Evangelism Targets

[OferNave]

It occurs to me that anyone who has been a victim of big government is a potential ally. This is especially true of the vices, the victimless crimes - like drugs, porn, internet gambling, prostitution, etc. All of these have active communities online - we should find them and post on them.

I also had one very specific idea:

There are one million non-violent drug offenders in prison currently in the country. Many of them are felons, and therefore have lost the right to vote (which I find appalling - there should be no justification to ever deprive someone of this most critical foundational right, regardless of the crime), but most of them have friends and families who do.

These are people whose lives have been at least dramatically harmed if not destroyed by prohibition. They have the most incentive out of anyone to work towards change, and Ron Paul (to my knowledge) is the only serious candidate who is fully against prohibition.

Are there public records with names and addresses of these prisoners? Can we obtain them and throw together a volunteer letter writing campaign, explaining briefly who Ron Paul is, why they should want him to win, and encouraging them to write to their friends and families to pass on the message?

-ofer

[jones boy]

There are numerous online sites that are pro marijuana, many have political forums about legalization. Ron Paul is talked about quite postively. Since the war on drugs is really a war on marijuana, (over 700,000 arrests a year) and the sub-culture that is gave rise to. One would think that they would be natural allies of Dr Paul. Marijuana smokers don't necessarily fit your usual view of drug abusers, most are employed and have families and don't engage in other criminal activity. Since ex-cons are generally prohibited from contact with other ex-cons, it could cause difficulities in organizing them. Marijuana smokers who have a career and normal life may be very reluctant to come forward about the issue. If they had the courage and committment that homosexuals displayed they could truly be a major factor in this campaign. I'm truly amazed at the diversity of Dr Pauls supporters, it is our greatest strength and maybe one of our weaknesses.
Jones Boy

[kylejack]

We're already pretty strong in those circles with NORML and High Times. I also think that a plan like this has a high prospect of blowback, so let's not.

[OferNave]

I also think that a plan like this has a high prospect of blowback, so let's not.

This is how groups that are disapproved of by the mainstream remain marginalized - even those that know it's wrong are afraid to stand up for them.

Fine. I realize it's a means-to-an-end issue. But I don't have to like it.

[kylejack]

But my point is that we're already well-represented in those circles.

[OferNave]

Prisoners?

[kylejack]

Prisoners?
Prisoners with an interest in drugs, yes.