This is the third time I've heard of Ron Paul. I guess it's time to check
him out.
I got invited to a Ron Paul grass roots tea party in Seattle... maybe I'll
go and keep you posted.
Hope all is well in your neck of the woods :)
My New Hero
12.5.7
I have never been a political person. I never did try to learn more about our country and its policies. Four years ago, I probably couldn't have listed a single candidate in the race for presidential nominee.
The extent of my political knowledge for a long time has been simply that I really, really hate George Bush.
I'm certainly not alone in that sentiment, but it leads to the question of, "How did we allow this to happen?" It's not as if nobody tried to stop it, of course. The problem is that by the time most people start getting involved with the election process, the deck has already been well stacked.
Both sides are packed with the same dishonest people, each one pretending that there are still important differences between the parties. Sure, they argue about the little stuff, but they all have one thing in common: They want nothing more than to increase the size of the government.
It makes perfect sense. We're talking about their jobs...their careers...their livelihood. This is the exact problem with politics these days, though. The concept of the "career politician" is ruining our country. I like to think that people get into office with the best intentions, but somewhere along the line, self-preservation takes over, and it all becomes about staying in office (and therefore keeping their salaries). They stop actually trying to fix things, because that takes too much time away from marketing themselves as people who fix things.
Nobody seems to be happy with the government except for its top-level employees and their lobbyists. They have all been busy patting themselves on their backs, while the masses have been standing around water-coolers voicing their disgust. All the venting in the world isn't going to change things, though, and the longer this cycle continues, the less people will realize that they can stop it.
It doesn't help that the government makes the process as confusing as humanly possible.
People generally stay out of the primaries...especially the caucuses. Selecting a nominee seems like a rather complicated process, so your average person never bothers to learn exactly how it works. They assume that each party will look at all the options, and that they will present their absolute best and brightest for the final election.
The inherent flaw with that theory is that the same assholes are running these caucuses every fucking year...and they've proven time and time again that they cannot be trusted.
2004: Bush V. Kerry. A perfect example. These were the best candidates we could get? This is what people have resigned themselves to, though: Voting for the lesser of two evils.
Good old American spirit has made its attempts at revolting, but usually in the form of third-party protest votes. It's a nice thought to be sure, and I feel that these votes may be the best choice when all the other candidates completely suck...but this isn't the way we're ever going to win. A third-party vote sends a small message (which is all you can hope for sometimes) but that's it. Nobody expected Nader to win 4 years ago...but that wasn't really the point.
When everything was said and done, we still had to sit back and watch George Bush get re-elected. All the "messages" in the world weren't going to change that. For a lot of people, this was the straw that broke youthful optimism's back. It had seemingly become obvious that people's individual efforts didn't matter.
I think I've finally abandoned that philosophy, though.
I feel like people have simply been taking the wrong approach in the past. Voting for Ralph Nader is entirely reactionary. What has always been missing was a proactive solution. Fortunately, I think that the disenfranchised masses have finally found a viable answer to this problem: Republican candidate Ron Paul.
Now, so far I've tried my best to avoid preaching the gospel according to Paul on this website, despite the fact that his campaign monopolizes so much of my time these days. I do, however, think that I would be remiss not to write about him at all, considering the major part that he has played in my life recently.
Like I said...I was never a political person in the past. This election has changed that. Now, I find myself practically obsessed with Dr. Paul, and everything that he does. I mention him and the campaign on a daily basis (to the point where I'm pretty sure I've annoyed the hell out of one or two friends).
What's more amazing to me, though, is exactly how much I've been willing to put into this. I've been talking to friends and family about him, trying to spread the word. I constantly watch YouTube videos, read the news, and check Paul-themed "blogs." I've joined meetup groups, and donated money to the campaign. I even went to a training class to learn how to register people to vote...and then went door-to-door signing up Ron Paul supporters as Republicans so they can vote in the upcoming caucus.
I plan to be a delegate in my precinct, and hope to make it all the way to the national convention in St. Paul.
This is exactly why I really believe that Ron Paul can win this election. So many people view politics as I once did. They see nothing that can be done. "One person can't make a difference," seems to be our national motto. Yet, somehow...this effort is reaching out to those people. Those who had all but given up hope are being transformed into grassroots activists.
Why is this happening?
There's just something special about a message that can get people to research Austrian economics. There's something happening when people spend their weekends canvassing as volunteers. There is something truly amazing about an honest man in politics, who always speaks his mind, no matter what. There's something about a politician who puts America before his own paycheck.
A man so honest, and a message so principled is rare to find. Now that we have, people are willing to fight for him. That is why I think he will come out on top next year.
Regardless of the outcome, I'm going to do my best to help my new hero, Ron Paul. If you know little or nothing about Ron Paul, do yourself a favor and check out these sites for a little information:
The Official Campaign Site
Ron Paul's Writings
Ron Paul YouTube Channel
Ron Paul Graphs
Lew Rockwell Blog
Tea Party '07
Ron Paul Blimp
If you're already a supporter, please keep spreading the word.
After this, I promise I will return to my usual entries about my stupid life...
