Embracing the Revolution! (printable)

Topic: Campaign for Liberty
Embracing the Revolution!

George Orwell once stated, “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” This campaign season has brought to one campaign the idea it is a revolution while several other early candidates in both parties attempted to speak their form of truth to the citizens while their opponents and the media labeled them fringe or kooks, is that a fair label? (3 of 4 in this series.)
by Gary Wood
(conservative libertarian)
Friday, August 29, 2008

This was the year of the fringe candidates, from the two major parties, Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel, Tom Tancredo, Duncan Hunter, and Ron Paul. Whether their proposals were for a Department of Peace or a firm focus on stemming the tide of illegal aliens and the elimination of the IRS most got little traction. Mike Gravel eventually withdrew from the Democratic race and joined the Libertarian Party, losing his candidacy bid to former Republican Congressman Bob Barr from Georgia.

Among the fringe was one candidate who was reluctant to enter the race. He voiced many times how his staunch support of the U.S. Constitution was something he did not know if the voters were ready to embrace. However his message struck a chord with millions across the country who nicknamed the campaign the Ron Paul Revolution. Was this due to Dr. Paul calling for some armed insurrection, rising up against the government and overthrowing it? Surprisingly, it was due to the root of his message to return our government to the Old Republic.

Most supporters of the revolution are left seeking a third-party or independent candidate to support while attempting to rally together under the soon to be unveiled 'Campaign for Liberty' organization being put together by Ron Paul and his team. The demographics of these followers is as varied as any seen in recent memory, perhaps the most diverse group since the 1992 Ross Perot bid for the White House. A large number were either apathetic politically or young voters just preparing to exercise our most important freedom, voting, for the first time.

The revolutionary ideals are rooted in republican capitalism. More specifically, the republican form of government which began as the great experiment under the U.S. Constitution. Although complex in operation due to the variety of election processes, checks, and balances it is a form of government with heavy responsibility on the individual with strong local and state governments and a small federal government restricted in its size by the Constitution itself. Economically this fringe proposes sound money, fiscal prudence, non-intervention, and true free market capitalism.

Recognizing the last glimmer of the Old Republic faded away in 1913 the supporters felt theirs was a revolution despite the RNC and DNC referencing our nation's history continually. Many studied and debated the founding of the U.S. in-depth for the first time and came away with a belief neither major party embraced the founder's intent and neither would restore small, limited federal power. Others listened to the ideas of no income tax, no foreign intervention, no fiat money, and no large government with fear based on the radical nature of restoring power to the people with all the personal responsibility that would entail.

This article is not being written to argue the pros and cons of authoritarian socialism vs. democratic socialism or republican capitalism. Although this is the key debate we should be having the first step for all voters is to understand what they are supporting. If you support the notion the founders were on the right track and drastic changes in today's government must be made if the United States is to survive the tough times ahead and flourish in the future you are in the right camp.

My question is simple;

Are you aware that a restoration, such as that proposed during Ron Paul's campaign, means saying yes to closing down many federal bureaucracy, significantly reducing the federal government, and changing the way we interact with the world while increasing our personal responsibility for our life?

Next: Embracing the Real Debate

Previous: Embracing McCain's Straight Talk / Embracing Obama's Change

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Columnist, radio show host, and co-founder of Hear My Thunder.

March of Liberty Radio Show

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