The best way I know to convert Democrats

[katao]

May I suggest the single best resource I've found in helping Democrats to support Ron Paul. I've given it to family members and it has changed their world view entirely.

'Healing Our World' by Mary Ruwart.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Our-World-Age-Aggression/dp/0963233661
Free Online: http://www.ruwart.com/Healing/rutoc.html

One caveat - the book does have a bit of a spiritual tone(not religious, kinda new age), but even if they are atheist or dislike organized religion (I fall into the latter category) the bulk of the message is entirely relevant and effective.

The book is incredible at helping sincere democrats (I think most are) see that the answer to their legitimate concerns (environment, the poor, etc.) is not more government but less government.

If they are a close family member or friend, I'd recommend buying a copy and giving to them as a gift (so that they feel obligated to read it). Don't forget to mention that if they like the principles in the book, they will LOVE Ron Paul, and please donate to his campaign and register Republican so they can vote for him in the Primaries (they can switch their party back to Democratic for the general election).

[jm1776]

Thank you for posting this! Just what the doctor ordered for my neck of the woods! (progressive artist community)

- jim

[justaguy]

The problem with converting Dems (at least the smarter ones), even if it's only to vote in the primaries, is that they actually want a pro-war R to run....These smart ones know it would be an easy win, but obviously only so they can push their nanny state ideals onto all of us. Principle has nothing to do with it...to bad too.

-Chris

[JosephTheLibertarian]

How to convert them? Well, by stop saying things like "old right" and "the only REAL republican" you can't say these things to democrats, leave this rhetoric for the GOP voters :p Concentrate on his social views, also, talk about his beliefs on limiting the size of government, and how he is the biggest anti-war candidate on both sides. If they bring up abortion, just say "he believes in state's rights" if you come across GOP voters, say he's pro-life.. choose your words wisely. Don't say he wants to legalize drugs to ANY OLDER PEOPLE! Unless, they're hippish, test the waters first, say he believes that "government should not regulate our personal lives"

My family are all democrats

[nexalacer]

The problem with converting Dems (at least the smarter ones), even if it's only to vote in the primaries, is that they actually want a pro-war R to run....These smart ones know it would be an easy win, but obviously only so they can push their nanny state ideals onto all of us. Principle has nothing to do with it...to bad too.

-Chris

I think the purpose of the OP was how to cure them of the nanny state ideals.

[davidhperry]

Is there as faster way than giving them a book?

[Kregener]

This is the best way I know of:

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s167/Kregener/2nd%20Amendment/Leftisthandgun.jpg

The gift that gives only once, but gives the most.

[nexalacer]

Is there as faster way than giving them a book?

No, breaking people from life-long indoctrination is not do-able in a sound bite.

[jjockers]

Thanks so much for posting this - really an excellent book that hits home on many topics for my fiancee and I. We actually finagled a way of making a post about this on our health/recipes blog :P

Thanks!

[Bloody Holly]

How to convert them? Well, by stop saying things like "old right" and "the only REAL republican" you can't say these things to democrats, leave this rhetoric for the GOP voters :p Concentrate on his social views, also, talk about his beliefs on limiting the size of government, and how he is the biggest anti-war candidate on both sides. If they bring up abortion, just say "he believes in state's rights" if you come across GOP voters, say he's pro-life.. choose your words wisely. Don't say he wants to legalize drugs to ANY OLDER PEOPLE! Unless, they're hippish, test the waters first, say he believes that "government should not regulate our personal lives"

My family are all democrats

Wow, you deserve a medal. No sarcasm intended, I just like your post :)

[tangent4ronpaul]

It looks like an excellent book!

However, at $25 a pop and 454 pgs, it is simply unfordable as a campaign tool (except perhaps for a friend of family member) and it's so long that most people will never read it.

Now if we could come up with a readers digest or cliffs notes version... say 4-8 pages, that would be both affordable to reproduce / hand out and short enough that people would actually read it. Maybe have the first 2-3 para's of each chapter and refer to the web page or book for more - if they are really interested.

It would also allow us to add a bit saying why Ron Paul's platform accomplishes the goals desired.

-n

[JosephTheLibertarian]

Wow, you deserve a medal. No sarcasm intended, I just like your post :)

a medal? thanks :cool: I just know what most dems like. They will also like that he will cut taxes, but don't tell them something like "he will eliminate welfare" most democrats don't like to hear these things.

[katao]

It looks like an excellent book!

However, at $25 a pop and 454 pgs, it is simply unfordable as a campaign tool (except perhaps for a friend of family member) and it's so long that most people will never read it.

Now if we could come up with a readers digest or cliffs notes version... say 4-8 pages, that would be both affordable to reproduce / hand out and short enough that people would actually read it. Maybe have the first 2-3 para's of each chapter and refer to the web page or book for more - if they are really interested.

It would also allow us to add a bit saying why Ron Paul's platform accomplishes the goals desired.

-n

My original thought was for close family and friends - in that case the book truly is an investment.

BTW, there is a FREE version online: http://www.ruwart.com/Healing/rutoc.html

[dc74rp]

I just started reading a book tonight that might be helpful called:

"Retained by the People: the Silent Ninth Amendment and the Constitutional Rights Americans Don't Know They Have"

by Daniel A. Farber.

http://www.amazon.com/Retained-People-Amendment-Constitutional-Americans/dp/0465022987

I'm only in the third chapter, but I'v already found more than a couple things which I disagree with in it. But it does introduce the concept of Natural Rights in a way that would appeal to modern progressive "liberals".

It seems to be biased towards making progressive "liberals" being the good guys and "conservatives" the bad guys. Which is fine, except to me, it also seems to be trying to twist the Constitution and it's intent to fit the authors values.

Again, I'm only in the third chapter, so I can't give it a fair review. But if it provides "liberals" with the concept of Natural Rights as an alternative to more Socialist views, then that can't be too bad a thing. I'd hope eventually some progressives that read it will learn about Natural Rights and become more tolerant towards people who believe in those values.

[eydaimon]

that's a lot of reading for someone to do to get converted :/

thanks though

[RonPaulIsGood]

More books are http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul311.html

[koob]

The best way I can think of is convince them that if obama or hillary gets the democratic nomination that it will be a good choice, and that do they want to see a horrible republican run? just getting them to vote republican in the primaries is a good step. i live in michigan, so there's an open primary. democrats--who let's face it think they are nicer and less greedy than republicans--should be willing to want a good candidate on both sides of the race.

[DaronWestbrooke]

No offense to anyone on this thread, but quit being assholes to Democrats. I've tried to help on other threads show how Paul's positions can be appealing to both sides and how to talk to dems about Paul only to be slammed as a troll.

I am a Democrat and found I can support Paul because he seems to take a moderate, reasonable stand on many things that is about freedom first. This works.

[Tina]

The problem for me anyway, was I viewed all republicans as neocons. Once I listened to Dr. Paul I realized that not all republicans were like the jokers in the administration. I thought they were all Hannity babies and Rush babies.

I was always in favor of smaller government that's a no brainier as far as I'm concerned.

[RonPaulIsGood]

Obama and Hillary are BOTH Democrats AND anti war (ron paul anti war but not Democrat). Democrats are nice and are logical. Republicans are selfish, ignorant and racist. I will NEVER vote for a Republican.

It's sad that Ron Paul would propose a tax cut on the already mega-rich greedy corporations. Ron Paul is a corporatist. He doesn't care about the poor. He wants to abolish the essential consumer protection, healthcare programs and the essential minimum wage. He wants to get rid of public education, so I'm sure that people would not afford private education and they will teach them racist crap and useless crap. I want to tax the wealthy corporations until they are poor so they would be more competitive to raising money and innovate more. I want to tax the wealthy corporations so they would not be as powerful. I want to propose a 90% income tax on the greedy corporations. I want the government to kill these high gas prices by taxing the gas companies.

[VoteRonPaul2008]

Obama and Hillary are BOTH Democrats AND anti war (ron paul anti war but not Democrat). Democrats are nice and are logical. Republicans are selfish, ignorant and racist. I will NEVER vote for a Republican.

It's sad that Ron Paul would propose a tax cut on the already mega-rich greedy corporations. Ron Paul is a corporatist. He doesn't care about the poor. He wants to abolish the essential consumer protection, healthcare programs and the essential minimum wage. He wants to get rid of public education, so I'm sure that people would not afford private education and they will teach them racist crap and useless crap. I want to tax the wealthy corporations until they are poor so they would be more competitive to raising money and innovate more. I want to tax the wealthy corporations so they would not be as powerful. I want to propose a 90% income tax on the greedy corporations. I want the government to kill these high gas prices by taxing the gas companies.


Obama and Hillary are not anti-war, both of them could not promise getting the troops out even by 2013.. Hillary voted on Bush's Iran resolution... which labels the country a threat so we could take military action.. Barack stated he would invade Pakistan without the consent of the government... and also considered going to war with Iran..

[RonPaulIsGood]

Economically ignorant Democrats hate tax cuts on corporations. They hate why Bush give tax cuts to corporations, while not cutting taxes on people.

Proof that "corporations don't pay taxes, people do":
There is a 35% income tax on corporations.
So 35% of the money you buy services and products from corporations they use it to pay their taxes.
Products will be 35% cheaper if there is no corporative tax.
So there is a 53.8% hidden sales tax or "embedded tax"
If you pay a 10% income tax, then 45% of your labor is taxed. That does not include payroll and State taxes on corporations and you.

Ron Paul once said that 50% of your labor is being taxed. But the government only taxes 20% of the GDP. Why? "corporations don't pay taxes, people do"

[RonPaulIsGood]

He didn't even read about libertarian economics and starts bashing libertarian economics.

[eydaimon]

He didn't even read about libertarian economics and starts bashing libertarian economics.



I used to believe that government regulation is effective in protecting workers. But once I read more about the Austrian School of Economics, I learned that government regulation does not prevent but CREATE exploitation of workers, benefits big businesses, hurts small businesses, and undermines innovation. Read more about libertarian economics. Don't just ignore it and think of it as an unrelated topics in politics. You have to be holistic and open-minded, unlike the close-minded bureaucrats who are just interested in making money and gaining fame.

I am discussing economic libertarianism, I am preferring ECONOMIC deregulation, not personal or social law deregulation.

I and other libertarians believe in personal and social law regulation to preserve peace, but economic regulation creates inequality.


Do you have a recommended reading list for this? I've been trying to find some books on it.

[Shatterhand]

I'll look into the book. Thanks.

[nexalacer]

He didn't even read about libertarian economics and starts bashing libertarian economics.



I used to believe that government regulation is effective in protecting workers. But once I read more about the Austrian School of Economics, I learned that government regulation does not prevent but CREATE exploitation of workers, benefits big businesses, hurts small businesses, and undermines innovation. Read more about libertarian economics. Don't just ignore it and think of it as an unrelated topics in politics. You have to be holistic and open-minded, unlike the close-minded bureaucrats who are just interested in making money and gaining fame.

I am discussing economic libertarianism, I am preferring ECONOMIC deregulation, not personal or social law deregulation.

I and other libertarians believe in personal and social law regulation to preserve peace, but economic regulation creates inequality.

Would you be holistic and open-minded in an approach where there was no government that provided personal and social law regulation?