what if...?
Posted March 5th, 2008 by vincebodie
output
Okay, the fact that you are reading this - with no CAPITAL LETTERS, no !!!@@@EXCLAMATION POINTS@@@!!!, etc. in the title, proves a point which I thought might be true. Bear with me.
It's no secret among us in the RP camp that we are a group of passionate, informed citizens. Even though we were all drawn here from a wide range of different perspectives, once we got 'clued in' it became very easy to come across as a 'true believer', and we all know where that can lead... Call it what you want: we are 'preachy', 'conspiracy theorists', supporters of a 'fringe candidate', 'extremists', etc., etc...
But this is not news to many of the veterans in the grassroots. It has been rehashed in many ways that you can attract more flies with honey than with vinegar. So here is the version of honey I am proposing...
The key is the statement 'what if...?', used in a positive light:
"What if you had an extra $10k - $20k or more to spend each and every year on food and clothing and medical care for your family?"
"What if you didn't have to live in fear of terrorist attacks, because you knew that the strongest military in the history of this world, made up strictly of patriotic volunteers, was right here on American soil to protect American citizens, their guests, and their property?"
"What if you could expect to live a long and healthy life, with little threat of debilitating disease, and little need to ever even use medical insurance?"
"What if you could actually save money, knowing that someday in the future when you wanted to use it, that it would be worth as much as it was when you first saved it away?"
"What if you had confidence that the Social Security system would be able to actually pay you back what you had put into it? Or "what if you decided that you wanted to plan for you own retirement without paying into Social Security, and you were allowed to do so?"
And so on...
It seems to me that we need a huge "what if...? campaign. These two little words are so powerful.
Comments?
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Make new signs!
Stay very generic.
On a dark blue background print the words " What if..."
Post the sign above your Ron Paul signs.
Leave it at that. The question is worth FAR MORE than the answer.
bump.
Supreme Court judges were elected by the people and also had term limits.
It was a while ago, but don't I remember Boobus AmericANUS
leading the lynch mob against the Warren Court...something about hamstringing the police, or something like that?
What if...
the money you payed in income tax never went towards the social programs or international conquests promised by your legislators, but instead payed only a small portion of the national debt???
...oh wait it already does!
Okay wait i got another one...
What if...
The wealth of the country was stolen by an international banking cartel then used to enslave it's people???
Oh wait... nevermind...
What if...
The American people entrusted it's leaders to empower the CIA to overthrow an elected government, install a puppet dictator, and entrust the capture of America's most wanted terrorist leader to local warlords with no incentive to cooperate???
That's great
lol
******************************************
The Delegate Rule Book for the RNC
Read It--Learn It--Know It! Don't let the GOP violate the rules.
Who knows you could learn a few tricks of your own.
pdf file:
www.gop.com/images/2008_C...
What if we all showed up in St. Paul?
It doesn't matter who wins the White House, Ron Paul is our leader in this R3VOLUTION!!!
Ron Paul is leaving it up to us folks! So put your creative energy behind the Revolution. We talk about not wanting government in charge, well Ron Paul is giving us a chance to demonstrate how this is done. Don't look to Ron Paul to do all the work, and just throwing money at the problem isn't going to work either!
Be in Washington on the 21st of June as requested by Ron Paul.
If you can't be a delegate, then volunteer at the convention, you will be able to influence undecided voters.
http://www.gopconvention....
http://msp2008.com/volunt...
What if...
What if a politician represented the people.
What if the Constitution was the law of the land.
What if all men were created equal.
What if Freedom reigned.
What if war was obsolete.
What if Ron Paul was president.
What if it were legal again
What if it were legal again to grow and use the quickly renewable and cost effective and evironmentally friendly hemp plant in-place-of oil for plastics, in-place-of corn for ethanol, in-place-of lumber for paper and particle board, in-place-of or in-conjunction-with cotton for clothing?
http://hempsavetheworld.w...
EXCELLENT idea.....
Go Vince!
I love it!
Can I copy and send to my distribution list?
Previously known as DCALIFANO
Absolutely! Go for it!
Absolutely! Go for it!
what if
judges ruled according to law.
What if
Suddenly Dr. Paul goes on National Tv to announce a third Party candidacy?
Would that bring the attention from the MSM? Is it feasible? I am just thinking that such an announcement, with only few left in the race, the people would want to know, those that don't already know him, who he is. It would be damn hard for the MSM to censure a newcomer. They would have to cover him. Is that not a way to get the maximum attention ? People want change, they will want to know, what the "newcomer " has to offer. Would that not be maximum impact, and by surprise. With enough funding and various Parties unwilling to vote for the Republicans, instead would as usual vote for the lesser of two evils, then suddenly there is a new choice, who did not just get started campaigning! He already has a huge following. Nothing to compare to Nader in number. I think it is seriously worth thinking what effect it would create with such an announcement.
Link farm needed for "What if...?" campaign
So the "What if...?" site is germinating, and I am finding myself wasting a lot of time researching various issues that I could probably find much easier if I could just locate some pages with lots of quality links on the following topics:
1. IRS and income tax awareness
2. non-interventionist foreign policy
3. health freedom (food, supplements, vaccinations, etc.)
4. free market health care solutions, including alternative medicine
5. Social Security (fixing it, opting out, etc.)
6. home schooling
7. First amendment
8. Second amendment
9. free market alternative energy solutions (i.e. bio-diesel)
10. veterans' rights
11. internet privacy
12. how free markets benefit small business
Bear in mind that I am not necessarily looking for RP's views on these issues... they are easy enough to find and will be included. I am more interested in groups with viewpoints on the above issues that dovetail with RP's message. Videos are also great, as are links to particularly interesting articles. I also welcome any input into further topics that I can add to the list.
Thanks!
RE: 4. Free market health care
I appreciate the SimpleCare (www.simplecare.com) free market pay-as-you-go approach to healthcare -- and wish more people knew about it. It works well in combination with a high-deductable (catastrophic) insurance plan and Health Savings Account (HSA).
The philosophy behind high-deductable insurence is that health insurence, just like car insurence, should be only for major incidents, not routine oil changes.
SimpleCare is a club, kind of like AAA, which doctors & dentists can join and give discounts to patients for paying cash. This helps the providers be more profitable, because of less paperwork. Doctors actually get to keep more of what you pay. The biggest challenge is helping the doctors understand the math and get them to join the club.
Health Savings Accounts are like an IRA, except that you can withdraw for any expense listed in the IRS Publication 502 (Medical and Dental Expenses), which includes everything from accupuncture to stop smoking programs to Christian Science Practitioners to X-rays. Employers can put pre-tax funds in for employees, and best part is when the employee leaves, their health savings goes with them. If employers put the deductable amount in every year, then in theory, the employees still pays zero out of pocket. But MUCH less expensive insurence premiums for employer!
I like Ron Paul's position that people should be able to have HSA's without the requirement of the insurence plan! Give people the option.
Thank you!
I am going to look into this for my wife and I. Our insurance is killing us - and what good will it be then...?! ;-)
RE: 4. Free market health care
I appreciate the SimpleCare (www.simplecare.com) free market pay-as-you-go approach to healthcare -- and wish more people knew about it. It works well in combination with a high-deductable (catastrophic) insurance plan and Health Savings Account (HSA).
The philosophy behind high-deductable insurence is that health insurence, just like car insurence, should be only for major incidents, not routine oil changes.
SimpleCare is a club, kind of like AAA, which doctors & dentists can join and give discounts to patients for paying cash. This helps the providers be more profitable, because of less paperwork. Doctors actually get to keep more of what you pay. The biggest challenge is helping the doctors understand the math and get them to join the club.
Health Savings Accounts are like an IRA, except that you can withdraw for any expense listed in the IRS Publication 502 (Medical and Dental Expenses), which includes everything from accupuncture to stop smoking programs to Christian Science Practitioners to X-rays. Employers can put pre-tax funds in for employees, and best part is when the employee leaves, their health savings goes with them. If employers put the deductable amount in every year, then in theory, the employees still pays zero out of pocket. But MUCH less expensive insurence premiums for employer!
I like Ron Paul's position that people should be able to have HSA's without the requirement of the insurence plan! Give people the option.
Possible useful links
I re-cast my roger sherman site with the theme "What Every American Should Know About ..." and may have some info, links and videos you can use. Feel free to browse, and I will be happy to cross link with you.
Best,
Steve 'at' rogershermansociety dot com
www.rogershermansociety.c...
some links
http://www.brasschecktv.c...
http://freeenergynews.com...
http://www.naturalnews.co...
Great post.
Ron Paul is leaving it up to us folks. So put your energy behind the Revolution. We talk about not wanting government in charge, well Ron Paul is giving us a chance to demonstrate how this is done. Don't look to Ron Paul to do all the work, and just throwing money at the problem isn't going to work either!
Be in Washington on the 21st of June as requested by Ron Paul.
If you can't be a delegate, then volunteer at the convention, you will be able to influence undecided voters.
http://www.gopconvention....
http://msp2008.com/volunt...
the "what if" strategy is effective
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Let's not drop the ball!
Ron Paul is leaving it up to us folks. So put your energy behind the Revolution. We talk about not wanting government in charge, well Ron Paul is giving us a chance to demonstrate how this is done. Don't look to Ron Paul to do all the work, and just throwing money at the problem isn't going to work either!
Be in Washington on the 21st of June as requested by Ron Paul.
If you can't be a delegate, then volunteer at the convention, you will be able to influence undecided voters.
http://www.gopconvention....
http://msp2008.com/volunt...
This is sweet. I sent an
This is sweet. I sent an email like that out to about 200 neighbors on our neighborhood directory. Only got 4 or 5 please "remove" requests.
Send me an email America_Freedom@comcast.net when you get this up.
Thanks.
A whole website like this would be great.
I looked at domain name possibilities and "whatif.(anything)" is not available. One name that is available is justaskinwhatif and also whatifjustaskin.
Anybody want to launch a website?
One step ahead of you...;-)
One step ahead of you...;-) It's already in the works.
That's wonderful!
Hope I can find it after you get it going, if I don't stay on DP all day and all night, lol.
Sticker campaign!
What if ..
... the wars could be stopped?
... the income tax could be abolished?
... you could get your Constitutional rights back?
... inflation could be ended with gold-backed money?
... you could have a President who won't lie to you?
What if ... Ron Paul was President?
Slogans like these are made to order for little stickers. Pick out two or three of your favorites for each sticker. Then go to the Avery label site to download free software to print the labels. Use removable labels, if your're posting them on something you don't own. I've been putting such stickers on the back of my business cards. Here's the link to Avery: http://www.avery.com/us/M...
What if we win!
Be in Washington on the 21st of June as requested by Ron Paul.
If you can't be a delegate, then volunteer at the convention, you will be able to influence undecided voters.
http://www.gopconvention....
http://msp2008.com/volunt...
This deserves a
bump because it is so positive, thanks.
Baby steps
I must say that I am really energized by the response to this idea!
I have a visual in my head for the banner ads. They will involve the two words combined with everyday people either doing something fun with their newfound freedom and prosperity (sailing, family picnics, etc.), or in a contemplative mood just thinking about all the possibilities of the "what if...?" scenario (rubbing chin, talking to someone else on the phone, etc). I have started looking for images that fit these criteria, but I need some help. So far I have found some '50's style clip art that fits the bill, but I would like some other suggestions to broaden the scope of the campaign... perhaps links to some stock photos or your own images you would be willing to contribute.
Here is a quick mockup of one banner ad I did. Comments?:
http://www.qustom.com/wha...
That would get some attention!
******************************************
The Delegate Rule Book for the RNC
Read It--Learn It--Know It! Don't let the GOP violate the rules.
Who knows you could learn a few tricks of your own.
pdf file:
www.gop.com/images/2008_C...
Love It!
Something to make them go "hmmmmmm". Perfect!
Lets make signs to set beside our RP signs.
Just those two words in white on a black background.
...still inspired.
bump
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Positivity is positively
Positivity is positively perfect. The key in politics is to surround negative news with positive solutions.
Tim
Active/Reserves/Retired
http://ronpaul.meetup.com...
http://www.pokerplayersal...
Referred by Tim Kelly TXPPA
That is the best idea all week.
Just a those two words.
Genius.
yep
sure is!
back to the top
I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.
Frank Lloyd Wright
up you go!
before you slip into oblivion
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Oh yeah... this is Good!!
Oh yeah... this is Good!!
bump
sterling
Bravo!
Thank you so much for this thread I hope it stays up.
You have a lot of good ideas keep them coming.
We need more threads like yours.
Ron Paul on TV Weekly!?
What if we raised money and put Ron Paul on TV for 30 minutes each week until the convention? He needs time to be understood. Dr. Paul's issues require more than a 30 second sound bite to be understood. However, I've noticed that when people do understand what he is saying, they are forever changed and sold on only his candidacy. He would start off with a large audience that would rapidly grow due to the truth. MSM would have to notice he is still in the race to win! Is it time for the Ron Paul Show?
Great Idea
However, I've noticed that when people do understand what he is saying, they are forever changed and sold on only his candidacy.
I had one of those moments with some old friends last night. After sharing Ron Paul's stand on a few issues the concensus was, "I wish I had known this before. I would have voted for him." I told them to keep watching and praying.
30 minute TV spots, if advertised properly so people know about them, would be a great way to share the message. People would be intrigued by the mere fact that Ron Paul is still campaigning, in the unconventional sense. (smile)
Yes
we need to be doing stuff like this!
bump
I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.
Frank Lloyd Wright
bumped cuz it's positive and constructive
“My goal is to someday be the person my dog thinks I am.”
Unknown
YES!
I think the main problem with Dr. Paul's public speaking is his negativity.
I'm in sales, and we learn that in order to sell something, you have to get across it's benefits to the consumer.
Like when you're selling a vacuum cleaner, you don't just talk about how it gets all the dust out of your carpet, you talk about how much better the carpet looks, how much longer it lasts, how it won't affect your allergies so much, etc., etc.
Dr. Paul does a great job of explaining what's wrong, and he has the best ideas when it comes to fixing it. Where he falters is in getting across the benefits to the voters.
this is due to limited air time more than anything
Although, he does sometimes seem so excited to speak that he's almost like a little kid, running through the list, from topic to topic. This is frustration showing, stemmed from the limited time alotted to him. I believe that if he had some quality air time to spell out his plans it would go a long way. Like I've said elsewhere, the economic circles is where he gets the most credibility. His foreign policy is quickly mocked, but his prophetic views on the state of the dollar are quickly coming true, and people are starting to notice. Plus, it's easier to validate and show it's happening than the reasons behind terror attacks (blowback).
No doubt. Just imagine if
No doubt.
Just imagine if things like the Google interview were on national TV... So let's tie the "what if..." campaign to links to these kinds of videos!
I will get to work on it!