Originally Posted by Sink r8

Thanks for posting that. I suspect that self-interest is at work here too, and tapping into anger definitely is the obvious (and only) thing DPA has to work with so far.

Tapping into anger works so well, because it helps everyone discount their personal failure to participate. Noone votes, noone shows up for meetings, and few trake the time event to fill out surveys about what they want. The APA answer, because they're already riding such a weak argument, is that it's ALPA stifling involvement, and controlling votes.

The truth, sadly, is that we have not proven that we're willing to step up to the plate. Our involvement rarely goes beyond complaining. It takes less energy to push through local resolutions than it takes to reform National, and it would take an extraordinarily focused group to make an independent, handicapped from the start, successful. Never mind one that is based on a poor premise, and run by unidentified people with questionable agendas other than taking power.

Right now, we don't even have people that go to meetings. Is it a surprise, then, that the people that so correctly reflect us seem rather... weak? I don't think the problem is that Wilson polling is ignored, as much as I think it's very accurate, and the results are scary.

Now, I just spoke to one of my reps, and I was disappointed by some of his answers. He spent too much time telling me how we can't get things done, and not enough time debating me how we will. I suppose weak participation begets weak leadership on occasion. On further reflection, I will not vote for him. I think he's too far gone. The problem is that the alternative looks even weaker, because he's promising a christmas card list of things he will do, that he has absolutely no means of implementing. So I will abstain on one of the three in my council. Luckily, the other two reps are capable. They'll have to help whichever is picked as third.