...there is an important lesson to be learned from the success of the Paul
campaign and the C4L. That lesson is that it pays to be bold. Notice that
the grassroots uprising sparked by the Ron Paul campaign calls itself the
Ron Paul REVOLUTION. Not the "Ron Paul gradual reform movement." They're
calling for ending the Federal personal income tax, not just mouthing empty
platitudes about "lower taxes" or "more freedom." (Compared to what? What we
have now? Obama's proposals?) And they are gaining adherents far more
rapidly than the Libertarian Party is; the C4L currently has five to ten
times as many members as we do!
As I see it, the Libertarian Party has gone far astray from its original
mission. Somewhere along the way, our commitment to being The Party of
Principle was replaced by a shallow, opportunistic goal of "winning
elections now" -- any election, anywhere. Principles be damned, according to
the proponents of this vision. We should back off from "scary" positions,
tone down our rhetoric, find out "what voters want," and tailor our message
to what they want to hear.
The nadir of this mindset was reached in a "Monday Message" dated March 9,
2009. It carried the heading "The most important principle is winning."
Entire article at: http://www.nolanchart.com/article6640.html
I very much admire Mr. Nolan, and appreciate all the good work he does. However, at times, I totally disagree with his view of where the Libertarian Party is now and might be heading in the future. Yes, the Campaign for Liberty makes bold statements; which are also clear, rational, and graspable by the general public. Yes, the National LP is lame beyond words, but again, what does that have to do with what we local activists do, or more precisely, do not do? Just look at the local activism that is going on at the San Francisco Campaign for Liberty; and even look at the activism in the newly assembled local Tea Parties. Myself included, we do not DO; therefore, all the bold words (mostly slogans which the general public probably finds peculiar) we care to express I believe would go for naught.
Sorry for the rant. My points are simple: We need to DO, not utter bold words; and inspiration does not necessarily come from above, it comes most often from the grassroots. And this is the real lesson from the Campaign for Liberty.
So...write to your Congressperson today about the impending health mess or H.R.1207 Audit the Fed!!! (I just got a thank you letter from Jackie Speir, telling me she values my opinion so : - )
Marcy
Dear Marcy;
Your commentez vouz on DO and DOING rather than saying do and not doing follows in the footsteps of these Great Philospers and what they originally said.
To do is to be - Plato
To Be Is To Do - Aristotle
Do Be Do Be Do - Sinatra
Ron Getty - SF Libertarian
Hostis res Publica
Morte ai Tiranni
Dum Spiro, Pugno
Dear Ron,
Ah, yes! However, you neglected to mention Scooby Doo!
Marcy Berry
Scooby Gang
Sunnydale, USA
Dear Marcy;
Yes I did - but don't forget the Doobie Brothers - doing it on tour ( yes they are ) and while we are on the topic there's the Sea-Doo and the Ski-Doo. ; - )
Ron Getty - SF Libertarian
Hostis res Publica
Morte ai Tiranni
Dum Spiro, Pugno