dvdrink
03-04-2008, 10:56 PM
This is my first post. I joined today in order to post because I don't want to see our movement gradually dissolve like it seems to be doing based on precinct leader sign-ups and money coming into the campaign. I want us to turn it around.
I am just one opinion, but I think we need to start focusing our time, energies, creativity, and money on building the Libertarian Party into a truly viable national party.
It seems like we'll have more influence with them: they WANT us, after all. I am optimistic that we can change minds if we stay in the GOP, but I just feel like in four years from now it's not going to be Ron Paul, it's going to be Mitt Romney or Jeb Bush.
We don't seem to have the numbers to move the GOP away from statism and big government. Why not start with a national party that is already controlled by those who believe in limited government, the LP?
We've surprised alot of people with our ability to get Ron Paul's name out there in many creative ways, and Ron Paul raised alot of money because of our passionate support. It just didn't translate well into votes in GOP primaries. I fear there are too many in the GOP who will refuse to ever vote for a "Ron Paul Republican" over the war issue and the Patriot Act alone. I know we have high hopes for Sabrin and Forsyth and others, and I hope they get elected, but if Ron Paul can't get elected on Ron Paul's platform, then I'm not sure how they will be able to get elected on his platform either.
BUT, we can start building the LP into a real contender if we channel our tremendous grassroots energy into it, the same way we've done for Ron Paul this past year. There are some who feel the Liberty Caucus of the GOP is the best way to translate Meetup groups into support. This sounds good, but what if we instead used these groups in a sustained campaign between now and November to get Ron Paul's name out there as the LP nominee? "Google Ron Paul" is a very effective way for people to learn about the message of Freedom. We've built his name recognition. We should continue building it to direct people to the message of Liberty.
The LP is already on all the major state ballots and trying to get on more. Why split our votes and efforts between GOP, Constitution, and LP? Let's just pick one and go for it. I say it shouldn't be the GOP because when Ron Paul says he's not backing McCain, they'll call him a traitor in the GOP and continue to marginalize him. I don't know about you, but I am tired of being marginalized by the GOP establishment. They don't want us, so let's join forces with those who do want us.
If Ron Paul can't support the GOP nominee, then why should we continue supporting the GOP? Why don't we be honest with ourselves and start building the party that is true to its principles? To me that is the Libertarian party. No one could ever accuse them of being unprincipled. Their problem has been a lack of passion for its ideas. But this year, that has changed because of Ron Paul.
Would you ever feel ashamed to say you are a Libertarian? if the answer is no, then you probably know where your heart and your passion lie.
I am just one opinion, but I think we need to start focusing our time, energies, creativity, and money on building the Libertarian Party into a truly viable national party.
It seems like we'll have more influence with them: they WANT us, after all. I am optimistic that we can change minds if we stay in the GOP, but I just feel like in four years from now it's not going to be Ron Paul, it's going to be Mitt Romney or Jeb Bush.
We don't seem to have the numbers to move the GOP away from statism and big government. Why not start with a national party that is already controlled by those who believe in limited government, the LP?
We've surprised alot of people with our ability to get Ron Paul's name out there in many creative ways, and Ron Paul raised alot of money because of our passionate support. It just didn't translate well into votes in GOP primaries. I fear there are too many in the GOP who will refuse to ever vote for a "Ron Paul Republican" over the war issue and the Patriot Act alone. I know we have high hopes for Sabrin and Forsyth and others, and I hope they get elected, but if Ron Paul can't get elected on Ron Paul's platform, then I'm not sure how they will be able to get elected on his platform either.
BUT, we can start building the LP into a real contender if we channel our tremendous grassroots energy into it, the same way we've done for Ron Paul this past year. There are some who feel the Liberty Caucus of the GOP is the best way to translate Meetup groups into support. This sounds good, but what if we instead used these groups in a sustained campaign between now and November to get Ron Paul's name out there as the LP nominee? "Google Ron Paul" is a very effective way for people to learn about the message of Freedom. We've built his name recognition. We should continue building it to direct people to the message of Liberty.
The LP is already on all the major state ballots and trying to get on more. Why split our votes and efforts between GOP, Constitution, and LP? Let's just pick one and go for it. I say it shouldn't be the GOP because when Ron Paul says he's not backing McCain, they'll call him a traitor in the GOP and continue to marginalize him. I don't know about you, but I am tired of being marginalized by the GOP establishment. They don't want us, so let's join forces with those who do want us.
If Ron Paul can't support the GOP nominee, then why should we continue supporting the GOP? Why don't we be honest with ourselves and start building the party that is true to its principles? To me that is the Libertarian party. No one could ever accuse them of being unprincipled. Their problem has been a lack of passion for its ideas. But this year, that has changed because of Ron Paul.
Would you ever feel ashamed to say you are a Libertarian? if the answer is no, then you probably know where your heart and your passion lie.