I have seen numerous posts, articles, blogs and charcoal scratchings on sidewalks here on 'Titanic Super Titanic Tsunami Tuesday Brought to you by PepsiTostitosChaseBankVerizonTacoBell' about the Ron Paul Presidential Campaign. Some have called for a Third Party Bid, some have called for a 'stay the course' strategy, some have called for Ron Paul to shut up and go away, while some have called for abandoning the fight (Stupid Trolls!). But mostly, many are wondering "What Now?".
Here is my take on where this campaign is now, and where it MUST go forward to. John Adams once pointed out that less than 1/3 of the original 13 Colonists actively supported the Original American Revolution! The lesson of that fact is that all it takes is a well-motivated minority to effect real change. I liken Ron Paul's position right now to that of Ronald Reagan in 1976. He was labeled a 'kook', 'Dark Horse' and shunned by the Republican Party elite. We all know what happened over the next four years. Reagan criss-crossed the country, quietly laying the groundwork for the 'Reagan Revolution'. He rarely got 'national press' (when he did it was dismissive and mocking), was virtually ignored and shunned by the party elites, and was looked at as an outsider and a loser who was rejected by the party soundly in the '76 election.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the White House. Ronald Reagan used the base of supporters and his contacts gained in the '76 election to build a local, grassroots and State-Based organization. He bypassed the traditional Power-Brokers (they wanted nothing to do with him, anyway!), and took his ideas directly to the people. By the time 1980 rolled around, the lessons of 1976 had been learned, and the groundwork had been laid for the overwhelming victory in 1980.
Even as early as the spring of 1980, the National Media were wondering why this 'washed up actor' was trying again for the White House. But their mocking tone was soon muted, as the momentum that the groundwork had been laid for during the previous four years rose to be a tidal wave of grassroots support. Even today the 'Mainstream Media' discounts and belittles Ronald Reagan, but in 1980 they were forced to begrudgingly acknowledge his accomplishments, and the fact that an overwhelming majority of Americans supported him personally, as well as his 'Radical' ideas.
That, my friends (apologies to John McCain!) is the template for a Ron Paul victory in 2012. The next President, be it any of the corporate-owned stooges from either party that is elected, will undoubtedly fail to heed the warnings that Ron Paul has trumpeted loudly during this campaign, and America is (unfortunately) due for one of the roughest periods in it's history, both economically and politically- and not only domestically, but worldwide. But there is a ray of hope. Out of this coming miasma of incompetent leadership, overtaxation, corporate welfare in the guise of government altruism and profligate government spending will be lain the fertilizer for the Ron Paul Revolution to grow and flourish.
As more and more people are forced to wake up to the reality of the lies they have been fed by their government and the media, and as they see this once-great country swirling in an ever-growing cesspool of debilitating corruption, corporate greed and soft fascism encroaching on their lives, they will begin to listen to their friends, neighbors and family about the man who tried to warn everyone and stop this madness before it became too late- Ron Paul. Now, not everyone will be willing to 'take the red pill' as they say in the Matrix Movies, but that isn't necessary.
As I noted earlier, less than 1/3 of the Colonists supported the First American Revolution. Those that continue to choose to swallow the 'Blue Pill' of ignorance will themselves no longer be able to count on blissful ignorance to salve their economic and liberty-challenged wounds! Enough people will be shocked into sense by the deterioration of not only the country, but their own personal situation, and a critical mass of people will rise up to attempt to effect TRUE change, not the Corporate-Backed pseudo-change that is being peddled to them once again this year.
So I say take heed of the coming tidal change in American politics and society. These opportunities only come around once every three or four generations, and we must SEIZE THE DAY or lose our opportunity until our grandchildren are grown, if ever! NOW is the time to become active in local politics. Get to know those who run things in your town, city and state. Network with others who share your outlook and views, but also do the same with those who DO NOT share your views- because eventually you will have to work with them to achieve our goals! And, as Sun Tzu said in 'The Art Of War', "Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer!"
The last thing we need right now is a third-party run. I think Dr. Paul realizes this, and has commented repeatedly about this as the clods in the media ask him over and over again about it. The deck is stacked against anyone successfully challenging the status quo from an outside position, no matter the strength of their message or the support for their cause. No change can be effected from outside of the putative two-party system in this country. The only solution is to wrestle the dragon and conquer it ourselves. We must now take it upon ourselves to usurp the political power barons by working from the Grassroots up. We all need to plan for the long term, and prepare to take over the party. It may take time to build, but the message of Freedom and Liberty is strong, and those that truly hear it never stop believing in it!
The very best part about this strategy is, just like in 1980, they will never see this coming until it's too late!
I am a 47-year-old lifelong Republican with strong libertarian (small 'l') leanings. I have felt the party has left me over the last 8 years, as more money and big-government interest took over the leadership.
Is it HARD to be right all the time? Your big manliness turns me on. You were so right about Ron Paul weren't you? So, will it hurt? If you like what you see, I'll do whatever you tell me: http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/
by
Susan Moist (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments)
on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 11:55:12 AM
And Ron Paul is part of this rEVOLution, whose message is far more important than Dr. Paul in and of himself. I believe it would be best for Ron Paul and the rEVOLution to continue to campaign, even as a third party because we have the opportunity here to have a third party, in four years,m we may not. Long live the rEVOLution third party or bust!
by
Jeanette Doney (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 304 comments)
on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 12:32:36 PM
I agree with you. Now is not the time for a third party run for Dr. Paul. Now is the time to take his money and support, circle the wagons around the libertarian camp, build the base and wait. There will be another day for freedom my friends. Dr. Paul may not become President, but he has brought us together and the enemy's of liberty know that we are out here. Its been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step but ask your self; "Who laid the first few bricks of the path?"
by
Navyguy (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments)
on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 12:51:14 PM
The vast majority of Americans have the intelligence
To solidly reject the ideas and goals of Ron Paul. Delusional Paul supporters simply cannot accept the reality that the problem is their message and messenger both suck. The problems with US government and politcal systems are all too real, but Paul never packaged both a credible message and a PLAN to produce needed change. He has always attracted fringe nuts and fanatics and his current candidacy proves that absolutely anyone with the craziest of ideas can attract a small percent of the population that are incredibily thirsty for a savior. You can tell a lot about a candidate by the nature of their supporters, and a huge fraction of Paul's supporters are the most obnoxious and irritating people imaginable, including the many that have polluted this and so many other websites.
by
Joel S. Hirschhorn (126 articles, 30 quicklinks, 57 diaries, 505 comments)
on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 2:31:26 PM
I'm grateful to Ron Paul's campaign because it exposed just how controlled the American people have become. Mass media means mass thought-control. It was amazing to see TV, magazines and newspapers, controlled by the same Major Holders, block any messages from Ron Paul. And then they topped their arrogance by saying the election was now about "character."
So what to do now? Channel your knowledge and energy into cleaning up the politics in your community, your city, your county and your state. Get the sociopaths out early before they can rise to national level. You will either do it now, or you will be forced to do it later, simply for your own survival.
The financiers have already robbed the pensions, and are now attacking the school districts. Don't believe me? Search for "Hidden Swap Fees by JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley Hit School Boards" or "Make The Children Suffer" at GreatRedDragon.com . Enough already.
by
Edward Ulysses Cate (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 217 comments)
on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 2:47:07 PM
Ron Paul was always screwed from the beginning, that is just the way that the rigged game works...the important thing is keeping the movement for change organized and together. I have a suggestion or two which I will offer up here.
1 - Do NOT compromise - EVER, as a liberal/progressive I have found hope in the Ron Paul movement, this is a great thing and it needs to continue.
2- Do not think in terms of apathy and disillusionment, the Ron Paul movement has been the greatest thing to happen to American politics in quite some time.
3- Let's see what Ron Paul has to say in his upcoming book which is a manifesto, it could prove to be a very influential book in a historical sense.
4- The antiwar, antiglobalist left is also wandering in the wilderness due to being stabbed in the back by the whores that control the system. I would strongly suggest making common cause now, differences can be dealt with later on.
5- Keep on pouring it on, it is amazing that with the entire corporatist establishment and the pocket media kingmakers that Ron Paul has gotten any attention at all. There is a desire for the truth out there among those who understand that something has gone terribly wrong and that the political system has failed.
6- Do not waste your vote on an establishment candidate EVER. Both McCain and Clinton are the two choices for a reason, it's Coke and Pepsi and there will never be any real change from our destructive and immoral empire until the bogus left-right, two-party paradigm is discredited once and for all.
Finally, keep fighting the good fight and concentrate on building alliances with progressives and others who have been pushed to the margins by the gatekeepers of the rigged game.
And finally, keep on supporting Op Ed News, Rob has really been cutting edge and this is going to only be a more influential forum in the future, we should treasure our freedom of speech here.
EE
by
Ed Encho (7 articles, 15 quicklinks, 56 diaries, 391 comments)
on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 6:52:25 PM
This is just one of probably 100s of videos showing proof that there are things going on in this election that are not just unethical but could be illegal as well.
ONLY A Doctor WILL HEAL Our Country,
Freedom4America Group
by
Freedom4America Group (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 50 comments)
on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 9:46:23 PM
I agree that Ron Paul is no Ronald Reagan, nor would I want him to be. Ronald Reagan started out as an idealist with an eye on changing Washington Culture. Along the way, his administration became infiltrated with big-money politicians and Washington insiders, who paved the path for the Bush/Clinton/Bush corporatist Presidencies.
What I am advocating is the Reagan ELECTION strategy! Building a base and expanding on it. While a third-party bid may sound appealing, when you look at it in-depth, the grassroots support has not yet reached the critical mass to make it effective. It would be like a frontal assault on the titanic Military/Industrial/Pharmaceutical/Media Machine and (while providing some satisfaction in the 'at least we tried' sense), it would have little or no lasting impact.
What I feel is needed is an 'insurgency'-type campaign to take over the levers of power in the party. This CAN be done, but requires the laying of groundwork over a period of at least one election cycle. Putting in place like-minded individuals in low-to-mid level party spots paves the way for the party control to be gradually turned over to the TRUE Jefferson Liberal/ Goldwater Convservatives who have been virtually ousted from the party.
xtrabiggg
++++++++++++++++++++
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Thaddeus Kaczor Jr (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 32 comments)
on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 5:44:55 PM
"John Adams once pointed out that less than 1/3 of the original 13 Colonists actively supported the Original American Revolution!"
Well actually, no. What he said was that 1/3 of americans supported the FRENCH revolution, 1/3 opposed it and another third were still thinking about it. He was quoted out of context to make it appear that the american revolution had less support than it did. In fact there was virtually no support for the British in America, as proved by the almost complete lack of tory (i.e. anti-revolutionary) troops to enlist.
by
Michael Price (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 33 comments)
on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 6:16:35 PM
10 comments
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