How my 85 year-old Grandfather helped win his precinct caucus for Ron Paul
Submitted by anon1972 on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 11:52Let me start with a bit of background. Leading up to Minnesota’s Tuesday night caucus, my grandfather and I talked a lot of politics, as we usually do. I would frequently steer the conversation to Ron Paul. We talked about Dr. Paul’s distaste for the Federal Reserve, unmitigated support for individual liberty, and strict adherence to the Constitution. Fortunately, my grandfather can use e-mail – at least enough to watch the YouTube videos and read the articles I would send to him. He became an ardent supporter of Ron Paul.
Now, my grandfather is nobody’s fool. A product of the Great Depression and born in 1926, he, his two brothers, and his parents lived in a 16’ x 24’ shack. They had no running water and no electricity; the bathroom was an out-house (which is less than comfortable on those cold winter nights in Minnesota). His family survived the Great Depression by growing food on an adjacent 1-acre plot of land, along with the family’s chickens and eggs. As a child he walked the railroad tracks to find coal that had dropped from a passing steam train. In the winter, his family would burn the scavenged coal for heat.
Having lived through tough times provides a perspective that I think most Americans frankly lack. And, possibly more than anyone in his precinct, he knows the circumstances our country is facing.
So, back to Tuesday night’s caucus, my grandfather hobbled to his local precinct location, now barely able to walk. After the caucus got under way, a couple middle-aged folks got up to speak about their love for Rick Santorum. After three back-to-back Santorum speeches, no one seemed to speak up for Dr. Paul. So, he concluded the duty was his.
He stood up slowly to address the attendees. His diatribe went something like this:
“You folks know just as well as me that there’s only one man running that can save this country. You’ve placed him at the bottom of the list, just like you always place him at the end of the line. Now, I’m too old to be a delegate, but let me tell you, we are out of options. All the other candidates are basically the same. They talk out of both sides of their mouths and the represent the status quo. You know exactly what I’m talking about and it’s about damn time you did something to fix it.”
Immediately after he sat down, a host of Generation Y-ers stood up and gave speech after speech about Ron Paul. His precinct then took their vote. After the votes were tallied, Ron Paul won the precinct by a significant margin. Paul received a good number of delegates, too.
Afterward, one of the Gen Y-ers thanked my grandfather for standing up and voicing his support for Ron Paul. The Gen Y-er said it gave him the confidence he needed to speak.
I have a couple of reasons for sharing this story. The first reason is that I’m really proud of the old man. The second reason is that one man can make a difference. If my 85 year-old grandfather can walk to caucus (by himself), and give a respectful but meaningful speech, SO CAN YOU.
This reminded me of my
This reminded me of my Grandfather who passed away a few years back, He was a WWII and Korean Veteran and was very proud of his service in the Navy, When I Joined during my early NeoCon years I remember thinking to myself Grandpa just does not understand the threat that the country is in. He called the Wars utterly Stupid and a waste. Boy was I wrong.. He had an understanding of war that I had no idea about. He often said he sacrificed enough so that we his family would not have to.. Nearly deaf in both ears caused by firing of the Big Deck Guns. I wish I would have only understood what he was talking about back then..
We can learn a lot from people like your grandfather and mine.
Vets For Paul!
http://www.vets4paul.com/
Thank You Patriot Grandfather !!!
What a guy !!! Such an inspirational story,thanks so much for posting it.I've been trying to come up with more idea's for us to reach the senior population,and I'd like to share with you one of those idea's.I was thinking that you could send this letter,or a letter from your grandfather,to the editors of newspapers around the country.Many seniors read newspapers,instead of going online,and editorial pages are traditionally a favorite.God bless you grandfather.
I hate these
postings that make me wipe my eyes dry before responding. As someone who is on the upper end of the age scale I have watched with much chagrin as the media attempts to paint Dr. Paul's supporters as mostly young and inexperienced people. I've consoled myself by thinking perhaps there are some of us still young at heart and concerned for the future.
If not us than who?
Kudos Grandfather! Thank you for your conviction.
.
~Your perception becomes your reality~
You should very proud of your
You should very proud of your gramps, I know I am.
does your Grandpa...
...still have your Grandma?? If not, my Mom (a big Ron Paul supporter/donator) is "single and 80."
Anyone offended by this, please stop and get over it. I am (mostly) kidding ;-)
lol
I think its funny...If we are gunna start pimpin out our grandparents, I got one too. lol. But she's kinda crazy...
also...
...agree with "Skunk" (below). This is a HALL of FAME post!!
Yep. Sure is.
.
"Religious people fear hell...
...Spiritual people (including our Savior) have lived it." -my friend
Leave Us Alone and Bring the Troops Home
give a hug
give a hug to ur grandpa from my side !!
if only more grandpas voting were this informed !!
----------------------------
Dr.Ron Paul's 2002 Predictions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGDisyWkIBM
Romney is Obama - DONT vote for more of the same!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWDJEc92d38
I got a tear
thinking about my late grandfather and how he would have been on board with Ron Paul. He was not a political guy, but he was a man of integrity and compassion. Honest folk recognize one another. My Pa would have liked Ron Paul.
When small men cast great shadows, the hour is late.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcW_Ygs6hm0
I pictured everything you
I pictured everything you said about his story growing up, walking to the caucus, giving his speech. All I can say is I picture an amazing grampa!!
jvt122
Inspiring. Makes me think of
Inspiring. Makes me think of my grandfather and the things we've talked about in the past. Congrats!
Puppets come and puppets go but the world's stage is getting cluttered.
Im going to bump this thread
whenever garbage threads are dominating the top recent topics.
can't add much to this except a thumbs up
with that said, i do wish the younger supporters were a bit more polished. relying on others to give you courage may be fine, but it's best for the movement if it is not the norm. we all may need a little courage derived from examples set by others however from time to time, that point i will give.
Please tell your grandfather for me.....
Please tell your grandfather for me how much I admire him for being open enough to hear the information so he could make an educated decision. It is something I have yet to get my own 77 year old dad to do.
And then to have faith enough to believe that he can make a difference and take action like he did. WOW! I am so impressed! Thank you! It means so much for mine and my children’s future! Sending a big hug from Oklahoma!
I LOVE THIS STORY!
Richard Pryor said;
"You don't get old being stupid, ya know. A lot of young WISE men are deader than a MOFO!"
"The only thing we die with is our own personal integrity!" LRH
Vail, CO
Eagle County Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/freedomforeaglecounty/
Anon1972
Maybe you could surprise your granddad by copying the list of comments from this thread, paste them into a Word doc or email and then print them out and bring them over to him to read.
I'm sure he's not looking for attention or expecting to be praised for doing what he did, but I think he might appreciate knowing how much of a positive impact he had on so many people for what he did.
We don't always have the time to spend with our elder relatives because life gets in the way too often. Here is an opportunity to spend some quality time with him.
Our older family members need to be shown they are still important to us and others. Please, at least take a couple of screen shots!
"Criticizing Ron Paul for not passing bills in Congress is like criticizing a nun in a whore house for not turning tricks. He was there to stop the "whoring," not become one!" ~ Blake Buffington
Thanks
Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments. I have to admit, I don't really know what to write; though his story is really inspiring to me, I didn't expect it to get picked up.
I plan to call grandpa later tonight. Rest assured I've already taken a couple screen shots (good idea, Skunk). I'll make sure he sees your comments.
The comments in response to the story are as inspiring to me as the story. Paul supporters are wonderful folks.
Thanks to all of you,
anon1972
Tell your grandfather he's a hero!
We need more like him, men (and women) of wisdom and courage.
"Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." -- Thomas Paine
Wow! How inspiring!!!
Thanks so much for taking the time to share the account of your grandfather. Your description of the hard times he lived through was somehow unsettling with what we're facing today but his determination to make his voice heard is something I hope to remember for a long time!
My MN Grandfather
Passed away years ago, but these men passed their wisdom onto us, and that is why we continue to fight the good fight!
End the Wars...Bring the Troops Home...A vote for the Republic, the Constitution, and Liberty... Dr. Ron Paul 2012!
He should be on Wolf Blitzer
:)
Government is supposed to protect our freedom, our property, our privacy, not invade it. Ron Paul 2007
He should REPLACE Wolf Blitzer!!!
.
Bravo!
I'd like to meet your grandfather and give him a big kiss!
Minnesota Mary
Im with you
Hes a man after my heart
I believe in Hope & Change..I Hope the government will Change
Spindale-Rutherford County-North Carolina
Ditto
He's a hero ^_^
"Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." -- Thomas Paine
Unbelievably touching...
How blessed are we to live amongst people like your grandfather? I am truly grateful.
The genius of our older generation........
glad that the younger generation listens to those who have been there, done that.
Bump
Bumping for the inspiration to those who refuses to show up to vote for Paul but very active for Paul on the internet(i.e Nevada). Even if Ron Paul forgot to tell them to go vote for him in rallies, people should've known that they actually need to show up (and encourage others to do so) to vote so he can win.
"The true Patriot will repeal the Patriot Act..." - Ron Paul.