Tipping the Balance
On Saturday, July 19th, I personally handed comedian Lewis Black a copy of Ron Paul's The Revolution: A Manifesto, a pocket Constitution and a sticker from The Daily Paul.
Please allow me to explain how I came to do this.
I coach people in their personal and professional lives. As part of my continuous professional development I read and listen to the teachings of many great leadership and management consultants.
Six days prior to my encounter with Black, I listened to "The 8th Habit"
Stephen Covey's career revolves around shifting people's ideas about their lives, their sense of self and their empowered role in all of it. He connects people to what he calls their "Inner fire" and guides them on a path to unlock their "voice" and the "voice" of others. People all over the country (and globe) know and respect Mr. Covey. He has the ear of countless individuals ready to grow, learn and better their lives and the lives of others. These are the qualities at the heart of the liberty movement and our Constitution.
I would like Stephen R. Covey to read Ron Paul's "The Revolution: A Manifesto." Covey influences people around the world through his books, CDs and seminars. What could become possible for others if Dr. Paul's message of personal liberty and responsibility (as it relates to economics, citizenry and community) found their way into the work of Mr. Covey?
While pondering the logistics of delivering a liberty gift basket to Stephen Covey, it occurred to me that I did not need to stop at reaching just one influential person. What if I reached 10? 100? No... 1000! Excited, I went to work brainstorming other influential individuals for my inspired mission. Comedian Lewis Black came up next.
One can argue that Black fills a void in stand-up, anti-establishment, political comedy in the wake of the late George Carlin. He has his own TV show on Comedy Central and is all over youtube.com. He is to be seen on Larry King Live and the Daily Show. People listen to this guy. And they listen from a place of openness and laughter. He's a powerful voice and I owe it to myself, my family, you and our posterity to invite him to consider the liberty-laden message of Dr. Ron Paul.
Of course this sort of endeavor raises logistical questions most notably "How could I reach these people?" I can get their addresses online and send packages to their handlers but there is no guarantee they'd actually reach their intended recipient. No, shipping unsolicited packages via mail is a last resort. I want to put these packages into the recipients' hands myself. But how?
Picture this: the day after having my inspired idea I wake up, go downstairs and get the mail. Sitting in my mailbox is a promotional magazine from a regional casino and resort. Guess who's on the cover. Lewis Black. Staring right at me. Holding the magazine I hear a familiar voice in my head calmly instruct me: "Open the magazine. All things have been arranged for you. Proceed with your mission." It turns out Black is performing at the casino later in the week. Not only that, but he's doing an hour-long book signing beforehand. So, yes, I can actually walk right up to the guy and hand-deliver the book to him. I phone a friend (and fellow revolutionary) and explain I intend on hand delivering a liberty bonanza to Lewis Black. He graciously makes a cash and literature (Ron Paul books, fliers and pocket Constitutions) donation to my cause which enables me to drive down to Connecticut and get the job done. My girlfriend and I drive there on Saturday, hear Black talk about his book, stand in line and hand him our gifts.
Whether he reads them or not is out of my hands. I feel like I've built a toy boat out of Popsicle sticks and paper, placed it in a stream and watched it drift away. Perhaps I'll never know what came of my exchange with Black. That being said I know what I've done is the start of something great.
I believe one of the keys to initiating a paradigm shift (i.e. change in the way people view the world) is in first touching those few who influence the many. In a time when so many Americans rely upon others to lead them, it's incumbent upon the defenders of the Constitution and of the revolutionary American character ethic to invite the most influential leaders to embrace the thoughts, words and deeds of Adams, Jefferson and Washington.
And so begins my journey. I'm committed to spreading an epidemic of liberty. I'll shift the conversation in this country - from one of dependence and fear to freedom and love. In the coming months I will launch an organization to deliver "liberty packages" and the message of liberty, peace and prosperity into the hands of 1000 powerful influencers: consultants, economists, executives, professors, authors, musicians, comedians, spiritual leaders...
There's an opportunity here for you to do the same (yes you, reading this article). Chances are you know some influential people on the national level, or if you don't you're not shy about connecting with them. My call to action is this: If you are moved to reach someone who holds profound influence and inspires you - do it. Give them a copy of "The Revolution: A Manifesto." Give them a pocket constitution. Give them David McCullough's "John Adams" - the book and/or the DVD. Give them something that will remind them of how powerful they are as individuals and how powerful the call to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is.
If you're interested in joining me please contact me at toddmfay@gmail.com, or post your ideas below. I welcome your help, donations, contacts, ideas, expertise and enthusiasm.
Yours in Liberty,
Todd Michael Fay
Personal & Professional Coach
www.toddmfay.com
Good Job!
Man was born to be free and independent
Giving
I have given about 5 manifestos to my friends and family and pastor so far. It's so important to show people you have a direct influence on in everyday community, not JUST target the 1000 most famous people.
Godspeed, revolutionaries.
I've read the 7 Habits, and some of the 8th Habit book...
I think Covey is great. I also think Lewis Black is hilarious. I saw him at the Comedy Club here in Birmingham a couple of years back.
I need some personal development/coaching in my life right now. I just lost my job in this wonderful economy of ours, and I'm about to go through a divorce. Things aren't going to well for me right now. I know I need to keep my head up in times like these, and personal development coaching/reading/listening is about the only thing that will help me do that.
I like how you ran across the magazine with Lewis Black at the exact right time. Maybe I was supposed to run across this thread right about this time... right when I needed it most. Things do work out like that, you know. I'm gonna go break out my Covey books right now. I've got a lot of personal development books... maybe there's something in one of Covey's books I need to hear.
great job
Has inspired me to go by some books and start distributing.
Retired people?
Reading The Revolution: A Manifesto and that story about how George McGovern basically 'saw the light' about government regulation and then remembering what Brent Scowcroft said about Dick Cheney and listening to Jimmy Carter say some good things sometimes made me think that retired ex-statesmen (politishuns) could be encouraged to help the RPR. They are a seriously underutilised 'resource' for liberty lovers.
Because they have retired they generally have nothing to gain anymore so can't be bought/influenced, most of their friends are likewise retired and so they are less subject to the No. 1 Killer, SOCIAL PRESSURE, and they are *more inclined to tell the truth*. I think people often tend to get less silly and dishonest with age and these retired guys have a lot of influence.
I have thought that it might reap real dividends sending them books and so on but your idea is way better - HAND DELIVERY - the personal touch.
Great Job!
Keep up the great work! It seems you have found your path in the Revolution. This is how we win, and the establishment loses. You Rock!!!!!!!!!!
Very commendable
I think your idea is great. I believe that there are a lot of people who would agree with what Dr. Paul has to say if they would just take the time to read his positions for themselves, and there's no better starting point than "The Revolution." As a matter of fact, when I hear people say things like, "RP is too far out there" or "that guy's nuts," I've started asking them, "Did you come to that conclusion on your own after reading his stated positions, or did you let Fox News make that decision for you?"
I've also been trying to reach people (friends and family -- not nearly as ambitious as yourself) by using "The Revolution." My technique is to give them a copy of the book to read, and I ask them if they liked it as much as I did to either give it to someone they know or buy another copy to give away. I mean a masterpiece in hardback for only $12 on Amazon? Come on!! The message it contains is priceless.
Anyways, keep up the great work.
'Would you be free men or slaves?'
Restore the Republic.
Wonderful, Todd
Thank you
Way to go Todd!
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
That is excellent!
I admire you for doing this!
A note from "Hollywood"
Culver City, "the heart of Screenland," actually.
When looking for kindred spirits in movies and television, especially television, look for the writer. Actors like to play different parts. It is the writer that has the ideas. My guess is that most writers are more libertarian than the average person, because many of them write from principles (i.e., story based on structure) or from an understanding of human nature, so they can see why freedom works (or can be taught).
The entertainment industry is also a "live and let live" environment. Although the actors tend to be liberals socially, they do understand the economic nature of the business they're in, and the more conservative people in the crew or running the business end of things, understand that they have to give the "creatives" space to be different. And everybody is into free speech.
Comics and musicians are naturals. Comics because they're objective, and musicians because they're mathematical. Both are writers, too.
For example, In a TV show, if the Mayor turns out to be Evil with a capital "E" and the government school is built on a hellmouth, there is a possibility that the writer may be a freedom-loving individualist who may be open to transformation into one of us.
IMissLiberty
I Agree
Kudos on giving the book to LB. He's pretty much always ranted about the lack of government leadership, blasting both parties when he gets the opportunity. He says he just "has a problem with authority". L
Lew's our generation's Will Rogers (with an attitude)
Excellent move giving him our Manifesto!! He'd be brave enough to spread the word with his show.I briefly met him during my early Ron Paul days and thanked him for what he does and I mentioned to him that not QUITE all the people in Congress were tools and losers. I mentioned RP to him and he gave me a positive nod and smile...
In other words...
Don't wait around for the Campaign for Liberty to tell you what to do. Life is short, and by the looks of things, you may be waiting forever.
Take matters into your own hands. You know what to do. Do what you think you should do.
Great job, Todd.
Campaign for Liberty is WAY TOO SLOW for me.
Where are the official Campaign for Liberty goods that someone said that they would have "soon"?
Bureaucracy is bad even for Campaign for Liberty.
Some individuals put some products out within a week.
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin
---
Campaign for Invisibility
Is a better name.
They're just as incompetent as the official campaign was.
Sorry. Just calling it like I see it.
Seriously?
feel good now?
Seriously do you need them to pick out your clothes and tuck you in at night. Quit your whining. Makes you look ridiculous.
I hope you arent one of those arm chair quarterbacks saying this either.
This is just a guess
Perhaps they are a little snowed over with all of the excitement about the Minneapolis event, and seeing as it is coming up real fast and the CFL is a long term project, they may be putting more energy into the rally at the moment.
I hope.
************
http://www.dvds4delegates.com
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."
~Ambrose Redmoon
exactely
We need to act now.
Everyone~
Become an activist today!
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Let's make this catch on!
this was an amazing
this was an amazing story.... it's effectively made me feel like I've done nothing productive....
great post!
I see the correlation between Black and Carlin. Congrats to delivering to him. I, personally believe he will read it. Also, he has access to Colbert, Stewart, Leno and others who have had Ron Paul on their shows!
Impressive
and inspirational.
This is so great. Continue
This is so great. Continue and continue...
One of the best posts that I read here if not the best.
And you are brand new (here anyway)! This Ron Paul movement is huge!
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin
---
I think he DID read it
I was at his comedy show on the 26th here in houston....
One particularly long rant was how both parties are f*cked! He said there is NO diffrerence between the parties, and people are idiots if they think otherwise.
He did add, with the exception of a FEW congressmen, they are all f*cked. I am assuming that he was referring to Ron Paul.
Yes, he actually used that language...and more often than that..
Funny show.
gh
This feels like an Amway meeting!
...only with a sense of patiotism and pride instead of wealth..LOL
I do like this idea...I only wish I had friends in high places.
------------------
BC
If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention!
LOL... Amway!
Ha!
Yeah, well if it works, do it :-).
I'm glad you like the idea. I've found we all have our own personal assets and talents we can lend to efforts such as this "Liberty Epidemic" as our friend calls it. I for one have a knack for networking. My dad was a local politician when I was growing up and I learned to get really comfortable meeting new people and putting them together in ways that benefited all. I also learned to be a good manager of people in my 20's. And I'm also pretty outspoken. That being said, I'm not the best with web technology, accounting, law and other key functions needed to run something like this. I'm okay with that - it takes many talented people to run an organization. And never discount the power of your checkbook - it takes donations to grease the wheels and buy those books!
I may be able to use all of your help putting together the foundation for reaching 1000 influential people in 2009. Do you see a way it's possible for you to help leveraging your own personal strengths and assets? Think time, technology, talent and money... :-)
You don't need friends in high places
As Todd showed, you just need to be in the right place at the right time.
And don't forget about the six degrees of separation. You probably know someone who knows someone who knows someone in high places...
Good stuff
This inspired me to give the book out to five people I know who are more peripheral to the movement.
Keep up the great work!
_________________________________
My liberty-minded home base of thought:
www.ponderthis.net
Welcome to the Daily Paul Todd.
Spread the word and donate - http://www.dvds4delegates...
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Thank you - I'm happy to be here :-)
- TMF
Be carefull....
this place becomes addictive! As you have lifted our spirits and shown what can be done, there are other's here that will surely uplift you also. Hope, springs.
Great job! You are right, he
Great job! You are right, he might not read it, but maybe if he encounters something else, perhaps some fellow comedian mentions RP, he might search for that copy and read it. That's the way these things work, and we all have our role to play. Its also why I get so PO at the nonsense I see on this site.
Folks, use this as a lesson of the kind of things we can do.Lets stop bashing others on this site for doing what they are doing and lets promote liberty in all kinds of ways.
absolutely
this is a great post and i am glad i stopped to read it.
it made me twist your words around (in a good way, i hope!)
i pushed one word in front of the other to come up with....
THE LIBERTY EPIDEMIC.
Nice :) !!!
I like it.
The battle today is not between conservatives and liberals or Republicans and Democrats. It is a battle between Americans and globalists. ~ Chuck Baldwin
most important post of the day!
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A brilliant idea!
yes yes yes..