the Liberty Tipping point, 13%

[thomaspaine23]

I was reading an article the other day which was talking about the adoption of
ideas. It stated that once an idea is popular with 13% of a given population it
is only a matter of time until it becomes accepted by roughly 83%

Ron's campaign is at the right moment in time to accomplish this. Regardless of
gaining the nomination and the presidency, the campaign will push the idea of
liberty (and constitutional government) to the forefront IMO.

[RTsquared]

Any chance you can provide a link to that article?

My dad has said that he would vote for RP "if he had a chance of winning" - instead he is a FredHead. This is the type of info I'd love to be able to give to him.

[kylejack]

We don't even need a majority. With 4 war candidates splitting 70%, we can still win with 30%.

[Jordan]

We don't even need a majority. With 4 war candidates splitting 70%, we can still win with 30%.

Bingo.

[thomaspaine23]

It's in CIO decisions magazine. An article about the gender gap.
by Thorton May

http://searchcio.techtarget.com/magItem/0,291266,sid19_gci1249278,00.html


"Critical mass is not just a turn of a phrase here. It refers to the idea -- first discovered in physics -- that environments become self-sustaining after they reach a certain threshold. Malcolm Gladwell popularized this concept in his book The Tipping Point. Social science data indicates that once 13% of a population accepts a new idea, it's only a matter of time before at least 84% accept the idea. "

[fj45lvr]

I think that 13% thing is pure B.S.

If it were true then we'd have 83% socialists around. That is not the case thank god....at least for the moment.

[Taco John]

Any chance you can provide a link to that article?

My dad has said that he would vote for RP "if he had a chance of winning" - instead he is a FredHead. This is the type of info I'd love to be able to give to him.



Fred Thompson's campaign is so shallow that I don't think you have anything to worry about. Especially once he starts debating. He's going to do nothing but lose support from here on out.

[thomaspaine23]

I think that 13% thing is pure B.S.

If it were true then we'd have 83% socialists around. That is not the case thank god....at least for the moment.

Well, in case you didn't notice both Mitt and Hillary (and alot of people in between) are pushing for universal healthcare....


I'm of the opinion that it is roughly true as a over simplification. The 13% figure may be right, but you need a confluence of events which make the message favorable, AND a small core of passionate people who believe the message enough to talk to others about it. This is what we have IMO:

We have had Iraq (Big government war)
Katrina-Fema (Big government debacle)
Real-ID
Patriot Act
Major increase in Debt
Mortgage Bubble foreclosures

In short alot of discontent with intrusive big government programs. Now alot of people will not agree with Paul on everything, but enough has happened over the past 7 years that people are beginning to question their core assumptions. If you think about it ~13 percent means at least one person you know of has this new idea. I think the herd mentality comes into play:
1 in 100 - you're crazy
1 in 10 - huh i hadn't thought about that
1 in 5 - that might be worth considering
etc...

[MsDoodahs]

Interesting idea, thanks for the link especially!

:)

[briatx]

It depends on which 13% you're talking about.

If the 13% controls the media, the government and the corporations, then I think you're right. Actually, you probably only need 2 out of 3 of those, and way less than 13%.

[BarryDonegan]

huckabee may leave soon. i think this will be really good for Dr. Paul. the more christian options are taken off the table, the more christians are going to have to support Dr. Paul.

the abortion issue itself brings a lot of democrats over to the republican party. certain people just cannot vote for someone who has any shadiness in that issue. the less pro life candidates there are on the floor, the more will turn to dr. paul.

[Danny]

the more christian options are taken off the table, the more christians are going to have to support Dr. Paul.

I don't think we'll do well with the evangelical crowd because of the "end the drug war" thing.

[ValidusCustodiae]

If we're relying on evangelicals, then we really are screwed. If Ron Paul is given time to explain the problems with drug policy in America, he might get some of them to understand. But that is very wishful thinking, for sure. Ultimately, though, if they are given a choice between Paul, Romney, and Giuliani, who are they going to pick? Are they going to pick pro-abortion flip floppers? Doubtful. Even if it means legalizing drugs.

Although, I could be wrong, and if they DO endorse pro-abortion flip floppers just to keep the war going in Iraq and here in the USA they should be exposed.

Incidentally, speaking of the war on drugs, did you hear that Blackwater is now getting contracts to conduct drug raids worldwide?

One of the planks of a police state is a paramilitary organization (mercenaries for hire) who do not have to answer to the people.

[johngr]

We don't even need a majority. With 4 war candidates splitting 70%, we can still win with 30%.

The problem with a plurality is that the two runners-up can cut a back-room deal and throw all the votes to the one less likely to defeat Hillary.

[torchbearer]

I don't think we'll do well with the evangelical crowd because of the "end the drug war" thing.

yeh, wouldn't expect a Christian to be kind and tolerant of others who are in spiritual need... the current Christian solution to the drug problem... don't deal with them, just lock them up so I don't have to actually witness to anyone. What ever happened to love thy neighbor, prince of peace...etc. I don't get these Christian groups that are motivated by hate and fear of others that are different. Drug users. homosexuals. Wouldn't Jesus be the first one to approach these people with compassion? - sorry for th rant... but the hypocrisy really irks me.

[Original_Intent]

Actually, the number I have heard my entire life is that 3% of the population, firmly committed to an ideal, can determine the direction of the entire society.

[ConstitutionGal]

We don't even need a majority. With 4 war candidates splitting 70%, we can still win with 30%.
Absolutely!!! The more pro-war candidates are in this race, the more anti-war folks will have no were to look other than at the good doctor!!

[hornet]

with the current phone polls problem of being unscientific coupled with the money being donated to our campaign and the enthusiastic responses at live events such as straw polls, speeches, debates etc. i would go so far as to say we are already beyond 13%......