The following is a message I sent to the MO Democratic Party over two weeks ago. As of this date, no answer has been forthcoming; I would welcome other DFA members comments/feedback on this matter.
'I have spent a lifetime working for the party and its candidates; at no time have I been asked to serve on any committee or serve in any capacity. The only time I have ever been contacted by the National or State Party is to request money. I believe my resume’ of elected service, leadership demonstrated from being President of MML and every civic, community group I have belonged to qualifies me to serve in some capacity, but maybe not. After thirty five years, there is nothing the party believes I can assist with, that my only contribution should be on the local level? Sometimes throwing a faithful servant a ‘bone’ or ‘appointment’ or ‘title’ or just a ‘thank you’ can go a long way towards making a volunteer feel needed and wanted. After our dinner in Feb. in Marshall, other than a short note from Jay Nixon, and a thank you from Brandon (I don’t remember if you were there or not but sure you would have said thanks). Over $5,000.00 was raised for the Nixon campaign; there were over 300 in attendance and there were seven state wide candidates there. The only other person I received a call or note from was Jeff Harris and he wasn’t even able to attend!
Perhaps I am just being petty or having a pity party for myself, but it is quite frustrating. It seems like there should be some type of ‘bone’ for the people working at the grassroots, but guess that wishful thinking. I’m curious, what % of the MO delegates, would you guess, will have some financial backing of a union, organization or have the personal wealth to make the trip without worry about the costs?
I have basically been a poster child of everything the Republicans have screwed up in the past seven years and Democrats have fought against. I was on the verge of bankruptcy while fighting for two years with SSA over my disability; two of my daughters worked 32+ hours/week while going to college full time, funded by loans and were without health insurance for four years. My youngest daughter was forced to quite Jr. College because she did not have health insurance; because of cuts in Medicaid, my disability income (though below poverty guidelines) did not allow either of us to be eligible for health insurance from the state. My son volunteered and served six years in the USAF.
Through all of this I have remained steadfast in my faith in the Democratic Party. I became somewhat disillusioned four years ago, so worked as hard as possible to work for the party and to get our candidates elected. My ultimate goal, of course, was to have the honor to go to Denver; (probably my only/last chance) and I naively thought there would be a fair/even chance to be selected. I am afraid now, it appears the ‘honor’ still goes to those with political, monetary power and those with ‘connections’. It seems like I am the perfect demographic the party says they stand for: member of AARP, disabled, single dad, local elected official, local party activist/officer and low income. I guess at my age I should have known better.
The following questions have been sent to the Democratic Party at least five times. I have used e mail, voice mail, left messages and have still waiting on a response. Does anyone have any answers to the following:
A) Selection of PLEO’s- I understand the state committee decides these positions. Is a separate application ‘a statement of candidacy with the state chair’ required or is the application automatic because of a candidacy at the congressional & state level? It was my understanding that nothing needed to done, is this correct or is the statement required?
B) Does the affirmative Action Committee have a financial assistance plan and what steps were taken to advise, encourage the representation & participation of low income persons? Where and to whom should requests for financial assistance have been sent. It was announced specifically that no financial assistance would be available for any delegate our county caucus.
C) Who, how & why were some allowed in the expo hall to distribute, set out campaign materials and not others?
D) How was the 3 minute rule for nominating speeches waived when the rules specifically state that it cannot/should not be done?
E) How are low income potential delegates identified or considered for inclusion with the other “status” groups.
F) Why/how were some delegates able to access the list of delegates names, addresses, e-mail addresses and others were not?