Submitted by Sam Burgett The East Pennsboro Township Democratic Club held their monthly meeting on February 26, however this wasn’t their usual gathering. Instead, the community was invited to an open forum where the club encouraged attendees to voice their concerns about current events and give ideas on how to move forward. Twenty or more residents of East Pennsboro Township showed up to be heard. Quite a few concerns were brought up, but there were some that were reiterated multiple times. There were many sounds of affirmation every time the lack of messaging and connection from the Democratic Party were brought up. The community seems to agree that Dems have lost touch with the people they claim to represent. It was brought up that it feels like they only care about getting donations.
Along with the lack of message and connection, many attendees felt that there should be more ways for younger people to learn about how to run for office, campaign, etc. There seemed to be a consensus that they didn’t feel like younger people were getting as involved as they could, but they weren’t sure how to reach them.
Other sentiments included:
- We should be proud of being Democrats and not afraid to show it.
- There are lots of local elections happening and people should be informed of them and be a part of them.
- There is concern about the divide within economic classes across the nation.
- Candidates don’t pay attention to what constituents actually need/want.
- People felt that there should be workshops or classes or something to educate people (particularly the younger folks) on how to run for office and what is involved in it.
- They want to know what it will take to get people to show up and fight.
- It was brought up that in order to get Republicans on the same page we need to show them how they are being negatively affected by policies because they do not respond to morality and empathy.
- The lack of transparency between politicians and constituents is a concern.
- It was felt that it would be beneficial to find out more about why people switched from voting blue to voting red. • We should be proud of being Democrats and not afraid to show it.
- There are lots of local elections happening and people should be informed of them and be a part of them.
- There is concern about the divide within economic classes across the nation.
- Candidates don’t pay attention to what constituents actually need/want.
- People felt that there should be workshops or classes or something to educate people (particularly the younger folks) on how to run for office and what is involved in it.
- They want to know what it will take to get people to show up and fight.
- It was brought up that in order to get Republicans on the same page we need to show them how they are being negatively affected by policies because they do not respond to morality and empathy.
- The lack of transparency between politicians and constituents is a concern.
- It was felt that it would be beneficial to find out more about why people switched from voting blue to voting red.