This is the ChatGPT design. This AI mistakenly repeated the subtitle.

At the MCDP Reorganization Meeting to be held in June, I’m hoping there will be consensus that the MCDP should do everything possible to flip this congressional district and replace Mike Turner with a Democrat. If the party can be restructured to win OH-10, then all Democratic candidates in this county will benefit. 

Politics has boiled down to two forces: one force is anti-democracy, and the other is for-democracy. These forces are in both parties. Our democracy is in very weak and in big trouble; this deeply concerns Democrats; it also troubles every citizen who worries about the future. I believe that the more that the Democratic Party can stand for democracy, and can be branded “the participatory democracy party” the more successful Democratic candidates will be. This will require much more than aspiration. It will require a vision and a plan.

“Participatory democracy” is loosely defined as a democratic structure that empowers rank-and-file citizens to meaningfully participate — something beyond simply voting. Many citizens feel they have no voice in the current system. Democratic candidates, I’m suggesting, should run on platforms spelling out, when elected, how rank-and-file citizens will be empowered to participate. For example, a platform should show a plan for transparency and for structuring participation by interested citizens like having a weekly on-line town hall meeting inviting input and dialogue.

My GPT prompt: Create a book cover for a nonfiction political book titled, “The Way Forward For The Democratic Party: Becoming The Participatory Democracy Party” by Michael Bock, featuring an image of a fork in the road showing that continuance on the current path will lead to disappointment and disaster.

The current MCDP Constitution defines the MCDP as the  Central / Executive Committee. We need a MCDP Constitution that defines the MCDP as the total membership of the MCDP — the rank-and-file members along with Central Committee members. The Central Committee should be seen as one committee among with many other committees active in this MCDP community.

The desired relationship between the members of the MCDP and the Central Committee, I believe, should be something like between the stockholders of a company and the Board of Directors of the company. In my version, the MCDP membership would choose choose the CEO and officers of the MCDP and these individuals would serve in the same positions in Central Committee.  MCDP members sometimes would vote to decide key issues.

The direct election of MCDP officers, I  believe, would make the MCDP a stronger and more successful organization. Our way forward as a party, I believe, is for the ethos of the party to emerge from a true community of high-minded Democrats — Democrats focused on saving our democracy. The way we can flip OH-10 is to somehow ignite a grassroots movement and democracy is a concept that throughout history has thrilled, motivated and started grassroots movements.

To be a successful party, the MCDP must find a way to meaningfully engage hundreds and thousands of rank-and-file Democrats who now are not engaged. Opening the party up so that every member has a voice would be a big step. Of equal importance is focusing on bringing to reality a vision of the democracy of the future that the youth of today will want to build. 

Right now, our system elects Mike Turner and he has complete authority over how our district votes in the US House, complete authority to establish the priorities of the office and the details of the budget, complete authority to ignore the rank-and-file. This district has, I’m guessing, 800,000 citizens and our system gives one person princely power to rule over us. That doesn’t sound like a democracy. 

We need a system where rank-and-file citizens are empowered to participate beyond simply voting. I think the prospect of implementing a system of participatory democracy would appeal to a large majority of voters.

A reasonable goal is to create an MCDP organization where at least 5% of registered voters will choose to become MCDP members. Here is the key to flipping OH-10 — envisioning how these 2100 Democrats can become engaged in their own jurisdictions building relationships, advancing peace, love, and understanding. Wishing for this to happen, of course, is not enough. What is needed is a consensus for a vision and a plan — and my goal is to make a detailed proposal in my little book I aspire to write currently titled, “The Way Forward For The Democratic Party: Becoming The “Participatory Democracy Party” 

This is the book cover that ChatGPT designed — the book title that it suggested.

Every four years, Ohio law requires political parties to hold elections and “reorganize.” The 2026 MCDP Reorganization Meeting will be held in June. Leaders will be chosen and a new Montgomery County Democratic Party Constitution ratified. Democrats who care about the future of the Democratic Party are urged to participate. You can help determine the path forward for the party. The deadline to register is February 4.

Today is January 6 — a date that will live in infamy. We are constantly reminded that our republic is in crisis. The hard truth is that the only way to push back against Trump is to take away one of his votes in the US House. Flipping this congressional district, OH-10, of course, will not be easy. Our Republican congressman, Mike Turner, has been consistently re-elected since 2002.

This sounds impossible, but I believe the big goal of Reorganization must be to find a feasible plan to flip OH-10, and to agree to use the resources of the party to make the plan work. The good news is that of the ten Republican controlled districts in Ohio, OH-10 is rated among the three most competitive. There are many more Democratic Party leaning voters in this district than in most districts — Jim Jordan’s, for example.

Turner maintains his hold not because he has been such a wonderful representative. He stays in power because of the polarization of the electorate into R v D hostile groups. On the partisan battle field, the Democratic candidate is disadvantaged — doomed by the “D” next to his or her name. To flip this congressional district the party needs to re-brand itself so that more and more voters are attracted to what the party stand for. As it is now, the party has been branded by those who hate us. 

The brand the party should seek to build, I believe, should respond to the biggest issue of our time —  the wretched state of our democracy. Without intervention, our republic is headed for destruction. We are moving quickly to become an authoritarian state and the coming destruction of our republic concerns not only Democrats, it troubles every citizen who has any sense.

Right now, the unspoken mission of the Democratic Party is simply to win elections — feeding the R v D polarization that dooms Democratic candidates. I’m proposing that coming out of Reorganization there should be agreement and a resolution that the mission of the Democratic Party is to “advance participatory democracy.”

This is the title I started with. I’ve got to admit that the title “Reorganize To Win” that ChatGPT suggested is probably a better title.

Focusing resources to advance “participatory democracy,” I believe is key to victory. Here is the simple fact: if democracy in OH-10 was strong, citizens would be well-informed and they would not tolerate Turner’s anti-democracy style of representation — no town halls, no dialogue with the rank-and-file, no transparency. They would demand change.

These two facts then — that democracy is the biggest issue and, that a strong democracy would reject Turner — is the foundation for a long-term plan to retire Turner that I am proposing.

“Participatory democracy” is loosely defined as the empowerment of rank-and-file citizens to meaningfully participate. Democratic candidates should run on “participatory democracy” platforms spelling out, when elected, how rank-and-file citizens will be empowered. For example, a candidate for congress might show a plan for weekly on-line town hall meetings inviting input and participation, might show a plan for accountability, etc. 

The goal for the party to be branded, “the participatory democracy party” was established in the Preamble of the MCDP Constitution in the 2018 Reorganization:

“We the Representatives of the Democrats living in Montgomery County — in order to form a strong party organization that empowers representative democracy within our party and throughout the county —do establish the Montgomery County Democratic Party Constitution.”

The Preamble, affirmed in 2022, currently uses the term “representative democracy.” I’m proposing the new Constitution change this to “participatory democracy.” 

This is the title I chose for this article. “reorganize to WIN” still seems a better title

One big change that is proposed, a change that would make the MCDP unique in the Democratic Party world, is to empower rank-and-file Democrats to directly participate in the election of the MCDP officers. This would be a big breakthrough and good example for the whole Democratic Party, to change the MCDP Constitution so that at future Reorganizations the MCDP leadership will be directly elected by the MCDP membership. (Currently, MCDP leaders are chosen by the Central Committee.)

The proposal is to schedule the next Reorganization in two years, rather than four, as provided by state law, and spend the next two years building up the MCDP membership to at least 5% of the 42,000 Democrats registered in this county. The long-term vision for victory is that 2100 Democrats will not just be names in a drawer constantly being dunned for more contributions, but that these 2100 will be meaningfully and regularly engaged in advancing participatory democracy in their own jurisdictions.

Wow. I know this sounds like a dream — that somehow hundreds and thousands of rank-and-file Democrats will become engaged, but, I truly believe that the crisis of our times is motivating Democrats. What is needed is a vision and a plan, the opportunity to be part of a movement doing something meaningful. The idea is to implement a “participatory democracy” strategy in 2026 and to use the next two years to build a participatory democracy infrastructure throughout the 32 jurisdictions in OH-10.

To be clear, the motive to make “participatory democracy” the mission of the MCDP is to win elections. The proposed mission for the MCDP can be compared to an automobile company with a mission of making quality cars at low prices. The auto company makes money by having a positive brand that attracts customer and by producing cars that customers like. The Democratic Party can win elections by having a positive brand and by producing candidates that the voters like — candidates “of the people” committed to empowering rank-and-file citizens to meaningfully participate. 

The big thing to realize is that the Democratic Party by itself, however hard it tries, will not be able to flip OH-10. We win this district by rank-and-file Democrats doing the hard work of building a non-partisan infrastructure that at present does not exist. To envision victory in OH-10 is to envision a very different strategy than the failing strategies of the last 24 years. The strategy I’m proposing if for Democrats to lead a “for-democracy” grassroots movement that is non-partisan, educational and community building. The winning Democratic candidate, I believe, is one who will emerge from leadership of a non-partisan participatory democracy movement. 

Wow. There is a lot to think through. The devil is in the details. I am determine to put these ideas together as best I can in a little book whose title I keep changing.

The goal is to develop dialogue among Democrats who might attend and vote at Reorganization. To make the big changes in the MCDP organization necessary to flip OH-10 will require building consensus long before the June meeting. Please contact me if you’d like to discuss the ideas in this article.

Sincerely,   Mike Bock.    mcbock@daytonos.com

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I was elected to the Central Committee the first time in 2006 — motivated by a surprise call from my old social studies teacher, David Greismeyer, urging me to become involved with the local party. (I graduated from Northridge High School in 1965.) I was then elected in 2010, 2018, and 2022. In 2007 I started writing on DaytonOS and this web-site has a good search function. Searching “MCDP” or “democracy” or “education” brings up multiple articles that will show what has been on my mind the last twenty years.

I’ve been wonderfully consistent in expressing some views. This is from my very first post in 2007: The Ascending Issue In Our Democracy Is Democracy Itself

“… increasingly the electorate is disgusted with a political process that, time and again, fails to advance the public good. The irony of our effort to build democracy in Iraq is the fact that our own democracy is barely functioning and is in need of a building effort itself. A consensus view is growing that ours is a very weak democracy and that our government is a far cry from one that is “of the people, for the people.” The ascending issue in our democracy, in my judgment, is democracy itself. …

I would like to think that the grassroots, ordinary citizens, will demand more of their political parties, and will reward at the voting booth the political party that most thoroughly empowers citizens to meaningfully participate in their own democracy. The idea of democracy, itself, I believe, will increasingly drive our politics, and increasingly the idea of democracy will be the benchmark used for evaluating the actions and the merit of political parties.”

This June will be the quadrennial MCDP Reorganization Meeting. By a majority vote, leaders will be elected and a new MCDP Constitution will be ratified.  The context of this meeting will be the reality that our democracy is in deep trouble and the best way to push back against Trump is at the ballot box. The big question Reorganization must answer: What can the MCDP do to make flipping this district, OH-10, more likely?

Deadline is February 4 to register to be on ballot to serve on the MCDP Central Committee and to be a voting delegate at the MCDP Reorganization Meeting in June. The only requirement is to be a Democrat registered in Montgomery County. Just contact the Board of Elections. Consider stepping up and getting engaged in remaking our party.

Our Republican incumbent, Mike Turner, has won every election since 2002, but, OH-10 is rated one of the three most competitive of the ten districts now controlled by Republicans. If Democrats are to flip any Republican districts, OH-10 has a much better shot than most Republican districts. I’m proposing a two-year plan.

I’m putting together my proposed changes to the MCDP Constitution in a little book, to be posted on line,  showing these changes as part of a two-year plan to flip this congressional district. This book cover is a bit much. It was created by ChatGPT.

Most Democrats agree that the party needs big changes. This is from an NPR report: “Polling shows voters have historically negative views about Democrats in Congress and the overall brand of the party. But a sizable share of the dissatisfaction comes from people who consider themselves Democrats, favor Democratic policies and ultimately will end up voting for the Democratic candidate.” The wonderful opportunity is that the big changes needed in the Democratic Party can start here, at the county level.

Though unstated as such, the current mission of the Democratic Party is to elect Democrats. This sounds reasonable but, as a mission, this is very faulty. Imagine a car company saying that its mission is to make a profit. No, a car company makes money by accomplishing its mission of making a quality automobile at a low price.

The mission of the Democratic Party, I believe, should be the advancement of participatory democracy. The stronger our democracy, the more likely the election of Democrats will be, and, the more the party stands for empowering the rank and file, the more it will attract votes for its candidates. 

To flip this congressional district, I believe, will require building a non-partisan civic infrastructure that at present does not exist, one that will engage hundreds and thousands of rank-and-file Democrats not now engaged. I’m proposing that the MCDP launch a two year program to prepare for the 2028 elections. During this time, the goal will be for MCDP members to construct non-partisan civic communities in all of the local jurisdictions in the county.

The Democratic Party should be driven by a vision of the future worth working for. A new MCDP Constitution will show a vision of that future and focus on building that future.

The big crisis of our time demands a big solution. My goal is to write a draft of a 21st century MCDP Constitution and to work with fellow Democrats to hammer out the details that can be widely agreed to. The goal will be to produce a Constitution proposal that will have overwhelming support by the delegates at the June Reorganization Meeting.

The letter below, revised, I distributed at the MCDP December meeting / Christmas Party indicating the changes in the MCDP Constitution that I am proposing.  There is a lot to explain and I’m working on writing a small book to be posted on line. I’ve instructed ChatGPT to produce book covers for possible titles.  

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Dear Friend — Merry Christmas !

We are living in the most consequential time in human history. … More than at any other time, the Democratic Party must step up and provide leadership. We must focus on the big picture. 

We are on the verge of autocracy and the dogs of greed and hate are no longer in the wings. They’re constantly revealing who they are — never with more clarity than in the audacious effort to suddenly cancel Jimmy Kimmel.

Our democracy is failing and the big danger is that the amazing power of artificial intelligence will be used to clinch authoritarian control. I believe we have a short time to save our democracy — two elections, 2026 and 2028 — we must get our house in order.

My goal is to write a MCDP Constitution proposal so that it defines the MCDP as the total membership of the MCDP and empowers MCDP members to directly choose MCDP leadership, rather than being chosen by the Central Committee. Yes, the ORC designates the Central Committee as the “controlling committee,” but the ODP Constitution empowers the ODP Central Committee to cede its authority, part of its authority, to a larger group, so the MCDP should be permitted to copy that practice. 

I’m hoping the 2026 Reorganization will make decisions and approve a new MCDP Constitution that loudly will broadcast the message that the Democratic Party, the community of rank-and-file Democrats, is serious about making our democracy strong and that the MCDP is launching a two-year campaign to earn the brand — “the participatory democracy party.” The Constitution, then, will spell out:

1. The next Reorganization will be in 2028. (As permitted by ORC.)
2. The MCDP will be defined as the community of rank-and-file MCDP members and the new MCDP Constitution will show how this community will be empowered to participate in the work of the Central Committee.
3. The total membership of the MCDP will be empowered to vote to elect MCDP officers in an on-line / in-person MCDP Convention.
4. The elected MCDP officers also will serve in the same offices for the Central Committee, with the approval of the Central Committee.
5. The Constitution will endorse a future system of participatory democracy in Montgomery County, and throughout OH-10, where non-partisan communities will dominate politics. 
6. The Constitution will encourage MCDP members to fully engage in building, leading and participating in these civic communities. 
7. One purpose of these non-partisan communities will be the preparation and development of civic leaders who will emerge as candidates for the Democratic Party.
8. The MCDP Constitution will show examples of “Participatory Democracy Platforms” that the Party will recommend for use by Democratic Party candidates. 
9. The MCDP Constitution will implore the Republican Party, the MCRP, to join the “participatory democracy” movement and copy the MCDP Constitution.

I know this is very very ambitious. It is the urgency of our time that dares us to think big, and I’m doing my best — a “participatory democracy” movement, rank-and-file Democrats building non-partisan civic groups, a Democratic candidate emerging from a non-partisan movement, and, the cumulative result: flipping OH-10 in 2028.  I am preparing a paper, a little book, that develops these ideas. I’d love your input. Contact me.

Sincerely,

Mike Bock           mcbock@daytonos.com