Open Letter To The Democratic National Committee

Dear DNC and Elected Officials,

Yesterday I received an email from a friend. It read:

“I wish the DNC and OFA were as vigilant about getting out the vote as they are about getting me to sign Obama’s b’day card.”

Democratic Officials – you’re blowing it.

There’s a few who are NOT blowing it. A few who are out there pounding the progressive message. Take a cue from Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass). She isn’t even running this time around, and she is working her hind quarters off for all Americans.

Here’s what I have heard from you when you have had the opportunity to inspire, mobilize and encourage your constituents:

“The midterm elections usually see a poor voter turnout.”

That’s about it.

You are also fond of sending Debbie Downer emails, asking for money with self-defeating subject lines like:

“doomed”

“devastating loss”

“we’re losing”

And you can’t even be bothered with capitalization. Why do you think this works? It doesn’t. I have unsubscribed from your pathetic email blasts because they depress me. I am not alone in this thinking.

Are you hoping the Tea Party politicians are going to piss voters off so much that your strategy to do nothing will bring people out to the polls? That’s what it appears you are doing. NOTHING. You guys SUCK at this.

SUCK!

In 2006, Rahm Emanuel’s strategy to win the House and the Senate not only worked – it was a monumental success. I know Emanuel has many foes and frankly, I don’t care if you love or hate him, his strategy gave us a Democratic majority.

You have the ability to learn from and UTILIZE what he did.

It really isn’t rocket science.

Appeal to women, minorities, millennials and poor voters. A lot. Don’t stop. Be as relentless as the Tea Party. You’ll win.

You’ve already wasted your opportunity to run candidates that will appeal to moderate conservatives in red states (the way Rahm Emanuel did), but you still have enough time to strap on a pair and get the message OUT. NOW!

WOMEN. MINORITES, MILLENNIALS and THE POOR! Your key to victory is if you TALK TO THEM. If you explain how you will make their lives better.

Democratic elected officials are behaving like spoiled children who are obviously enjoying their many congressional perks, but are neglecting responsibilities that come with the job. Who wouldn’t enjoy lots of time off, great tax payer funded salaries and cozy “friendships” with lobbyists? I’ll bet you’d like to keep your cushy positions of wasted power.

Oh, have I offended you? Guess what? I don’t care. My tax dollars are paying some of your salaries. You work for the people.

If you are apathetic messengers, you’ll get apathetic voters who will not be inspired to vote. They will stay home because of you, and your prize will be a permanent vacation.

You COULD HAVE used this time to toot your own horns. You COULD HAVE used this time to talk about the success of the Affordable Care Act. You COULD HAVE explained to voters how the GOP blocks everything from equal pay to jobs to veterans benefits. You COULD HAVE DONE YOUR FREAKING JOBS – but you haven’t. So maybe you deserve to get fired.

Nate Silver is predicting you will fail in November. Nate knows his stuff.

Democrats are so fond of telling everyone that progressive change takes time. I call bullshit.

When the Tea Party gained seats in 2010 – because of another Democratic failure to mobilize – we literally saw their agenda play out in record time. One mission of theirs is to ban abortion. Within the FIRST THREE months of 2011, they had written and/or passed 916 restrictive reproductive measures. That was the first three months – THREE YEARS AGO. Since then we have seen thousands of restrictive bills that are not-so-slowly eroding rights across the board. Voting rights, reproductive rights, and the list goes on and on and on….

Have the Democrats been that forceful about anything? You complain a lot. We’ve seen that. You are allowing the conservatives to control the conversation by always playing defense. GOD FORBID you take a real stand. Somebody might be offended.

Seriously. Get over yourselves. Do you want us to elect you?

I see activists – who make NO MONEY – doing more than most of you. We post on Facebook. We write articles. We hold rallies. It seems that it’s just too much effort for you.

I hope we – the activists – can pull it together for you. But if you lose the Senate in a few months, you will not only screw yourselves, you will be responsible for screwing the lives of millions of Americans.

We know the Tea Party’s agenda. It is frightening and anyone with a brain knows that if they get in, we are toast – your jobs included.

Please wake up. The Tea Party has it all over you. There is enough time. Americans are STARVING for you to LEAD. As mentioned, I am not addressing all Democrats. There are some out there who are walking the walk – but not enough of you. It should be 100%.

If you are a voter – please do what you can to help the disenfranchised. Help people get to the polls. Volunteer if you can on Election Day. Post this link so that people can get registered in time.

These Democratic legislators need to hear from us. Before and after the midterms, find out who your state senators and representatives are as well as the ones on the federal level who represent your state. Call and email them once a week before the November midterms and once a month until the 2016 elections. Tell them what YOU WANT. Tell them you are watching.

They depend on you. Don’t let them slack off anymore.

Take another cue from teen activist Madison Kimrey, who knows how to motivate voters. She helped you out on September 13 giving a powerful speech at the We Are Woman #Rally4Equality2014 on the west lawn of the Capitol Building in Washington DC.

Kimberley A. Johnson (BIO) is the author of The Virgin Diaries and an activist for women’s rights. Like her on Facebook, Twitter or follow her on FB HERE.

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Open Letter To The Democratic National Committee – You’re Blowing It