A lot of the anger yesterday seemed to be about the Platform. I am new to the Party, so how

[GreenPartyVoter]

do everyday folks get a voice in what makes up the Platform? Is there a process where Party members get to vote on changes, like a referendum? And if not, should there be?

Just looking for ways to help people feel empowered and have a say in what goes on. I am sure there will always be dissenters if things don't go the way they want, but I wonder if this might help at least a little as one of those "steam valves."

[drray23]

1. you get a say by contributing the party.

You do that for years and you get to sit on platform drafting commitees. Thats how parties work. In any case, the people writing the platform reflect what the majority of the base wants.

They find that out when interacting with them on a daily basis or during elections, town hall meetings etc.. Being a party "insider" is hard work.

Will they capture everything that everybody wants ? Of course not. We are an inclusive party with a range of opinions. At the end of the day its a compromise. We saw that happening this cycle when Bernie and Hillary's campaigns came together and adopted a progressive agenda reflecting both.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Thank you. I do still wonder about the idea of a vote as a convention steam valve, tho.

[drray23]

5. we often get mail or surveys from the party about various topics.

Your idea is interesting. It would probably work if framed in the form of working groups. Having people attend a half day session specific to the topics that interest them. An arena where you could brainstorm with other people to help the party get the pulse of the base.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. I like that idea. I know it would make that much more work running the Convention an extra day, but

it could be very useful.

[OilemFirchen]

2. How was it done in your former party?

Perhaps you could offer some suggestions.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Actually I wasn't even thinking of my former party, but of all the referendum

ballots I have been handed over the years on voting days. It just got me thinking of ways to help people feel like they had a more direct hand in the process, how it might help lessen at least some of the tension we saw yesterday. An overarching theme from dissenters was that they felt unheard.

[Demsrule86]

10. I am confused

Are you a new member of the Democratic party?

[NCTraveler]

4. Go to platform at this link.

It gives a brief summary.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Democratic_National_Convention#Platform

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Thanks!

[Demsrule86]

9. Green Party voter?

This is a Democratic website.

[Orsino]

11. In a major party, there is greater inertia.

Electing delegates via a candidate is how it works over here. Delegates and candidates become party establishment, and the platform evolves in parallel.