by far.
I was looking for real change which a woman would have brought to the office.
I think this world is in real trouble and was looking forward to seeing a woman in charge of solving the issues.
I guess I’m comfortable with women and power. In fact I laugh at these sexist’s because it reveals their lack of manhood.
Nicely put, Seattle Moss and a nice revelation. I think that the first woman – Nancy Pelosi – as head of the House would have been a wonderful start but the moment she opened her mouth over a year ago I was appalled in so many ways. She is everything we don’t want in a first of any kind woman. She is a power abusing and power hungry stupid broad (and I get to say that cause the “Susan” is real and this is a term that fits those who trade on power of the female kind and nothing else). She is stupid and uneducated, arrogant and unable to even think of leading on anything. With “impeachment off the table” she was done. No one in their right mind could have said that – we had no idea what else the W would do. I tell you, she is an idiot, a wealthy, well-kept political whore – the only thing real about her are her bloody South Sea pearls and one can’t be too sure about that. An abomination!!! And I do believe the story that all of this has come to pass because SHE IS JEALOUS OF HILLARY. Get that one please: she is willling to sacrifice the country out of her jealousy toward another woman. Think on it. Pelosi has broken no glass ceiling that I can see – she couldn’t even find that glass ceiling. To shatter a glass ceiling, YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!!! Okay, maybe this should be a post in the above thread: am I mad? I am soooo mad that it is beyond description. I am furious with every fiber of my being.
On March 11, one week after Hillary’s wonderful wins in Ohio and Texas, I sustained a horrific fall and began taking Alleve. It was enough Alleve that it covered the pain rather well but about the end of May, I realized I had developed an ulcer – this was rather concurrent to the lifting of the veil where we all began to know we were SCREWED by trhe DNC. Ulcer confirmed in the next few days as was the DNC’s deceit. Was the ulcer due the DNC or the Alleve? Dropping the pain meds revealed an incredibly painful neck, shoulder, arm nerve complex far worse than anything I had ever experienced… as I began to see the similarities and wonder if this was worsened by the DNC also – or my insane anger at the DNC – I realized that it was my LEFT arm. My left arm had turned painful and the remedies had deceived me. I need to move to the center – my pain is clearly telling me to vote McCain.
Sorry to be self-centered here but this is for anyone else who is feeling real and serious physical pain over what is the most outrageously evil political act I can remember and I’m in my early 60’s – I remember Watergate ever so well.
I was shocked and pained then and it continued: Watergate, Jimmy Carter, Iran Contra, the impeachment of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Karl Rove, Valerie Wilson… We love Bill Clinton and as painful as that impeachment was, the DNC’s vile, poisonous, treacherous, evil deceit is FAR FAR WORSE. This strikes at the heart of our democracy in a way that I could not have imagined. And I will fight back in every way possible for me. My pain would be far worse without NQ – thank you Larry and Susan. You are critical to all of us who are feeling this kind of pain and need the kind of remedy you offer. Thank you!!
And I left out what I started on: your dedication to finding out the truth about the DNC and literally calling them on it is soo appreciated. I have done some but nothing close to what you have. Your determination to know the truth in this particular year is critical to the survival of this democracy. Thank you.
I so agree with Susan Nancy Pelosi would never support Hillary as President. I’ve said this to people over and over again. When she became the speaker she kept another female rep ( sorry can’t remember her name ) Maybe Harman, from becoming Chairman of a Committee out of jealousy . I knew then what a bad choice she was for Speaker. It’s all about her OWN POWER.
Thank you for your dedication and persistence. I am sure others would call, too, if you have an issue that you would welcome help.
When I finally met Therese, I was informed her actual name was Kathryn Dvorak.
Geez fdrjim, my jaw dropped at that sentence.
Maybe her side job is phone sex operator, they also are known for their great bullshit skills.
No, absolutely not! I have been voting for 40 years and have always been an independent. But neither has the Republican Party earned my vote. It is clear that the impudent Democratic Party leaders are counting on general voter discontent to get their puppet man in the White House this time around.
These comments give me another opportunity to blast that sanctimonious hypocrite, Jimmy Carter. I donated to the Carter Center for many years. I thought that his efforts through his Center have been commendable even though I thought he was a terrible President and never voted for him.
He gladly accepted a Nobel Peace Prize awarded in part because of his efforts to oversee fair elections in other countries and to mediate disputes. What is he doing now? As far as I can tell, he is one of those Democratic Party leaders who has his….fill in the rest with as gross a picture as you can imagine.
However, as these comments point out…
“This election cycle has been most unfair, dishonest, and untruthful. The suppression of votes, the tolerance of sexism and misogyny in all forms of media and by our own elected officials, the stealing of delegates, the calls for a candidate to drop out of the primary, the artificially imposed dates for Superdelegates to endorse, the coercion and strong-arm tactics, and the blatant lies by the Democratic Party are despicable.”
As for Mr Jimmy Carter, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, his silence of the conditions described and his endorsement of Obama are not only despicable, they are the height… the height… THE HEIGHT OF HYPOCRISY.
I think he has alzheimer’s
I’ll say it again I am no longer declared to any party. I would love to sign this, but I want it delivered to both parties. Senator McCain is included in it. If I am going to vote for Senator McCain who is tied to the Republican party I want them also to know that I own my own vote and that I want them to work for us the voter as well. I want both sides to know no matter who I choose to vote for I will no longer just fall in line for anyone. Either side.
Either they grow up and learn to work together or I’ll never return to either party and will only vote for true moderates. I am a member of over 20 Animal Rights/Environmental/Human Rights groups, and yet even I know there comes a time to compromise and work together for the betterment of all concerned. I rescued wildlife for years. Over a 1,000 animals a year. I’ve seen the horrors. But I also know there comes a time to pick and choose your fights. I don’t fight for every cause, there are times I have to step back. Then there are some I’ll fight tooth and nail for, that bring out the passion in me for that cause.
Fdrjim, I was stunned for a minute when I read your post. Then saddened. The vast majority of the details you accurately list were known to all who cared to stay informed, but the deception you noted in your telephone calls points out the shame of those who knowingly lied. I understand how Dean’s staff would not want thier real name associated with such sleazy behavior.
Roosevelt’s DNC is dead; it is denied a proper funeral by the neo-Dem leaders who pretend it still exists in hopes that we won’t notice and unite behind their inexperienced Flim-Flam man.Chicago- style politics instead of the will of the people have decided the outcome of the party’s election process.
Before its Denver convention, the new DNC has decided to consolidate its party machinery with Obama’s campaign and move its operations from Washington DC to Chicago. The Denver convention will be nothing more than a celebration of Barack Hussein Obama and whatever he believes in August.
This is about the role of our leaders and their responsibility to citizens in a democracy. Democratic leaders worked together to circumvent the will of the people and empower an inexperienced, far-left candidate with questionable friends and associates. Others in high position allowed it, did nothing to stop it, and by their silence condoned it.
Remember in Novenber to remind the neo-Dems that actions have consequences. They cannot be trusted. We must have a President who will ensure the checks and balances of power that are founders valued. Remember in November; it is time to take our country back.
Clinton or McCain, 2008; there is no other viable option for our country.
Ok
CLINTON
OR
MC CAIN
NEVER
OBAMA
Obama is a BIG LIAR:
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/07/obama_is_just_another_politici.html
Here is another post from the American Thinker Blog:
http://www.tinyurl.com/5zaslw
The heading for this post is “Obama’s Magical Mystery Tour Begins” dated 19th July.
Your story leaves me speechless. Please, keep telling it, over and over. Until they hear.
Maybe this is why the press is so nice to Obama….
From …
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11886.html
Concerning press access …
“Among those for whom there was no room was Ryan Lizza, Washington correspondent of The New Yorker. The campaign, which was furious about the magazine’s satirical cover this week, cited space constraints in turning him away.”
How can anyone be proud to say that they are a Democrat??? I know I can’t. I have been a Democrat for over 40 years and this really makes me sad to see the corrupt state of this party!!!
Another thing that “We the People” need to do is get the power away from the News media. They are buying this election for Obama.
Well it is:
“We the People
Buy the People
Forget the People”
Isn’t it?!
Obama speaks to the world:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgMO0L2nPwo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v79kItUNXQ
Thank you for that – it is an appropriate quote and applies to many of us, I am sure.
Letter from Don Fowler & Alice Germond of the DNC to Hillary supporters. THEY ARE DEFINITELY NOT LISTENING:
“It is time for all Democrats, supporters of Senator Clinton and all other contenders for the nomination, to stand with him to secure his election and the election of Democrats at all levels of competition.
I must confess a bit of fatigue and irritation with people who continue to carp, complain, and criticize the results of the primary and lay down conditions for their support. The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t establish conditions to recognize the Boston Celtics as NBA Champions; Roger Federer did not demand concessions before recognizing that Rafael Nadal defeated him at Wimbledon.
It is time to act in a mature and resourceful fashion. It’s time to put the primaries behind us. It’s time to support Barack Obama without conditions or demands.”
fdrjim
You just summed it up, thank you for enduring all the “irratation” you experienced.
Many thanks.
Thanks for writing this. I have been talking about this since February too and it makes me feel like the country will be fine when I read other peoples stories. The DNC must be putting a lot of effort into ignoring constant calls for them to act democratic and honor their roots.
The DNC better let Hillary Clinton be on the roll call for nomination at the convention.
If they don’t, I’m betting, the membership to justsaynodeal and PUMA will go from about 3,000,000 to 9,000,000 in a NY minute. Then there is NO WAY their boy will win in November.
I love Hillary Clinton and I want her to be OUR president in 2008, but if that can’t happen I will be proud to vote for John Mccain.
BUT I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR obama, NEVER!
don’t be fooled Dean said she would be on the ballot. But the technicality is tat she her name needs to be put into nomination.
As a fellow Floridian I commend all your efforts on our favor. I rescinded my membership to the Democratic Party on June 3rd, but I will always be a Democrat at heart. If the party sees the reduced membership, perhaps they would be more apt to listen, perhaps not. Funny how there was an annoucement on the FL Dem Party website in the begining of June abiout how registered Hispanic Dems had finally matched the number of registered Hispanic Reps… well I guess not anymore. Thanks Donna!
I guess Fowler, Germond, Dean, Brazile, Marsh and the rest of the clueless brigade of the Obama Movement just haven’t gotten the big picture yet.
It’s not just OBAMA, although personally, I have strong objections to him as a candidate because I believe he quite clearly has Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
It’s the Democratic Party, the Oligarchy, we reject now. That’s why they can’t bully so many people into “falling in line.” They keep using the PARTY loyalty argument. But, party loyalty isn’t working because too many people saw what the party did at the RBC/DNC. They saw a secret meeting occur and a violation of party rules occur in a public forum by the DNC elitists.
Democrats disenfranchising 2.3 million democratic voters in two states in order to install a nominee they pre-selected and pre-ordained.
Wrap my mind around that? I cannot. In all honesty, it is no different from what the GOP did in Florida in 2000. They played dirty and so, now, are the Democrats.
WHY should I collude in this? I can’t find a reason for it. Because McCain would be worse? He probably would be; but at least he was selected honestly as their nominee, without the GOP disenfranchising Republican voters. I don’t believe I can vote for McCain; but I know I cannot vote for Obama, because a vote for Obama equals a vote for Democratic vote disenfranchisement in my mind. This time it was Florida and Michigan; next time it could be your state. I lived in Florida in 2000; at that time I said never again. But, I was wrong.
The Democrats disenfranchised 2.3 million Democrats in 2 states in order to install a nominee they pre-selected and pre-ordained. Wrap your mind around that. I cannot.
There’s a hip new phrase making it’s way into the lexicon, my ears are tiny in comparison, but I have been hearing it clearly for the past couple of months on all sorts of topic:
post-American
It’s quite catchy.
And, here I thought that the technicality was that Dean said it.
This would not be the first time in recent history that people would have to flee, go underground and lie about their affiliations.
Not paranoid, just educated.
The Preamble to the Democratic Party says it all, no matter who was selected for the nomination, every democrat, no matter who they voted for, needs to stand up against what happened in the nomination process. It was so totally against what the Democratic Party stands. Democrats are not the only ones that watched in horror as the DNC, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi and other delegates divided and disgraced our Party but totally shredded it.
Our troops, past and present, the have fought and died on foreign soils, so those countrys could have a true and honest democracy will have all fought in vain if we do not stand up and let our voices be heard about what transpired during our nominating process. We, the People, are losing our voices and that includes Republicans and all other parties so they better pay attention to what is going to take place in Denver because it is a wake-up call for all Americans.