Originally Posted by
VegasPatriot
When Cindy Lake (dedicated RP supporter and temporary chair of the CCRCC) asked me if I was interested in going to this years national convention as a delegate I said “yes, but I’m not sure if I will be able to afford it.”
I met Cindy and her husband Jay during the 2008 campaign. Cindy and I were both on the RP slate for the national convention in 2008 and after the illegal shut down of the NV state convention many of us (the local grassroots supporters) were outraged and we wanted justice. At a meeting scheduled through our local Meetup group, everyone agreed we should file a lawsuit; but the cost was not cheap at $4000. When we only got a few hundred dollars in pledges from the 20-30 members attending, it looked like the lawsuit was dead. That’s when I made a decision to donate $2000 (The amount I planned to spend for my trip to Minneapolis). Cindy and Jay paid the balance. The lawsuit was not a success and we only sent four RP delegates to the convention. And when these four delegates (through a tremendous amount of pressure from the establishment during the RNC) cast their vote for McCain… Well, Jay and I were livid, and we were two of the most vocal in condemning their vote. There is no way, under any circumstances, either of us would have allowed our (unbound at that time) vote go to McCain.
So maybe that’s why, after expressing my financial concerns about attending this years RNC, Jay said to me, “We can’t afford to send delegates that may buckle under pressure. We need our strongest most dedicated grassroots supporters; and you are one of the very few people I trust to go and stand strong.” Well… I decided Jay was right. We need strong representation from the grassroots supporters, supporters that will not be swayed by any potential future political aspirations. So I decided I will not quit. I will stand strong. And I will continue to do all I can to support Ron Paul and his message.
I have invested everything I have over the past five years to try to do my best to advance the cause of liberty. I even placed myself in severe debt when I funded the start-up costs of Oath Keepers. At one point I had loaned over $12,000 to OK, many times skipping mortgage payments so I could buy supplies for membership packages, or t-shirts, or various other costs that come when starting such an organization. I knew, as a long time small business owner, that if OK was to be successful, the first year would be the hardest. It was a risky adventure, but one I believed in and eventually I was reimbursed. I am proud of my accomplishments and I will continue to pledge my life, my fortune, and my sacred honor towards this liberty movement.
So when you say, “it is a shame” I take it you mean it’s a shame that I was chosen as a delegate. I’m sorry you feel this way, but I will not feel shame for accepting the responsibility to stand strong for Ron Paul and his message at this years RNC. But yes, I am somewhat embarrassed that I have had to ask for donations. This was very hard for me… I just had so many of the people that are close to me tell me ‘this is ok, you have sacrificed enough’. Regardless of the amount of money I raise through this chipin (it’s at $100 as of now), nothing will stop me from making this trip. I was just hoping I could get by with a little help from my friends here at RPF.
