The closest I've ever come to experiencing a cult happened years ago when I joined an organization. It was a political entity that had a long pedigree in this area, and I wanted to help restore its strength, and allow it make a difference in the lives of working people as it had done long ago.

Getting information on it was tricky, as they had no phone number, no website, and no presence on social media. In order to make contact, I had to connect with the national office, which gave me what appeared to be someones personal AOL email address.

That's how I met 'The Leader' who I ended up calling 'The Don' (not a Trump reference BTW).

So I fill out the application and MONTHS go by without hearing anything back. I'd actually forgotten about them when they finally contacted me to tell me that The Leader had approved me being "voted in" as a member.

Party meetings were held every other month out in the suburbs, but I wanted to help restore our strength in the city where the party was born. Known for supporting the poor and the working class, they'd been pivotal in improving the lives of 'Joe Six Pack' and I wanted to be a part of restoring that proud tradition.

According to the N.O. (National Office), the member list contained roughly 50 names, however 25 had died over the years, with 25 left.

The "Drinking Club"

Prior to attending my first meeting, I had no idea it acted more like a drinking club. I was the youngest one there, and was a curiosity as the first new member in years. Many of them were middle-aged or older, but everyone deferred to The Don.

He was a massive older man who'd been the party chairman for ages, and brooked no dissent. In was eager to share my ideas for growth of the party, but quickly ran into a brick wall with every. single. suggestion. Here are some examples that were voted down:

• Many different groups here grow by setting up a table in front of our local post office due to the enormous foot traffic. I suggested the same.

• A presence on social media

• Printing up and handing out brochures

• Partnering with like-minded organizations for growth

• Having some party meetings in the city as opposed to all of them being in the suburbs

Each of these were "no'd" with the other members looking at 'The Leader' he'd shake his head no and they'd turn to me and do the same.

"Well what do you guys wanna do to grow the party?" I asked. It turns out, they were happy to keep things exactly as they were.

No change

Turns out, it was run like a little club. A mafia where one man made all the decisions, and everyone else just went along.

I had about 50 people that had expressed interest in joining, but they wanted to join an ACTIVE party ready to organize the neighborhoods, as opposed to a drinking club that sat around drinking coffee and donuts.

These guys all knew each other, but there were 3 who wanted to grow like me. As each attempt at growth was rebuffed, these three took me aside and explained what was up. "It's like was golf was like before the arrival of Tiger Woods. These players would win a few tournaments each year (including a major now and then), and they had a good thing going. Then Tiger comes along and starts winning match after match, that's what this local is like."

Every year a core group would swap leadership positions. Susie would be the Treasurer this year and then the party Secretary next year. Mike would be tapped for Vice Chairman, followed by Party Spokesperson the next time around, which was strange because they rarely made public statements.

They all had nice little titles and enjoyed "playing" at running a local political party organization. Like those golfers, they had a good thing going. Meet, swap photos of the kids/grandkids, vote on some proclamation, and tap somebody for the latest position swap.

But nothing was done for voter outreach or to improve the lives of the people.

So I had no idea that my attempt to bring in 50n new members was seen as a threat to their total control of the local.

I was shocked when I found out, as I was just trying to restore our numbers and make a difference. Working two jobs, I had no intention of running the local.

The Charter

Frustrated after years of trying enact change, the three members suggested that I try to contact the national office as they had done unsuccessfully over the years to see if they could help. Since I was a good writer and public speaker, they thought I could break through.

And boy I did.

Turns out the office had been dealing with this for DECADES. The party was showing steady growth nationwide except for our area. Fed up, they offered me the charter to run the local myself and restore our numbers.

Shocked, I told them I needed to discuss it with the three others and needed to think about it. I had plans to support two of them to run for the local school board, and perform outreach in our community.

But after much thought and discussion, I had to back out.

These were mostly older people who kept this thing going more for social reasons than anything else. Who was I to come in and usurp what they had? Running the local gave meaning to their lives and a sense of purpose.

I simply couldn't bring myself to take it away from them.

The Right thing, and a new Purpose

As a person raised with morals, I knew it was the right thing to do. We let them have that. Instead, I joined another organization and supported a younger more engaged group that was ready to act. It felt good to finally be able to make a difference in close elections. Here, a couple of hundred votes can swing a race.

And we swung plenty.

Since that time the local membership numbers have dropped to about 18 as people have died or moved on. The other three stayed with them for a few years before leaving after seeing yet another new person like me have their ideas shut down by The Don.

The three left the party and two joined other like-minded organizations as I did, while one left politics altogether.

I don't know what's going to happen to the local as the members die out or leave. I suspect The Don will be the last man standing, and will be clutching that charter till his dying breath.

As for me, I know I made the right decision to let them enjoy their little place in the Sun. There they can unite in joy and spend their remaining years with a sense of belonging and peace, and God knows we could all use more of that.