Topic: Politics
A message for Ron Paul Republicans the time has come for the real work of the rEVOLution to begin. Doing "party" workby Alexander Jefferson
(libertarian)
Friday, February 22, 2008
I want to send a message to all the people who have heard Dr. Paul's message and believe there IS hope for our great nation.
This message is for all of you who have chosen to become involved in the process and have given yourself to taking these ideals from the bottom up. Starting, but not stopping at becoming a delegate.
This message is not for those who think that if anyone but Ron Paul is elected President, we are completely without hope. Sorry, but you are free to stay in your basement waiting for the rest of your freedoms to be taken away.
This message is not for those of you who think being involved meant that you registered Republican so you could vote for Dr. Paul and have or will leave the party and be "independent" after your state's primary or caucus has passed. While you may be able to help later,and we hope that you do, this is for people who are still in the game. (the game refers to working to become a national delegate or finding and supporting local candidates)
This message is not for people who are in the LP or CP. You have your own goals and the path you think is best to reach them. Eventhugh I do not share those views, I wish you nothing but sucess.
If you are a Republican, what can you do?
Get involved and stay involved. Go to your counties website find out about meeting and events you can attend. I think you will be amazed at how much these people at the local level share our ideals, at least that has been the case for me.
I believe most of them still see the party as what it was supposed to be. My original plan was to get in and start talking up fiscal responsibility with them, and I have found they are very fiscally conservative, and the only real issue is the disconnect between the parties leaders and the men and women who make up the base.
By being involved, and being known, you will have influence. The more involved you are, the more influence you will have. This is not something that will happen overnight, but it will happen.
Why do we need to do this?
Consider one of the biggest blunders made by Paul supporters before the primaries began. A membership drive that stated, "Join the party to vote for Ron Paul, and then you can leave afterwards." Now put yourself in the shoes of hardworking Jane and Joe republican who has been involved with the party for a long time. Most of your effort you gave because you believed in the platform, and here come a bunch of people who are only joining to vote for one candidate, and then will leave. If you can't see how some of them may be resentful of such an idea, you have no idea how people think.
The best way to overcome this is by being involved, get to know these people, trust me, they are happy to have new people around, and those I have met are really good people.
Imagine your Ron Paul meet up group becomes a Republicans for a Constitutional Republic Meet up group. And because you are all involved with the local party, imagine how much you could impact the local levels of the party. Now imagine that happening all over the country, and then, you can see what the rEVOLution was destined to be. A bunch of small determined groups of patriots doing "party" work to bring our government back to the intent of the founders.
Have I written anything new? No. Anything that has not been said before? No. These suggestions are very simple. But little problems become big problems when we make them more complicated then they need to be. The answers are very simple, you cannot hope to make any real change in anything unless you are willing to become involved.
Remember, our constitutional republic is not a spectator sport. You cannot safeguard our liberties and freedoms from your couch. I understand the desire for a "quick fix" but that isn't going to happen. Unless you are prepared to work for your freedoms and ideals the rest of your life, you will be reduced to hoping someone else will do it for you. And that can only bring hopelessness.
Update
In the past, I have talked about the need to find people who want to go to Washington and help Dr. Paul bring the constitution back into our Government. I have since been in contact with two of them, and I hope to do an article about each of them when they feel the time is right. I have contributed financially to one, and plan on doing the same for the other. More information to follow.
I am still looking for more, so if you are one, or know of one, please leave some type of information in the comments section.
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The views expressed in this
article are those of Alexander Jefferson only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Alexander Jefferson 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.
I am precinct chair and headed to the BPOU convention in less than two weeks. The other evening we had meeting with local Republican Party regulars preparing for the BPOU. They talked about the lack of candidates for both state and national office against the incumbent democrats. I started asking questions about party endorsement. I explained I am a union member of Carpenters; dislike the vast majority of government spending, and corporate sucking up to government. Before I knew it, the group was planning my race in our congressional district to the United States congress. The local party leadership is ready for me to announce my candidacy. Who knows what the summer will bring.
Posted By: Mark Anderson
Date: 2008-02-22 03:13:27
You write that the more involved somebody is with the Republican Party, the more influence they will have. Having been politically involved and having belonged to the Republican Party at times, I can assure you that there is no relationship between involvement and influence.
Involvement in the Republican Party means you work to keep the machine going along for whatever establishment political hack the party foists upon the people. Invariably, it isn't the party activists at the grassroots level who shape the party. Look at the President himself. Do you think Bush was out laboring to build the Republican Party back in the 70's, and that is why he is President today? LOL. He is President because his daddy was President. Or Arnold Schwarzenegger. What kind of conservative activist was he? He is a left winger, who landed in his position through celebrity status. It is a lie that there is a merit-based promotion system within the Republican Party.
Or look at Republicans like Rudy Giuliani, or Norm Coleman. They were both Democrats before they were Republicans. So all of those grassroots conservatives out there working to build the Republican Party, for a Democrat to come along and be openly embraced and pushed by Republican Party leaders--how discouraging that feels.
When I left the Republican Party in 2000, I felt free. I felt emancipated. No longer was I working to lay the groundwork for somebody who I disagree with on virtually every issue to come along and use what I created against me. I could actually look at issues more objectively, doing what it is right, rather than the party being my perceptual filter.
While I agree with the idea that this movement is about more than Ron Paul, that is exactly why you are wrong in your conclusions. For example, you write that the Ron Paul supporters made a mistake from the beginning by telling people they could register Republican to vote for Ron Paul, to then quit the party later on. What is bad with that? While the movement transcends Ron Paul, the movement's efforts were centered around backing Ron Paul, because he is the only one in the race who represents our ideals. Thus, it becomes an absurdity to keep working for a party to help get an adversary elected to office. So not only does the movement transcend Ron Paul, it transcends the Republican Party. In fact, it goes on IN SPITE of the Republican Party.
As somebody who did register Republican to vote for Ron Paul, I can assure you that--except by way of a miracle where Ron Paul becomes the GOP nominee--I will not be voting Democrat and I will not be voting Republican come the general election. I am hoping Bob Barr runs with the Libertarian Party, and he would get my support.
Posted By: Alexander Jefferson
Date: 2008-02-22 07:14:45
Tim, that is fantastic! Create an e-mail account that you can post here so I can get in touch with you.
Mark, I understand your frustration with the party. But let me ask you a few questions. When you were working for the party before, did you do so because you believed in the party itself or because you wanted to make a difference? Were you there with a group of 10 to 30 people who had the same goals as you? or by yourself or even with a few friends and family memebers who believed in the party? If you can't see the difference between now and then, nothing i can say will change your mind. But then again, I stated at the begining of my article, that this message wasn't for you. Oh and I never ever said anyone should vote for someone they didn't want to vote for. there is more work to be done then Presidential campaigns.
People who think something cannot be done, should NOT get in the way of people who are doing it.
Posted By: Walt Thiessen
Date: 2008-02-22 08:22:27
Alexander, you are basing your conclusions on false assumptions. You wrote, "Most of your effort you gave because you believed in the platform, and here come a bunch of people who are only joining to vote for one candidate, and then will leave. If you can't see how some of them may be resentful of such an idea, you have no idea how people think."
What makes you think that the local people who attend such meetings do so in droves for liberty? What makes you think that a local precinct meeting will have 20-30 people there of any kind, either for Paul or anti-Paul? In most cases, precinct meetings, including delegate selection meetings, have very few attendees. The frustrations they feel have more to do with the fact that no one wants to be their foot soldiers, many for the reasons Mark described. Rarely is there any genuine philosophical support for what Paulite brings to the table. They just want someone to do their canvassing for them for their statist candidates. That's why they get frustrated when a Paulite doesn't stick around.
As one who has experience from 30 years ago within the Democratic Party, I can assure you that the only way to change a local party is to take it over, and that's not going to happen given our numbers. Our chances are much better appealing to the broader population on an educational basis, particularly to those who have dropped out of the political system or who vote as independents. It's not as easy to involve those people as it is to work within a party, but it's what we must learn to do if the revolution is to succeed.
Posted By: Sara DiNicola
Date: 2008-02-22 10:29:15
I agree with Mark Anderson: "So not only does the movement transcend Ron Paul, it transcends the Republican Party. In fact, it goes on IN SPITE of the Republican Party."
I was forced by an unfair Illinois system, to declare I was Republican so I could vote for Ron Paul (where is THAT in the Constitution?)....Now you think it's my duty to help out a bunch of idiots elect McCain, just so I won't be resented by the Elitists who makes these rules?....HEY, I resent them!!!!!....Both parties are controlled, or might as well be controlled, by people who want to take my liberties away....I refuse to give either one of them my allegiance.....Maybe you'll say I'm to blame for letting them trash the Constitution (of course, I wasn't around in 1913 to stop them), but at least it's something I never did to someone else....We are like children compared to the bullies that run our country (and world)....They are very organized and freely use FORCE.....We're not so organized and we don't use force.....It's a Mafia Mentality and you want us to worry about them resenting us?
Walt Thiessen:"The frustrations they feel have more to do with the fact that no one wants to be their foot soldiers, many for the reasons Mark described. Rarely is there any genuine philosophical support for what Paulite brings to the table. They just want someone to do their canvassing for them for their statist candidates."
That is very much what I feel as well. I just witnessed the wholesale rejection of the message put forth by Rep. Paul by the party, and I have no illusions that things will change if I work to help the very people that ridiculed, suppressed, distorted, and figuratively spit in our faces instead of meeting us with mutual respect on the field of rational debate. I now realize that he remainder of the party is in fact my ideological enemy just the same as any of the other statists from the Democratic party are. The only way I'll support the party with my time and money is if I can find some common ground on the essential issues. That seems to mean a take-over of the party, and as Walt said we don't have the numbers.
One day, as the consequences of current policies are fully felt by the mainstream voter, we will have chances to find more people interested in hearing this message. Until then I'm afraid all we can do is keep trying to keep that message in front of the people.
For those that choose to become career Republican politicians, I wish you success. But I have a question for you... if you are a registered Republican then who are you going to vote for in November?
If Ron Paul is not on the ballot in November then it seems logical that the entire Movement should vote third party. Is that not logical? What am I missing here? Would someone please answer me this?
Most Paul supporters were independents - they were not Republicans. So now the push is to get all of them in the Republican party when otherwise they might have naturally gravitated to the LP or CP, or at least have remained independent libertarians (lower-case L), as I consider myself. Will Ron Paul be the death of the LP? This could have been the year a third party doubled in size or more! But instead of that, all those independents are being told to join the Republican party.
I resent the fact that, as this article implies, many of my fellow Paul supporters think I am no longer in the game or have lost hope or no longer support Ron Paul or the Movement in general, just because I choose not to work from within the Republican party.
Posted By: patrick henry
Date: 2008-02-22 12:13:35
The REPUBLICan party left us once they ignored the word REPUBLIC. The REPUBLICan party abandonned the REPUBLIC, so we should abandon the party. No one in the REPUBLICan party represents my views on LIBERTY but Dr. Paul. We need a 3rd party run, lets get organized and get him on the ballot. We put him on then he doesnt have to give up his Republican seat in the Congress.
I wholeheartedly disagree with saving the party, lets save the REPUBLIC.
LIBERTY or DEATH
Posted By: Alexander Jefferson
Date: 2008-02-22 13:04:05
Ok for all the anti Republican folks out there:
In November, I will cast my Vote for Dr. Paul if he is on the ballot, I will write his name in if I have the ability to do so. I will not support McCain with money or time. I will find a local candidate running for office that I can get behind, and I will continue to work for the Republican Party by supporting this candidate or candidates.
I know it is a nice dream to be able to capture the White House and be able to more quickly undo the damage to our Constitution and our Liberties. Even though I knew the odds were against it, I gave time and money to the Paul campaign. I am working as hard as I can to become a National Delegate so that "if" the opportunity arises I can be there to support Dr. Paul at the convention. It is through this effort that I came to understand that, at the local level, these folks are just like me beyond who we support for President. I wrote my article for people who were open to the idea of working within the Republican party. I know there is a lot of anti Republican feelings, especially with other Nolanchart writers. This is why I began the article by stating who I was addressing and who I was NOT addressing. The truth is, as long as we are all doing the things we feel are important for our cause, I think this is a good thing. If I thought that a 3rd party was a viable way to make a difference, I would put all of my energies into that. As it stands now, I feel the best way for me to contribute is to help people whose ideals are close to mine get elected, and that is much easier as a Republican then it would be for a 3rd party or independent. I go into all of this with the understanding that it will not be easy, I expect that I will have to maintain a high level of commitment for what may be minimal results. That is the true cost of Liberty, and until something else comes along that I feel will be more effective, this is my path, and I will try and influence as many people as possible to walk that road with me. I want to thank each of you in advance for excepting the thought that there may be ideas that differ from your own, and would hope that you find enough restraint to not actively work against those things beyond simply working to find acceptance for your goals.
Write-ins for Ron Paul will not be counted if he does not file as a write-in candidate, but in some States a candidate losing the primary cannot file as a write-in. In some States write-ins are not allowed for the office of President.
I will never lift a finger to help the republican party. or the democrats for that matter. neither follows their platform. both say they will do one thing and then do another. i feel completely duped by the paul movement. i don't want to be a pawn used to prop up the dying republican party. they don't stand for anything i believe in. paul could best use the nearly 10% nationwide support he has garnered in the primaries to help the Libertarians grow their numbers. His political POV fits in best there. you won't have to be converting anyone. A POX ON THE REPUBLICRATS!!
First of all we need to look at the big picture! Its them the (ELITIS) against US,= ALL! people that want to preserve OUR Constitution=Freedoms. no matter repub,dem,etc once they Wakeup! to the fact, that there freedoms are being taken away, OUR numbers will grow! it will take time and a lot of hard work, I"m not going to give up! dont you realize that EVERYDAY!!! New people are finding out the truth, just like My husband and I did. Its not to late! we still have a chance to get people into the Gov. that have our LOVE of Freedom. We must first (check out there backgrounds) people they are known to be accociated with, committes they are on, think tanks, there memberships into any and all groups ETC. This will help to weed out the elites that have infulltrated (ALL) partys, they have had this plan for a longggg time. WE The People=Freedom Lovers, need to put OUR love of freedom first, NO MATTER if your rep,dem,etc. As a group we can move mountians!!! Try to stay positive, tell everyone you know. Freedom lovers Will grow in numbers everyday. I have no dought!!! God Bless Dr. Paul He opened my eyes to whats really going on in our Gov. and in our country. Thank you P.S. I'm a Grand mother of 9 and i'm doing this for there future!!!!!
Thanks Alexander. Too often, local Repub. leadership is headed only by those who are retired or business owners who have time and connections. Other voices are not heard.
A few years ago I asked my city councilman about the local election process. My family wanted to figure out how to find and support pro-gun candidates. He suggested attending the local central committee. It was tough finding them. Once there, I discovered three men who talked philosophically about unrelated issues and never really answered my question about their role. The committee had two open positions because not enough people had run, and suggested that I join them. I was voted in that night. Soon after, I attended a county central committee meeting, which was much the same experience but on a larger scale. I went by myself, introduced myself to others, tried to engage in conversation and asked many people about the role and goals of our central committee. I never did get a useful answer. So I spent my efforts discussing gun issues in the local group and was able to open the minds of these three
Thanks Alexander. Too often, local Repub. leadership is headed only by those who are retired or business owners who have time and connections. Other voices are not heard.
A few years ago I asked my city councilman about the local election process. My family wanted to figure out how to find and support pro-gun candidates. He suggested attending the local central committee. It was tough finding them. Once there, I discovered three men who talked philosophically about unrelated issues and never really answered my question about their role. The committee had two open positions because not enough people had run, and suggested that I join them. I was voted in that night. Soon after, I attended a county central committee meeting, which was much the same experience but on a larger scale. I went by myself, introduced myself to others, tried to engage in conversation and asked many people about the role and goals of our central committee. I never did get a useful answer. So I spent my efforts discussing gun issues in the local group and was able to open the minds of these three leaders.
Several pro-gun buddies aggreed to attend local meetings with me. One was voted into the other open position; the other succeeded me on the committee when I moved out of the district. My pro-gun group now has a voice in the local system that previously had supported anti-gun Republicans, who of course always lost to the anti-gun Democrats in a split district. And, as you predicted, our interest and attendance was greatly appreciated.
Involvement of a larger Ron Paul group can invigorate existing local groups, especially if they stay focused and connected with other Paulies. Local party officials have been the placekeepers in the Republican framework, but are often without a plan or direction. I think many of them would gladly give up the reins to younger people whom they trusted.
The Revolution is Revolving, Going down to Nicaragua for a month to check out some prime secret squrille fishing property, he he he , Hold the fort, I will be on my portable, information portal, I found that you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink, I feel like they are going to run Dole against Clinton again, it is sad They refuse to see the truth in Dr. Paul's words, and personal character , in my book this makes him the only man that would ever get my vote, Cellar hell, 20'panga, blue skies and smiles. Ron Paul 08
Posted By: Christian Prophet
Date: 2008-02-22 19:43:48
I believe in miracles, so I don't believe it is TOTALLY impossible for the LP or CP or some other third party to become huge and become one of two major parties. But I wouldn't bet a nickle on it.
Socialists have taken over the Democratic Party by working within the party and by dogged persistance. The Democratic Party has to be stopped and will only be stopped by a major party.
I see no reason why liberty lovers cannot take over the Republican Party if they would just stay focused and quit looking elsewhere for salvation.
But candidates cannot be angry, fearful, or guilty and expect to win. So I very strongly recommend Course in Political Miracles [ http://libertydiscourses.blogspot.com/2007/12/course-in-political-miracles.html ] as preparation for candidacy or activism.
Barack Obama is a total Marxist, but he has smartly developed an image that is not only acceptable but APPEALING. Liberty lovers have to learn how to personally turn people on, not turn people off.
RP says withoutn financial freedom there is no freedom. Reagan lost then won. Hang onto your gold, stick together, and let's let RP lead. His dancing is good and when you consider the forces against liberty he has done a damn fine job. If RP quits leading then we need to find a new leader, for my money I'm still listening to RP.
"...get to know these people, trust me, they are happy to have new people around."
Sorry, untrue. The Republican establishment has treated Ron Paul and his supporters with total disdain and disrespect. If it had been otherwise, if the Republican establishment had shown appreciation and honor to Dr. Paul, there would be no exodus from the party after this election. But, alas, they have stabbed this great statesman in the back, although he and his message are solely responsible for the sudden growth of the party. They never supported Dr. Paul and, instead, threw as many rocks in his road as possible. Why should Ron Paul supporters be supportive of them for their despicable behavior? They should not.
Ron Paul has started a rEVOLution. The old guys resent this. They can just sit on that resentment as we move forward toward a new tomorrow (& a new political party? Possibly).
Your old road is Rapidly agin'. Please get out of the new one If you can't lend your hand For the times they are a-changin'. BobDylan
Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: 2008-03-06 07:58:10
Thanks Alexander for this plug for participation. People who do not or cannot participate in the big leagues by becoming active in their local GOP really don't matter in the long run. They can come up with all kinds of reasons to remain as ineffective as possible; playing with their friends and preaching to the choir in third parties or social clubs designed to allow them to thrive on their own emotions.
All useless activities. No amount of noise from detractors should effect the behavior of those who are determined to influence their local government. We have the momentum. The party is ready to turn away from the neocons. We see it at GOP breakfasts and other events on a daily basis. A lot of Republicans are ashamed of the way their fear has shaped the party.
Our efforts within the party are undeniable and all the combined efforts of third parties are unnoticable. It doesn't take a genius to see what works and what doesn't. All it takes is aligning the consequences of behavior with progress towards stated goals. There is not progress possible from outside the party. Anyone who will tell you different is living an illusion of their own preference rather than facing reality.
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