Topic: Political Parties
Ron Paul Delegates Advance Towards St. Paul
Another in my series of no-holds-barred plain observations about how to promote conservative values in government. An account of our County Assembly.
by Jahfre Fire Eater
(libertarian)
Friday, February 22, 2008

Last evening we conducted our GOP County Assembly; the next step in the process to funnel as many Ron Paul delegates to the RNC as possible. I am happy to report that due to consistent participation in the county GOP over the past 10 months, we were able to deliver 62% of our County delegates as Ron Paul supporters. These delegates are backed by alternates with 50% Paul support. We never waved signs at them or chanted hate and fear at them. We stood up, as individuals, for our conservative principles at party events every week, every month, every opportunity that presented itself. We will continue to do this for the duration of the struggle for the defense of individual liberty.

If you believe your ideas are good you have to put them out there to stand the trial by fire. You have to trust that fires in the past were just as hot as fires today. Conservative principles have stood soundly in the fires of political debate for ages. They have proven their worth. They are not valid by assertion but by endless, relentless assault and trial. Everywhere they are upheld, peace and prosperity mark the times. Where they have been undermined and suppressed, war, poverty and chaos have marked the time. This isn't an opinion, history has recorded these trials in the rise and fall of dozens of empires. Anyone who is willing to learn the lessons in these endless cycles of boom and bust can simply read it. Who will?

The principles we have stood on to turn our local GOP away from the neocon path of an empire in decline and turn out a majority of delegates to support Dr. Paul are:
1. Rule of Law
2. Individual Liberty
3. Limited Government
4. Free Enterprise
5. National Defense

Over time, the people we interact with have come to understand why John McCain earns a 0 out of 5 rating from us; exactly the same score as both senators Clinton and Obama.

I still find this surprising but several people have told us about feeling physically ill once they realized how far off the mark they had let themselves be led by trusting in the Republican Brand long after it had been turned into a liberal vehicle. For decades the GOP has promoted elitist powers that elevate elected officials above the law, subjugate the individual to the whims of the State, enormously expand government, manipulate our currency regardless of the consequences to our markets and finally perpetuate a belligerent provocative fear-driven foreign policy. John McCain is the poster child for this liberal Republican paradigm. Zero out of 5 fundamental conservative principles now guide our party. This is unacceptable and this is the reason why so many people repeat the phrases "there is no relevant difference between Democrat and Republican leadership" and "lesser of two evils."

The portion of Ron Paul's base that I first described as "Poison Fans" back in June 2007, is showing their true colors as they whine about Dr. Paul not doing this or not doing that. Message boards and blogs are full of people turning their ire at Dr. Paul. They make impassioned pleas for Dr. Paul to relieve them of the burden of constructive participation. Please run as a third party candidate, please don't desert us, please validate my victimhood, my futility, blah, blah, blah. How pathetic.

They are shirking their responsibility and blaming someone else for their lack. I can't tell them from liberals in that regard. This tells me that our public education system is quite effective at instilling victim hood and entitlement mentality into American graduates. Fortunately, they will soon go back to watching their fear-based videos and talking only amongst themselves. The sooner the better as far as our efforts to restore conservatism as the guiding principle for GOP candidates.

Fortunately most of Ron Paul's support does not come from the Poison Fan pool. It is heartening to see some of these newly awakened Republicans taking their role seriously but the majority will go on to deny they were ever a Republican by this time next year. The immutable burden of individual participation efficiently separates the pretenders from those who will shape the future of the GOP. Some will return to the relative safety of apathy. Others will go back to playing in a safe sandbox of a third party with their friends, preaching to the choir, not daring to test their ideals in the larger marketplace of ideas represented by the GOP or the Democratic Party. They will have all the impact on our future government as their activities earn; which is to say none whatsoever.

In our community I have seen people come out of the woodwork to participate. I know this will taper off but some of the individual changes I have witnessed by people who have decided to stand up for these conservative principles are truly remarkable. One man, a good-hearted but angry alcoholic, conspiracy theory scholar, hateful, fearful recluse of a human being has stood up, cleaned up, toned down and became a leader living by example. He was a precinct captain and is now a delegate. Hooray for the power of conservative principles! Another angry, vindictive, short-sighted man became a team player when the Assembly last night didn't go for his nomination. He simply had no alternatives before he adopted these core principles. He was a reflection of the unprincipled liberal environment he had been living in. Now he is empowered to create his own influence in our community. He will be walking the neighborhoods with the Ron Paul candidates who the community did nominate over him. These kinds of changes are not atypical. People aspire to their better self every time it is encouraged. This is the key to untethering ourselves from our indoctrination and fear. Those tethers only exist so long as we allow our natural tendency to better ourselves to be suppressed by others. It is a choice. It is your choice. Victim or free? How hard can that be...even though it may make you ill at first. You'll get over it.

I know some readers will be offended by my lack of empathy for their outrage and safety nets. You don't matter to me; just in case you were wondering or thinking about flaming me. I know from experience that for every so many offended victims there are others who were just waiting for the assurance that their behavior is their choice. They are who matter. They will self-select despite the flame throwers who abound around them. They are Fire Eaters and our future depends on them.

Jahfre Fire Eater

©2008 Jahfre Fire Eater, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Friday, February 22, 2008
Last modified: Friday, February 22, 2008

The views expressed in this article are those of Jahfre Fire Eater only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Jahfre Fire Eater is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.

Report violation by Jahfre Fire Eater of Nolan Chart LLC's terms of use policy.

More Articles By Jahfre Fire Eater

Reader Comments:

Posted By: Libertas
Date: 2008-02-22 15:14:32

So many people nowadays are realizing just what has happened to the country that they live in. 

 It surely surprised me when I stumbled upon some libertarian priciples. I was astounded, my life my own, my father told me that. 

People are waking up and realizing that it is better to be personally responsible than have a failing government try to provide even an education at this point.

Why would we put our childrens lives in the hands of a system that we have no control over. Americans have become so complacent to the entitlement program that some (most) people have gotten so addicted to that they actually think that they are owed something by society.

I saw this in my brother, I didnt take the most honorable path, but now i am taking control of my own life, it is my responsibility to provide for my future not the governments; and that personal responsibility, gave me the focus to understand about the freedom that comes with that responisibility.

The entitlement programs have created a society of victomhood, and you see this daily as the immigration problem comes into view.  If the American people really want their freedom back it comes with personal responsibility.

But that brings to question what of the strained job market how do we go about fixing that?   

Report violation

Posted By: DX10
Date: 2008-02-22 15:29:27

Excellent. I went to the Rep Womens club meeting yesterday to hear the positions from the four individuals running for Steve Pearce's congressional seat. I asked them what their foreign policy was and what could be done to stem the tide of inflation. Each said we have to stay engaged in the world, meaning keep the troops everywhere and don't leave the middle east until we have won!  (Whatever that means.) So, they did not really state a foreign policy. And each agreed that inflation was bad, but offered no solutions. The candidates are just as ignorant as the voters.

Report violation

Posted By: Robert
Date: 2008-02-22 15:44:36

umm *cough*title*cough*

Report violation

Posted By: Clayton
Date: 2008-02-22 16:15:02

DX10: I have witnessed the same in my district.  We have an incumbent (quite old now) who is 95% going to win.  I watched a forum of the challengers (among whom is 1 Paul republican) and all but the Paul supporter were airheads.  It was like they read a Sean Hannity book or listen to Rush and think that makes them qualified to be in congress.

I only wish I were on that same stage to show what substance looks like.  That is why I will run next time, incumbent or not.

Report violation

Posted By: Joshua Berg
Date: 2008-02-22 17:20:46

Great post.

Report violation

Posted By: Jim_NYC
Date: 2008-02-22 18:01:39

Hey when your done here can you infiltrate the Catholic Church and fix that too? 

"Poison Fans"??

Report violation

Posted By: Archie
Date: 2008-02-22 23:32:10

"Poison Fans" are those supporters who, by their actions in support of a cause, end up hurting the cause they are allegedly rooting for. Whether this is intentional or merely a result of our current educational system, as Jafre intimated, it is something that would need to be judged on an individual basis.

Report violation

Posted By: Chad_Underdonk
Date: 2008-02-23 01:52:04

Great work Fire Eater. It is articles like this and the examples which you are helping to create which will be the true force to create the change that so many of us seek. Cheers!

Report violation

Posted By: MikeFoster
Date: 2008-02-23 09:48:25

It started out to be a really good article - congratulations on your successes! Then you went off trashing people who don't believe the same as you and that ruined the article.

 

Report violation

Posted By: Mrs. Fire Eater
Date: 2008-02-24 07:21:00

   I don't see any "trashing people" Mr. Foster. Calling things what they are is not the same as "trashing people". Some of the folks he is talking about are nice people and our friends.... but they know who they are too. Saying that any kind of criticism of another's actions is "trashing people" is symptomatic of our modern education system, which says that you get self-esteem without doing anything to actually earn it. If I screw up, I expect JFE or someone else to point it out lest I do it again. It's not personal. And when others stand directly in the way of liberty and justice, I will say something. 

I read it again. I don't see any trashing.

Report violation

Posted By: Mrs. Fire Eater
Date: 2008-02-24 07:27:31

One more thing - none of you can possible know how cool it is to watch two ineffectual (and often nasty) persons become admirable leaders by going through this process. To watch someone who has marginalized themselves become swelled with hope and pride when they realize how much they can change the world with a little activity. Here is someone that few in town would have taken seriously before, and now he will be a force to be reckoned with, asking pointed questions to our commissioners about how they are ruining.... excuse me, running our community. And another who could have ruined his rep in the community, rising above it and likely getting a commissioner spot in a few years.

I'm so proud I could bust.

Report violation

Posted By: MikeFoster
Date: 2008-02-24 09:26:22

I was merely pointing out that what started as an exciting report on your hard work to get Ron Paul delegates to the RNC turned into an extended rant. But hey, we all need to blow off a little steam now and then ;-)

The first 5 paragraphs would make an excellent press release to your local news media!

Congratulations and continued success to you both.

Report violation

Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: 2008-02-24 18:19:14

Thanks for the great comments.  There are always some who will mistake pointing out destructive behavior for trashing people who are choosing such behavior.  No matter.  It isn't any of my business what any individual chooses to do or to believe.  However, when people choose behavior that contradicts their stated goals I notice, and I point it out.

When that well intentioned but destructive behavior presents a threat to my liberty I take it personally and name them as an enemy.  It does bother me to see passion and energy wasted on useless, ego-driven activities that have no chance of ever improving our government.  So I point it out and hope that occasionally someone will begin to practice more constructive behavior as a result.  Of course, I'll never know unless someone tells me.  People tell me all the time.  :-)  That is a bonus to me because I'd continue doing the same thing even without the continuous positive feedback.

Yours in peace, prosperity and individual liberty,

Jahfre Fire Eater 

 

Report violation