“Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward; they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values – that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” – Lao Tzu
“Forward, as occasion offers. Never look round to see whether any shall note it… Be satisfied with success in even the smallest matter, and think that even such a result is no trifle.” – Marcus Aurelius
“March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life’s path.” – Khalil Gibran
Not Left, not Right, but Forward.
Let’s Move Forward.
We Must Move Forward.
This back and forth that creates the stagnation that allows those already in power to better secure their power is only hurting us.
We must get past the media manufactured divisions in society in order to have a government that works for us, not against us.
We must see the big picture and base our priorities upon what is truly important.
We must shift away from Imperialism.
This re-direction must be a priority.
We must not let terminology stop us. Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Liberal. These words are meaningless and hold no value when looking forward. We must look forward. We must no longer be blinded by manufactured fears and limitations.
Ron Paul as the Republican Nominee will bring the issues important to both “libertarians” and “progressives,” and most Americans in general, to the debate. A Palin or Romney Nomination will not. A Palin or Romney Nomination will not Challenge Obama electorally or on policy. Only a Ron Paul ticket can do this and here are the statistics to prove it: http://freeindependentsun.com/republic/obama-v-paul-why-ron-paul-is-the-republicans-top-prospect-for-winning-the-presidency-in-2012/
As President, Ron Paul can End the War.
In Ron Paul’s own words, his priorities as President, when preparing a budget, would be the following:
- Reduce overall federal spending
- Prioritize cuts in oversize expenditures, especially the military
- Prioritize cuts in corporate welfare
- Use 50 percent of the savings from cuts in overseas spending to shore up entitlement programs for those who are dependent on them and the other 50 percent to pay down the debt
- Provide for reduction in federal bureaucracy and lay out a plan to return responsibility for education to the states
- Begin transitioning entitlement programs from a system where all Americans are forced to participate into one where taxpayers can opt out of the programs and make their own provisions for retirement and medical care
Ron Paul will be known as the Veto President. That will be his main power to stop the rise of Imperialism in America. That, and how he manages his cabinet (which includes the Department of Defense, i.e., The War) will be how his Presidency helps reshape America.
Why Green Party for Congress?
In 2012 we can Campaign to Elect the First Green to Congress.
In the previous year, both the UK and Canada have elected their first Green Party members to their Parliaments (equivalent to our Congress). Following this trend is a good idea. (Greens are also now the 2nd Party in Columbia).
In the last 10 years, both the Democrats and Republicans have had, for at least two year at a time, complete control of Congress and the White House and have FAILED to redirect our country in the right direction. Breaking the bi-partisan monopoly on government is important, and the global trend is that of the Green Party making the biggest dent right now.
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Foreign Policy: End the War in Iraq, removal of troops from around the world, cease of sanctions and threats to Iran.
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Civil Liberties: Protect the Privacy of U.S. Citizens, repeal PATRIOT Act, end Torture and Secret Prisons
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National Debt: No increase to the National Debt.
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Federal Reserve: Thorough Audit of Federal Reserve.
The Green Party is part of a Global Movement against Globalization. A Green Party member of Congress will only help Green Parties of other countries break-through their own power structures, and bring peace and prosperity to the World.
Why Both?
To create a balance as we move forward, combining populist-progressivism and compassionate-libertarianism.
Registering Republican to vote for Ron Paul may be a challenge of a “progressive-liberal” self-identity and political dogma, as well, asking libertarian-conservatives to vote Green Party for Congress may also be a challenge of their self-identity. That challenge is half the reason for doing this. We must break free of these predictable limitations.
By compromising, we all move forward, and can move the entire Federal Government in the direction of Peace, Individual Liberty, and Limited Government.
By connecting both movements, “progressives” can feel confident that a President Paul would be kept to his commitment regarding budget cut priorities, and “libertarians” can feel confident that a Green Congress will have their policies put to the test of a fiscal conservative as President.
Ron Paul and the Green Party Can Work Together
Ron Paul and the Green Party can work together to stop American Imperialism.
Ron Paul and the Green Party can work together to end the Prohibition of Hemp and reduce the Drug War (if not end it all together).
Ron Paul and the Green Party can work together to Audit and End the Fed.
Ron Paul and the Green Party can work together to end Corporate Welfare.
Ron Paul and the Green Party can work together to protect those dependent on the system.
How Can We Make This Happen?
Related Article: http://freeindependentsun.com/republic/from-grassroots-to-hemp-stalks-an-independent-activists-guide-to-the-ron-paul-2012-campaign/
Don’t Vote and Can’t Spare Money but still want to Help?
1. Post the link to this article on any social media, website, forum or email list/thread. Example message: “I don’t vote, but if you do, you should check this out: ”
2. Send the Official Campaign Ames Straw Poll (August 13th) ticket offer to any friends/family in Iowa: http://iowaforronpaul.com – Also send it to friends and family to then send to their friends and family in Iowa. Getting the word out about the need to win the Ames Straw Poll on August 13th and attaching the official website/offer (http://iowaforronpaul.com) is the most influential per amount of effort assistance you can make to the Ron Paul for President Campaign.
3. Find out who is running for Congress (Senate and/or House of Representatives) as a Green (and make sure they are supported by the local Green Party), and post/send links to friends and family in the State/District so that they know about the candidate before going to the polls (if they vote).
4. Help your (or neighboring) Green Party candidate for Congress collect signatures for ballot access. This will require you contacting the official campaign and giving a few hours of your time.
What if I want to help but don’t want to register Republican?
Even though we feel that Registering Republican to vote for Ron Paul in the primary is a huge exercise in freeing your mind from manufactured political limitations, even if you do not want to register to vote at all, there are two actions you can do to help Ron Paul win the Nomination and the Green Party get into Congress.
- Help phone bank for the Iowa Straw Poll (August 13th) – Unofficial Phonebanking System: rp2012.org – Videos on Phonebanking: rp2012org’s Youtube Channel
- Educate friends and family in open-primary states that they can take the Republican Ballot without being a Republican and vote for Ron Paul. Use the Wiki and our 5-Step article to educate people.
If you are down for more, here are a series of levels, or steps, of involvement to get you started:
A – Free, voter, action:
- Register Republican to Vote for Ron Paul in your State’s GOP Primary Election (Early 2012 – Possibly Late 2011).
- In the 2012 General Election (November 6) Vote for your district’s Green Party candidate for Congress and Ron Paul for President (if either option is not available, vote your conscious).
B – Social Endorsement
- Post this article on your Facebook, Twitter, etc.
- “Like” and share any “Ron Paul 2012” groups (find the official one).
- Do the same for the Green Party of U.S., your State’s Green Party and your district’s Green Party candidate for Congress (if any are not represented on your social network, create a group/page for them).
C – Monetary Assistance:
- Either give directly (http://ronpaul2012.com – http://gp.org) or register with Givv.org and set up a monthly contribution to “Ron Paul 2012” and your State’s Green Party affiliate (if there is not one set one up for your state). I have put up http://givv.org/recipients/green-party-of-california and http://givv.org/recipients/ron-paul-2012
- As people begin to run, research to find your district’s Green Party candidate for Congress, make even a single, one-time, monetary contribution to their campaign. More if possible.
- Give Directly to http://ronpaul2012.com on organized “money-bomb” days. The next being July 19th, 2011 (Ready, Ames, Fire)
D – Attendance Participation
- Find your local Ron Paul meet-up (http://ronpaul.meetup.com), whether with the official campaign or with an unaffiliated grassroots organization (Campaign for Liberty for example). Attend as often as possible (these are usually once per month).
- Attend your local Green Party meetings. (Again, usually once per month).
- Find your local Green Party candidate for Congress and help them collect signatures for ballot access.
E – Activist Participation
- Do what you feel you can to help build the Campaigns of both Ron Paul and the Green Party.
- Help register people to vote Republican for Ron Paul, and help Green Party congressional candidates collect signatures to gain ballot access.
- Promote this concept to more people using the following url: rp12gp.us
1 Registration
2 Elections
3 Votes
Check!
Jack Wagner is the Editor of The Free Independent-Sun. Born in Sonoma, California and currently residing in San Francisco, Jack set up The Free Independent-Sun on July 4th, 2009, after sleeping in and not making his usual trip up north for his hometown festivities. He figured he'd do something revolutionary to make up for it. In the Summer of 2010 Jack registered Seraf Media with the City and County of San Francisco as a Sole-Proprietorship. He is dedicated to articulating the finer points of the Revolution in order to bring about a Global Renaissance and Abundant World Economy. He also isn't afraid to get his hands dirty transplanting succulents. 
There is no progressive case for Ron Paul. The libertarian basis of his policies would allow corporations to run rampant. He’s just another corporatist under a different guise. Get wise.
Thanks for you comment, however I would have to disagree.
I think there is a very strong “progressive” case for Ron Paul.
Anti-War, Anti-Drug War, against Corporate Welfare, against the Death Penalty, against subsidies for corn, soy, beef and dairy, he has championed against the Federal Reserve and their devaluing of our currency (and thus our savings), he supports Alternative Medicine, supports Palestinian rights…just to name a few.
One of his primary positions is to end corporate welfare, subsidies, and their influence within departments and government in general.
The Military Industrial Complex certainly would not benefit from the end of overseas occupations (a strong progressive position).
Big Ag, Monsanto, and the Corn Industry wouldn’t benefit from the end of farm subsidies and the allowance of their lobbyists in the Ag. Department.
Yes he wants to lower or get rid of the Corporate Tax, and take other measures to “encourage capitol to return to the U.S.” I don’t totally agree with that (I have an article on here with a budget that uses corporate taxes to fund government, closing loop-holes: http://freeindependentsun.com/republic/tax-corporations-not-people-cut-wars-not-services/).
Do you think Obama is better? Are there other Republican Candidates that you prefer to Paul and Obama? Do you think we should rely on a Green or Independent winning the Presidency in order to end the War?
Ron Paul can win. He can beat Obama and is currently 3rd in the Polls for the GOP Primary.
You might notice that part of this endorsement is also to elect as many Green Party candidates to Congress. If we do that as well, then the issues that we disagree with Ron Paul on will be challenged, and those we want to work with him on (see above) will be backed and expedited.
I’ve been active since I was 11. I voted for Nader, McKinney, and Greens as much as possible. I’m sorry, I want to put and end to Imperialism, and Ron Paul is the one that can do it this year. I don’t think we have another 4 or 8 years to find the perfect candidate. There is no such thing.
I hope you are able to work with people who don’t agree with you 100% in order to get important reforms accomplished. I’m more concerned with the millions (yes millions) of innocent people that have died from our Wars overseas (under both Bush and Obama) than I am with some corporations making a bit more money (which, like I said, is very doubtful. Small business and sole-proprietors are on the rise, people are buying local more, growing their own food, etc.).
Again I appreciate your comment, I just have to disagree with both its content and its intent.
So Jack, is it you don’t agree that Libertarian policies would allow corporations to run rampant or you just don’t care?
btw, how exactly are you inferring my intent?
Lou, the “Get Wise” comment was what I was referring to. The intent I inferred was “non-constructive” which I don’t agree with. Sorry if I assumed that was your intent. Please disregard that comment, as it obviously wasn’t constructive and only distracted you from the point I was trying to make.
Rep. Paul has spoke out against corporate person hood, that alone sets him apart from every other major candidate.
His priorities in cuts have been stated as coming from the Military Industrial Complex and corporate welfare, again, setting him apart from the “cut social security first’ message of the GOP establishment. This point shows me that he will be critical of corporations “running rampant.”
I’ve found that blanket terms like “libertarian” or “progressive” really don’t mean anything, because they assume everyone remotely related agrees 100% on everything, which is obviously not the case.
I don’t propose a Libertarian majority (again, the Green Party for Congress part of my writing should help clarify that point).
What I am saying, is that for the 2012 election, Ron Paul is the best candidate with the greatest chance of winning the White House.
I don’t think corporations would run more rampant than they have been allowed to under the Bush and Obama administrations, or more than they would under a Perry or Romney administration. Do you? Please clarify if you think a second Obama term, or a Perry/Romney administration would be better than a Paul administration. This is important for me to understand where you are coming from. Or do you think Kent (as much as I admire the man) has a chance of winning?
With that said, a corporation that runs itself ethically should have every right to make as much money (and employ as many people) as it can.
The majority of jobs I’ve had have been with a “corporation,” from the 4th generation family owned restaurant, to one of the largest media companies in California, who was one of the first large companies in the U.S. to extend partner health-care to same-sex couples.
Last, please read my social theory “2012 Enlightenment Theory” to understand why “libertarian” philosophy does not scare me. The trends occurring in the non-political world will make much of these political issues irrelevant. There will be no corporations when we can produce all the food, water, energy and technology we need as a community, family, and even as an individual.
http://freeindependentsun.com/zen/2012-enlightenment-theory-a-world-of-abundance-and-self-governance/
http://freeindependentsun.com/zen/2012-enlightenment-theory-part-2-2020-vision-and-focus/
What matters to me is what we do in the mean time. What matters to me is the Wars. How many more lives do we let get destroyed being stubborn about secondary issues. Especially when no other candidate can, or does, fulfill you perfect-ideal-100%-litmus test, and especially when markets and economies will be irrelevant within a few decades (if my theory is correct).
Exactly what do you think would happen under a Paul administration (again, not a libertarian administration, but specifically a Paul administration with the rest of reality still intact)?
Again, thanks for your interest in my writing and my website. I hope we can find something productive out of this conversation.
Jack, I wish I had the time to provide the detailed response your reply deserves. Suffice it to say that I disagree with your labeling of a Ron Paul run as ‘progresssive’ or deserving of support from the left, for exactly those particular policies that Ron Paul supports and you fail to mention. (A few of those are mentioned here: http://j.mp/oHHfra) With regards to gov’t protection of civil, environmental and even human rights, a Ron Paul presidency would do little to serve the values I hold and support.
Even Jon Stewart covered the debate pointing out, “Does the guy yelling Yes realize that Dr. Paul said No” Does Ron Paul have to answer for every person who attended that debate? I don’t support Guilt by Association, especially loose association (Ron Paul has been very critical of what the TEA Party has turned into).
As far as deregulation, his position is that States should be allowed to regulate, not the Federal Government, he is not against regulations, just against them at the Federal Level.
I have written about the fact that Nuclear Regulation should be the job of the Federal Government, however, I also think we should stray away from Nuclear Energy altogether.
He would do little to protect the environment as President, but the federal government isn’t the only government, and society shouldn’t be defined solely by it’s government. I practice Permaculture, and spread concepts that help alleviate environmental burden. I don’t feel threatened or insecure from Ron Paul’s lack of desire to regulate through his position as President. Again, “Green Party for Congress.”
To respond to the points in the article.
First, we don’t elect Kings.
I support Marriage-Equality, as do many Ron Paul supporters, some don’t though. I feel confident that supporters of Gay Rights will continue to make progress despite having a President that disagrees philosophically, especially being his political position is that government should stay out of marriage, and that the federal government shouldn’t mandate to the states marriage laws.
I cover my approach to his views on Reproductive Rights in my most recent article: http://freeindependentsun.com/republic/the-youth-war-and-why-women-should-support-ron-paul-despite-his-views-on-abortion/
As his association with the JBS, and his Christian Beliefs, he has spoken extensively that no one has the right to push their religious beliefs on anyone else. I’m no more scared of his religious beliefs and associations as I was of Obama’s religion and group attendances, or Bush’s. There actions as representatives is what I disagree with.
The rest of the article is hard to respond to, it makes some claims that I don’t feel the need to address right now. It claims Dennis Kucinich is a GOP plant in its opening statement.
Lou,
Ron Paul is not a progressive. You are very much right about that. However, coalition with him makes good sense and he will not get nominated or elected without progressives. Here is a truly progressive case for teaming up with him at least in the primary and possibly in the general election: http://progressivesforronpaul.blogspot.com/2011/08/this-blog-is-not-about-endorsing.html
I must admit I have qualms about a “green” party – are they talking about using the force of government arms to regulate your energy usage? Is there a correlation between the “green” party and the Church of Warmingism? Will the “Green” party support nuclear energy, using modern (21st century) technology and reprocessing “nuclear waste?” After all, nuclear power is the only known way to provide for our energy needs, while putting out ZERO, count’em, ZERO CO2 emissions? One would think they’d be clamoring for more nuclear energy! Just get the paranoids out of the loop, and unleash the human ingenuity that has empowered the societies that aren’t dominated by NIMBYs.
The Green Party, like any other party, varies from chapter to chapter and member to member. But no, I’ve never heard anyone in the Green Party talk about using arms for this “Green Police” force concept that is going around (that is more the UN and NATO).
Many members of the Green Party oppose the UN in general, and any use of force.
Greens typically support the CO2 climate change theories (“Church of Warmingism”…funny!). However, a lot of them have shown doubt of the science, and instead talk about general environmentalism.
There are some greens that support nuclear power (for the same reasons you say), however I personally don’t ( i think the cost of failure is too great to leave to free-market lawsuits to recover), and since I’m not a “Global Warming Alarmist” I’d rather use home produced fossil fuels (even though I really don’t like deep sea drilling, mountain top removal, or hydro-fracking) and bio-fuels until we can develop a capable solar, wind, and geo-thermal infrastructure (take note, I have been an off-and-on registered Green, so I do represent a portion of Greens that are reasonable about the situations at hand).
If you want to get an idea of what a “moderate-Green” is like (and someone who was close to actually getting into Congress on the Green Ticket) look into LeAlan Jones from Illinois (ran to fill Obama’s seat). He is much closer to my perspective as a Green.
For the most part, to me the Green Party stands as the only real chance of a Third-Party. To me, I think the Libertarian movement is, and should, be taking over the Republican Party, which would weaken the Libertarian Party, but help get their views into the process. At the same time, I think it’s important for Progressives and Liberals who are anti-war, anti-bankster, anti-corporate welfare, to interject into the Green Party and challenge the two-party system on a whole.
I basically make the same argument to those who aren’t 100% Libertarian on why they should support Ron Paul… PRIORITIES. Greens are FAR better than Democrats (and Republicans), they are not “liberals” or “progressives” in the communist sense (some might be, but a lot of Dems are, and there are a lot of Republicans that could easily be considered Fascists, however that shouldn’t stop us from trying to take back control of the process).
I believe we should have a non-partisan system, but as it is now, Parties run the system, so I try to engage with that system the best I can, in order to break it down. the Libertarian Party isn’t the way, being that the majority of Libertarians are now Republicans to support Ron Paul, but there are many Democrats that are unhappy with their party, instead of trying to get them to go totally over, I think moving that energy into the Green Party and doing our best to break down the bi-partisan control of Government is the best plan.
Plus, people like Ralph Nader, Matt Gonzalez, Laura Wells, Howie Hawkins, Rich Whitney, are all reasonable people who would do great in Congress or a Governorship. The same way I try to get people to not get caught up on fascist republicans, I hope people can equally not get caught up on wacky Greens (because I admit, there are some, but for the most part, they mean well).
So look at the “Green Party” as the people who would be Democrats but are disgusted with Democrats yet still want to be part of the democratic process. They all work incredibly hard to have their voices heard, do amazing work organizing campaigns, and would never send us to war over environmental issues.
Here is a progressive case for Ron Paul: http://progressivesforronpaul.blogspot.com/n Paul:
Ron Paul supporters are a diverse crowd. Liberty brings people together. Ron Paul supporters welcome all who consider themselves “progressives,” “liberals,” “Greens,” and “Democrats” to join in Ron Paul’s bid for presidency which is based on a freedom platform of bringing the troops home right now from all the foreign wars, ending U.S. military imperialism, ending the federal “War on Drugs” and letting the states to decide how to approach the issue of medical marijuana, marijuana laws, and other drug laws, and ending corporate welfare. Join the Ron Paul Revolution! http://www.RonPaul2012.com Don’t forget to register Republican so you can help Ron Paul win the Republican Presidential nomination. After you vote for Ron Paul in the primaries, you can easily change your registration again to whatever you label you prefer.
That is creative, out-of-the-box thinking; you are right, the only way to escape Big Brother Government and its endless wars and corruption is to get principled people with proven track records. “Hope” doesn’t cut it. Let’s get real and make individual freedom and local, community power happen once again. Free the farmers, raw milk drinkers, pot smokers, free traders, barterers, and creative people everywhere.