Gutcheck - is the R(evol)ution succeeding or failing?

[georgiaboy]

So we are about 3 or so years into the so-named "Ron Paul R(evol)ution".

Overall, whaddaya think?

[Stary Hickory]

better than it was 3 years ago, biggest threat is letting the GOP establishement usher in a new wave of complacency again. I don't think that is possible considering the stateof the economy and the future problems that must occur.

[klamath]

So we are about 3 or so years into the so-named "Ron Paul R(evol)ution".

Overall, whaddaya think?

I would say it is moving forward. We have some pretty darned strong candidates near victory, something that was unheard of two years ago. Just take BJ Lawson. 2 years ago he was going nowhere but now he is showing real competitiveness in a district that I thought would never go republican.

[RonPaulFanInGA]

I need a year to see how Ron Paul is doing.

I hope he catches on (for real) this time.

[MozoVote]

Rand Paul and Justin Amash are about to get elected. We didn't elect anyone new in 2008 or 2009.

[Wesker1982]

Successes of the rEVOLution imo:

1. Stossel has a show on TV
2. Judge Napolitano has a show on TV
3. People know who Ron Paul is
4. A lot more people are reading Mises and Rothbard, etc.
5. The Federal Reserve is getting more attention

those are just a few :D

[Sola_Fide]

http://rlv.zcache.com/ron_paul_was_right_bumper_sticker-p128910340379124832trl0_400.jpg

[JamesButabi]

The revolution still exists. Most presidential campaign slogans and movements die out completely once its over. While the activity numbers have dwindled during the "off season", our inspired base has grown exponentially since.

[Thomas]

Dr. Lawson needs money. http://www.lawsonforcongress.com/

[JoshLowry]

I think it's been wildly successful.

The entire landscape has changed.

[JK/SEA]

http://rlv.zcache.com/ron_paul_was_right_bumper_sticker-p128910340379124832trl0_400.jpg

i have that sticker on the back of my truck canopy.

[Fr3shjive]

No doubt that we're succeeding and when/if RP runs for president there is no way they'll be able to ignore us this time around. We're just getting started.

[Daamien]

Succeeding, albeit not as much and as fast as needed.

[wormyguy]

Short-term: Succeeding.
Long-term: Inevitably failing.

[Fr3shjive]

Short-term: Succeeding.
Long-term: Inevitably failing.

Dont be such a debbie downer. I still have faith that we'll change America. The ideas that RP promotes are common sense. Its inevitable that rationally thinking people will join us.

Its just a matter of finally getting through to them.

[wormyguy]

Look at history. Is there a single "progressive" idea that did not eventually come to fruition? How many were permanently reversed?

[TheTyke]

Look at history. Is there a single "progressive" idea that did not eventually come to fruition? How many were permanently reversed?

So their ideas are inherently superior to ours? Or, do we just have to use the same tactics, and accomplish our goals a little at a time, as they did?

[Stary Hickory]

Look at history. Is there a single "progressive" idea that did not eventually come to fruition? How many were permanently reversed?

History has been an example of overthrowing Tyranny. The Age of Enlightenment was a great time it ushered in unheard of propserity and freedom for all those who embraced it(mostly the West). Marxism and Socialism are regressive throwbacks to other tyrannical times but it does not mean that the ultimate direction of civilizations is not greater freedom and personal liberty.

Marxism and Socialism has been discredited repeatedly. The only way this system survives today in any form is by renaming it and using semantics to get around calling it what it is. But even these new names and titles for the one old tired trick of robbing a man cannot hide the fact that this type of thinking always fails and is immoral.

There is no point in being a defeatist, it's up to us to make sure that there is another age of enlightenment....a bigger far reaching one.

[BuddyRey]

The Bolshevik Revolution and its Fabian offshoot took nearly a full century to submerge the entire Western world into unquestioned obedience to tyrannical despots. But look how much we've done to further the libertarian perspective in today's political discourse! We're winning, slowly and painfully by a game of inches, but we're winning none-the-less.

[aclove]

Look at history. Is there a single "progressive" idea that did not eventually come to fruition? How many were permanently reversed?

Tyrannical tendencies have never and will never be "permenantly reversed." It is the obligation of each generation to fight the battle against them, because human beings are flawed and some will always strive to dominate one another. To simply say, "Oh, we can never win because tyrants will always crop up again eventually" is, frankly, pussing out.

We can fight them and defeat them with each generation, and it's our obligation to our children to do so.

[Deborah K]

Three years ago you rarely ever heard anyone in the media or the gov't mentioning the Constitution. Now you hear it almost daily.

[Deborah K]

Dont be such a debbie downer. I still have faith that we'll change America. The ideas that RP promotes are common sense. Its inevitable that rationally thinking people will join us.

Its just a matter of finally getting through to them.

Please!! Can we change the name to Doris or something? :D

[pacelli]

The 08 campaign, FOR THE RP GRASSROOTS, was a pilot program. There are aspects that were effective in getting people to vote for Ron, and aspects that were not effective in getting people to vote for Ron.

For 2011/12, we will learn from our pilot program. The same mistakes will not be made by the RP grassroots.

Hopefully, RP & his campaign will employ the same principle in their affairs.

[xd9fan]

The major litmus test of the tea party is foreign entanglements.....here it is palin vs paul.

If the tea party still loves foreign entanglements and wraps it up in "for your protection"......then the tea party is a dead man walking.

The next civil war (if we have one) will be over either the budget (states break away to save themselves) or the borders (again states break away to save themselves).....or both.

[Anti Federalist]

I think it's been wildly successful.

The entire landscape has changed.

I don't know that I'd say "wildly", but success has been achieved on a number of fronts.

The landscape certainly has been changed.

[Michigan11]

My own personal opinion, is that this movement is the very reason people in this country have either woken up or have gotten off their asses and decided to take some form of action, either donating, conversing with others, educating, and just waving signs, the list really is endless.

Rand Paul and Justin Amash are on verge of victory, and if we get Lawson in and Glen Bradley, it's epic! 2012, with a bit of luck will be Ron Paul, and many times more representatives added into congress! Think about that.

I would say this movement is the foundation from which we will take our government back. It's small steps, yet it feels like every step back, there are 2 steps going forward. This movement is kicking ass..

[phill4paul]

The landscape certainly has been changed.

Even with a few knolls, swales and divots the government continues to mow the lawn unimpeded.:D

[Epic]

The main event is still upcoming.

But winning CPAC 2010 shows we are winning.

[phill4paul]

I would say this movement is the foundation from which we will take our government back. It's small steps, yet it feels like every step back, there are 2 steps going forward. This movement is kicking ass..

I may be being myopic but this R(evol)ution is what has inspired me. Inspired those that I have interacted with. Many things coalesced when Ron Paul ran for myself and by extension those that I know.

Was it Ron? Or was it just the state of the nation?

Doesn't matter. Even though everyday I am assaulted by what those that wield their own power instead of honoring the power we give them on a personal level it is successful.

[torchbearer]

If you've been doing this for 15 years, you'd say we've made huge progress since Ron ran for president. before then, just a few lone nuts roaming around as the remnant waiting for others to wake up.

[Michigan11]

I may be being myopic but this R(evol)ution is what has inspired me. Inspired those that I have interacted with. Many things coalesced when Ron Paul ran for myself and by extension those that I know.

Was it Ron? Or was it just the state of the nation?

Doesn't matter. Even though everyday I am assaulted by what those that wield their own power instead of honoring the power we give them on a personal level it is successful.

Wow.

Such a good post and insightful questions, I think many of us think about. Since Ron ran, everything came together, yet changed, I almost feel a pull on me to push and help others around me push for liberty and freedom, but beyond all else, seek truth. Whatever it is we are doing, it is good and good for you! :D

This movement in a sense represents the eternal search for truth and knowledge in many ways, maybe because in a deep sense we all feel we have been mislead and as we see a glimpse of truth, we see how far we have fallen away from it all? Who knows I guess...

[bunklocoempire]

I may be being myopic but this R(evol)ution is what has inspired me. Inspired those that I have interacted with. Many things coalesced when Ron Paul ran for myself and by extension those that I know.

Was it Ron? Or was it just the state of the nation?

Doesn't matter. Even though everyday I am assaulted by what those that wield their own power instead of honoring the power we give them on a personal level it is successful.

Myself as well.

The message I have passed on again and again has taken root.

Sometimes right away, sometimes taking more time -but always succeding in some way.


Bunkloco

[CaseyJones]

YouTube - Huey Lewis And The News - The Heart Of Rock & Roll (2006... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEKUmzJO54Y)

[Live_Free_Or_Die]

Bookmarking this thread for the appropriate time...

[newbitech]

succeeding. the snowball has rolled about 25% of the way down the hill, i think it is still gaining momentum and growing.

[georgiaboy]

//

[georgiaboy]

Post-election bump!

[malkusm]

Things you need to ask yourself to answer this poll are:
Could you have imagined in 2007 seeing Ron Paul polling at 10-12% for the 2012 race?
Could you have imagined in 2007 getting 3 liberty-minded Senators and 8 liberty-minded Reps elected this quickly?
Could you have imagined in 2007 seeing a forum regular getting elected against a Democratic incumbent as state rep, in his first ever run for office?
Could you have imagined in 2007 the amount of talk we're having about the Fed, the Constitution, or the deficit spending?

I answer that the r3V01ution is succeeding....this is a long process, and we need to continue to build. We need, most of all, to get involved in our local/state GOPs and to start changing the mentality and the personnel from inside out.

[anaconda]

You're kidding, right? We are doing so well and are so well positioned at this moment..

[Melissa]

I think it's been wildly successful.

The entire landscape has changed.

+1

[georgiaboy]

bumpers - been a few months

[ChaosControl]

The movement is moving forward as a movement, but it has yet to make any affect on the nation as the nation only continues to worsen.
So I don't know if I would say it is succeeding or not. In a few years I could answer better.

[Joey Fuller]

we're winning!

something to cheer up the debbie downers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYxLIYWZtdI&feature=channel_video_title

[RM918]

I think it's progressing, but ultimately will not succeed in time to stop a collapse.

[RonPaulRocksMyWorld]

I think it's progressing, but ultimately will not succeed in time to stop a collapse.

I agree. But I think it's important to plant the seeds of Liberty for on the day it collapses we could go one of two ways: freedom or tyranny. With enough seeds the collapse will bring freedom.

[acptulsa]

He's catchin' on, I tell ya!




Sorry.

[IDefendThePlatform]

I agree. But I think it's important to plant the seeds of Liberty for on the day it collapses we could go one of two ways: freedom or tyranny. With enough seeds the collapse will bring freedom.

+1

[MikeStanart]

He's catchin' on, I tell ya!




Sorry.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53imCMnHzZA

[outspoken]

I think it's progressing, but ultimately will not succeed in time to stop a collapse.

You are correct but the the liberty message will be there when TSHTF and provide the solution because it never was the problem to begin with. The real courage will come when everyone is trapped in a state of panic and fear acting as if they can't imagine how or why a collapse ever happened.

[Travlyr]

I think it's progressing, but ultimately will not succeed in time to stop a collapse.

The collapse of the fiat dollar is victory.

[acptulsa]

The collapse of the fiat dollar is victory.

No, that's the Moment of Decision. Create another ticking time bomb or do things right.

I have confidence in victory, too. But I advise against overconfidence.

[kahless]

The movement is succeeding in educating the masses and transforming the Republican party. I however see the Republican party as being the party of compromise and that will not do what is necessary to reduce the size of the federal government and deficit.

It is not enough and I see the movement compromising it's values. So I selected FAILING.

What has pushed me over the edge is the backing of Nuclear power plants with our taxpayer dollars. Regardless whether you are for or against nuclear power this means it will be done with our tax dollars and generations to come with pay to maintain nuclear storage. We and our children for generations to come are therefore unwilling tax slaves to the nuclear power industry. This is counter to everything this movement preaches. But it is some how ok because it is nuclear power? How hypocritical. What other favorite government program will this movement compromise for next?

You can't have it both ways you are either for privatization, free markets and reduction in the size of government or you are not. This is so hypocritical that if it is nuclear power then it is ok to spend our money and makes us all tax slaves to corporatism.

[ds21089]

The movement is succeeding in educating the masses and transforming the Republican party. I however see the Republican party as being the party of compromise and that will not do what is necessary to reduce the size of the federal government and deficit.

It is not enough and I see the movement compromising it's values. So I selected FAILING.

What has pushed me over the edge is the backing of Nuclear power plants with our taxpayer dollars. Regardless whether you are for or against nuclear power this means it will be done with our tax dollars and generations to come with pay to maintain nuclear storage. We and our children for generations to come are therefore unwilling tax slaves to the nuclear power industry. This is counter to everything this movement preaches. But it is some how ok because it is nuclear power? How hypocritical. What other favorite government program will this movement compromise for next?

You can't have it both ways you are either for privatization, free markets and reduction in the size of government or you are not. This is so hypocritical that if it is nuclear power then it is ok to spend our money and makes us all tax slaves to corporatism.

Did Ron Paul say "I think nuclear energy is a good thing, but we definitely are going to keep the taxpayers paying for it"? I think he just said nuclear power is clean and efficient if done properly. That doesn't mean he'd continue having taxpayers fund it.

Also, my answer to poll is yes, it's succeeding. I've seen countless new people and countless first posts of people explaining how everything this man is saying is making sense to them. They come from all sides of the political spectrum. With each new person, we can count that as potentially 1,000. If they tell a few people who tells a few people who tells a few people...etc.

Also, Ron Paul's consistent anti-war message along with his history to back up that he'd actually follow through with it will win him big points. We are already seeing higher results and I bet even most of those polls are manipulated to lower his counts. That or their sample of people for their surveys are specific people they know wouldn't agree with Ron.

We have only seen the beginning for this election cycle. It keeps building and building and once he announces he's running, the support will burst. It will flow rapidly and people will be promoting him more so via sign-waving, bumper stickers / any advertisement, groups of people flocking together to promote our message. People are really looking for peace this time around and the word revolution has been thrown around a lot. I think this time it will really stick in peoples' minds and influence them. They will see how passionate we are about Ron Paul and how he promotes so many things this country needs, that they will join and the support will exponentially rise.

While things may be somewhat dull now, activism-wise, it will shoot up very soon once he announces his run. Just have faith and stick to the message. Don't give up no matter what. People don't like being told what to do and they are in such disapproval of our corrupt government. Ron's limited government - get them out of our lives approach is very strong. The people are waking up. The revolution is underway and will sweep this nation like a brush fire. Fear not, my fellow patriots; we shall take our country back!

[kahless]

Did Ron Paul say "I think nuclear energy is a good thing, but we definitely are going to keep the taxpayers paying for it"? I think he just said nuclear power is clean and efficient if done properly. That doesn't mean he'd continue having taxpayers fund it.

He is happy that we are now building plants and complained they had not been built for years. He knows damn well these new plants are only being built because of government funding. If he does not know already, then someone need to get in his ear about whom is going to maintain the waste disposal for generations to come. It will be the taxpayers, FOREVER being slaves to the nuclear power industry. Making me and my family for generations to come tax slaves to a corporate entity IS NOT freedom and is counter to EVERYTHING Ron Paul has preached over the years.

I support Ron on most every issue and after being educated by this movement are probably far more Libertarian than Ron is. The potential of being harmed and enslaved unwillingly by corporate polluters such as the Nuclear power industry is the one issue I am somewhat miffed at his comments.

[acptulsa]

I support Ron on most every issue and after being educated by this movement are probably far more Libertarian than Ron is. The potential of being harmed and enslaved unwillingly by corporate polluters such as the Nuclear power industry is the one issue I am somewhat miffed at his comments.

Yeah, but if he had his way private enterprise would be responsible during and after the fact for their own nuclear waste (if any). So, wheter he approves of it or not, he would very effectively end it. Government is the only underwriter stupid enough to take that on.

[ds21089]

He is happy that we are now building plants and complained they had not been built for years. He knows damn well these new plants are only being built because of government funding. If he does not know already, then someone need to get in his ear about whom is going to maintain the waste disposal for generations to come. It will be the taxpayers, FOREVER being slaves to the nuclear power industry. Making me and my family for generations to come tax slaves to a corporate entity IS NOT freedom and is counter to EVERYTHING Ron Paul has preached over the years.

I support Ron on most every issue and after being educated by this movement are probably far more Libertarian than Ron is. The potential of being harmed and enslaved unwillingly by corporate polluters such as the Nuclear power industry is the one issue I am somewhat miffed at his comments.

I highly doubt that's the case. It wouldn't make any sense for him to have a consistent message for over 30 years then go against everything he believes in. There has to be something we don't know. Or perhaps you're right and he's misinformed? I have no clue, but there has to be something up with that situation which we don't have enough info on yet. I would stick around a bit until we talks more about it. I'm sure it's all a misunderstanding.

Again, all I've heard him say is nuclear power is clean, efficient energy which is very true. It helps remove the need of oil, but to be honest, I'm sure we could find an even better source of energy which was more safe. If we had all the money back which we've spent on the wars, and in that time spent it towards research for better sources of energy, we might've had it by now. All everyone cares about nowadays is science for war!

[kahless]

I highly doubt that's the case. It wouldn't make any sense for him to have a consistent message for over 30 years then go against everything he believes in. There has to be something we don't know. Or perhaps you're right and he's misinformed? I have no clue, but there has to be something up with that situation which we don't have enough info on yet. I would stick around a bit until we talks more about it. I'm sure it's all a misunderstanding.

Again, all I've heard him say is nuclear power is clean, efficient energy which is very true. It helps remove the need of oil, but to be honest, I'm sure we could find an even better source of energy which was more safe. If we had all the money back which we've spent on the wars, and in that time spent it towards research for better sources of energy, we might've had it by now. All everyone cares about nowadays is science for war!

The US has more oil here than all of the Middle East, we also have clean coal, natural gas, green energy like solar and perhaps as you mention other alternatives. I would rather hear Ron talk about solutions of making that available here when a Foxnews shill mentions getting off of Middle East oil rather than jumping on the establishment, big government, Neocon Republican nuclear bandwagon. These solutions are far more clean and efficient and do not rely on the taxpayer for generations to come.

[georgiaboy]

Bump! What say ye?

[heavenlyboy34]

Mixed. Success in educating the masses and forcing issues. In terms of fundamentally changing the system and turning back tyranny, not so much.

[acptulsa]

Bump! What say ye?

First they ignore you.

Then they ridicule you.

Then they fight you.

Then they try to usurp your positions, which is one Ghandi didn't mention.

Do they have any more tricks up their sleeves?

[heavenlyboy34]

First they ignore you.

Then they ridicule you.

Then they fight you.

Then they try to usurp your positions, which is one Ghandi didn't mention.

Do they have any more tricks up their sleeves?
They exclude you from debates and talk during your allotted time when they do invite you. ;)

[tpreitzel]

Slowly succeeding despite some of "our" worst efforts like .... should I? Nah, it'll just start another extended family spat. :)

[Michigan11]

I think right now is a rare time in which we will look back on. It's before the big wave of this Revolution hits for victory amongst the mainstreem. Trends are our friends, we can feel it and see it coming, but right now there is a lul for some reason but that's how it works, but for some it may not feel like it, but as a whole things are rearranging right now in order. Get ready

[acptulsa]

We have got to got to got to make the seniors understand that the media is lying when it says the new crop of kids would never vote for going back to a time they remember as being (in most ways) better than what we have, and taking a new direction forward from there. And the only way I know to do it is to do it in person.

Shall we declare a Talk to the Grandparents about Politics Week?

[R3volutionJedi]

We need to go to the streets, we need to raise money, we need to show them who we are and why we are doing what we are doing: To Promote and defend Liberty.

The Ron Paul 2012 campaign isn't as much about the candidate, Ron recognizes this as well. This campaign is all about spreading the message of Liberty before it is lost - and I think this is our final chance.

If we are going to succeed, we need to wake people up and use The Ron Paul Revolution to spread this message.
And if it's done right, we might just win.
The elite have control, but if the people rise up, we can override their vote in this election.

[acptulsa]

The elite have control, but if the people rise up, we can override their vote in this election.

And it's not too soon to volunteer as a poll worker in your local district.

[Michigan11]

We have got to got to got to make the seniors understand that the media is lying when it says the new crop of kids would never vote for going back to a time they remember as being (in most ways) better than what we have, and taking a new direction forward from there. And the only way I know to do it is to do it in person.

Shall we declare a Talk to the Grandparents about Politics Week?

Maybe we should all start some Senior meetups and include bingo, cards with Ron Pauls face on them and who knows

[acptulsa]

Maybe we should all start some Senior meetups and include bingo, cards with Ron Pauls face on them and who knows

Anyone play bridge? How about dominoes?

[georgiaboy]

bumpity. Are we along the curve of the hockey stick?

[CaptainAmerica]

I think it's been wildly successful.

The entire landscape has changed. although the political landscape has changed I do not think it was a direct result of Ron Paul ,though he is there to shine a light on why the changes are occurring so that people may make a conscience decision of where they want to go with the changing atmosphere. The battle of ideas is just beginning and I don't think that individual liberty is secure in any way so I cannot say that it is successful yet but I hope for the best results.

[georgiaboy]

bump

[erowe1]

I hadn't voted in this yet, so I did today. I went with failing.

[Seraphim]

Making strides but the strides must get quicker and must get quicker in a hurry.

[georgiaboy]

bump. last results were 134 to 25 succeeding.

new voters, chime in! old voters, feel free to comment further.

hard to believe it's been 3-1/2 years since this thread was started, and nearly 7 years since the kickoff of the r3volution.