Perspective on Ron Paul's New Direction

We need to break the system, and this is what it's all about.

I don't know of anyone who was disappointed or confused by the press conference. Everyone I know of was elated by it, as we were. Wolf Blitzer seemed like he was on speed or something - he was acting in such a hectic manner he was barely even communicating, and his comment about Dr. Paul and Ralph Nader being "the ultimate Odd Couple" was one of the stupidest comments I've ever heard - this guy is really clueless to make a comment like that. Thanks again for your insightful understanding of Dr. Paul's new direction (I think he pulled off a fabulous coup) and for expressing with such great perspicacity!!!

Since my original post, I came across this article on lewrockwell.com, which says it better than I was able to: http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig8/hamilton4.html

This is more than a presidential election. Any national candidate should be getting grilled on these four issues!

As for state and local officials we should be using this opportunity to cross all political boundaries and find common ground on local issues as well. We need to grow and this is a big opportunity!

Talk about issues... register people... and give them choices... It's time for REAL CHANGE!

Mike
"Fire Team for Freedom" and "Revolutionary Business"
visit www.mikeandjake.com

Ron Paul is a true hero. Possibly the greatest member of Congress in the history of our nation, he has been marginalized and vilified beyond belief. But he has stuck to his principles, and all of us are better off for his courage and dedication.

is for each of us to vote for a third party candidate. It doesn't much matter which one. If we don't vote, the establishment will take it as apathy and a green light to continue on its merry way. But if many millions vote for third party candidates, they will have to take notice. As I detail in a post on another thread, I have major problems with all of the third party candidates, but I will choose among them. After all, without Ron Paul in the race, there can't be a perfect choice.

http://writein2008.blogspot.com/search/label

Don't how accurate the info is.

"That system [Matrix] is our enemy...You have to understand most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured so hopelessly dependent on the system that they will fight to protect it."

www.libertyworksradionetwork.com

I think that Ron Paul's triple endorsement is unprecedented. A brilliant move. He is asking his supporters to face up to unpleasant electoral realities and think tactically. I know that many supporters were in shock...

How could Paul endorse socialists like Nader and McKinney?
How could he share a platform with a religious fundamentalist like Baldwin?

The answer is simple. Ron Paul disagrees with all three candidates on various issues but he is willing to put those disagreements on the back burner and focus on uniting America around the idea that the two party duopoly works against their interests.

I know that the John Birch Society isn't keen on the word "democracy", but Ron Paul's announcement specifically complained that the duopoly was undemocratic.

-"Ron Paul cured me of my predilection for Che Guevara T shirts."

What would've been interesting would be third party debates. One debate with Barr and Baldwin, the other with Nader and McKinney. The winner of each debate, decided by the popular vote ( a la American Idol) and by 3 judges, would face off in a final showdown. Whoever wins the showdown, gets the Presidential nomination, the loser getting the VP nomination. There, both left and right represented on one ticket.

I agree with everything written above, but it is also worth mentioning that Ron Paul himself sees the only solution to this problem by working within the Republican Party <*cough* overthrowing the neocon Republican leadership>. My take on this announcement is that 2008 is a wash as far as the two parties are concerned, but the Republican takeover plan is still in effect and perhaps in 2010 (for congressional seats) and 2012 it will be the right time to vote Republican.

If he can change Republican attitudes, perhaps they will help repeal some of these campaign laws that make it so difficult for third parties, and then in the future it might make sense to try forming third parties. He has said quite a few times that there's not much point in the third party route, having had a hard go of it in 1988 himself. Like he says, he is a Republican and will always be a Republican, especially in the classical sense that the United States is a Republic.

stated that "None of the Above" would win if it was on the ballot. This is the closest thing to none of the above. Encourage everyone you know who is dissatisfied with the parties of more "war and higher taxes" or "more social programs and higher taxes" to vote for "None of the Above" by choosing a third party candidate.

Stay together in principal to reject the lesser of two evils. This is not about winning its about taking principled stands as Dr. Paul has done for 30 years.

I thought it was a great conference. I don't agree with the candidates there on most things, and neither does Ron Paul. That wasn't the point. He wasn't there to throw his endorsement behind anyone, and I don't think he will this election.

A third party candidate can not win. At least, not this year. They don't even get into the debates. It's not about endorsing a third party candidate. It's about pushing for them to be heard. It's about breaking this pattern of voting for the person you dislike least and voting for the person you like most. Isn't that what voting is about? Your vote is a vote for who you think should run the country and how it should be run. Don't waste it.

But don't forget that while all the attention is on the Presidential election, local elections are just as important, if not more. There is a constitutionalist running in my district for the House and I already know I am voting for him. The more congressmen we get that actually uphold the Constitution, the better. This is exactly why it would be bad for Ron Paul to accept the VP slot. He would have to give up his seat. Why remove our best spokesmen from an already elected seat for the slim hopes of another one.

Just for the record, I was teetering on the fence about voting for Barr, and I'm not a Barr-hater, but he lost my vote. If he can't stand up on a stage with candidates he doesn't agree with, then how could he ever stand up for a debate. The one thing I didn't like about Barr was when he spoke, he sounded very elitist, and this just sealed the deal for me.

Ron Paul's message to us is:

You can choose to vote or not vote.

It would be better if you did choose to vote.

If you choose to vote, consider voting for one of the three candidates who have agreed with Ron Paul on the four principles; Foreign Policy, Privacy, the National Debt, and the Federal Reserve.

Ron Paul would prefer that you not write in his name. Instead vote for Baldwin, McKineny or Nader--your choice.

Talk with those individuals who are thinking about voting for McCain or Obama only because they think they have to choose between the lesser of two evils. Explain to them that they do have other choices--the three candidates that agree on the four principles.The object is to draw these voters away from the Republican and Democrat candidates and make a statement that there is a majority of voters who do not agree with the Republican or Democratic monoply.Your vote and one more vote doubles the number of votes for the cause of liberty.

It is not critical for Chuck Baldwin, Cynthia McKinney, or Ralph Nader to win the election, although it is possible. This may be hard for many of us to accept. It is more important that all of us NOT vote for a Republican or Democratic candidate because we think that we do not have a choice.

Ron Paul is not going to tell you who to vote for in this election.

Let's start talking to those around us who think they do not have a choice. The Republican and Democratic machines would like you to think otherwise.

What do you choose to do?

(Edit) sorry for the misplaced response. Should have been on page two in response to an earlier one- ooops!)

but my life has been a little bit too Libertarian at times to hold up to public scrutiny- The media would have a spin-Festival with my past! (I did inhale- and enjoyed it!) Which brings up an interesting point.

We've allowed ourselves (as a society) to be entertained by the idea of the "perfect" candidate to the degree that they've all been reduced to two-dimensional cartoon characters. Paper cutouts- mere caricatures of humans that look good on TV.

If someone's a Christian, they're automatically a zealot or theocrat. If they oppose clear cutting a forest, they're a dangerous tree-hugger or against the free market. If they oppose hand-outs, they're heartless and mean-spirited. Ever smoked pot? Then you're a hippie or a stoner. If one opposes military action, no matter how grievous and aggressive, then they're weak and gullible. Simple (minded) black-white, yes-no, binary bullshit arguments- Kinda like George with his "either yer fer us or yer agin us" comment. No room in the public discourse for all the real truth that lives in the nooks and crannies.

Bottom line (in my mind): Within the current economic/media control grid, NO human being could stand-up to this process and at the same time adhere to any substantive principles. If one's position goes at all beyond a vague sound-bite, they'll be shredded within days. Feet of clay- we've all got 'em. THAT is what got me excited about Ron Paul. Finally-TRUTH TO POWER for those with the intelligence to hear it. But, I would not be at all surprised to learn that Dr. Paul was "visited in the night" and told to be quiet or else. He was getting too much attention- it became time to disperse this rowdy mob. My God- they're starting to think for themselves...

I do agree: WE are Ron Paul and WE are legion. I'm just not sure how you do battle with a group that owns the media, owns the police, owns the army and can print their own unlimited supply of monopoly money...

...the ultimate odd ONE.

Pawnstorm

He sniffed it out 35 years ago and has been saying the same things all along so, I wouldn't exactly call endorsing 3d parties a new direction. His firsthand experience with a third party run has made him an authority on the subject in my view.
Once you wake up, you are responsible to wake others. He woke up a long time ago.

If all the third party candidates could come together and put one man forward for all of their supporters to vote for, collectively we could change the system... I don't want to vote for anyone other than Dr. Paul, but I will do what he suggests and vote third party...

---------
"Better to be flexible like bamboo than rigid like oak, for when the storm comes bamboo will bend and survive, where as oak will crack and die."

I live in Massachusetts and we aren't trying to throw the rascals out this election cycle, we're trying to give them less of our hard-earned bucks to waste!

Message to the Legislature:
Money you don't have can't be wasted.

Message to ourselves:
Money you do have can be spent wisely.

In 1780 the cities and towns of the Commonwealth established a government under law. They created the government, they agreed to the law it would follow, they are the enforcers of this law. My town is my family, formed for my protection. Unfortunately it has allowed itself to be pushed around for too many years by the very government it created.

Article V. All power residing originally in the people, and being derived from them, the several magistrates and officers of government, vested with authority, whether legislative, executive, or judicial, are their substitutes and agents, and are at all times accountable to them.

~Part the First, A Declaration of Rights of the Inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

For more on ENDING the Income Tax in Massachusetts go to http://smallgovernmentact.org/

I hope Ron Paul's efforts help the third party candidates get significant returns at the voting booth.

-John
http://www.voteubele.com
john@voteubele.com

Ron Paul's point along with others is the common ground we (as most US citizens) have, and how the two major parties are largely theater with few real differences (as in "Which major party is going to shrink federal government?"). Furthermore, as Ron and Ralph mentioned in the CNN video I saw, they're (realistically) hopeful that people voting off the axis of the two parties will skew two party interests and focus in good ways. They are not denying the influence and control of the two party system. Instead, they're mentioning, and hoping, the message of 'we won't vote for crap' will spread. Ron Paul is a Republican and not voting for McCain. Again, the example has been set.

I hate seeing the 'keep ourselves down' attitude prevail:
> Look at how easily the MA and NV delegations caved in. What we can do
> is make a statement by starving the GOP of its membership base, starving
> it of donations, and starving it of votes.

Wrong. The evil there doesn't want your liberty loving votes. They don't want you around. If you were around and left, that's a bonus to them. If you were never there, even better.

I keep thinking that Ron Paul's message is clear, because, well he keeps repeating the same things with remarkable consistency. Let me clarify with recent announcements:
1. Don't vote for crap.
2. Get involved in the Republican party.
3. #2 doesn't cancel #1.

How can this be? Well, turns out that everyone that runs on the Republican ticket doesn't suck (just most). When you're vote isn't earned, don't. As far as this particular year's Presidential election, his point is to not party line vote with evil. His point of getting involved in the local level of the political party is obvious, and still true.

Feel free to follow with questions, etc.

Thank you Michael, I always look for your aricles. They are always so well thought-out and well written. I have looked to you for guidance. I haven't had time to watch the press conference, but have read several posts and comments. I will probably be giving my vote to Baldwin. Can anyone tell me.....do I need to change my Republican Party affiliation in order to vote third party? (Although I did vote for Perot in 1992(?). I have been registered Republican all my life.

I am a Nader supporter who anxiously waited for him to join the presidential race last year. In the meantime, I was attracted by Ron Paul's sincerity and principled stance on important issues (primarily the war). I donated money to the Ron Paul campaign, even though I am far from being a Republican. Well, Ralph Nader has the same personal characteristics as Ron Paul; he is sincere and principled and he is very direct. He also agrees with Ron Paul with many important issues, issues that most Ron Paul supporters are familiar with. I am writing this to call on Ron Paul supporters to support the Nader campaign now. Nader carries the torch now that Ron Paul is out of the race. Nader is the candidate that has the best chance of disrupting the Democrat and Republican dominance. Support him, campaign with him, raise money, and together let's raise some hell!

this new step was awesome. And my respect to Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney and Chuck Baldwin. They all had to overcome their ego and do risk to lose supporters, who reject such a joint declaration and press conference for ideological reasons.

Dr. Paul cured my apathy

I am extremely disappointed that Dr. Paul himself is not running. I was going to write in his name on my ballot, but now I don't know what is best for the campaign. I need clear instructions and feel abandoned. I was finally going to get to vote for someone I could believe in. I was cured of my apathy, but this is disheartening.