Afraid to be associated

[runamuck]

I think the media has done a good job making people feel like if they support Ron Paul, they're extremists. (Which is outright false, as there is NOTHING extreme about Ron's message. Only extreme in the sense that we've strayed so far from what is truly "normal").

I just found out a few days ago, a friend of mine is a Ron supporter. I'm not great friends with the guy, but I see him here and there. He never struck me as a supporter, and he never made any mention of it when we were together with friends and I'd make points that Ron has made in conversation about current events. Naturally, most of these people are clueless and "don't want to talk politics".

He told me that he doesn't like making a point of telling people because he thinks (his words) "people will think I'm nuts, or exteme."

I think he was happy to have someone he could finally talk with.

What do you guys think about this?

 

[libertyfanatic]

I know what you mean. A lot of the people that I know think that libertarians are just crazy people who want to legalize drugs and prostitution. They completely overlook the concept of freedom and personal responsibility.

 

[charliem]

I've been a supporter since 07', and I'm afraid to be associated with many other RP supporters. It's not just the media doing that job.

 

[Isaac Bickerstaff]

Ron Paul supporters had to turn it up to 11 since the media was ignoring him. Now that the media is no longer in blackout mode but smear mode instead, we need to tone it down a little and be extra normal without hiding the fact that we are, indeed, Ron Paul supporters.

 

[IndianaPolitico]

I've been a supporter since 07', and I'm afraid to be associated with many other RP supporters. It's not just the media doing that job.

Sadly, I have to agree with you. LOL

 

[TheTexan]

What's extremist about liberty & self responsibility?

 

[Johncjackson]

I understand exactly what you are saying. At the same time, Ron Paul does need supporters that aren't necessarily vocal about it. It's good and necessary to have evangelists who are vocal and try to bring other supporters into the fold. However, popular elections are won by masses of casual supporters. A lot of people vote. There are probably more non-voters, but there are quite a few voters too. Most are not vocal about it and many do not talk politics at all. I can think of a great number of acquaintances who probably vote, but I have no idea what their politics are. Reaching these voters so they can make an informed decision is important, but they don't have to be part of political activism. I'm sure there are several million Obama/Bush/McCain/Clinton/Whatever voters who don't want to be associated with their candidates either. Honestly, in the general elections, I think I've only voted for one Presidential candidate I wasn't embarrassed about. And I'm not too proud of my 2000 GOP primary vote, either.

 

[GreenBulldog]

I wonder how many "closet supporters" are out there?

Regardless, whatever the number is, and if it's large, I hope they all vote.

The "closet supporters" could be one of the reason DRP wins by a huge margin in online polls.

 

[TheTexan]

Ron Paul has one stance, from which his positions on all other issues are derived:

People should be free to make their own decisions

That's not extreme. That's constitutional. That's morally right. That's socially responsible. That's compassionate. That's economically productive.

You should stand up for what you believe in, not try to dilute your beliefs so others might buy into it. That's not going to do anyone any good. Tell them the truth, explain your position, and be honest about what you stand for.

 

[Cabal]

I think strangers who would judge me or think I'm "nuts" without bothering to so much as even attempt to understand why I support Ron Paul are people I wouldn't give the time of day to anyhow. I also think these type of people are likely the type who won't truly consider anything I say or do in trying to explain why I support Ron Paul, as well. So why concern myself with it?

In any case, I'm not one to censor myself or hide who I am just because some stranger might jump to some preconceived conclusion about me. I have a spine. I don't agree with everything every RP supporter says or does, but I still support RP for my own reasons. If that's beyond the comprehension of some... well, there's not much I can do about that. No skin off my ass.

 

[KingNothing]

Ron Paul supporters had to turn it up to 11 since the media was ignoring him. Now that the media is no longer in blackout mode but smear mode instead, we need to tone it down a little and be extra normal without hiding the fact that we are, indeed, Ron Paul supporters.

And we need to be better informed and versed on matters of liberty, economics and foreign policy than everyone else. We need to be able to hold reasoned, polite conversations, confident in the accuracy and morality of our message.

 

[Perry]

I think you should have been A Paul supporter 4 years ago.

 

[TheTexan]

And we need to be better informed and versed on matters of liberty, economics and foreign policy than everyone else. We need to be able to hold reasoned, polite conversations, confident in the accuracy and morality of our message.

Indeed. Pick up a book sometime. Read Mises, or Robert Pape. Inform yourself so you can inform others.

 

[Working Poor]

I see a lot of Ron Paul tee shirts on Mondays now that Monday has been declared Ron Paul tee shirt day.

 

[donnay]

“In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, Brave, Hated, and Scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot.” ~Mark Twain


“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!”
~Samuel Adams

 

[69360]

I voted for RP in 08. I don't really give a crap what other people think of me or label me as.

 

[amy31416]

Courage of convictions is seriously lacking in this country, and it shows in our foreign policy, domestic policy and economics.

 

[smithtg]

ok ive been around here awhile, but I saw something today that was great and for the record ron paul supporters are not nuts. I was looking at one of my wifes posts on facebook after a friend of hers ripped bachman, but then supported Perry later. My wife who I have basically converted puts "ron paul baby!" Not only that but three more of this woman's facebook friends put the same thing. Now these are all texans. Actually one put "ron paul is right" and the other "amen to ron paul."

The support is out there friends, keep working the social sites

 

[amy31416]

ok ive been around here awhile, but I saw something today that was great and for the record ron paul supporters are not nuts. I was looking at one of my wifes posts on facebook after a friend of hers ripped bachman, but then supported Perry later. My wife who I have basically converted puts "ron paul baby!" Not only that but three more of this woman's facebook friends put the same thing. Now these are all texans. Actually one put "ron paul is right" and the other "amen to ron paul."

The support is out there friends, keep working the social sites

I don't understand the first paragraph. I had a glass of wine, could be me...

 

[runamuck]

I've been supporting Ron since the early days of the '08 election. I'm not the one who needs convincing or understanding of his message. The point of the post, was what do you guys think about the story about this guy? The fact that he is afraid to say he is voting for Ron for fear of being labeled. That tells you a lot about how he's being distorted!