Sunday Open Thread. True or False?

First off I want to say the brilliance on this site blows me away oh man, absolutely amazing people here but y'all intimidate me, I'm not up for the grammar cops nitpicking me but here goes.

No. 1 The message was so radical by standards, abolish the IRS, the departments people couldn't comprehend. With names like The Department of Education, The Patriot Act, FBI, CIA people see no further than the name they assume it's good for us, that we need it. Ron Paul should have elaborated on WHY he wanted to do these things. Unless people took it upon themselves to research and find out for themselves they had no idea what it's all about. Most people only get their information from the media it is all they know and they trust it. And so many women got stuck on the abortion topic. People want freebies and will vote for the one who promises the most. Ron Paul was not offering freebies so they tuned out.

No. 2 Definitely the media and corporate bias prevented the message from being heard. It's criminal. That alone should have made people wake up and ask questions but it didn't. Yes, sadly the average American is not very smart. They don't want to know, it's too much to handle, it's easier to stay in the dark, and that way they don't have to do anything.

My thoughts are the ones who ran the campaign were not aggressive, it wasn't run as well as it could have been, but just going by the ones at the MeetUps the common type (nerds! oh my) educated, and intelligent, but mild mannered and non-aggressive meek types. What was needed was aggressive outspokenness like the Alex Jones and Jesse Ventura types. And where were the celebrities? Yes, some were there, for one, Aimee Allen (forgive me for not mentioning all the others) but she had the courage and guts to take a stand put herself out there but shame on all the others for not having the ovaries she has to speak up.

Don't be discouraged! People have not given up the fight for liberty. It is NOT just an online phenom. We have shifted from using our time to track Ron Paul online (and to get marching orders) to using our time to start lots of little fires. While the St. Paul meeting can be (and will be) effective in showing the undercurrent of liberty, it should not be considered the culmination of our efforts. It will simply be a large signboard that says, "We haven't quit, and we're not planning on it either. Come join the fight for liberty."

As to your questions: why did the Ron Paul campaign not do any better? Perhaps:

1. Ron was a victim of the oldest trick in the book - misinformation.
The old guard republicans that we talked to would always agree with every talking point. As soon as you mention "Ron Paul", they wouldn't have anything to do with him. This is because the other candidates and the media painted him as a kook, and it worked.

2. The local parties are so corrupt, we could not help Ron in any way shape or form.
The corruption of the party is so bad that many of us found that we will have to fight to get the party to just play by its own rules first before we can affect the outcome. As it is, the outcome is predetermined, non-negotiable, and not very Ron Paul (or liberty) friendly.

3. The voting process is corrupt/Ron Paul got more than 6%.
Anyone following Clint Curtis' story in Florida knows that the voting machines are so easily manipulated. Clint is the expert - he wrote the code to do it! For those who think this is wishful thinking of the losing team, think again! Pick your documentary - there are several to choose from - to learn more about how corrupt the voting system is. Ron Paul had more support than was reflected in the figures presented to the public.

As for the Rally: What are the factors here that keep me (and my family of six) from going to St. Paul (from Texas)?:

1. Money and time are limited resources.
We discussed for many weeks the necessary and historic moment in time that St. Paul will be, and that we would love to go and be counted! The truth is, I can't take any more time off of work to go to St. Paul. Plus all the initial money bombs, helping the blimp get airborne, the chip-ins for people to travel to state, now chip-ins for people to go to St. Paul, chip-ins for the legal battles that are still going on here in Texas, chip-ins for Ron Paul-lovin' candidates, my own personal time off and money for mission trips in the summer - where am I going to get the money to go in the first place? We just can't. I could probably get $500 if I sold everything sellable - and that won't take six people cross country for a week or more.

2. We are focused on the local party.
Members in our county are getting a conservative blog together, modeling it after other local blogs that have been surprisingly successful. The goal is to become THE source of daily local information for the next four years. In addition, there are ongoing discussions with the old guard who can't understand how McCain became the party candidate. These discussions are very effective in changing hearts and minds, but they take time. And we've become bold, not hesitating to mention Freedom to Fascism, or some of the other subjects that led us to Ron Paul to begin with.

(As an aside - we were also waiting for the "big announcement that would sell out the rest of the tickets" or whatever Jesse Benton had said last week. Then there was no Monday announcement, so the campaign itself right now looks a bit foolish. Not that we could've done anything about it - other than spread [whatever the announcement was] around like wildfire to our friends!)

If you want to feel better, ask people what they are doing on a weekly or monthly basis to keep the coals hot after the raging fire of 2007. I bet the level of activity is fairly high still; it's just not trumpeted as "success for Ron Paul" because he's no longer a candidate. This is my first time back to the Daily Paul in many many months, simply because I'm not tracking Ron Paul any more on a daily basis.

But I am conversing with others about liberty almost every day, and it's making a big difference locally. Like many others, my lifestyle has permanently changed because of this. One way or another we will change this country, as did the founders.

-Brad
P.S. Read 1776 by Daivd McCullough. It is quite thorough in describing the length, width, and height of r3VOLution.

1. It’s true it was largely an online phenomenon. Because of an informed few and many more who were willing to go beyond the 5 minute sound bites of TV and radio and look a little deeper. Unfortunately the majority of Americans are not willing to do that even of the millions who have internet access there is only a small percentage that use it to vet out news and do more then send email and look at sports scores, play games or their favorite hobby etc.

2. The reason the message did not get out is because of a combination of those things you mention. I think Media bias was the biggest factor and one thing you did not mention is vote fraud. I think Vote fraud was a huge factor in the beginning at least and the media used the lack of votes to write Ron Paul off or confirm their bias “he doesn’t have a chance” to the public.

Had the media given Ron Paul fair coverage I think he could have won or at least been a huge contender.. In my experience few people who actually hear his message did not agree with him for the most part if not all. Had the media allowed his message to be heard I believe millions would have embraced it.

3. What can we do? Many of us are doing it. Rather then going to rallies and sign
waving etc. things we know from this campaign got little return, we are working to take back our local Republican parties. And we are making headway. This is the dirty work that few seem to want to do. Even some of the hard core supporters seem reluctant to do this and have all sorts of excuses to do everything but what we know is working after all the things we have tried during this campaign. Some continue to put their efforts into these things and I hear regularly on this board calls to continue to do them even though we know they do little to advance the cause. It may take longer but we have to focus on what we know works. I know if we had about 150 more people step up in Idaho we would be in charge right now.

Don’t get me wrong. I thing Rallies are ok on occasion like the Rally for the Republic however we have tried far to many of them and we don’t have the time and money considering how little return on investment they get. It seems some people are still hoping for that break through moment where the media gets it and gives us the exposure we deserve and enough people get on board and we all live happily ever after. It isn’t going to happen.

We are a threat to meal tickets of the most powerful people on the planet. There is no way they will hand us that victory. The only way we will do it is by taking control locally then state and then nationally and they will fight us every inch of the way.

Here is how we do it:

1. We get control of our local parties and take back our states.
2. We get local and state representatives into as many positions as we can including the governors office.
3. We then began exercising our state sovereignty and force the Federal government back to it constitutional bounds like many states have done with the Real ID. We can eliminate most or all of the Federal alphabet agencies that have no real jurisdiction in the states

This frees up people and the economy to start businesses and reduce taxes.

4. We can also return to hard money lessening the impact of the Federal Reserve fiat monetary system that is melting down our economy. We can start doing this now as individuals. Also we can do this as we gain control over our states by allowing competing currencies and encourage the use of gold and silver complying with the constitution. The legal tender laws have several outs; one is using US minted gold and silver coins. The other is; I don’t believe there is anything in the constitution forbidding states to allow competing currencies and again if the state will exercise it’s sovereignty it can prevent unconstitutional federal alphabet agencies from enforcing unconstitutional laws.

5. Focus on the making the state Self reliant so it is not dependant on federal monies which are used to blackmail the state into complying with unconstitutional federal laws and mandates. One area I think we need to do this in is in Alternative fuels. Contrary to popular belief Ethanol could make us independent very quickly just as it has Brazil and super charge the economy. It is not my intention to argue the point with those that would disagree suffice it to say that most of the negatives you have heard about ethanol are misinformation put out by it opponents. Of course Hydrogen is another area along with solar wind etc..

Other areas like in my homes state is the logging forest products industry. It has been devastated by unconstitutional feel good do nothing federal regulation and law. We could revitalize those industries. I am sure other states have similar or other areas.

Also we could take back lands that Federal agencies such as the BLM and Forest Service have unlawfully co-opted.

I am working on a proposal for Idaho to become self reliant and have one legislator on board so far.

All these things can serve to limit government freeing up its citizens to start businesses and prosper with minimal or no bureaucratic entanglements.

Feel free to add to this list.

-----
Prepare For the Coming Storms, Join New FreelandersSelf Reliance & Preparedness Forums

OK, I believe there probably was vote fraud. BUT, it couldn't have been that bad because a kind of public, honest poll existed in the form of bumper stickers. Those are fraud-proof and I never saw all that many.

TV is the current medium. Print is the old medium.

At least we won the medium of the future. The youth are ALL OVER the new medium of the internet.

If we wanted to win THIS election we had to win the TV medium. That means winning over the bigtime back room editors.

I don't know when the internet generations will elect a president but it could be soon. We'll learn more in 2012.

If everybody spends the next 4 years teaching friends and family about the virtues of freedom and the dangers of the paths taken in regards to the money, the sovereignty, the handouts, the empire, the weak Congress, the domineering Executives and the law writing Court, we'll have a bigger army to march alongside us to the (hopefully paper) voting booths!

I don't see a fall. I see a re-trenching, shifting, and rethinking.

I stumbled on Ron Paul in late Oct 2007. Got a spam titled "The IRS is afraid of Ron Paul". I Googled Ron Paul, and was intruiged by what I saw on YouTube. I hadn't been following the Presidential race at all, and had never really gotten involved in politics at all, and didn't really understand the conservative agenda. I spent Nov & Dec surfing the web, watching Ron Paul videos, exploring related topics, visiting the Daily Paul every day. January I started participating in Meetup events (sign waving, etc), then signed up as Precinct Captian. Then in March, organized delegates for the caucus. Worked as District Coordinator in April. Helped with organization for State Convention. I'm still in touch with the key coordinators.

The people I know are getting serious about making change for the long term. Running for Republican committeemen and committeewomen. Running for State Representatives. Working on the campaigns of fellow Ron Paul supporters. Leaning about how PACs work. Making friends (and enemies) in the Republican Party.

It was a totally laser-focused effort of like-minded people sharing a clear vision of an urgent short-term goal and taking individual initiative to acheive it: Win the presidency for Ron Paul. Now people's efforts are spreading out. There are differing opinions on what goal is best now. I hope Ron Paul will communicate a clear path for his supporters, such as to start working on Ron Paul 2012. Start lay the ground work now, and next time, we'll all be experienced campaigners.

Experience has shown us all, I think, that Ron Paul can't win in 2012 without enough supporters inside the Republican Party, in positions of influence. And without educational groundwork being laid too: What would an "honest money" system look like? How would it work? What would a Ron Paul world look like? Education on Constitutional logic, and better media content (eg BreakTheMatrix) is desperately needed.

Well, sort of.
I decided that it was a little too big and maybe a little too off topic to fit neatly into Michael's thread.

So I started my own thread, "The Virtual Conspiracy".

http://www.dailypaul.com/...

Although it only addresses, "What to do" in a very general sense. The movement needs to come to grips with the "C" word and how we will deal with it.

In order to move beyond the Internet, we need to:

A) understand what we are up against.
B) not get caught up in tangents.
C) not allow "wedge" issues to divide and conquer us.

I don't see how we can do any of these things effectively without understanding the Conspiracy.

******************************
Freedom First Society

http://www.freedomfirstso...

******************************

Corporate media bias, yes. Americans just too stupid...it almost does seem like it...or...preoccupied with other "priorities". Jaded, trapped into "the system".

Regarding other priorities: Back in March of this year my wife and I took a little vacation to Arizona. At the Packer bar called Mable Murphy's in Scottsdale, I suggested that Brett Favre be Ron Paul's VP. Half jolking, of course.

Americans are so overly consumed with "stuff" and materialism. Including sports. Half a billion into Dodger Stadium supposedly to make it acceptable for the next fifty years, for example. Of recent times, how many more billions into other sports venues around the country? Yet our infrastructure, economy is crumbling. Business leaving or left for Mexico, China.

Regarding the internet, I think either you are connected via the net or not. If not, it's hard to pass info and passion from it to someone who doesn't really use it. And..should we really expect this? [The only reason I ever got hooked was because my wife got an old throw-away computer from work @ 2002.] For instance: Just a couple weeks ago, I visited my old barber of 16 years. He was giving a haircut to a Vietnam Marine. Both barber and his customer are probably in their sixties, neither use a computer. Yet, I would consider neither of them old in years. My barber, I've given all kinds of literature to...and all kinds of good philosophy I' ve learned off the Ron Paul campaign trail. In reading between his lines, he was never convinced on Ron Paul and still believes Iraq was the right thing to do, will vote McCain. The Vietnam Marine who apparently was spit upon in returning from that war said to me in July that "he never heard of Ron Paul". I went immediately out to my vehicle to get two of Ron Paul's writings from the Prez campaign: A Free Market in Gasoline(2005) and Big Government Responsible for High Gas Prices(2008). Plus some pro gun, Veterans slim jims and some literature(pink pro-life among others) I got from Iowa in December. Not sure if I convinced him or not. With Ron Paul suspending his campaign, it's hard.

This brings another problem: There are so many issues(and I've tried to keep up on ALL of them) one has to be a walking politician-encyclopedia to talk the good talk(the truth). Many are so preoccupied with their own "stuff", you can't even get your foot in the door with a political idea.

The problem with many on the internet and meetups is that they saw solution over night. Fact is it's always hard to be one of real change. It's even harder today for reasons I've aready stated. The establishment:(...:) Ron Paul has been Dr. No for over 30 years. I first knew of him from articles in The Spotlight in the 90's, but never really took the time to read it all. For one, I was buzy with my own small business(sold in Dec '06...gave me the time and $$ to get engaged in the issues, etc) Would have voted for him in '88, if I knew what I know now. It takes time for people to catch on. It also takes persistence on the part of all of us to relay what we've learned.

Some final thoughts: I've supported over the years Reagan, Pat Buchanan, Michael Peroutka, Ron Paul. Was not sad in 2000, when Jesse Ventura pulled out of the reform party. I'll be in the Target Center in the front row opposite the stage, but you won't see me applauding Ventura. Pro-choice, pro-homosexual. God is watching. The best video I've seen during the past year was one I got from the Des Moines RP office in December. "Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Paul and Pastor Chuck Baldwin, Pastor's Gathering & Forum. Clips from Ames in August'07 and Des Moines in October'07 But I will not vote Constitution Party unless Ron Paul is on the ballot(because of April 2006 compromising). Will not vote Barr since he was just one of the rest on October 10, 2002. I don't endorse Castle nor Barr's VP.

Ironically, I did not become a DP user until (?)June 13, 2008. Too buzy disseminating "the hard copy" in person or on the QT. Will continue to do so! NEVER quit!

Write-In Ron Paul Nov 4, 2008!

Thanks Michael for this important post; you've opened up a virtual think tank, and it's generating so many great ideas.

The problem stated by many is: how can we explain freedom to the majority who've failed to notice we've largely lost it; how does the IRS, the Fed, FISA, all the many instances of government encroachment affect each one of us; how does Big Government curtail our options and opportunites, and how does it threaten the pleasant lifestyles most have enjoyed in this country?

I'd like to see the Campaign for Liberty ask experts in relevant fields to develop a series of brief, clear, specific explanations that detail how government programs negatively impact ordinary Americans -- and how reducing or eliminating such programs could befefit the average person (providing footnotes, links, etc. for those interested.)

I think such data could be generated fairly quickly. It could be posted and downloaded by all of us who support the Campaign. We could print out the explanations and fold each into a single-topic brochure and have the material ready to give to those we meet, on topics of particular interest. We could pass them out in quantities. They could be printed on inexpensive recycled paper or on quality paper for a polished presentation. Each could contain links and ads for Ron Paul's books, and other books for further study. And anyone printing the material for distribution should be asked to not add anything to the Campaign version.

We supporteres could send the printed brochures to specific media people who seem open, local and national leaders, organizations; artists might develop videos,etc. It would be inexpensive enough that we could all participate and be more effective. And of course the explanations could be transmitted electronically.

In this or other ways suggested by others, we need to explain the issues clearly, show the personal consequences to the sleepy populace, and provide solutions. Otherwise, most will not be motivated to question the status quo and challenge the mainsteam paradigm.

I read someone at Takimag recently saying that *up to now* conservatives (he means basically libertarian ie REAL conservatives) have been submissive and eschewed any kind of activism. And that is why things have not gone our way.

Various 'bombs', signs, billboards, 'spamming' and calling radio shows. All this stuff works.

What will happen if we persist with the same kind of energy, in my opinion, this will slowly overcome the media blackout, even if it continues (which it may not):

Pushing RP’s name continually (billboards, signs, hats) and having tremendous persistence will *eventually* cause many many people to finally think, after maybe 1-3 years maybe 5 years, “So who the hell is Ron Paul?”. This is what happens with a non big brand product – they have to achieve blanket advertising for a long time to overcome the ‘first in’ brand advantage.

But I think most of it will have to be done 'out there', off-line. And people need to realize this is a long term project which I don't see us losing *if we keep it up*.

Remember the 'debate' response in Iowa? NONE of the other candidates had that kind of supporter presence!!! Why again was Paul excluded???

I guess these people are trying to say that Hannity was right???

THE MORE I LEARN ABOUT GOVERNMENT
THE MORE I LOVE MY GUNS
FourWindsTradingPost

I will be brief. I think that the Freedom Movement was largely an online movement. We could have grown were it not for corporate media bias portraying us in a bad light. Part of the reason we did not do well in Iowa and NH was the fact that Ron took his job seriously. Iowa and NH are retail states where you have to spend some time. We needed to do better advertising. We needed to define Ron before the media did. I think the best way to promote freedom is to take back the Republican Party and support freedom candidates starting at the local level. Support the Campaign for Liberty.

As to your suggestion of rise and fall. I do not think that we are falling. Traffic may very well be down at Daily Paul and the Forums. But to tell you the truth, I used to log on several times a day to see what was happening and to peruse all the new news stories about my favorite candidate. I don't have to read every day now, because I already know what is going to be said. To me some of the articles are redundant. Now I log on about once a week. The rest of the week I am supporting my candidates. I am talking to people about the freedom movement and I am off my computer.

The fact that we are up to 8101 tickets sold is fantastic. I never thought that we would be sold out the first day. We would have been if it was only about money, but each ticket sale represents automobile gas or air fare, hotel, and food plus the cost of a ticket. This is a substantial commitment and people do not want to buy a ticket unless they know they can be there.

Here are some statistics.

During the campaign, we only had 5597 people that donated over $1000. Many of these people donated $50 or $100 per week. They did not have the full amount when they donated. There were an additional 4797 people that contributed between $500 and $999. So to get 8101 so far is fantastic. There is no shame here! I have no doubt that we will fill the Target Center.

1. It’s true it was largely an online phenomenon. Because of an informed few and many more who were willing to go beyond the 5 minute sound bites of TV and radio and look a little deeper. Unfortunately the majority of Americans are not willing to do that even of the millions who have internet access there is only a small percentage that use it to vet out news and do more then send email and look at sports scores, play games or their favorite hobby etc.

2. The reason the message did not get out is because of a combination of those things you mention. I think Media bias was the biggest factor and one thing you did not mention is vote fraud. I think Vote fraud was a huge factor in the beginning at least and the media used the lack of votes to write Ron Paul off or confirm their bias “he doesn’t have a chance” to the public.

Had the media given Ron Paul fair coverage I think he could have won or at least been a huge contender.. In my experience few people who actually hear his message did not agree with him for the most part if not all. Had the media allowed his message to be heard I believe millions would have embraced it.

3. What can we do? Many of us are doing it. Rather then going to rallies and sign
waving etc. things we know from this campaign got little return, we are working to take back our local Republican parties. And we are making headway. This is the dirty work that few seem to want to do. Even some of the hard core supporters seem reluctant to do this and have all sorts of excuses to do everything but what we know is working after all the things we have tried during this campaign. Some continue to put their efforts into these things and I hear regularly on this board calls to continue to do them even though we know they do little to advance the cause. It may take longer but we have to focus on what we know works. I know if we had about 150 more people step up in Idaho we would be in charge right now.

Don’t get me wrong. I thing Rallies are ok on occasion like the Rally for the Republic however we have tried far to many of them and we don’t have the time and money considering how little return on investment they get. It seems some people are still hoping for that break through moment where the media gets it and gives us the exposure we deserve and enough people get on board and we all live happily ever after. It isn’t going to happen.

We are a threat to meal tickets of the most powerful people on the planet. There is no way they will hand us that victory. The only way we will do it is by taking control locally then state and then nationally and they will fight us every inch of the way.

Here is how we do it:

1. We get control of our local parties and take back our states.
2. We get local and state representatives into as many positions as we can including the governors office.
3. We then began exercising our state sovereignty and force the Federal government back to it constitutional bounds like many states have done with the Real ID. We can eliminate most or all of the Federal alphabet agencies that have no real jurisdiction in the states

This frees up people and the economy to start businesses and reduce taxes.

4. We can also return to hard money lessening the impact of the Federal Reserve fiat monetary system that is melting down our economy. We can start doing this now as individuals. Also we can do this as we gain control over our states by allowing competing currencies and encourage the use of gold and silver complying with the constitution. The legal tender laws have several outs; one is using US minted gold and silver coins. The other is; I don’t believe there is anything in the constitution forbidding states to allow competing currencies and again if the state will exercise it’s sovereignty it can prevent unconstitutional federal alphabet agencies from enforcing unconstitutional laws.

5. Focus on the making the state Self reliant so it is not dependant on federal monies which are used to blackmail the state into complying with unconstitutional federal laws and mandates. One area I think we need to do this in is in Alternative fuels. Contrary to popular belief Ethanol could make us independent very quickly just as it has Brazil and super charge the economy. It is not my intention to argue the point with those that would disagree suffice it to say that most of the negatives you have heard about ethanol are misinformation put out by it opponents. Of course Hydrogen is another area along with solar wind etc..

Other areas like in my homes state is the logging forest products industry. It has been devastated by unconstitutional feel good do nothing federal regulation and law. We could revitalize those industries. I am sure other states have similar or other areas.

Also we could take back lands that Federal agencies such as the BLM and Forest Service have unlawfully co-opted.

I am working on a proposal for Idaho to become self reliant and have one legislator on board so far.

All these things can serve to limit government freeing up its citizens to start businesses and prosper with minimal or no bureaucratic entanglements.

Feel free to add to this list.

-----
Prepare For the Coming Storms, Join New FreelandersSelf Reliance & Preparedness Forums

I love Ron Paul and want him to be my president. An idea can not be a president. A person has to be President. I want Ron Paul, with his ideas and priciples to be President. I want Ron Paul and his way of accomplishing things to be President. It is about the man not the message when the topic is fulfilling the job of President. There was some kind of disconnect on this point throughout the campaign. It was a campain of a message and Ron Paul should have been the loud and clear answer.

The groundswell, in my opinion, was based on people first and foremost, wanting Ron Paul to fullfill the upcoming vacancy of President. It was a short term hope but realistic enough to spur the movement on. As it became clear that the message was more important than the man, so to say, it killed the momentum for many of the original group of "activists" and now is recruiting for a different kind of activist. Fulfilling a vacant job, and re-educating the population are related but very different goals and I think they will attract different people.

I don't know if anyone else put this thought out there, I did not read through all the responses. Sorry if it's a dupe but that's what I think.

Keep going and pushing for truth no matter what. Thank you all for giving me hope back in my country!

1. Host Saturday Night Live with some self depricating humor.

2. Make some cameo appearances on pop culture television shows.

3. Get his name out there as much as possible.

You can not force people to exist, but you can encourage them to do so.

4. A Saturday A.M. cartoon with Dr. Paul.

Maybe something that could be dubbed the new Mr. Rogers.

WAHOR!!
http://www.dailypaul.com/...

I am a news-junkie, and people watcher. I love watching reactions to events and proably should take a course on socieology (sp?).....why & how different societies react to the the 'same' situation. On the other hand, I have a friend with 4 children, who could care less about world or local events....and says she just needs to know whats on sale at the market, and when soccer practice starts. She feels powerless to have any affect on anything other than her families' immediate needs. I think many people are just over-loaded and just trying to 'survive', and fail to look beyond the day-to-day demands of their time. <-----There are more of these kind of citizens...than there are of my like-minded kin in the Campaign for Liberty. We're out-numbered.

A man of integrity, with moral character and judgement..... a true Patriot of his time, with the sprit of our forefathers.....He has an attitude of what "could I do for my country , not what my country could do for me".....This patient man who made a decision at 72 years old to lead this country back to it's roots , and to secure this great nation with liberty and justice for all....Wisdom in every word he speaks, passion that controls his every move, and fire that gleams from his eye's as he connects with every one he meets ...A humble man that take pride in his work who is happy to serve his country , and not seek to control it.....

It's a shame that the rest of America didn't truly get to know this man, it's a shame people over looked him as the media continue to hide him, .....This is man of greatness which doesn't come around to often, "but it may not be to late, maybe he has a chance"..."I believe he does", ("and heck") why not...We came this far so lets take it all the way..

(Thank you Michael for standing up with us)

"Today's decision are tomorrow's realities".

"Observe the masses,and do the opposite."

I can't believe only 2 people out of all the responses mentioned the huge pink elephant in the room -- the vote tampering, otherwise known as vote count fraud that went on in almost every primary.

I personally witnessed votes for Ron Paul in the two separate primaries GOING BACKWARDS. Other alert CNN watchers did screen captures. In other words, he started out beating McCain 5-to1 in one large county in Pennsylvania then ended up with hundreds LESS votes hours later; Huckabee (who had dropped out weeks before) miraculously beating him and of course McCain ending up (surprise!) once again the "winner."

I personally was so angry at the fraud going on and bummed out after each primary loss that I know other people began to feel the same way. Why even hope? Our votes don't even count any more with the system we have.

How hard is it to hack into software and electronic machines monopolized by corporations where the votes are counted in secret and the voters have no access? How hard is it to believe that that is being done and that the DRE voting machines are specifically designed to alter outcomes and votes??

With the media either ignoring or ridiculing him, the reported primary "results" only served to make him look like a long-shot -- just as the media "called it." And there's a lot of people that saw that and felt it was a useless cause.

With all the lies, propaganda and skullduggery going on in Washington and politics, I just cannot believe no one questions that our voting system "just might be" rigged.

As if that weren't bad enough, we've got a "fake cheerleader" who acts like they've been doing something about it for many years (Blackbox voting) -- but upon investigation, turns out they might even be working for the "other side" -- just so the rest of us think something might change one day.

Seriously, no one else believes that vote tampering went on, and as each primary result was announced, this made Ron Paul's supporters feel that maybe he wasn't as popular as they'd thought and they began to feel discouraged?

spacehabitats made a lot of sense to me (as did many others who have replied to Michael's excellent thread).

My sense is that the majority of Americans will not see the need for the Liberty Movement until life here becomes severely bad --- and I don't think they see that has occurred. Life here is still pretty good, they think. And after all, good and bad times are part of life --- things will get better, they think. But, when something big happens...then they'll begin to cry for a savior.

Some in the MSM already see the light.

This takes time. Even the Boston Tea Party was a reaction to many events that had occurred over time. And then it was another three years before the Declaration of Independence was written.

We are all like Rocky Balboa (or, we should be). In the last movie, Rocky was talking to his son. He said, "you, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep movin' forward. That's how winnin' is done!...but you've got to be willin' to take the hits and not pointin' fingers sayin' you ain't where you want to be because of him or her or anybody! Cowards do that --- and that ain't you! You're better than that! (http://www.sonypictures.c...)
To view the clip, go the website above & click skip (after you listen to the Rocky Theme, of course!); click on "Clips"; follow instructions, then click on "Winning".

ISU_ringman1974

spacehabitats made a lot of sense to me (as did many others who have replied to Michael's excellent thread).

My sense is that the majority of Americans will not see the need for the Liberty Movement until life here becomes severely bad --- and I don't think they see that has occurred. Life here is still pretty good, they think. And after all, good and bad times are part of life --- things will get better, they think. But, when something big happens...then they'll begin to cry for a savior.

Some in the MSM already see the light.

This takes time. Even the Boston Tea Party was a reaction to many events that had occurred over time. And then it was another three years before the Declaration of Independence was written.

We are all like Rocky Balboa (or, we should be). In the last movie, Rocky was talking to his son. He said, "you, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep movin' forward. That's how winnin' is done!...but you've got to be willin' to take the hits and not pointin' fingers sayin' you ain't where you want to be because of him or her or anybody! Cowards do that --- and that ain't you! You're better than that! (http://www.sonypictures.c...)
To view the clip, go the website above & click skip (after you listen to the Rocky Theme, of course!); click on "Clips"; follow instructions, then click on "Winning".

ISU_ringman1974

it had much to do with our inability to think big enough. I include myself in the problem. It was rather easy actually to contribute money, tell people about the doc, and get excited about occupying the most powerful position in the world.
I really think it would go a long way if Ron Paul would endorse someone or run as a third party candidate. It would give something to get excited about once again. Right now, we are teh sound byte generation. We have to have something to keep our attention.

Someone else mentioned it and I totally agree. We are shifting towards the Campaign for Liberty. This is a long term process that does not happen overnight. Sure some of us might be disappointed that Ron Paul did not go third party, but we need him in Congress. We need the Campaign for Liberty. I have been talking about the Campaign for Liberty and people are starting to listen...in fact I am printing flyers off the site to hand out. This is a wonderful opportunity to educate people. We need to continue to work on shifting the Republican Party...trust me its happening.

The minority who vote are doing it for their own personal interest and those who are naive and retarded will vote for whoever is cool at the time (Obama, Hilary maybe..?).
Some of the hard working people in this country were squeezed so hard already they started paying attention to the politics and probably voted for our president (Ron Paul that is). The majority who still don't care about getting into politics still have something to eat and somewhere to sleep.

For question # 1:

I don't believe that there were THAT MANY votes for John McCain to begin with. The polls are being tampered with and Bush's Presidency has taught us that. Eventually we're going to have to realize this fact and know that they'll never give up and, by force, take back this country.

For Question # 2:

The media did not show Ron Paul in a good light. I barely saw Dr. Paul's name mentioned .. barely. I myself learned about him on the internet by chance. Most people didn't even watch the debates, which means to me that they didn't care.. or didn't feel like they could change anything so why bother (we've all been there, haven't we? well at least i have).

For Question #3:

What I can do is make a pledge to you guys and myself that i will continue to speak to people about Congressman Ron Paul and spread the message. I will surround myself with like minded Ron Paul and freedom supporters ... and lead by example to eventually restore this country to its founding principles..

Thanks to the editor and all liberty lovers on this site.

...

Are there 300,000 people in America who understand the Constitution is a set of principles to govern the Government, and that the Constitution is all that stands between them and total tyranny and despotism?

Yes. Despite his low probability of achieving the presidential nomination, 1.3 million people voted for Ron Paul and his call for constitutional Freedom. They not only went to the polls, they aggressively entered the mainstream political fray, generating significant displays of public support for Paul and his potent message, confronting the political opposition by creating high-profile signage (think "blimp"), high-visibility rallies and staking out a significant on-line presence across the Internet. His supporters rallied, marched and attended thousands of local grassroots meetings. Many even maxed out their credit cards to further his campaign.

What then IS the problem?

With over one million Americans apparently strongly embracing the vision of Liberty espoused by candidate Paul, why are we not experiencing a domestic "Freedom Surge" committed to restoring Constitutional Order? Why is there not a more widespread movement toward an active defense of the Constitution and her sacred principles, including acts and investments that, by definition, must fall outside the political process?

The answer: treasured shibboleths and hero worship. Above all else, People value and trust the familiar formula of all Democracies – political cycles, public elections and party privileged candidates to select from, even though all objective experience hath shown the formula, though indispensable, is nothing more than a myth in terms of its practical ability to preserve and protect our constitutional Republic and our individual Rights, Freedoms and Liberties.

The reason our nation suffers is that we, the people, have been tricked into believing that our constitutional salvation lies solely at the ballot box. We have been systemically misled and distracted from knowing the true power and protection provided by the Constitution -- in particular the profound Right of Redress. Our population's deficient and defective perspectives regarding the limited nature of the electoral process and inherent dangers of political influence and corruption have facilitated these abuses.

Can the People's treasured shibboleths be exposed for what they are and driven into disrepute and discredited as the principle means to hold government accountable to the Constitution and its essential principles, giving rise to a true surge of Freedom in America?

Yes, but like anything else worth having, it won’t come easily. A paradigm shift in the People’s behavior will be required. New exercises of law and tools of protest will be required. A strategic plan is necessary. Organizational development is essential.

In the absence of any other, WTP again offers its Plan to Restore Constitutional Order. Admittedly, much, much more needs to be done to develop the organization needed to achieve the Redress the People are entitled to and to institutionalize vigilance.

The rest of this article relates to the Plan and its progress. We will soon address organizational development.

entire article :
http://www.wethepeoplefou...

:)

Some commenters here have touched on elements of what I'm going to say here. The RPR wasn't just about the internet, though that was a hugely important element. It was about non-traditional COMMUNICATIONS -- most importantly, bypassing and finessing the corporate media to present our message.

The internet activity merged in a rather holistic and synergistic way with real-world, meatspace stuff. The most obvious example is the way Meet-Up groups, established online, operated locally to do activism "in the street." But the story begins before that.

It wasn't Ron or even his campaign who harnessed the power of the internet. It was activists who, based on much experience in local and state politics, knew not only how important the internet would be in circumventing the media, but how it could be used to share both inspiration and knowledge, creating a snowball effect.

Activists in Phoenix had mastered the making of political signs on the cheap, using all manner of inexpensive materials and various printing/screening techniques to oppose bond issues, promote candidates outside their campaigns ... even just to plant provocative memes such as, "Still Voting?" Ernest Hancock was the primary instigator there, and when he heard Ron had an exploratory committee, he set about spreading the el cheapo sign technology, along with the catchy "Ron Paul Revolution" theme, via email to his vast list of contacts.

They provided "how to" instructions at their rescue-us.org website and in videos posted on YouTube. And then they started making YouTube videos of both sign making parties and sign placement marathons, highlighting the fun to be had in the freedom movement (a key element for the success of the RPR).

Of course, YouTube ended up being a wonderful foil to the corporate media, rebroadcasting their most embarrassing moments (especially those pesky post-debate polls!), highlighting their shabby treatment of Ron, and showcasing Ron's best stuff.

Yes, YouTube is delivered online, but the creative force and work was all real-world stuff -- people doing more than just chattering amongst themselves online. Songs -- many really good -- started popping up in YouTube performances. People used YouTube for videoblogging for Ron; many of you will remember Rachel, an early pioneer, who ended up working for Paul's congressional staff.

Then there was all the organized sign-waving and other demonstrations, many scheduled by Meet-Up groups, who put feet to pavement. And the distribution of "slim-Jims" and other materials door-to-door by people who decided on their own to JUST DO IT.

The blimp. Not a VIRTUAL blimp, but the real thing. Funded online, but planned, organized, designed, and flown out in meatspace.

The explosion of the RPR onto college campuses led to sidewalk chalking, sign posting, student groups, more sign-waving, etc.

The money bombs. Yep, raised online -- but earned in meatspace.

We had people showing up at the debates and other campaign appearances. People dogging the other candidates with their Ron Paul signs. People sneaking signs into the view of TV cameras as newscasters tried to do their corporate media thing. People putting all the other campaigns to shame by their numbers, enthusiasm, and creativity at state primaries around the country.

People showing up for all those straw polls, which Ron dominated so dramatically with no fanfare at all from the corporate media.

And the press for delegates -- truly a movement in its own right, and a very impressive one at that. The effort and commitment by these individuals is the stuff of legend.

There's more, but I need to get to bed. My main point is that the RPR has definitely made an impact in meatspace. People have taken it to the streets. The fact that we're disappointed about the number of resulting votes takes nothing from all those successes. What we have been developing is the tireless minority setting brush fires in the minds of American citizens. The votes will come later -- if we don't dispense with them altogether....

HYDROMAN
Your website is a blessing to all that come here.

This is the first time I have posted on the “Daily Paul” and want to thank this site for all their contributions to our movement and the hours of fine reading it has provided me. I am a 56 year old self employed contractor, who had been registered as an Independent voter my whole life.

I came to learn about Ron Paul very late in this election cycle. Illegal immigration is the main issue that first interested me in participating in this year’s campaign. I was a Tom Tancredo backer and switched my affiliation to Republican in early November, 2007 the last day to register to vote in our states “closed” primary. I only started looking for another candidate once Tancredo dropped out in late December. That is when I started looking at Duncan Hunter and Ron Paul. I can to settle on Ron Paul and joined a meet–up group in early January 2008, just 6 weeks before our state primary. Here are some observations about Paul’s primary run from my personal experiences:

Unrealistic Expectations - Many in our meet up group actually thought Paul had a chance to win the nomination. Never believing this possible I was unsuccessful getting our group to vote on a resolution asking Dr. Paul to run as an independent after the primary season was over.

No Strong Organization - Our meet-up group only held two meetings before the primary and did not provide much direction to folks like myself who were totally new at this. The group mostly had folks do things on their own, and little coordinated activity occurred where we were able to bring our numbers to bear and create a real visual presence in our county.

Inexperience In Organizing – I personally did not sign up to be a Precinct Captain because I did not know how much time I could commit. However, no strategy was forthcoming from our meet-up group (which had ties with the state coordinator) in terms of how to work a precinct. On my own delivered literature about Paul to close to 600 homes in my precinct & worked the polling place on election day. While Dr. Paul received 6% of the vote in our state, in my precinct it was 13%. I was reinventing the wheel and could have done much better with guidance from an experienced campaigner.

General Left The Field – as mentioned in earlier posts. We lost serious momentum when Dr. Paul made it clear he would not run as a Third Party or Independent candidate. Our meet-up group came to a standstill and many folks faded away as we lost our main focus, that being the presidential run. We lost valuable “in the trenches” time (had the run progressed until November) with many of these folks, time to convince them that to put our country back on the right path, it was going to be a protracted struggle and not accomplished in a single election.

I came to support Paul late in the game. How many others also did so as the campaign went on? I took my father and brother to hear Dr. Paul well after our primary. They and many other registered Democrats in my family, and friends, would have voted for Paul in the November election given the opportunity. With the poor choices given the American people by the Republicans and Democrats I believe we could have garnered from 15% to 20% for Dr. Paul in the November election. If then the Campaign for Liberty had been formed, we could have maybe started with 250,000 or more members.

Work For The Republican Party? – This totally threw off everyone in our meet-up group. I registered Republican for our closed primary only. Most everyone in our group view the Republicans as part of the problem. We got no guidance from our state coordinator on this strategy and we lost still more of our meet-up group on this concept. I am the only one to my knowledge that went ahead and joined a Republican Club. My efforts to get others to attend and join have been unsuccessful.

From where I sit these are some things that affected the momentum in our County and really none of them are internet related. You are not going to get someone elected and turn this country around just on the internet. It is still going to take serious "Boots on the Ground Time", and this is an area where we really lack experience. If the Campaign for Liberty can over the next few months get more organized, get the message concise, and slowly over time build our membership into experienced precinct leaders, we will be in much better shape in the 2010 off-year elections to make more of an impact.

I think the “the passionate, dedicated, online supporters of Ron Paul “ need to learn how to negotiate the mind boggling rules and regulations of their party and about the political process from the local level to the national level, so they can be effective in getting qualified candidates on the ballots. The Internet would certainly be the most promising medium.

Candidates in turn can use the Internet to promote their campaign and to articulate their positions on certain issues, using many of the techniques that were used for the Ron Paul campaign . Each campaign would be different because of location and demographics, so there would be no one size fits all.

The Internet could also be used to educate those who want to become active in dealing with incumbent politicians on current legislation. Information on the legislative process would be invaluable, as well as current factual information about current legislation being considered. Experience with a state legislature has taught me that there are certain “power players”. You need to know as much about these players as is available. The Internet would certainly be invaluable for this purpose as long as the site is independent of any campaign or political entity. Other members of the legislative body, regardless of the validity of their position on an issue, is of little weight. Their voice plays well with people in their district, but has little effect on the outcome.

Don’t forget local organized groups such as meetup groups as a means of education. Many older people do not have access or they are not comfortable using the internet. Older people do vote, and they are not as dumb as you might think, so why not organize in retirement communities. Middle-aged people are busy with jobs and family so their time is limited. They might not have time to surf the net. Family oriented groups could fill the bill. Perhaps the Campaign for Liberty could designate a staff person to promote organizing local groups and serve as a clearing house for such groups.

Truth is power. People act on the Truth. In the modern age, the Internet provides uncensored sharing of information. Stay on message. Mainstream media is unreliable and has its on agenda.

Finally, no profanity-this turn many people off and is not essential in getting your views over to others. You are free to use profainity, but for many your message will fall on deaf ears.

"You want to vote for Ron Paul? He's crazy, he wants to abolish the Federal Reserve."

-From almost everyone I talked to about Ron Paul

Perhaps some of his more drastic ideas, such as abolishing Fed, Department of Education, etc served to catalyze people that saw the value, but turned even more off because it was too much change at once. Such is the life of a polarizing figure.

Except that it ain't over til the fat lady sings and she ain't sung yet. I believe we have only just begun and the Revolutionary War was a long hard fight with several lost battles. God is in control and when we start living up to our true destiny and quit living selfishly, this country can get back where it started.

The 20/80 rule. 20% of the people do 80% of the work. That is how it always is. It was that way before the primaries and it continues.
People are sheep whether they are following a false shepherd or a true shepherd. Ron Paul attracted a lot of sheep and they got lost when they realized they had to work for what they want.

The media made Ron look like a kook and a nut doing little sound bites of some of his more controversial comments. People believe the media. They didn't believe me. Most of them acted like I was a nut while they mindlessly voted for Bozo the clown. Some of them converted and became somewhat involved but they are afraid. Like someone said "Why vote for him, he doesn't have a chance?" I heard that a lot. Too bad. But, it is not over and there is still so much for the young people to do. You have no choice, do you? It's either you fight or you lose everything. So, get off the couch, shake off the dust, and join the Revolution.

And, I am going to the Rally. I will be there to support Ron Paul. I will be anywhere I can to show my support for him and will work extra in order to do that.

Healthnut4freedom

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5,6

The sad reality is our fellow Americans are a bunch of socialists… The primaries have proven these fools want big government, they want more welfare, more warfare, more of the same. Just look at the primary numbers!

It’s tempting to blame the MSM, the GOP, the election process, blame the Ron Paul campaign, blame ourselves for not doing enough during the primary season, but I won’t…

I say the masses are getting what they want, and those of us with some hope left need to join our fearless “leadero” (leader+hero) Ron Paul and get busy with the Campaign for Liberty program. We need to get our behinds to Minneapolis NO MATTER WHAT, go to the C4L Leadership Summit on September 1, and keep this thing going!

And maybe… maybe sometime in the future we will have deprogrammed enough commies to turn this Titanic around.

But in the mean time we better batten down the hatches tight… a huge wave of s**t is about to hit the “land of the slaves, the home of the sheeple”… and those of us with 20 something sons and daughters better have a plan to get them out of town when the “draft-man” comes a knocking :o(

p.s. I just thank God for Ron and you ALL, and Michael… I love you man, you are so brilliant!

If it is to be, it is up to WE!!

Michael,

Here are my thoughts about the Ron Paul movement from my personal perspective as a 20-something former Bush-hawk convert. After 9-11, I bought into the whole attack whoever we feel like due to the anger I felt after being attacked. I bought into the Fox News crap until I started watching a few Alex Jones videos online randomly around 2006. I heard Ron Paul's name mentioned and when he resurfaced in 2007 as running for president, I started looking into it. Ron Paul echoed everything I believed in and after really understanding his message, I truly realized what a bunch of crooks are on both sides of the aisle in Washington. Seeing Ron Paul kick complete tush in the debates made me realize how idiotic and stupid the other GOP candidates were. Romney was the only one I may have considered, but I was definitely put off by his instance on continuing a war we didn't belong in or couldn't afford. During the primaries, I really thought we could have a strong showing - like 20-25% of the vote. I was hard core for Ron Paul - waving signs, making videos, talking to co-workers, putting stickers on my car but in the 'real world' most of the people I talked to were all about Huckabee or possibly McCain depending on whether they were really into church or the military. I tried to convince people and was somewhat successful, but no one understood the importance of their vote, or how screwed up our country really is. After RP suspended his campaign, I honestly lost some hope because I am a dreamer and thought he could win. I know we will have small victories, but I feel as though we are all Paul Revere on the midnight ride, and the American populous rolls over to continue sleeping. We need to be as effective in the offline world as in the online world. I am not able to go to Minnesota due to my job or finances, but would love to be there. I'm sure that echoes the other 1 million + Ron Paul voters. I also think that we really did get more votes, and there is a serious vote fraud in this country. As for now, I think we need to pick our battles and win them. Here are 10 ideas that I think would help to restart and reinvigorate the revolution:

1. Start a movement to kick all senators out of the Senate. They have failed us and most people would agree on that.

2. Impose term limits on the Senate.

3. Get RP governors in strategic states - Idaho, Montana, Nevada...etc...

4. Form Ron Paul action groups on all college campuses to affect local communities

5. Put fraud in the light of day

6. Work on key support groups - blue collar workers, 55+ groups, minority populations, those in the media

7. Nonviolent protests

8. Get rid of the true wackjobs in the RP movement - they are not helpful.

9. Play RP videos on public access channels - a lot of small towns have them.

10. Reform the voting system to be fraud-proof (I have some ideas about this if anyone is interested in hearing them)

I believe it's all about TV. Ron Paul did not get the media coverage therefore-- brainwashing-- the other candidates got. It's just that simple.

These answers come from my 18 years experience in sales...

#1 He ruled the 'net because the 'net is an excellent way to share information without pushing your ideas on someone. It's an excellent way to "soft sell" a candidate... or anything for that matter. Most people who found out about Dr. Paul were probably like me... they ran across his name somewhere on a site they frequent, and that led them to do more investigation. (Like you mentioned, it could have been a site about alternative medicine, politics, the economy, gun-lovers sites, etc, etc.) They ran across his ideas in a forum they respect, so they prompted more investigation. What better place to investigate anything than the 'net? All you had to do was google "Ron Paul" and you could go do your own investigation. THAT IS THE KEY I THINK. People don't like to be "sold" on a candidate, or anything else for that matter, but if they hear about something and then investigate on their own it becomes more of THEIR IDEA.

#2 This also leads me to my answer for #2. Again, people like to think it was THIER IDEA. When canvassing, we're just like everyone else who canvansses... our man is the man and there can be no other. People who already have their mind made up don't want to change it because of some stranger knocking on their door. Even if it does peak their interest, if they aren't too internet savvy, they will ask their friends or relatives for their opinion. We all know how great the opinions of the general public can be, especially on something they know nothing about. Face it, the only way to really do any investigation on a candidate is the internet. You can get all their views in one place. You can compare what others are saying about the candidates. In the real world you're just getting an opinion from the average moron off the street.

I say this because I talked about RP to people all the time. Most people had their candidate and didn't wanna hear about anyone else. If they did hear about someone else... they weren't listening... or they had some sound bite they wanted to throw out about him "being crazy" or "not having a chance" or whatever.

#3 I don't think it is possible to overcome this problem without a fair shake in the main stream media. Why? Most people don't seem to care enough about the election or our country to do serious investigation on the candidates. They rely on the msm and their sound bites, their relatives or friends, or their own limited info in order to make their decision... usually the day before they go vote. It does't matter how good the internet campaign is... we had the best. It doesn't matter how strong your grass root movement is... we had the best. If they don't say your name 2500 times per day on the msm... you have no chance. You just don't break through into the millions of people that vote that don't do any real investigation.

These are the people who decide our leaders... the millions who have no clue... and no desire to get a clue. Until you can figure out how to overcome this, our nation is screwed. The people who own the media, also own the country. Sad, but true.

The only way RP might have gotten a fairer shake in the media is if he had polled much better in the beginning. But then again, that might have made the blackout even stronger... considering the obvious lack of interest the media moguls have in promoting an anti-war, anti-big gov candidate. So, until we have some msm reform... we're screwed, I think. Lots of people in the media agree.

Another important point...

I don't know about where you vote, but here in AL it's nothing but blue hairs. Old people vote in DROVES... and thanks to the baby boom... there are more and more old people every day. These people are in the LEAST internet-savvy demographic... but also in the demographic that is most likely to cast a vote in the presidential election. All the old people have been brainwashed by the msm since their was an msm, and most of them barely know how to turn a computer on.