DailyKos is a wonderful national blog on the national stage discussing national policies and personalities.

That's cool and all but if you want to really affect things, do it on the local level.

Like that old saying says

think globally, act locally

Go all the way down, past the multitude of great state-wide blogs (like RI Future, for example).  

Get down into the cities and towns for this is where the rubber really hits the road.

In this week's Meriwether Vindicator, a weekly local paper serving Meriwether County, Georgia (the home of FDR's Little White House in Warm Springs), the sole published letter to the editor contains the following (as well as other)outrageous lines:

"Where Obama, the spy for the terrorists, says that would take 10 years or more.  By that time the Muslims and other foreigners will be using it, if we are stupid enough to elect Obama.  His spiritual God Jeremiah Wright will live on cloud nine.  It's really amusing and disastrous to even think a misfit like Obama might be elected.  If we should be so foolish as to make that mistake, get ready to meet your maker."

I know this is a letter to the editor, and not the position of the newspaper or its editorial board.  But, to allow such venom to go unanswered with a decisive response seems an abdication of our responsibility to answer bad speech with more speech.  Addresses (e-mail, hard copy, fax) for responding after the jump, along with the text of the entire letter.

If the Democrats are going to regain power, change is more likely to come from the state and local end than from the party's central command in D.C.  And for the new movement populists, taking over the state parties is a good place to start.

--Crashing the Gate, p. 166

A coordinate deffort by the netroots and grassroots movement...could help democratize and reform Democratic Party committees at the state and local level.

--Crashing the Gate, p. 169

I realize that I haven't been around on the blogs that much lately.  It's true that a lof of that has to do with actually being busy with work, but that's certainly not all of it.  A lot of my time has gone into working under my more common name--Dante Atkins--to improve the way the Democratic Party does business out here in California, to the best of my abilities.

You've helped me before, but on June 3rd, I'll be asking for it again.

So, my county nominating convention is tonight at 7 in Suffolk. I live in Senate District 1 and we have yet to nominate a candidate against him. I got a call this morning about nominating this guy Greg Fischer for democratic candidate for Senate District One at the County convention tonight.

Hey I guess this just proves that Portland is hopelessly out of the mainstream, but I think it's pretty cool that my fair city just elected a (gay and out) policy wonk named Sam Adams (protege of the former Mayor Vera Katz) to be our mayor.

http://www.kgw.com/...

I didn't see this diaried on Kos.

Originally, I had intended to write an on-going diary about the trials and tribulations I've faced while managing a campaign for state representative out here in Washington.  Being a student and manager has kept me largely busy and unable to write on the activities of the campaign, but I also didn't find time to write because I simply didn't want to make that time.  Working the campaign is fun, fulfilling, and educational, but more, it was just one task and then the next.  

But Paul, where does he fit?  I would be lying to say I knew anything more of him than a trivia answer about his death.  I'd never listened to the man speak nor his message and never was given any reason to by those around me.  He was just a name to me.

Thankfully, this last weekend changed all of that.

Please forgive my use of the Cavuto Mark in the headline here, but I saw something on the local news last night that had me thinking.

I'm talking about John Tyler Hammons, the 19-year-old University of Oklahoma student who is running for mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma. (Yes, the one that Merle Haggard sings about).

Why should you care about this story other than just as a novelty?

I love politics.  Elections are like a giant chess match to me, with each opponent's move being rebuffed by either a defensive or offensive strategy.  As a former debate team member in high school, breaking down press releases, doorbelling, and ads have become not only strategy, but toys.  As dramatic and overly-animated this presidential election has become, I've never been more enthralled.  As a college student finishing a political science major, I've never found present-day more applicable.  As a writer, I've never found more subject material that excites me.  As a campaign manager for a state house race -- my full time job -- I've never had a harder time reminding myself that not all races run as quickly as the Presidential.

It's almost 3:00PM ET and I've gotten tired of dueling 3:00AM ads and NAFTA bombs from Hillary and Barack.  Lest we all forget we STILL have a war in Iraq entering year 6!!!  

I know this isn't a general interest diary-- it is targeted at people who make websites for candidates and organizations. And, for that matter, local/state races, not big national, state-wide, or congressional campaigns.

I've done a couple, so far; not all of which are still up. I haven't stress tested the provider I've been using so I'm hesitant to put the link here.

I've mostly used phpWebsite but have been looking to switch to WordPress.

I haven't figured out how to do donations, yet. I started with PayPal but one candidate I was working with complained that their transaction fee only accounts require the donor to use PayPal.

I also haven't determined who the best "swag" company is.

More specific questions below.

Hey all,

I saw some stuff in posting for my blog I wanted to post here as I know a lot of people are really into local growing in Kossackia. There is also some info on my blog about a newer, lighter, 100% recyclable roof product on the market. Hope over to my blog and check it out!

Local government has an important impact on our daily lives, and yet so few people will turn out for local government events and elections. I am calling on the members of the dKos community to engage their local governments and show that the netroots can affect real change in communities across the country.  

•  By Stephen Yellin

In my last two articles on New Jersey’s 39th Legislative District, I discussed why the Republican incumbent, Gerald "Gerry" Cardinale was too extreme to represent a rapidly changing district (towards the left, I might add), and why it’s time to fire him. Today, I want to introduce you all to his Democratic opponent, and why he should be hired to serve in the New Jersey State Senate. His name is Joe Ariyan, and he’ll be an excellent State Senator for New Jersey. His life and credentials will tell you why.

My previous articles on the subject:
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3

I feel like I just betrayed my progressive ideals. I did what had to be done. I know it's for the best, but I feel like I should go take a crying-game style shower now. What did I do that was so horrible? Find out below the fold.

I am a senior in my last semester at Arizona State. I am currently working on my senior thesis in economics. I have decided to study participation in local government in economic terms. I have a rough idea of what I'm going to write about for my Thesis, but I need your help to flesh out the details. More below the fold.

I've stopped following the news in Iraq. I know that it is all bad news, and until I heard about a serious withdrawal, I will not tune in. I don't care about the stock market, who raped and murdered who. I don't even care about "good" stories, who saved who and who is volunteer of the year. It really doesn't matter. In the end, we won't even be able to feed ourselves.

The talent of the Democratic Party to self-destruct is monumental.  It is punishing the state of Florida for picking an early primary--- like the Democrats were given a choice.  Meanwhile corruption and simple improprieties erode faith in  the local party. If the national party abandons Florida and the FDP has to spend energy begging not to be punished that leaves the mechanics of winning at the local level. This is not encouraging.  

The head of my local DEC had the yard sign for his Republican boss at his house. His choice for campaign manager's only reportable contribution is to the Republican Congressional Committee.  However, he feels free to threaten fed up democrats with breaking the loyalty oath if they don't feel like going to a fundraiser under the circumstances. This is insane.

The FDP does nothing.  In the name of "strong leadership" the local DEC chair decides everything.  It has led to clubs being threatened for opposing our esteemed chair, a visitor being harrassed for complaining about what he saw and a woman who had a stroke harrassed for records.  This isn't leadership. This is a third world country.

Last night I sprung a last-minute fundraising drive on readers here at dailykos.

You responded.

27 of you made individual pledges totaling over $1900 towards grants that will go directly to bloggers whose participation and insights will increase the regional and ethnic diversity of Yearlykos Chicago.

I spoke with some of those bloggers today, and I can tell this to everyone who donated over the last twenty four hours: you are so appreciated.

My partners in this project, Howie Klein of Blue America and San Francisco Bay Area DFA-activist Vicki Cosgrove want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every last one of you. This innovative donor matching project works because you made it work.

But there's more to do...