Over the last two weeks the Democrats and the Republicans held their caucuses. In both they had larger than expected crowds. I can certainly speak more to the Democrats than the Republicans but I do know that the Republicans have had around 80 attendees with 10 new enrollees, which is about double what they were expecting.

The Democrats I have to say with pride had 350 participating and 98 new enrollees. Up from 85 four years ago. This tells me a tide is rising. My hope is, regardless of one’s party affiliation Windham citizens become more activated. Join their party and in their government.

For too long our local parties and politics have been controlled by very small circles of longterm activists. With all respect to what these people have given to their parties and to local and state government, they cannot go it alone. They need new energy, ideas and growth. Although I am a Democrat and my values align with those of the Democratic Party, I would like the Republicans to gain from new members and hence be more reflective of real America. Obviously, Republicans will continue to win elections, my hope is, they should always do so with the best possible candidates.

In the Democratic Party we are seeing just this kind of growth and these kind of candidates. It has to do with our local activists and candidates. It also has to do with the historic presidential candidacies of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. They are exciting people, bringing in the youth and changing the political paradigm.

We also acknowledge the role of, the dominance of the Republican Party in our local and national politics, particularly, with the Bush Presidency. It has been an unmitigated disaster. We are less secure, less prosperous or less internationally respected than we were prior to Bush and the Republican national take over. As for the hallmarks of the Republican mantra of fiscal conservancy and strong economy? That’s pre-composted manure, or as Doctor Phil would say. “How’s that working for you?”

While some throw stones of frustration at our local taxes we really do such because our arms are not strong enough to hurl them at Washington and Wall Street. We are living with trickle down economics. Washington Republicans have indebted our young yet gave trade policies, tax cuts and givaways (to “stimulate the economy” my a**) to corporations and the richest amongst us. Bush goes to war and asks America to keep shopping mostly for products made by 6-year-olds in China and sold at Wal-Mart, to the poorest amongst us.

Washington establishes policies that result in mandates but does not fund them. So what happens? They cut programs for the least amongst us and pass the check to the states. And if the states cannot fund them what happens? They scramble, cut programs, again for the least amongst us, and decrease local funding to towns. The towns take the trickle and what happens? They cut education, such as that pesky civics requirement or the athletics budget or the Arts. They scale back hours at the library or salt for the roads or they do not fund a park or they freeze employee salaries and benefits.

The real issue is that we are getting squeezed by lower paying and lost jobs along with higher expenses and fewer and greater desperation with fewer and fewer options, all the while increasing corporate control and profit as if they gave a rats a** about anything other than their own bottom line.

Which brings me back to the caucus. What we saw on Sunday is that Maine and America are discovering who will pull for the average American, and has the will, to hurl that stone to Washington and Wall Street. It is a Democrat. Personally, I like Obama but Hillary will do just fine. So if you want to rise up, get active, and make the change you want to happen. Get involved with your local political party, (even if it is Republican.), and make the change you want in your world.

Michael Shaughnessy is a Windham resident (and chairman of the Windham Democratic Town Committee.) He would enjoy your thoughts at michaeljshaughnessy@verizon.net.