Darryl Eskin Passes On. RIP my friend.

Let's observe a moment of silence at all 6000 precinct caucus meetings next March in Darryl's  honor.

Among his many other accomplishments, Darryl Eskin was one of the unsung heros behind Save the Caucus. which defeated Amendment 29 in 2002 that would have killed our (potentially) wonderful Colorado Caucus. 

Despite being outspent 1400 to 1 ( ! ) we beat it 60/40. That's why so many of the rich and powerful hate the caucus-assembly system, it levels the playing field. But only with key volunteers like Darryl, with passionate enthusiasm and organizational ability. There were others in that election who were key, too, but I can honestly say that in my opinion without Darryl's wisdom and hard work the vote would have gone the other way.

 

So I'm going to suggest to the chairs of both both major parties and to the Secretary of State's office and to the Governor's office and to all leaders and all elected representatives that there be one-minute of silence at each neighborhood gathering and at county and state assemblies on this 100th year anniversary (adopted in 1912, first held 1914) to honor Darryl and the countless other volunteers who have handed on this powerful tool, the best chance for the common person to service in elected public office, on to us.

Obituary and Online Memorial:
http://www.acommunityfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Darryl-Eskin/#!/Obituary

Post by John S Wren.

Which candidates are using our Colorado Caucus?

We are asking each candidate to let us know if they plan on petitioning onto the ballot or if they are going to participate in our wonderful Colorado way, the neighborhood caucus and assembly, the best chance for the common person to serve in elected public office.

@COLeg @COHouseGOP @cohousedems @COSenDem @cogop Using the caucus or petitioning onto the ballot? Why? Post on: http://t.co/i0ZyeBKYwv

— John S Wren (@JohnSWren) December 8, 2013

What do you think?

What are your suggests/ opinions regarding these political power tools? Click the tab above, post your thoughts and links to other sources on the particular power tool and how to use it.

Thanks for your help in strengthening the grassroots in Colorado! I hope you'll come back here often to be part of the conversation, and that you'll invite your friends who are new to Colorado or to Colorado politics to join us. It's only too late if we don't start now!

Nebraska faces powerful forces, learn from CO?

This is an article from Bishop Conley about the situation in Nebraska today:
http://journalstar.com/news/opinion/editorial/columnists/local-view-the-value-of-marriage/article_3e93bd66-e510-59c3-b559-3a1d7ddc2043.html

Here's the comment from me (John Wren):

If you agree with Bishop then act now and learn from our experience here in Colorado.

Lessons: 1) gather together in your parish now, wait and it will very quickly be too late, 2) take the message to each neighborhood, and gather neighbors who agree on this one issue, 3) have a day at the Capitol, massive meetings with EVERY legislator, get firm commitment to either work against or refer to voters, or start immediate recall. 

Very rough right now, but take a look at educational website http://www.COCaucus.org, call me for more info It's only to late if you don't start NOW in your own parish and your own neighborhood. Pray for guidance, do the little you can each day and trust that with God's help that will be enough.

 But don't repeat fiasco of Colorado Catholic Conference, rally at the Capitol, speakers brag that with God on our side we can't loose, and then suggest everyone write a letter to their representative. Do that and you'll get what we got. This requires stronger action, the power on the other side of this issue is well organized and well finance. 

I pray that Nebraska be the turning point. God bless you! +

Things don't look good for the caucus-assembly system for nominating to the primary ballot. There are still some 17 states that use the system in one form or another, but newspapers find primary elections a much easier story to cover. Looking at all the mentions in Google Books, Colorado Caucus doesn't even register, Iowa Caucus not much of a factor compared to the topic "primary election."

Update of this site. Help us?

We are going to be updating the information on each of the power tools over the next week or so. Would you help? Post info you'd like to see added as a comment here on this main newsfeed for the site. Then we'll transfer to the pages.

Especially helpful would be links to articles in you local newspapers that dug into how things actually got done, does anyone have a good article on how the recent Colorado recall campaigns got off the ground written by a good reporter, fact check, and published? Or blog posts with the details?

Thanks for any help you can give us.

In the mean time, we are about to kick off our 80203 group, we'll keep you posted here, depending on how it goes, neighborhood groups may become our 5th power tool for the common person who wants to serve in elected public office or help others get elected.

A reminder that we are educational, not political, we will not be endorsing issues or candidates. We are not affiliated with any candidate, issues committee, or political party.