Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
Will the Freedom Movement Stand Down in the 2008 Presidential Election? Who will tell the People? Will disenchanted republicans, democrats, and independents, stand down in the 2008 Presidential race? A way forward.by Paul Farris
(Libertarian)
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
With John McCain's nomination virtually assured, will the 2008 freedom movement, ignited by Ron Paul and his followers, not insist on a credible 3rd party ticket to give voice to the looming foreign and domestic perils facing this country?
Can you imagine the huge void that will exist as McBama or McClinton parade around the country promising to be all things to all people with hints of amnesty and perpetual war as backdrop?
It should make one physically ill just to think that we, as ideological inheritors of the small band of colonists who acted in faith and beyond all odds just over two centuries ago to win their freedom, that we enjoy, that today's freedom movement would stand down at the very moment that liberty is so mightily threatened.
Thus, the freedom movement must recruit its own dynamic presidential ticket with national cache to lay siege to the tower of lies, fraud, and distortion that will dominate the main stream media echo chamber if left unchallenged. We must compete to speak the truth in the presidential election market place of ideas about the coming national demise and what we must do to avert the fall of the republic.
We must diplomatically, his recent comments notwithstanding, lobby Dr. Ron Paul (he can run for both his house seat and president or vice president) and Gary E Johnson (former 2-term NM Governor) and Andrew Napolitano (judge, foxnews analyst, author of Nation of Sheeple), some combination thereof, with Ron Paul as either presidential or vice-presidential nominee. With appropriate loving pressure, Ron Paul will come around to be on this historic ticket. He has always said with enough people and enthusiasm he would be there to lead the way. The people astounded him once when he was less of a believer in the efficacy of his effort that he began in 2007. With so much riding on the line, we must convince him one last time.
To be sure, the chances of winning the White House may be small. The chance of winning if we don't compete is zero. But the freedom movement wins when it competes. Because what is so often overlooked is the fantastic opportunity to educate citizens and win converts to our side on a massive scale.
With months before any convention is convened, the dis-illusionment with McClinton and McBama is already growing. Voter distaste of McCain alone continues to skyrocket as he heads for the nomination. After eight disastrous years, the Republican Party is in free-fall, as the pendulum now swings the other way. Collapse of the Republican Party would be no cause for mourning. There are other alternatives.
The freedom movement's volunteer army is still deployed in the field, thanks to the historic leadership of Congressman Ron Paul to compete in the republican primaries. With the movement's fundraising ability proven, and so many lessons learned, will we allow the movement to stand down on the presidential level in the face of a nation facing economic collapse? Or will we stoke the fires of freedom and liberty at this historic moment and compete for the hearts and minds on a grand scale? To some, reforming the entrenched neocon-dominated Republican Party may indeed be a worthwhile project, but a long-term one nonetheless. But while Rome burns?
Now, I personally advance the vehicle of the Libertarian Party, because they seem amenable to any of the above mentioned possible candidates and importantly, the LP already has near 50-state ballot access! Hello? You realize how costly it was for Perot or Nader to gain access in elections past? The money spent towards ballot access 2008 could be better spent on edgy, hard-hitting media advertising campaigns that support our presidential candidates message outreach and the army of volunteers in the field meeting voters face to face.
Personally, and I know I'm not alone, I don't see how the freedom movement can sit out the 2008 presidential general election campaign. With the accelerating trajectory the surveillance state is on, many rightly recognize the government is close to shutting down all our rights and freedoms. We're just one incident, contrived or otherwise, away from national lockdown. Will we let the republic go down without a fight and with it our childrens future? Will we let evil triumph? Or will the freedom movement, so close to reaching critical mass, be there to enlist the millions of potential converts and new supporters and show the American people there is a much better way?
It's up to you!
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 9 thumbs so far
2008 Paul Farris, all rights reserved.
Published: Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Last modified: Thursday, February 14, 2008
The views expressed in this
article are those of Paul Farris only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Paul Farris 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.
Who do you want freedom for? Obviously you want to limit it to Americans, but how do you define American? I would say "someone who is born in America," but you say you don't want citizenship for someone who is born in America but whose parents aren't citizens. You claim you are the group of freedom, but I guess you draw the line at freedom for Mexicans.
A concerted effort is needed to get all the third parties (well most of them anyway) to put their backing behind the same candidate (hopefully Ron Paul). There are already a few, the Constitution Party, the Libertarian Party, the Jefferson Republicans, that already have supported Paul's bid. It doesn't take a wild leap to believe that the Independence party, the America First Party, and the Marijuana Reform party would also join in. I don't know if those over at Unity 08 or the Lou Dobbs fan club would also consider supporting an independent Ron Paul run, but it is possible. These fractured parties need to come together, out of the fringe and back someone in unison with everything they've got. That someone should definitely be Ron Paul. Now.
Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: 2008-02-13 18:36:59
I don't think the 'movement' will stand down. Individuals will. The movement will fracture for sure. I will remain a Republican even if I never vote for another Republican candidate. I will be working to continue Ron Paul's work within the party.
Others will abandon the GOP and remain independent or join a 3rd party.
The only time a party affiliation means anything is during the nomination/primary season. All the rest of the time a party registration doesn't matter much at all. The time to promote your values in government is during the primary season.
The way to do that is to be a Republican or a Democrat because no one else is going to get elected beyond a few local positions. Of course, once people get involved they realize the candidate selection process is a full-time job. We work relentlessly to promote conservative/Paul Republicans. The thing is, once these old status quo Republicans come over to the Paul side, they can't go back. This will take time but it is irreversible given our current international diplomatic and economic situation.
Being registered with a 3rd party pretty much nullifies an individual's ability to influence their government with their values, no matter how valiant and pristine those values may be. It is a self-limiting choice that lots of seemingly concerned, active and intelligent people make. Blind spot is all I can figure. Unless the goal is to have as little influence over your government as possible, 3rd parties are a bad choice.
Posted By: you know that one guy
Date: 2008-02-13 20:25:31
Im afraid sir, that its the very notion that we are tied into a two party system that keeps us tied into a two party system. In many respects politics is like the business world. The more competition the healthier the field. We need to move away from moderity and find the balance only brought about by differing centers of competition. Please divorce yourself from this dying idea, only when we accept the possibility for change will it happen. Help plant the seed that hopefully will grow into a beautiful tree, rich in the fruits of diverse ideas.
Peace people, listen and learn instead of bicker and fight.
Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: 2008-02-14 08:52:05
It isn't a matter of belief in a 'two party system' it a recognition of the difference between constructive action and wishful thinking. The only way to change the two party system is from within the two parties.
Any other choice is akin to trying to dig the Panama canal with a teaspoon. Despite the rational for choosing a teaspoon over a steam shovel the results are the same. The steam shovel can undo the work of a thousand teaspoon wielders in a matter of seconds. Yet many people shun the steam shovel and espouse the virtues of their teaspoon usage.
If one wishes to play in politics, the by all means, play with toys that make you feel good. If one wishes to accomplish anything in government at all, have the sense to pick the most powerful tools available. This seems ridiculously obvious to me yet entirely unfathomable to others. Fortunately, their numbers are tiny so the senseless waste isn't too great a loss to our cause.
In response to some of the comments, I ask... What's the difference between saying "I will not vote for Ron Paul because he is not electable" and saying "I will not support a third party because their candidates are not electable"?
Most of Ron Paul's grassroots support did not come from the Republican party. I imagine only a very small percentage of them will have any interest in becoming career Republican politicians. Nevertheless, for those that do, I salute you and wish you great success. For those that decide to support the Libertarian Party, the Constitution Party, the Green Party, or others - I also salute you and wish you great success.
Want to comment on this
article? Leave your comment here. Your email address is
required to track your comment. However, we will neither
publish your email address nor distribute it to other
organizations or persons. The only reason we might use
it would be if we needed to contact you regarding your
comment. All comments are subject to our
terms of use policy.
2008 Paul Farris, all rights reserved.