What to do?

What to do?

Some time ago I criticized the Tom Green County Democratic Party Elite for not providing and alternate view to counter the view of local Republicans. After all democracy needs participation and conflicting opinions in order to function.
　
This is the list of suggestions I came up with. It is not complete and has not been rewritten from the my first draft.

1) Oppose those who seek to divide the community along the lines of race. Work towards getting race identification removed from voter registration.

2) Publically show opposition to views publically expressed by groups such as the TEA Party. "Justice has not just to be done it needs to be seen to be done." You are not trying to convince TEA Party members or supporters to change their minds, you need to discredit the TEA Party, etc in the eyes of the public.

3) Stop letting the Standard Times set your agenda. No more articles from the Tom Green County Democratic Party Chairperson debating with the Republican Party Chairman printed side by side in the paper. Write letters to the editor or use press releases at your discretion on issues which are relevant.

4) Recruit support from the younger generation. The Angelo State University and high schools. Encourage this group to participate in politics and vote. Democrats made no statement to support those who protested KKK advertising in the ASU newspaper.

5) Work with candidates to make sure they understand candidate registration rules and costs. Help candidates to fill out forums correctly and submitted on time.

6) Don’t patronize one particular business when having monthly meetings. Don’t require attendees to spend money to attend and participate. Don’t hold meetings in a church or other religious setting.

7) Oppose the change of polling places. The change violated article five of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requiring states with a history of racial discrimination to seek permission from the Federal Government.

8) Have open meetings where voters can directly ask questions. Be come skilled at handling these situations. After time trouble makers will be identified. No one buys the excuse that you are weeding out repeating questions. If the candidate answers the question most likely a question will not be asked again.

9) Do not invite Republican candidates to your candidate forums. If I want to hear the Republican view I will go to the republican candidate forum.

10) Support and recognize elected candidates on a monthly basis. Work with city candidates to propose ways of saving tax payers money instead of letting the city staff run things.

11) Support a hired/appointed San Angelo police chief and a full time San Angelo city mayor. Support better financial reimbursement for city council members.

12) Support better qualifications for city and county police forces. No more GEDs

13) Speak out in favor of prisoner reform and the promotion of reform and rehabilitation in Texas prisons. Tom Green County is a place to start. Harsh punishment for all only creates more hardened criminals and gangs. Repression breads rebellion.

14) Support state wide standardized testing in Texas schools. Support high standards of learning.

15) A branch Texas Teachers Association is a must in Tom Green County/San Angelo.