Nick,

You're the ideal candidate to represent the true definition of democracy: "the principle of equality of rights, opportunity, and treatment...the common people,
especially as the wielders of political power." When you run for office, I will
elect you, which is exactly the attitude people need to have in order to get their
ideas and thoughts into results.

Love your enthusiasm Nick. I am an actual delegate from another state. How did I get to be a delegate? I worked my tail off, starting 18 months ago specifically for Senator Obama's campaign. I volunteered, went to rallies, knocked doors, made phone calls and helped any way I could. But, so did many others who wanted to be delegates but did not get to be. Many others probably did even more than me.

Yet, I have not limited myself to Senator Obama's campaign. I have helped other candidates on local levels, including those running for State Representative and County level offices. I volunteer for my county's Democratic party. That stuff has no glamour. Many others have done the same. I know so many people who have put their heart and soul into going to the convention but could not get a ticket. They deserve one, still, like you said it is almost like winning the lottery.

Like so many other elected delegates, I have worked to get to the convention; I have been a Democratic volunteer for years. This is the first time I have gone to the convention, and I had to campaign to get elected for the slot! So, while I understand your plight Nick, start now, work now and maybe, just maybe you can go to the next convention. Help your local candidates. Volunteer for your local Democratic party. Go get involved NOW. The elected delegates that I know feel it is an unbelievable honor.

Two Questions:

Did you vote in the primary?
Did you try to get in the Republican convention?

Your argument is as ridiculous as saying that you want a seat in congress during a landmark vote or that you demand a ticket to the inaugural ball.
Yes it is unfortunate that we can't all get in but another way that America has "sold out" is by becoming a lot of wussy whiners holding a sign on a street corner instead of taking action for the things we want to obtain. Get active in your local government, work hard in politics, run your own election... and maybe one day you will have worked hard and long enough to be invited to such an honor as a seat at the DNC.

Hosting the DNC as a major event is a great opportunity for Denver to demonstrate it is a world-class city. As for being sold out, as an event, the concept is no different than an Oracle conference...you get your company to foot the bill and maybe you walk away with a neat new backback. But you don't know more than the guy who taught himself viewing the same lessons on DVD. You will see better coverage of the DNC event from your home or PC on TV than being squished in a crowd of hot air and no legs to stand on, which is all the Dems have anyway. All this aside, great grassroots piece on the downtown beat, Nick.

Good work and a fresh approach Tim- a concise and creative way to express your opinion. Your enthusiasm is very appealing. I hear they're holding a speech at the Pepsi center now...maybe now you can get a ticket!

Good work and a fresh approach Tim- a concise and creative way to express your opinion. Your enthusiasm is very appealing. I hear they're holding a speech at the Pepsi center now...maybe now you can get a ticket!

that's so poor. votes are fake?

Don't kid yourself, we have a single-party system -- corporatism. Both "parties" sold out long ago.

For obvious reason these events can't be completely open to the public, but why not make a certain number of tickets available to everyday citizens, perhaps awarded through a lottery system? This film should encourage discussion on an important topic which goes beyond the convention and concerns both parties; how much power does the current political system actually grant to voters?

I agree with the previous poster who noted that this filmmaker "misses the point that the convention is a party operation."

I participated in the caucus months ago, where average folks like me voted on delegates to attend the convention. I wonder if the filmmaker attend his local caucus, or did he suddenly get his inspiration to "participate" only now?

This seems to be a case of being naive about how the process works.

poor

Well done! Admittedly, as a Republican, I could say, "Well that's the Democrats for you!" Unfortunately, regardless of party, I believe they all have the same issues. Politics is such a vast entity that it's unrealistic to think that EVERYONE can participate on every level. It certainly is a nice, American thought, though.
Thanks Nick, for an entertaining and creative short film!

Jill from Denver

Very Creative
Kept it brief which was great. Also started me thinking of other ways to get into the convention, which, even though the author did not think of them, means that the movie worked, at least insofar as 1) entertaining me, and 2) getting me to think. Super work, Nick.

Involvement in the party is really the way to get a ticket. I am pretty involved, as a local elected official, but I had no desire to go to Denver and be surrounded by thousands of yelling people. Not my idea of how things really get done.

The film is well done, but misses the point that the convention is a party operation, that the true democracy has already happened when the primaries concluded. (I won't go into the whole undemocratic super-delegate concept, which bothers me intensely, even though one of our good friends is a super-delegate!) If you voted in a primary, you participated in the most valid way. The convention is just a big party.

The convention activities are the execution of the will of the people, previously put forth during voting of the primaries and caucuses...and oh yeah, the convention also has the independent superdelegates with no responsibility to any district or state's results to vote the will of the people. Anywho, great film! PS - Tom Daschle for VP -

Jess

Definately sounds like something our modern-day government would do. Hope you get enough feedback to get a ticket or at least make an impression. Of course, we could always move to Canada or something if things get too ridiculous.

YITBOS,
-Dan

I agree with you that the Democratic National Convention seems to continue the model of political system America has always had. Government by the elite, for the elite. The founding fathers insulated themselves from the thronging masses by inventing the electoral college, and so too the DNC insulates itself from the voices of real people by only allowing delegates who are in line with it's agenda, which is to protect its own interests (i.e. the wealth and power of those who are in power in the Democratic Party.) Those at the convention will be millionaires like the Clintons and Edwards, whose first priority is, and always will be, to protect their own interests. But that goes for all those in power, Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Communists, whoever they may be.

Nice work Nick. For the record I'd like a ticket too.

Ryan

If they want to hear the publics opinion they need to allow the public to attend a event such as this one. All I can say is that democracy is much democracy anymore. Politicians need to get their heads out of their asses and listen the people who put them in the office they are in now.

Great job Nick,

This little flick is great and a big indication of how things need to change. I wish you the best of luck on your journey to change some things in politics.

YITBOS
Jess H

Right on, man! And as a counterpoint to Pod, just in case he reads this, the Republicans sold out to big oil, the banking lobby, tort attorneys, and kooky right-wing fundamentalist religious wackos a long time ago, too. However, the whole damn system is rigged. By the way, I'll be going to the Texas State Republican convention as a delegate. Just gotta show up at the nominating convention. Don't think I spent enough on fliers to get elected to the National Convention Committee. A vote for Ron Paul is a vote for the only candidate who offers a real change of the system. Kooky anarchy is better than kooky fascism (Republicans) or socialism (Democrats). Aha! Skunk vote for Ron Paul! Viva la libertarianism!

YITBOS,
Gert

Nice film Nick. The whole political process is broken. This film is one more example.

YITBOS
Nelly
Rapid City

Nick..
I voted for your film. As with much of the work you do, it is quite good. I think the best solution would be to vote republican and then you might actually make enough money after taxes to buy that party of yours back. Oh, and yes, the Democratic party 'sold out' years ago to the hard core left wing agenda... and a lobbyist or two (not that the republicans haven’t, but that is not the point).
One other thing.. where would you hold this that you could fit all the people that might request tickets? Just wondering.
Pod

Great job, man..Im totally with you on this. I had no idea this was how the process worked, and it doesnt seem very democratic at all, much like the superdelegate situation. Good luck!!

Karthik

Thanks for sticking up for the little guy!

It's politics. Duh. EVERYTHING in politics, is about playing games, who you know, who you can leverage. Hell, your attempting to play it yourself with this movie. That's the way the political games work at all levels. College, work, city, state, HOA. Good luck.

Interesting issue and I love the intro Nick. Nice to see you are still practicing your craft.

politians on both sides have sold out all americans. this involves all areas of immigration, oil prices, or lack of standing up to peop[le who block our own oil resource use. how about crime, when is the last time any politician even mentioned crime, lets just keep them focused on climate change so the tobacco farmer gore can make more money

Sweet film. It's funny how poltics are supposedly based around the best interest of the common person but only the elite are aloud to participate.

Wow - I had no idea that was how the convention worked. That stinks the general public can't attend!
~Cassady

Of course it has been apparent for some time that both the republican and democratic parties have quite literally 'sold out.' Thanks for making such a brave comment on it, though! Cameron Parham Havre MT

Nice film, Nick!
- John Richardson

Great Video!! You make a very good point.

Well done! You have effectively pointed out the hypocrisy of the Democratic Party's claim to be for the little guy but in fact they are in bed with the lobbyists.

That was good Nick...and soooo true.

Nice work! Maybe you'll get a ticket next time round :)

Newell,

I loved the film, and I only hope that you are able to open enough eyes to make a difference. We are all behind you, brother.

YITBOS
Travis Walker

Hey good job Nick I defiantly think since they say they support the average American maybe they should let us in YITBOS

Nick: This is terrific!!! You obviously have a great future, regardless of the political parties and their shut door policies!!!!! Good luck with your quest for a ticket. Keep spreading the message . . ..

Hey Nick- really nice job with the film, you bring to light an important trend- the "democratic" process becoming less democratic. Political power is becoming more concentrated with less involvement of the general people. Why bother to appeal to an entire state when you can do just as well by winning over a few superdelegates?

Good luck in your quest to get a ticket... you've still got a couple months to go.

This was a really dynamic film with a great message! And YES, I do think the Democratic Party AND the Republic Party have BOTH "sold out"! Partisan politics is all about POWER -- but not Power of the People; rather it's all about Power of the Politicians and the big-money business interests who have each and every one of those policitians in a back-pocket somewhere! So, that's the problem; and I lay awake at night trying to think of solutions to this "global" problem. Good Work, Nick, at attempting to get a message out there!!! Let's hope some of the jerks who actually made those comments recognize how idiotic they sound -- and how pathetic the process is!!
somewhere in Montana

good job, it turned out great! YITBOS

This film is great! There is no reason they couldn't reserve some portion of the seats for the general public. Hold a lottery. Oh wait, they already do that. You pay your million bucks and you get a golden ticket. What a joke. I love how the Democrats always wax on about how they are for the little guys. This is another example of how the Democrats are throwing stones in a glass house. I love the reasons they use to not let you in..."well first it [your film] would have to be named!" Give me a break.

I hope the Democrats reap what they sow this November.

I agree. What ever happened to one man, one vote. We should write a computer program to make government obsolete! Might be better then this “we care about you”, charade. And letting the pop culture media run America.

-Merkwan

Hey Nick:

I love your little video. Good to hear from you again. I totally agree when are there going to be politicians that have interestest in the people instead of their pocketbook!

Thanks for taking the time to make your video. I'll make sure to spread the word.

AKA Hornball.

I think this is very intelligent and insightful. It is a great example of the fact that when either of these two candidates are elected as president the priveledged will become even more priveledged, and blue collar working Americans will continue to scratch and claw to simply be notced by our government.

This young man is not trying to gain access for money, power, or status. He simply would like to be a part of what is supposed to be one of the cornerstones of American Democracy. He is not looking for more than his one vote, but would like to be involved. Without greasing the palms of the politicians, this will never happen. No matter how much our government wants us to think we have a say, we do not. WE WILL ALWAYS BE ON THE OUTSIDE of the "convential" LOOKING IN.

Well done sir,
Pittsburgh, PA

Let's face it...

The bottom line for the convention is to have a scripted (potentially historical, but likely not) couple of days where Democrats attempt to claim back the White House and a few seats in the bicameral legislature. By June 3rd, Barack is going to be the candidate, Hillary will be there to defend him / unite the party, and the media will showcase a few punch lines.

I agree that they should open this up, but reality is that everyone (I can name a few hundred in Harvard Business School) that pay $$ to attend. What would be very unique, and if there is a party to do it - it's the Democrats, is to have an open convention outside. They could do it in a place where anyone could attend, be a part of the process, and help rally the (hopefully) next President.

If it doesn't work out, you should seriously try to get involved in the local party and get seated as a delegate. By then, you could easily attend at the rally that will propel Obama to a second term - and more importantly, help further put this country on the right path.

Nice work Brother! Come visit us in Cambridge - we miss ya.

The name Democratic Party is an oxymoron the fact that there are different parties is anti-democratic. I am ashamed that my native city of Denver has actually invited this Nazi rally. When you really think about it there are only a few differences beyond the hand gestures. There is no place in the Constitution that says Primaries or Conventions can or should be held. The Democrats are the forerunners against democracy; they are the first to crush third party opponents, our only chance of brining an end to the party system and eventually restoring democracy. I guess besides total and violent Revolution.

I'm curious where you would hold the convention if it was opened up to 5 million Coloradans to attend and, say, 5 percent of them came. I don't mind your being creative in trying to get yourself in, but I don't think it's honest to suggest you are campaigning on behalf of everyone in the general public. Just saying.