The Belmont, MA, Democratic Town Committee is an active organization dedicated to electing Democrats locally and nationally. Our over 100 full and associate members and hundreds of local volunteers made thousands of calls for the Democratic presidential campaign, canvassed weekly in New Hampshire, and wrote thousands of postcards. We’ve hosted Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey and Congresswoman Katherine Clark, organized multi-town meetings to hear from statewide candidates, and played key roles in helping elect Democratic representatives in Massachusetts.
Below are comments and suggestions that emerged following an energetic and thoughtful conversation with more than fifty community participants. We urge the Massachusetts and national Democratic Committees to take immediate action to safeguard our democracy and protect our nation.
Purpose statement:
We are patriots, committed to our country’s democratic values. We urge the Party to be more proactive, and firmly aligned with working Americans, not corporate donors. We believe that our Party’s message should remain focused on the following:
- Protect Voting Rights.
○ Voting is an essential American right and must be protected.
- Strengthen the economy.
○ We recognize that the economy remains Americans’ top priority; we can’t solve broader issues if we cannot afford food and shelter.
- Defend democracy at home and abroad.
- Our democracy is under siege and it is imperative to oppose corporate and government corruption and reclaim America’s status as a beacon of hope and democracy for the world.
○ We demand a true system of checks and balances in accordance with our Constitution, and not a country run by Musk.
○ We recognize that abandoning our allies is a national security threat.
- Promote and protect the Constitution and the rule of law.
- Safeguard the environment and clean energy investments.
- Focus on what unifies people.
We ask that our state and national Democratic leaders take the following action steps:
- Fight every battle and cede no ground, including in GOP electoral areas.
- Engage with constituents on tangible action steps.
- Purchase billboards across the country, messaging Americans that democrats continue to fight for all Americans.
- Continue to fight for legislation that puts the focus on what Democrats are doing to fight for Americans and put Republicans on record for their opposition.
- Elevate newer, dynamic voices in the Democratic Party.
- Offer simple and nimble messaging.
○ Use the same talking points in daily press conferences across the country to get local coverage.
○ Provide accessible packaged material to social media.
- Present as a unified party maintaining our longstanding goal to uplift the disenfranchised.
- Focus on making life better for working Americans
- Ensure the protection of all Americans, especially members of targeted communities.
- Reach out beyond the Democratic base.
○ Hold town hall meetings in Republican counties and talk to voters in rural places. ○ Reach out to nonvoters.
○ Appear on media outlets not usually associated with Democrats.
- Frame climate inaction as destabilizing for the economy and national security.
- Focus on compelling personal stories demonstrating how Democratic programs have helped improve the lives of working people.
We remain loyal foot soldiers committed to promoting Democratic values! Give us and so many others concrete ways to help protect our country, limit the damage inflicted by this outrageous Administration, and prepare to elect Democrats to put our country back on a progressive and beneficial path.
Thank you for your attention to these matters.
The Belmont, MA Democratic Town Committee