CHANGE THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS SYSTEM
Target:
Elect the presidential nominee by simply adding up popular votes
Sponsored by:
Instead of Selecting, let's be democratic about it and simply ELECT.
If there is only ONE LESSON we learned from yesterday's 10-12 hour caucus, it's the one taught to us by the FIRST GRADE TEACHER who came to the podium and in only a few minutes used a simple method to count the votes of the remaining 444 people present.
In a matter of some 15 minutes, she took charge of the whole operation and quickly resolved an issue of how to count 444 votes, by having us do it the way the Romans did, and the way she does it in her first grade classroom. Stand in groups (we made rows) of 10 and count by tens. No calculators needed. No software needed. And no credentials committee needed!
THE MAIN REASON for delegates to be at the caucus was to elect a smaller number of delegates to move on to the State Convention.
That's it. But it took 6 hours JUST to tally our registration numbers before we were even asked to vote on those delegates!
The American people deserve and can do better than this!
The solution is simple.
Add the votes.
We don't need to have representatives of our votes (a.k.a. "delegates"). And then delegates who represent THOSE delegates. And then an even SMALLER number of delegates to represent THOSE delegates at the National Convention. And then have each of those delegates who now each represents the votes of thousands of people, cast votes for president along side "superdelegates" (some of whom are NOT elected) who ONLY represent themselves!
The Democratic Party has developed a non-democratic system of Selecting it's nominee.
Instead of Selecting, let's be democratic about it and simply ELECT.
Everyone at that caucus came because they care about this country and believed their presence would have an impact. But, without a doubt, some left disillusioned and wondering how their sitting in the bleachers for 4 or 5 hours changed the course of this country. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fobO82jbNRg.
We can't afford to disenfranchise people. We need real change in this country, and it comes from the kind of people who came to the caucus. People who said this is so important to me, that I'll go down, even on my crutches, to listen to speeches for a few hours just so I can get my chance to vote for a delegate to represent me..
PLEASE SUPPORT CHANGE in the way the Democratic Party elects it's nominee. If you believe we are mature enough to elect the best candidate by popular vote, even within a caucus setting, please sign this petition.
Thank you.
If there is only ONE LESSON we learned from yesterday's 10-12 hour caucus, it's the one taught to us by the FIRST GRADE TEACHER who came to the podium and in only a few minutes used a simple method to count the votes of the remaining 444 people present.
In a matter of some 15 minutes, she took charge of the whole operation and quickly resolved an issue of how to count 444 votes, by having us do it the way the Romans did, and the way she does it in her first grade classroom. Stand in groups (we made rows) of 10 and count by tens. No calculators needed. No software needed. And no credentials committee needed!
THE MAIN REASON for delegates to be at the caucus was to elect a smaller number of delegates to move on to the State Convention.
That's it. But it took 6 hours JUST to tally our registration numbers before we were even asked to vote on those delegates!
The American people deserve and can do better than this!
The solution is simple.
Add the votes.
We don't need to have representatives of our votes (a.k.a. "delegates"). And then delegates who represent THOSE delegates. And then an even SMALLER number of delegates to represent THOSE delegates at the National Convention. And then have each of those delegates who now each represents the votes of thousands of people, cast votes for president along side "superdelegates" (some of whom are NOT elected) who ONLY represent themselves!
The Democratic Party has developed a non-democratic system of Selecting it's nominee.
Instead of Selecting, let's be democratic about it and simply ELECT.
Everyone at that caucus came because they care about this country and believed their presence would have an impact. But, without a doubt, some left disillusioned and wondering how their sitting in the bleachers for 4 or 5 hours changed the course of this country. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fobO82jbNRg.
We can't afford to disenfranchise people. We need real change in this country, and it comes from the kind of people who came to the caucus. People who said this is so important to me, that I'll go down, even on my crutches, to listen to speeches for a few hours just so I can get my chance to vote for a delegate to represent me..
PLEASE SUPPORT CHANGE in the way the Democratic Party elects it's nominee. If you believe we are mature enough to elect the best candidate by popular vote, even within a caucus setting, please sign this petition.
Thank you.
Instead of Selecting, let's be democratic about it and simply ELECT.
If there is only ONE LESSON we learned from yesterday's 10-12 hour caucus, it's the one taught to us by the FIRST GRADE TEACHER who came to the podium and in only a few minutes used a simple method to count the votes of the remaining 444 people present.
In a matter of some 15 minutes, she took charge of the whole operation and quickly resolved an issue of how to count 444 votes, by having us do it the way the Romans did, and the way she does it in her first grade classroom. Stand in groups (we made rows) of 10 and count by tens. No calculators needed. No software needed. And no credentials committee needed!
THE MAIN REASON for delegates to be at the caucus was to elect a smaller number of delegates to move on to the State Convention.
That's it. But it took 6 hours JUST to tally our registration numbers before we were even asked to vote on those delegates!
The American people deserve and can do better than this!
The solution is simple.
Add the votes.
We don't need to have representatives of our votes (a.k.a. "delegates"). And then delegates who represent THOSE delegates. And then an even SMALLER number of delegates to represent THOSE delegates at the National Convention. And then have each of those delegates who now each represents the votes of thousands of people, cast votes for president along side "superdelegates" (some of whom are NOT elected) who ONLY represent themselves!
The Democratic Party has developed a non-democratic system of Selecting it's nominee.
Instead of Selecting, let's be democratic about it and simply ELECT.
Everyone at that caucus came because they care about this country and believed their presence would have an impact. But, without a doubt, some left disillusioned and wondering how their sitting in the bleachers for 4 or 5 hours changed the course of this country. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fobO82jbNRg.
We can't afford to disenfranchise people. We need real change in this country, and it comes from the kind of people who came to the caucus. People who said this is so important to me, that I'll go down, even on my crutches, to listen to speeches for a few hours just so I can get my chance to vote for a delegate to represent me..
PLEASE SUPPORT CHANGE in the way the Democratic Party elects it's nominee. If you believe we are mature enough to elect the best candidate by popular vote, even within a caucus setting, please sign this petition.
Thank you.
If there is only ONE LESSON we learned from yesterday's 10-12 hour caucus, it's the one taught to us by the FIRST GRADE TEACHER who came to the podium and in only a few minutes used a simple method to count the votes of the remaining 444 people present.
In a matter of some 15 minutes, she took charge of the whole operation and quickly resolved an issue of how to count 444 votes, by having us do it the way the Romans did, and the way she does it in her first grade classroom. Stand in groups (we made rows) of 10 and count by tens. No calculators needed. No software needed. And no credentials committee needed!
THE MAIN REASON for delegates to be at the caucus was to elect a smaller number of delegates to move on to the State Convention.
That's it. But it took 6 hours JUST to tally our registration numbers before we were even asked to vote on those delegates!
The American people deserve and can do better than this!
The solution is simple.
Add the votes.
We don't need to have representatives of our votes (a.k.a. "delegates"). And then delegates who represent THOSE delegates. And then an even SMALLER number of delegates to represent THOSE delegates at the National Convention. And then have each of those delegates who now each represents the votes of thousands of people, cast votes for president along side "superdelegates" (some of whom are NOT elected) who ONLY represent themselves!
The Democratic Party has developed a non-democratic system of Selecting it's nominee.
Instead of Selecting, let's be democratic about it and simply ELECT.
Everyone at that caucus came because they care about this country and believed their presence would have an impact. But, without a doubt, some left disillusioned and wondering how their sitting in the bleachers for 4 or 5 hours changed the course of this country. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fobO82jbNRg.
We can't afford to disenfranchise people. We need real change in this country, and it comes from the kind of people who came to the caucus. People who said this is so important to me, that I'll go down, even on my crutches, to listen to speeches for a few hours just so I can get my chance to vote for a delegate to represent me..
PLEASE SUPPORT CHANGE in the way the Democratic Party elects it's nominee. If you believe we are mature enough to elect the best candidate by popular vote, even within a caucus setting, please sign this petition.
Thank you.
WE, the undersigned, believe that our individual votes should be counted in full, and not diluted by the system of delegates. We believe popular vote is the best way to determine the will of the people in a democracy.
Do you think it's possible to add up people's votes and determine the number each candidate received?
Or does it take representatives of those voters (a.k.a. "delegates") to handle the process, who then elect a smaller number of delegates for their State Convention, who then elect an even smaller number of delegates for the the Democratic National Convention to represent our votes?
It can be exciting or energizing to be with like minded progressives, liberals and Democrats, and it's important for us to unite. But if we don't feel like we're accomplishing something worthwhile, or that it's simply taking WAY too long to tabulate votes while we just sit and wait, then we end up turning people off and walking away from activism.
We need to operate efficiently to make this country function better.
And we can start with the basic process of how we vote!
Support this effort by signing this petition and let the Democratic Party know we want our votes counted in full!
Thank you for your support!
Do you think it's possible to add up people's votes and determine the number each candidate received?
Or does it take representatives of those voters (a.k.a. "delegates") to handle the process, who then elect a smaller number of delegates for their State Convention, who then elect an even smaller number of delegates for the the Democratic National Convention to represent our votes?
It can be exciting or energizing to be with like minded progressives, liberals and Democrats, and it's important for us to unite. But if we don't feel like we're accomplishing something worthwhile, or that it's simply taking WAY too long to tabulate votes while we just sit and wait, then we end up turning people off and walking away from activism.
We need to operate efficiently to make this country function better.
And we can start with the basic process of how we vote!
Support this effort by signing this petition and let the Democratic Party know we want our votes counted in full!
Thank you for your support!
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We signed the "CHANGE THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS SYSTEM" petition!
# 40:
WHY DO WE NEED DELIGATES ANYWAY? ARE WE NOT INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO JUST ELECT OUR REPRESENTATIVES, SENATORS AND THE PRESIDENT BY POPULAR VOTE??? THIS IS INSANE!! THE DELIGATE SYSTEM WAS PUT INTO EFFECT IN MUCH DIFFERENT TIMES. THEN MANY PEOPLE WERE UNINFORMED ABOUT POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES, THUS NEEDING A REPRESENTATIVE TO SPEAK FOR THEM. THEY ALSO HAD LOGISTICS ISSUES. NOW WE LIVE IN THE AGE OF UNLIMITED INFORMATION AND PEOPLE ARE MUCH MORE EDUCATED, SO WE NO LONGER NEED AN INFORMED VOICE!!!
IS THERE A BETTER WAY???? OF COURSE!! WE NEED TO INSTATE POPULAR VOTE!! THEN OUR PRESIDENT WOULD BE A MUCH BETTER "VOICE OF THE PEOPLE"!!!!!
# 39:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/removable-of-father-michael-pfleger
# 38:
# 37:
# 36:
# 35:
Citizen commitment must be rewarded with results in order to maintain a healthy democracy. And the Democratic party will benefit from an efficient, effective operation.
# 34:
It takes too long to elect with our current system.
# 33:
I was there this weekend as a delegate in the 1st. round supporting and participating at the grass-roots level pushing for change, supporting democracy and following through on my civic duty to vote. The democratic process works and is working. What we witnessed this weekend is the momentum created by “we the people” hungry for the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. We witnessed what I believe is the power of knowledge, getting individuals educated on the process and the need to make a change in the process and all the changes necessary to restore and bring resolution to some of the most critical issues in America today. You will have to be patient. Remember when there were only a few citizens exercising their civic duty to vote? Then it was easy and that is why we are in the mess we are in today. I am one to believe this is a good thing. This is the first time in a very long time that we have had citizens turn out in huge numbers like this and vote. We should be proud of our actions. It’s not a time to complain, it’s the time to make change. Prior to this primary and the way the caucuses were conducted, one could crunch the number relatively quick because there were only a few voters representing the majority. Now we realize how important it is for all citizens to participate, as Senator Obama has stated “it will take all of us to work together” and it will be hard work. We are in the process and can’t back out or be persuaded to take a break. We have much work to do. Voting for delegates and alternates, having the knowledge to speak on current issues who are positioned to carry on the torch and who are devoted to getting their candidate to be the next president of the United States is why we cast our vote. Now we are familiar with the process and again it will take on the life of a democratic process to bring about a resolution. So, vote for change and help improve our democratic process to do this requires that we stay focused on the issues, and vote to get the Democratic candidate elected.
Is there a better way? I am sure we have some of the best minds ensuring that this situation does not repeat itself. From what I see and hear we have a solution, we just brought the wrong car to the races.
# 32:
We must update the caucus system. It was a diaster in everyway including the 8-9 hrs it took to accomplish the votes and tally. There were no rules explained and no verification of ids or cking on the totals numbers. People left by the hundreds. It left us feeling depressed and drained our positive forward momentum for Obama.
With out a doubt there is a better way in almost every aspect of the caucus. I can list changes on every thing that occured and will be happy to participate to make this never happen again. This HAS to be changed!
# 31:
# 30:
I have to think that counting votes is only simpler and more cost effective than having alternates and delegates. Just count the votes. That's the perfect way so far.
# 29:
In Washington state, they wasted alot of time and money sending out ballots in the mail that never were going to count.....some people never knew that and therefore didn't go to their neighborhood caucus. It's a flawed complicated system.
let's simplify and vote in the primaries with the majority winning.
# 28:
If the Democratic party is interested in letting every person's vote count they should not limit those who can vote in a primary to those who can sit for hours at a Saturday afternoon caucus (February 9).
# 27:
If the Democratic party is interested in letting every person's vote count they should not limit those who can vote in a primary to those who can sit for hours at a Saturday afternoon caucus (February 9).
# 26:
I agree that the process needs to get back to the basics. Now that we have so many people getting involved in the democratic process, let's not scare them off by having something that should take only a couple of hours, end up taking up most of the day. It is a sad day when people potentially dread being a delegate due to an over lengthy process to feel counted. I'm all for being accurate, so let's now keep it all concise.
# 25:
# 24:
It seems to me that caucuses,which can go on for hours,are a method of reducing the influence of older voters,many of whom simply do not have the good health and stamina for such a drawn-out process.This,of course,favors Obama.
Primaries are a far more democratic and inclusive method of counting votes.
# 23:
# 22:
I was there and left with no desire to care about politics again which is NOT how I want to feel about my own government. We must take it back.
# 21:
# 20:
The Democratic Party should have a more democratic way of selecting a nominee for president. Let's get the system changed to insure that all voices are heard!
Selecting a candidate by ballot would be a better way to make sure that all voices are heard!
# 19:
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# 14:
it's broke
fix it!
# 13:
# 12:
Follow the lead of the teacher!
# 11:
# 10:
# 9:
# 8:
# 7:
Most disturbing experience - I was away from home for 12 hours total to do this caucus. Must be fixed.
Use computer technology to make this system go faster - I like the one person, one vote idea too. P.S. General observation: Superdelegate system sucks. We're supposed to be "democratic" remember?
# 6:
The Democratic Caucus System is too cumbersome. Let's streamline the process by electing our Presidential Nominee by popular vote.
# 5:
This is what we all want. CHANGE from the old ,tired manipulations of what we all thought we had, One person.... One vote! This is the beginning to get back to true democracy and its logical end is getting rid of the electoral college.
One person,One vote.....add it up. you don't even need a computer.
# 4:
# 3:
# 2:
Yes!
Yes!
# 1:
We need a simple system to elect the presidential nominee. Simply add the votes.
Delegates are not needed to "represent" our votes, only to be marginalized by the votes of "superdelegates".
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