Ron Paul FAQ, please read and comment!
UPDATE: It sounds like people like the idea so I'm excited and am going to start working on this tonight! I will be setting up a forum of some sort so that YOU/WE/US can get started compiling content and references etc. I will post a new Forum topic tomorrow with information to get us started, so be on the look out!
I'm a web designer/developer and have been thinking for a while of what kind of site I could build to support the cause. Now, I've seen the youtube videos, gone through google results and I think we're missing what could potentially be a huge asset for supporters and recruiting.
My idea is to have a site that lists all the important issues/facts with Ron Paul's stances as well as information as to "why" and also FAQs associated with each. The reason this is necessary is because (as we all know) Ron Paul's ideas are out of line with what most people have been led to believe by the MSM, and really need to be researched to be understood and agreed with.
The problem is that most people don't have the time, resources or knowledge to really research and find out about these things so it needs to be presented to them in a central, simple and intuitive way.
Here's an example of what I'm thinking, I'm just making this example up as I go so it is meant to be illustrative not factual or detailed...
Stance: Ron Paul wants to get rid of the Income tax
Quote:"By the way, when I say cut taxes, I don't mean fiddle with the code. I mean abolish the income tax and the IRS, and replace them with nothing." Ron Paul (2002)
FAQ:
- Question: But, how will we pay for all the govt programs?
Answer: Get rid of them. Link to source, etc - Question: Where will the government get it's money?
Answer: Tariffs, etc - Question: My Uncle's cousin says that's crazy.
Answer: Even today, individual income taxes account for only approximately one-third of federal revenue. Eliminating one-third of the proposed 2007 budget would still leave federal spending at roughly $1.8 trillion – a sum greater than the budget just 6 years ago in 2000! Does your Uncle's cousin seriously believe we could not find ways to cut spending back to 2000 levels?
Let me know what you think, or if something like this exists, I'm thinking we need something with a more human touch rather than just facts and figures. I like the new Issues section on the official site, but I don't think it's concise enough for the average reader. If we think this is something worth building I'll be happy to start on it. I'll need help from everyone coming up with the content but I'm sure it wont be too hard.
In Their Own Words
Here's another idea for this site
in case you don't already have enough to do ; )
There's nothing that makes Ron Paul's consistency and principle stand out like comparing him to another candidate.
Here's a site that's pro-huckabee which does this pretty well. Just add the huckster's own inconsistencies. Or maybe don't bother since he's gone soon anyway... all you need for McCain and Romney is right here.
http://www.trusthuckabee.com/site/c.jpIRKUOwFqG/b.3625703/
Awesome Idea!!
Let us know how and when we can help
**the soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears**
DELETE
accidental duplicate post....sorry
**the soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears**
Great idea!
As for the IRS, it must be made clear that not one penny of income tax collected comes back to taxpayers in the way of services; it all goes to interest on the national debt, and that the interest payments are collected by the Fed and just make a few bankers rich. So, tie this in with the Fed issue. You can list all of the other tax revenues that the government collects as shown in Freedom to Fascism.
Also, comparisons with the other candidates' positions on each issue will help shed a lot of daylight on why RP stands alone as the only real choice. This info is already on this site:
http://knowbeforeyouvote.com/
**************************************
How to support RP's cause every day:
1. Don't use credit cards
2. Stamp your cash with RP stamp before spending
3. Take cash out of ATM, stamp, put back in bank
4. Explain to teller why you did #3
5. Repeat
What he said!
http://www.tragedyandhope.com
http://www.im2moro.com
This is so great
I was trying to explain RP's tax reforms and the one about depreciation I just couldn't explain. It would be great if there could be simple explanations and examples.
Like for instance, RP's economic plan - point about depreciating assets - (answer) suppose you own a small business, a bread delivery service, and you just bought a new truck. Under today's law you have to .....
Please develop this!
LivingTheDream
Awesome idea. It is
Awesome idea. It is difficult to explain the reason for some of his stances when you have no background in that area. Not everyone has been studying these issues for years, like a lot of us, myself included.
You're burning daylight
What are you waiting for?
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot." -Mark Twain
You're right...
But unfortunately I'm working today (and checking this thread periodically, obviously) so I'll have to burn the midnight oil instead, hehe.
On Foreign Policy
There are many videos on youtube with interviews of Michael Scheuer, former chief of the CIA's Osama bin Laden unit, speaking directly to the issue of US intervention in the Middle East leading to blowback. He specifically credits Dr. Paul as being the only candidate, with the exception of Dennis Kucinich, who understands the root causes of 9/11 and the very real threat we've created in the Muslim world.
The 9/11 Commission Report, flawed as it is, also backs up everything Dr. Paul has said on this issue. I'm sure you could find video testimony from those hearings.
Giuliani, Romney, McCain, and Huckabee continue to say our policies "have nothing to do with it" and "are totally irrelevant." Every one of them contends that their only motivation is they hate us for our freedoms, women in the workplace, our prosperity, etc. Fantasy, pure and simple.
This is one step up from Falwell's claim it's about gays and lesbians. An informed electorate would have dismissed these candidates long ago for their lack of understanding on what they themselves claim is the most important issue. The facts are clear and readily available.
was it Mitt Romney that
was it Mitt Romney that brought up an attack in Germany to counter RP's point on why they attack us?
I'm uniformed about that particular event. If someone while knowledge on what that was a reference to, I'd like to know.
I'm sure there's a great counterpoint that pretty much destroys his argument.
How
How do you explain that Individualism is power of the individual and a collection of individuals then give power to the government. So the government is not suppose to have the power to make laws or rights that individuals do not have. We are a Republic, not a democracy and groups of individuals are not suppose to have power over an individual if he has an inherent right that he does not want to give up. BUT, rule by majority is what we have always done. So majority rule seems to go against this individual thing. This is confusing to me. Is it because the individuals have voted? But, no. I need to watch individualism vs. collectivism again and see what I missed. I haven't had a chance to watch to the end and I need more answers. Majority rules is a democracy thing. We have always been taught that majority rules. Hmm.
The Philosophy of Liberty
This is an animated video which explains the philosphy of liberty. In my opinion, it should be shown in every classroom in the US.
http://www.isil.org/resources/introduction.swf
"A republic, if you can keep it."
That's what Franklin said when asked what we'd gained.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag, and to the republic for which it stands"
The evidence is everywhere. Yet, if you ask the average American they will tell you they live in a democracy.
Michael Badnarik teaches a class where he clearly explains the difference between monarchies, oligarchies, democracies, and republics. It's available to watch online and download here:
http://www.archive.org/details/Michael_Badnarik
totally
this is a GREAT Idea! This is something my wife pointed out to me a while ago, Dr Pauls stances are so in depth that its hard to get them out in a small amount of space / time. So she asked why someone has not made a "Ron Paul for dummies: a laymans guide to his platform and stance on issues" or some thing like that , done kinda like the book series so that a potential supporter can see in quick easy to understand FAQ list every thing they wanted to kknow about him.
"Great men do not seek power, they have great power thrust upon them" - Klingon proverb
www.myspace.com/chapel_of_chaos
www.ronpaul2008.com
"Truth is Treason in an Empire of Lies"
www.campaignforliberty.com
www.downsizedc.org
www.antiwar.com
Great Idea !
May I suggest a series of questions about the Fed? Maybe something like this:
Question: Does Ron Paul really want to abolish the Federal Reserve?
Answer: He wants to phase it out gradually, first by allowing competing currencies.
Question:Is the Federal Reserve really privately owned?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Why is this bad for America?
Answer: Because the US government must tax Americans to make interest payments on currency created by private bankers. The government could simply issue money itself, interest free, as the constitution demands.
Question: But doesn't the Federal Reserve stabilize the economy?"
Answer: No. Actually, by artificially manipulating interest rates, the Federal Reserve creates harmful booms and busts.
You got it!
Great post Rewind, that's exactly what I'm talking about... I'm getting the domain set up and I'm thinking I'll need some kind of forum or something so people (like you) can post content with links to sources etc and I can get it added to the site.
Thanks again!
Yes
This is what I suggested on another post. Same as infomercial and put it on the net also. He needs to do an infomercial for tv and then put it on the net. This is the same thing. So go for it. The sooner the better. His ideas are too foreign to us to understand. People have a hard time getting it any more. It is 180 degrees from what we have been fed for most of our lifetimes. He needs much more than debate question time. He needs to be able to talk and explain. I'd like to see it done with 4 people. Chuck Baldwin, some military person, William Walters (economist), Tucker Carlson.
Okay!
Alright, I'm going to start on this, it seems like there is definitely a need for something like it. I'll keep everyone posted.
Thanks!
Great idea!
Sounds like a good idea. All the people I have talked to always ask questions that are hard for me to answer so they can understand so I refer them to the RP google interview to start with (which I think is one of the better ones on the web for new voters) but even then there is not enough time to explain everything where people can buy into it. Your idea, if done well, would give another source to reference and make it easier for them to find info. My only suggestion is to keep it real. What I mean is make sure the sources you use are legitimate and factual. Nothing turns people off quicker then the perception that you are not being honest. Great idea!!!
Thanks Andy!
I agree, the @Google interview was probably the defining moment for me supporting Ron Paul, not just for what he said but also by the reaction of the interviewer and people involved. Seeing other people "get it" was inspiring.
I initially thought maybe as a first step the site could just be the @Google interview chopped up into easy to navigate and digest parts.
Thanks all for the comments, keep them coming!
The majority of
The majority of Republicans/Conservatives that I come in contact with oppose Ron Paul because of his position on the war and on foreign policy. They call him nuts. We need something that debunks the "isolationist" charge and succinctly but convincingly demonstrates why Ron Paul is correct in his position on the war.
Most conservatives don't have a problem with lower taxes and other economic issues, they are worried that Ron Paul would yank us out of Iraq and make us vulnerable. Something must counter that, and soon.
Something that lists the statistical numbers showing how few minutes and actual questions Ron Paul has received in the GOP debates would be nice too, to demonstrate the blatant censorship he has been subjected to.
We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by
Exactly
That's exactly what I'm talking about:
Stance: Ron Paul opposes the war and proposes a Noninterventionalist foreign policy
Question: Isn't that the same as being an isolationist?
Answer: [Insert Paul quote here about the current policy being truly isolationist, etc]
Thanks for the comment.
Welfare
I've found framing our foreign policy as international welfare works best. Its not completely effective, but it makes people think about it from an different angle. These people's governments have been on US welfare sense the cold war so we expect people to rise up and suddenly voluntarily govern themselves under a welfare system?
Agreed...
...on all.