Each testimony is identified with a two-letter code indicating the venue, then a page number within the list of testimony within that venue, then the initials of the person testifying. The codes for the venues are:

WO = Worcester, March 5

EV = Everett, March 19

NA = North Andover, April 2

BA = Barnstable, April 23

NO = Northampton, May 7

The pages are numbered in the order in which they will appear on the EOC website (if any). Then we cite the person’s 2 or 3 initials in whatever form their name is recorded. So for example, Jesse Gordon’s Barnstable testimony is cited as BA1-JG; Sam Seidel’s Everett testimony is cited as EV6-SS.

BA3-RDE: Elected officials [should] represent the progressive values upon which this party was founded

NO1-MW: On rumor that DSC is too far left: what definition of left is being used?

NO2-FO: The voice of the party needs to be progressive and liberal

NO3-BB: Party was built on community, justice & progressive vision—take back party from grassroots up

WM4-MB: Progressive democrats fear reprisals in Ward 3 Boston, so nobody new gets involved

WM9-PM: Progressive values have been put aside... we must welcome back the left

WM10-JG: Reich popular among independents because unafraid to espouse progressive values

WM14-LK: People really do want progressive change

WM19-EG: The party needs to make BOLD moves to the LEFT on the issues that affect us

WM23-PD: Progressive values originally drew most of us to the Democratic Party.

WM25-TH: You need to offer a clear, progressive choice to citizens

WM26-AM: Do something against un-civic-minded Republicans. I am hopeful for progressive Dems.

WM29-JH: Progressive outnumbered traditionalists in EOC testimony, 2 to 1

WO3-LC: We did not lose because candidate was too liberal. Centralist politics—not much to vote for.

WO5-LC: Identifies himself as Worcester Progressive Democrat; says Democrats are pigeon-holed

WO6-CW: Return to Democratic values—stand up for all people

BA1-RD: Party needs to spend more to promote Democratic values

EV2-DM: Renounce copycat Republicanism

EV5-JH: Green Party says Dems are moving to the right; young people are going to the Greens

EV6-JG: The DLC idea of Republican-Lite candidates ensures that the real Republicans will get elected.

EV6-SS: Cannot revert back to when the Working Man was king and private capital was the enemy.

NA1-MD: Democrats are afraid to be liberal

NA2-PMC: Must delineate from the Republican Party

NO1-LB: It would be destructive to move the Democratic Party to the right

NO2-GM: Eliminate the influence of the DLC (Republicans in disguise)from the Democratic party

NO2-PC: Becoming more centrist is inappropriate. A lot of Democrats in state party are really Republicans

NO3-KB: Massachusetts has a reputation of being a liberal state—we need to build on that base

WM5-FS: Following DLC policies may not be the best way to beat Republicans

WM7-TM: We must offer a strong contrast to the Republican vision

WM13-CC: If we don’t take tough stands, many will continue to say we are just like the Republicans

WO4-JB: DLC – lost everything – not best thing for the Democratic Party

WO6-CW: Depressing to watch Republican Lites! Democrats running on Republican issues.

WO6-JB: Think out of the box; differently from Republicans

WO16-CW: Depressing to watch "Repub Lites" and become a party of borrowed, watered-down ideas

BA1-POC: Democratic Party has not upheld its core principles

BA1-RE: Dem elected officials have not represented the party’s principles

BA1-JG: I support the Platform Accountability Amendment because it promotes openness

BA3-RDE: Our Party Platform has been rejected by elected Democrats who profess to represent the Party.

NA5-EK: Dems should promote norms of behavior and be capable and willing to enforce these norms

NA7-JM: Confront and opose our OWN Democratic leaders when they violate Platform positions

NO1-LM: Our platform bears no correlation to what the legislature represents. Hold legislators accountable

NO2-PC: Once Democrats get into office, they become Republicans.

WM12-DP: Can’t we hold our elected legislators to the Party platform when they run?

WM15-PE: Require officeholders to hilite parts of platform they support; make it available to constituents

WM17-TK: Too few leaders of our party follow our party principles!

WM21-BK: I embrace traditional Democratic values and our platform

WM23-PD: Our common ground is the progressive values underlying our party’s platform

WM33-HA: Legislative agenda has not been based on the party platform.

WO3-CR: Democrats need to stick together more [on the] Party platform

WO16-CW: We can’t compete with Republicans on their platforms.

BA1-JG: Count unenrolleds as much as lifelong Dems, since their vote counts just as much

BA2-SS: Our expectations of our party’s responsibilities are somewhat diminished.

BA3-RDE: We will see more defections to the Greens if we don’t take seriously progressive concerns

EV6-CK: We’ll lose people who are Republicans anyway [so don’t address them].

EV6-SS: Information is available to us all making us all much more demanding consumers.

NA2-PD: Unenrolled voters are not part Democrat and part Republican

NO2-FO: Real danger is that people are shifting to the Green Party. There may be a tipping point.

WM4-MB: Change from old-school politics or you’ll siphon margins to the Green party or independents

WM10-JG: Progressive values [are what] so many independents believe in.

WM12-BP: As party members, we should woo back Green party defectors

WM13-CC: We risk being considered irrelevant by new generation of voters leaning to Rainbow/Green

WM15-PE: Those in third parties are yearning for Democratic candidates worth supporting

WM19-EG: Find out why Democrats are flocking to the Green Party. Get in touch with deserted Greens.

WM22-PD: A strong, vibrant Democratic Party wouldn’t be threatened by a third party.

WM25-TH: Progressives have been frustrated at rightward tilt and many have abandoned the Dems

BA1-JG: Demand of party loyalty has turned off unenrolled voters

NO1-BH: If you question policy, you are not a good Democrat—I’m tired of hearing that.

WM1-JB: You’re just not going to get an independent from Amherst to jump after a knee-jerk Dem

WM10-JG: As independent, thought all parties were only for insider politicking.

WM19-EG: State committee folks are "extreme Democrats" or "head in the sand Democrats"

WM21-BK: I don’t give a hoot about promoting "life-long Democrats"

WM28-JH: Arrogance of liberal leadership [causes] more unenrolleds than Democrats

WM39-MW: I’m tired of business as usual. Dems are seen as the party of patronage and good old boys.

WM40-EA: Independent voters have a low opinion of the Democratic controlled legislature

NA3-GG: Finneran has death grip on Massachusetts

NO1-BF: Finneran needs to step down. He has enormous power.

WM12-DP: If party leaders revert to a conservative direction, exorcise him and diminish his power

WM21-BK: I reject the old-school politics that keeps someone like Finneran in power

WM32-EA: Recognize the negative effect that Speaker Finneran has on the party’s reputation

WM33-HA: Legislative agenda has been based on personal whims of the House speaker

WO4-JB: Finneran is a disgrace. Finneran is a Republican Lite.

BA1-SR: There is too much infighting and not enough unity

EV2-GOF: Party has drifted too far to the left

EV3-JH: Independent voters are not liberals – we have to reach out & fight for them

EV5-CG: Party leadership is too far left

NA1-WL: There is a need for the party to come to "the center"

NO3-BR: We should unite on our message, but we never can. At least we should agree on the principles.

WO2-JPF: Ultra liberal views are a turn off.

WO2-RK: Democrats are getting too liberal!

WO3-TOB: Liberal mantra is unmarketable. Unity – united voices together.

WO7-JF: Foundational values of fiscal conservatism & social responsibility, not social liberalism

BA1-SR: There is too much infighting and not enough unity

EV5-JH: We need unified voices

EV6-RVC: Diversity of Party is ok, but we also need unity

NA1-WL: At Convention, we went in with one candidate and came out with 5

NA2-PA: People have to get behind the candidates

NA2-PD: Too much infighting; Dems blame each other too often

NA3-HF: Having 5 candidates lowered Democratic turnout

NO3-BR: We should unite on our message, but we never can

WM26-AM: Accountability Resolution should be used against Republicans, not Democrats.

WO2-JPF: Unite! Foundational values and social responsibility, not liberalism.

WO2-TB: Once there were no strangers in the Democratic Party; just friends you hadn’t yet met

WO3-CR: Democrats need to stick together. Democrats don’t trust each other.

WO3-TOB: [We need a] united voice together

WO6-BS: We need to be united! Democratic party – he thinks of a union.

WO6-JB: We failed to come together with a united message after the primary

WO7-JF: Establish what is necessary to unit the diverse ideological groups present within this party

BA1-RP: Dems do not get their message across; people don’t know the Democratic message

BA1-SR: Democrats need leadership and a positive message

EV5-PC: Whatever our message is, we are not inspiring people with it.

EV5-PL: Issue is not left or right, it’s about leadership

EV6-CK: We must stand for something – our message has become diluted.

EV6-JG: Give us an inspirational candidate who passionately believes in liberal values.

NA2-JR: The Democratic Party must understand what it stands for

NA2-LK: Talk passionately about big issues

NA2-PD: People are tired of empty politics

NA3-MK: Democrats must find their own voice

NA4-TM: We must stand up for our beliefs

NO2-LM: If you stand for something, it should mean something.

NO3-KB: Be proud of who you elect and tell them to speak up for the truth and our ideals.

WM1-JB: Like Clinton, show some passion and some determination to be there

WM7-TM: [There’s a] dangerous loss of excitement about leadership in the Democratic Party.

WM9-PM: [We have] uninspired and unconvincing middle-of-the-road, poll-based politics

WM14-LK: Talk with passion from the heart…. Give people a reason to vote—inspire them.

WM25-TH: Unenrolled votes will not be inspired by middle-of-the-road candidates

WO2-RU: Our party follows; it doesn’t lead. Take back what is ours as a leading party.

WO5-LG: Young people feel there’s too much nonsense from the government.

NA3-JMC: Reich had succinct solutions to problems

WM1-JB: The only chance the Dems had to beat Romney was to nominate Reich

WM3-DR: I have never missed voting. I was one of the first in my community to support Reich.

WM10-JG: Reich candidacy got me to enroll as a Democrat

WM21-BK: I followed Reich into the convention and was sorely disappointed with the election results

WM25-TH: Reich inspired me to jump back into the process; he got many independent voters involved.

WO6-JB: Respects Reich as a person

EV3-LTB: Like Frances Perkins, Eleanor Roosevelt, and JFK: invite young people in

EV5-CG: Party has lost touch with the working class – distrust creates unenrolled voters

NA1-BF: The party has failed to be receptive to new ideas

NA3-NOC: Party needs to listen at the local level; they have more knowledge about the community

NA6-JM: Open up the Democratic Party to new members and leaders

NO1-BH: We need to listen to what voters want.

WM5-FS: Republican rejuvenation used pollsters to suggest issues that candidates should use in campaigns

WM20-EG: State committee folks need to get in touch with real Democrats and deserted Greens.

WM23-PD: Party leadership must be grounded in listening

WO1-GG: Listen to frontline Democrats

WO4-JC: Address unenrolled issues! Elected on face-to-face [encounters].

WO5-LG: Listen to the people. Knock on doors, get lists.

NA1-MD: O’Brien lost because she told the truth about taxes

NA3-JMC: O’Brien was beholden to too many members of the party

WM1-JB: Shannon O’Brien was a member of the "brotherhood" candidates – a knee-jerk Dem

WM7-TM: She has no charisma and conveyed nothing but status quo. We do not need status quo.

WM19-EG: O’Brien did not offer any bold, exciting plans. I was very lukewarm about her campaign.

WO2-JPF: O’Brien’s position on abortion – ultra liberal views are a turnoff.

WO2-TB: O’Brien turned into a different person and changed her beliefs

WO3-TOB: 16-year-olds having abortions. Liberal mantra is unmarketable.

WO4-JB: Shannon didn’t believe in what she was talking about [so] she saw herself implode.

WO4-SP: Believes 16-year-old abortion issue cost the election (not a liberal issue)

WO10-UN: Reason we lost campaign: the teenage abortion response; and media coverage favored Romney

EV3-ER: Think about how late our primaries are

EV3-JH: Think about our structure – late primary hurts us!

NA1-BF: If the primaries are moved to June then any Democrat should be able to run

NA6-JM: Move the primary from September to June

NO3-MCH: We need primaries in the spring.

NO3-RC: We should learn our lesson and hold primaries in May or June.

WO6-JB: Primary should be in the spring to have time to heal workers who were hurt

EV1-EC: Format for convention has to be changed -- it is a disaster

NA1-NK: Does not approve of the Convention process. The 15% rule is bad.

NA3-JMC: Greatly disturbed by 2^nd and 3^rd ballot—it destroyed legitimacy of candidates

NA4-WC: The last convention was outrageous and a travesty

NO3-MCH: We squandered the high energy of our caucuses with the convention in 2002.

NO3-RC: Last convention was a disaster. We squeezed too much into too short a time.

WM21-BK: If Democrats can’t run a convention, why should we be given the reins of an entire state?

WO2-RK: Democratic State Convention—Disaster!

BA1-EC: Message of Democrats has been obscured

BA1-RP: Democrats do not get their message across; people don’t know the Dem message

BA1-SR: Democrats need leadership, and a positive message

EV1-DR: Time to rethink how message is sent out

EV5-PC: Whatever our message is, we are not inspiring people with it

EV6-CK: Recently one message has become diluted

NA1-MD: Candidates must be sincere and target the issues to everyone

NA2-JR: The Democratic Party must understand what it stands for

NA2-GW: Democrat message can be presented in a better way

NO3-KB: We need to be honest—that we believe in government

WM1-JB: This is a party that has no definition

WM15-PE: Democrats in the legislature should commit to honesty and accountability

WO2-RU: Repackaging needed; the Party has lost its way.

WO2-DB: Our party must be framed by us, not by the GOP

WO3-CR: Redefine the party on our terms; redefine "liberal"

WO3-LC: Didn’t lose because candidate was too liberal—lost because we weren’t on message

WO3-TOB: Repackaging of ideas; reach beyond the 34% [of registered Dems]

WO4-SP: We cannot let Rush Limbaugh or our enemies define our terms for us

WO5-MB: GOP obfuscated message for the Democrats

BA1-MAP: Wants support of campaign finance reform

BA2-BM: Need campaign finance reform

BA3-RDE: Failure of elected officials to fully implement publicly financed elections is appalling.

BA5-LWV: League of Women Voters continues to support campaign finance reform

NA1-NK: Need a new method of candidate selection—some do it with computers

NA4-WC: Right now the party is locked into the status quo: Cites Clean Elections

NO2-GM: We had a good opportunity to change the Party with the passage of Clean Elections.

NO2-JC: I support Clean Elections—we need to allow new ideas here because new ideas are vital.

NO2-TC: The legislature has worked around the clock to undermine Clean Elections.

NO6-TC: In the face of ongoing corporate scandals, it’s time to consider measures like Clean Elections.

WM7-TM: Pursue clean elections and change to a less winner-takes-all system.

WM12-DP: Why did we let party leaders call back Clean Elections with their dirty tricks?

WM18-GL: We support public financing of elections [including] Clean Elections

WM38-PV: Democratic Party should embrace Instant Runoff Voting to win back corner office in 2006.

WM39-MW: I’m tired of the Dems not standing up for Clean Elections

EV3-LTB: Government can make a difference; party stands for a safety net, and peace & justice

NA1-BLI: What is the core mission of government? We must take care of the people.

WM6-FS: Transform image of government from a problem to an opportunity to provide people to prosper

WM9-PM: Progressive values of pro-active government that put Mass in the forefront have been put aside

WM14-LK: Role of government is to set forth a vision of a better society and inspire people to achieve it.

BA2-BM: Do not cut taxes

EV2-DM: Taxes are the price we pay for living in a decent society

EV3-JH: Taxes are the great evil? No; the price to live in a decent society

EV6-MG: Re-evaluate property tax for relief for the underclass

NA2-BK: People will suffer under Governor’s tax plan

NO1-BF: I am disappointed that the legislature failed to crack down on corporate tax breaks.

WM6-FS: Few of those voting yes to eliminate income tax knew the full impact of such a vote.

WM19-EG: Suggest a progressive income tax that gets at taxing the rich, and ONLY the rich

WO5-GV: We need services—need to pay for them.

WO5-MB: Cuts are ridiculous!

BA1-FH: Wants the Patriot Act revoked

BA1-JLS: Concerned about Bush policy on foreign affairs (the war).

BA2-EG: Disapproves of the Patriot Act

NA7-JM: Stand for morality as basis of foreign policy; and our non-Congressional decision to wage war

WM3-DR: Turned off by any candidate who does not mention the insanity and immorality of Bush’s war

WM7-TM: I am so angry and heartbroken to see what Bush is doing in Iraq

WM11-BQ: War is only a very last resort for a civilized country.

WM13-CC: Dems would be well advised to take an anti-war stance – at least on this war.

BA1-MAP: Maintain women’s right to choose

BA2-MAM: Believes choice programs are good

BA3-RDE: Acknowledge the failure of the drug war; change to public health model for substance abuse

NO1-BF: Disappointed at failure to crack down on corporate income tax breaks

NO2-FO: The party needs a newsletter, for continuity in the message the party puts out.

EV6-MG: Need good jobs at good pay – service sector jobs are not.

NA1-GW: Working families must be distinguished from professional families

NA2-JR: Represent blue-collar workers and people of the state

NA5-EK: A community of the future should feature full and productive employment for all

WM12-DP: Romney is gutting MGL 150E which grants state workers their collective bargaining rights

WM13-CC: Terrorism can be prevented by addressing root causes: income disparity, unjust labor laws, etc.

WO4-JC: 60% of union households voted for Shannon

WO4-PW: Democratic lunch pail issues – that affects unenrolleds

WO5-LC: Raise worker’s comp back to 66%; index minimum wage

WO5-LG: Two critical issues: young people finding jobs, and health insurance

WO7-JF: We need to get back on track with the lunch pail, blue collar public.

WO15-DB: We created 40-hour workweeks; supported worker’s right to organize.

EV1-EC: Governor has taken liberties with veterans

NO3-DC: A lot of Dems voted for eliminating the state income tax. Don’t be against it.

WO2-RDK: Vote what the people want – death penalty

WO4-PC: Adult choice on motorcycle issues means $$$ for Democrats

WO9-JF: We have supported rights of legal gun owners and strong law and order policies

BA2-EG: We must make health insurance affordable

BA5-LWV: League of Women Voters continues its support of reproductive choice

EV1-EC: Governor has taken from elderly

EV2-DM: Dem Party supports single payer healthcare at both state and national level

NA3-PS: Healthcare situation is a "caner". Massachusetts needs a universal healthcare system.

NA4-JD: Senior support involves interaction—O’Brien did not visit senior centers so they rejected her

NO2-FO: Single payer healthcare provides the party an opportunity to champion the interest of the public

NO7-FO: I support the inclusion of single payer healthcare in the party’s Action Agenda.

WM2-JB: Many seniors feel ignored and cynical about government. [Let’s] recruit these voters.

WM11-BQ: The Party must stand for humanistic values: health, education, employment.

WM19-EG: File a lawsuit against the federal government to fully fund Medicare costs

WO2-DB: Others deserve what we have: Social Security and Medicare

WO2-JPF: Blue collar issues: affordable health care, education, seniors

WO8-JF: Core principles: high-quality education, affordable healthcare, providing for seniors.

WO15-DB: We created Social Security and Medicare, and 40-hour workweeks for our laborers.

BA1-POC: State aid for schools and housing are not sufficient

BA1-RE: We must continue to lead in public education

BA1-RP: We need to support programs for early education and after-school

EV6-RVC: We don’t go into the schools and teach children values.

NA1-GW: Addressing healthcare and K-12 education attracts working families

NA2-MJM: Education and social security network are in danger

WM11-BQ: We must stand for humanistic values: health, education, employment

WM12-DP: Prioritize quality public education from K thru college with access for all

WM19-EG: Preserve higher education opportunities for all

WM39-MW: Adequate funding for health, human services, and education

WO2-JPF: [Key issues are] affordable healthcare, education, seniors

NA3-NOC: More affirmative action outreach; more outreach to college campuses

NA4-JP: Focus on issues in each community; support local leadership

NO1-MB: Last two elections saw Dem nominee lose the rural vote. We need to treat rural voters as equals

NO3-RC: We need to expand our base. We need to reach out to those who do not participate.

NO4-MLB: Democratic Rural Council, formed in 1998, has not been encouraged by party leadership.

WO3-BW: Disabled are the sleeping giant of politics

WO3-LC: Outreach for minority vote.

WO5-JDG: Broaden out party. Need new words other than working family.

WO6-BS: Bring our Latino children along—we got beat by this issue and need to support it.

WO10-UN: Minority communities feel Dems give them low priority and take their vote for granted

BA1-JLS: Affordable housing is the most critical issue on the Cape

BA1-LS: Housing is prohibitively expensive for middle income families on the Cape

BA1-POC: State aid for schools and housing is not sufficient

BA5-LWV: League of Women Voters especially concerned about affordable housing on the Cape

WM19-EG: Stop inappropriate development and dump chapter 40b – a sweetheart deal

BA1-MAP: Opposes legalized casino gambling

BA1-SR: Opposes casino gambling

BA5-LWV: League of Women Voters opposes legalized casino gambling

WM12-DP: If a community wants it, why not allow casino gambling?