American Spectator Slams Our Own Matt Collins

[Objectivist]

I always wanted to see Ron Paul stand up and maybe not be so nice when he needed to be. That was one of my biggest complaints about him. I know a lot disagree. Don't get me wrong, I love the man for who he is, and he just isn't that type of person. He does have the fire & the principals, and that is why we all care so much about him. We do need people who will stand up and yell when it is needed, even if it is shocking to others. Maybe Matt went too far by not shaking someone's hand. Maybe he didn't go far enough. What I do know is these people in power need to see our rage & our anger in a peaceful form. How we handle that as individuals is up to us.

Bottom line: Smiles & hand shakes are nice enough, but there does come a time when we have to say enough is enough. If our actions result in negative comments from others, than so be it.

That's why he's in office and I'll never be...

 

[speciallyblend]

The attempt to justify your personality flaws is, for the most part, futile. You have a habit of isolating individuals in positions that could be greatly beneficial to us if you took 5 minutes to sit down with them and discuss your opinions and feelings.

You haven't even attempted to discuss policy with this guy; for all you know, by being approachable and friendly you may change some big minds and throttle yourself to the forefront of your state party...a big victory for freedom. Rather, you burn your bridges immediately.

Consider this scenario; should I not shake your hand now, or hate you, because you affected my children's future by thwarting a chance to change the mind of high profile party members? There's a pretty good chance that you gave this movement and its ideals a bad standing with that man, and if he rejects ideal because of your poor representation of what we are about, by using your logic you should be just as guilty.

code for deal with the devil!

 

[LibertyEagle]

I see rockandrollsoul's point, but you know what Matt, you are the one who got out there, did the hard work to even be in this position, so I respect your call.

 

[speciallyblend]

I see rockandrollsoul's point, but you know what Matt, you are the one who got out there, did the hard work to even be in this position, so I respect your call.

i thought matt's response was respectful!

 

[speciallyblend]

"rank-and-file should have done years ago. In fact if someone is a Republican and supports big government, then they need to ask themselves if they are indeed the correct Party"


insert( in) between indeed the correct party!

i know folks gotta be laughing . that lil ole me is actually correcting someone!

i am the King of internet ebonics

 

[angelatc]

I see rockandrollsoul's point, but you know what Matt, you are the one who got out there, did the hard work to even be in this position, so I respect your call.

That's about how I see it.

 

[Mandrik]

That's about how I see it.

Yeah, really. Who are we to tell him how to behave? He did all the work to get to where he is. We can try to Monday morning QB his situation from our computers, or we can go out and try to make a difference. I salute you, Matt, for your effort.

 

[rockandrollsouls]

Did you ever meet the man? Personality flaws? I could say the same about you. What you call reaching out I call selling out. Oh and my family has been in the liberty fight for generations. My grandfather fought the Nazzis in Poland and my father fough the commies through "Solidarnosc". You have no idea what kind of people you are dealing with (central planners and their useful idiots).

Go shake hands with Stalin while you're at it. I mean we have to work together if we want to win, right? You're one of those useful "you know what".

This isn't the first time he has been critiqued for his unapproachable personality, and the rest of my assessment is still valid (I like how you refuse to acknowledge or discuss it.) And how do you mean saying the same about me? You clearly didn't take the time to read my post; you're far too defensive. I suggested inviting the candidate to a policy discussion or debate? How is that selling out? That's making more progress than being a jerk-off and refusing to associate with someone. Let me ask you; what changes more minds? Refusing to associate with those we disagree with so that they may not change and isolating them, or attempting to sway them through intelligent discussion? I can tell you this with certainty; we alone are not enough to bring a constitutional America back. You are completely delusional if you think a forum of, maybe one thousand, loosely knit people are able to change an entire country.

And don't think your opinion is, somehow, more valid than mine because your relatives fought in foreign affairs. I have polish lineage that was involved in those issues; that has nothing to do with what we are discussing. My family fought Nazis, my family was drafted here, my family volunteered for the military....don't preach to me about fighting for freedom. Don't tell me I have no idea what I'm "dealing with," you arrogant prick. Your argument has absolutely nothing to do with this discussion.

In conclusion, I suggest you shut your sarcastic mouth, because you're rationale is nothing but an "I think I can one up you so your opinion doesn't matter" post.

How about you show me how being an arrogant, rude little child furthers the cause of liberty. Collins could have debated policy or worked for freedom....that's the real way to bring about change and further the freedom agenda. Refusing to shake a hand does absolutely nothing of the sort; show me how it changes minds....it simply doesn't.

 

[rockandrollsouls]

I see rockandrollsoul's point, but you know what Matt, you are the one who got out there, did the hard work to even be in this position, so I respect your call.

And what is he doing in this position to further liberty? Acting like a braying jackass? Way to utilize a position of power to further a freedom agenda.

He may have been elected to a small position of power....but it appears as if he did it to act like a "holier than thou, know more than you, refuse to associate with others" kind of person. Wasn't the goal of getting into the position to expand freedom?

What headline do you want to see? Matt Collins - rude, isolationist jerk or Matt Collins - rebuilding and returning the GOP to its roots? You're only going to get the second if you engage other members of the GOP and sway them.

Finally, Matt's marginal position isn't as powerful as you think. It's not like he's the president refusing to negotiate with a runaway congress. He's dooming himself, and freedom, to failure in my opinion. There are other ways to further freedom than being elected to a small, local position and then acting like a power hungry self righteous prick once there.

Anyway, if you guys think refusing a handshake is such a big deal and noble act, you've got a long way to go. Matt has much more he could and should be doing but isn't. However that isn't being discussed or brought up. Apparently, a lack of manners trumps any real effort to further liberty.

If Ron had acted like Matt and refused to embrace those that he didn't agree with, we wouldn't have over 270 cosponsors for H.R. 1207....when you act like Collins you get the "Mike Gravel" affect....but whatever. Your call. I'll work with my method and get more done and you can be a grouch.

 

[speciallyblend]

Yeah, really. Who are we to tell him how to behave? He did all the work to get to where he is. We can try to Monday morning QB his situation from our computers, or we can go out and try to make a difference. I salute you, Matt, for your effort.

second that motion!

 

[speciallyblend]

And what is he doing in this position to further liberty? Acting like a braying jackass? Way to utilize a position of power to further a freedom agenda.

He may have been elected to a small position of power....but it appears as if he did it to act like a "holier than thou, know more than you, refuse to associate with others" kind of person. Wasn't the goal of getting into the position to expand freedom?

What headline do you want to see? Matt Collins - rude, isolationist jerk or Matt Collins - rebuilding and returning the GOP to its roots? You're only going to get the second if you engage other members of the GOP and sway them.

Finally, Matt's marginal position isn't as powerful as you think. It's not like he's the president refusing to negotiate with a runaway congress. He's dooming himself, and freedom, to failure in my opinion. There are other ways to further freedom than being elected to a small, local position and then acting like a power hungry self righteous prick once there.

Anyway, if you guys think refusing a handshake is such a big deal and noble act, you've got a long way to go. Matt has much more he could and should be doing but isn't. However that isn't being discussed or brought up. Apparently, a lack of manners trumps any real effort to further liberty.

If Ron had acted like Matt and refused to embrace those that he didn't agree with, we wouldn't have over 270 cosponsors for H.R. 1207....when you act like Collins you get the "Mike Gravel" affect....but whatever. Your call. I'll work with my method and get more done and you can be a grouch.

what position do you hold in the gop ,just curious??

 

[rockandrollsouls]

what position do you hold in the gop ,just curious??

Not a small, local office, but I have and continue to do much in other ways, and I have entertained the prospect of running for congress in the past and may still do so. I have the money.

Apparently, you can't discuss the valid points in my argument, though. Just sarcastic comments . Not unlike you though, speciallyblend.

 

[rockandrollsouls]

Yeah, really. Who are we to tell him how to behave? He did all the work to get to where he is. We can try to Monday morning QB his situation from our computers, or we can go out and try to make a difference. I salute you, Matt, for your effort.

Many of us do make a difference. See my previous posts. Refusing a handshake isn't making a difference, and one can make a difference even if they don't hold a small office. Why isn't Collins inviting the establishment hacks for policy discussion or debate? Why isn't he attempting to sway them? He should be faulted for not doing enough! Collins isn't even making an attempt to change anything! What, do you think everything will change because a guy who says he's pro liberty sits in office and does nothing else? Being idle doesn't accomplish anything.

Furthermore, I should add that you won't find many people that were admired throughout history for being pompous and self righteous. Who are the ones that have the best reputations? I won't give you the answer, but I can tell you people like Mike Gravel aren't high on the list....

 

[Mandrik]

I think a lot of us are saying that what Matt does is what Matt does. He is who he is, and we're not going to try to change that. He obviously is doing something right to have gotten to where he is. Maybe I would have acted differently in his situation. Maybe not. I don't know, because I'm not in his situation. Peter Schiff has some things to him that really annoying the shit out of me (like cutting people off while they are talking during Liberty Watch), but he's obviously doing something right. Ron Paul is too nice IMO, but he's definitely doing something right.

We're all different. If not shaking someones hand turns out to be the kiss of death then at the very least we can all learn from his mistake (if it turns out to be one).

 

[rockandrollsouls]

I think a lot of us are saying that what Matt does is what Matt does. He is who he is, and we're not going to try to change that. He obviously is doing something right to have gotten to where he is. Maybe I would have acted differently in his situation. Maybe not. I don't know, because I'm not in his situation. Peter Schiff has some things to him that really annoying the shit out of me (like cutting people off while they are talking during Liberty Watch), but he's obviously doing something right. Ron Paul is too nice IMO, but he's definitely doing something right.

We're all different. If not shaking someones hand turns out to be the kiss of death then at the very least we can all learn from his mistake (if it turns out to be one).

No, there is quite a large difference. Collins holds a small office...not necessarily difficult to obtain.

Schiff and Ron have somewhat similar personalities. They don't refuse to speak on partisan or socialist networks like Fox or CNN simply because of their stance. They do their best to get the message out. They are steadfast in their beliefs in opinions, but not isolating. They do their best to explain and convey the principles of liberty, freedom, sound money, and Constitutional government. Schiff is more bold and Ron is a little more passive now, but both are in fairly prominent positions, are given opportunities to speak more frequently, and as a result are heard more and more and embraced like never before.

What would Collins do in such a situation? Apparently, refuse to speak on CNN or FOX because of their political stances and connections. Refuse to associate with or speak to anyone with a different view. How does the message get out if you act like that? What if Ron had refused to run as a republican because a bunch of people he disagreed with were in the party? Where would we be now?

Just look at the recipe for success. Schiff is ahead of Dodd by a fair margin in polls if I recall correctly, Ron's ideas and bills have more support than ever, and that wasn't a result of being a grouch, jerk, or arrogant donkey.

 

[speciallyblend]

Not a small, local office, but I have and continue to do much in other ways, and I have entertained the prospect of running for congress in the past and may still do so. I have the money.

Apparently, you can't discuss the valid points in my argument, though. Just sarcastic comments . Not unlike you though, speciallyblend.

i am not trying to be a monday morning quarterback! i have no need to discuss your points i am not matt!

i am glad you know me so well ,not

 

[Mandrik]

You make great points, and I don't want to argue any of that. I just think what Matt chooses to do is what he chooses to do. I'm sure it took a lot of hard work to get to where he is, even if it may not seem all that difficult to obtain. I'm glad to have him on our side, but he doesn't speak for us as a whole. People may judge our entire movement on his actions, but are these really the types of people we can change? I think people like that are just looking for reasons to hate us, no matter how petty or idiotic (snowballs @ Hannity comes to mind).

I'd rather have him out there doing what he's doing than sitting at home eating Doritos and playing XBox. Something is better than nothing IMO.

 

[speciallyblend]

You make great points, and I don't want to argue any of that. I just think what Matt chooses to do is what he chooses to do. I'm sure it took a lot of hard work to get to where he is, even if it may not seem all that difficult to obtain. I'm glad to have him on our side, but he doesn't speak for us as a whole. People may judge our entire movement on his actions, but are these really the types of people we can change? I think people like that are just looking for reasons to hate us, no matter how petty or idiotic (snowballs @ Hannity comes to mind).

I'd rather have him out there doing what he's doing than sitting at home eating Doritos and playing XBox. Something is better than nothing IMO.

i always say to folks. if they can do better. then shut up and do it not directed at you of course!

 

[speciallyblend]

No, there is quite a large difference. Collins holds a small office...not necessarily difficult to obtain.

Schiff and Ron have somewhat similar personalities. They don't refuse to speak on partisan or socialist networks like Fox or CNN simply because of their stance. They do their best to get the message out. They are steadfast in their beliefs in opinions, but not isolating. They do their best to explain and convey the principles of liberty, freedom, sound money, and Constitutional government. Schiff is more bold and Ron is a little more passive now, but both are in fairly prominent positions, are given opportunities to speak more frequently, and as a result are heard more and more and embraced like never before.

What would Collins do in such a situation? Apparently, refuse to speak on CNN or FOX because of their political stances and connections. Refuse to associate with or speak to anyone with a different view. How does the message get out if you act like that? What if Ron had refused to run as a republican because a bunch of people he disagreed with were in the party? Where would we be now?

Just look at the recipe for success. Schiff is ahead of Dodd by a fair margin in polls if I recall correctly, Ron's ideas and bills have more support than ever, and that wasn't a result of being a grouch, jerk, or arrogant donkey.

well the way i look at it.if he had given him a hand shake. you wouldn't have a story to even complain about and our message wouldn't of been heard! catch 22 no? the only reaSON YOU ARE EVEN POSTING ANYTHING RELATED TO MATT AND HIS ACTIONS is a story was created by his actions!

he did nothing wrong. i can tell you what i will never shake mccains hand or the failed leader of the cogop dick wadhams! if he helps callout some scum in the party and helps other see the scum. then kudos to him. the gop doesn't even deserve matt,but at least he is trying!

so he is a jerk for not shakingthe guys hand? hmm i guess you would have all kinds of names for me. i wouldn't shake alot of gop leaders hands.

 

[rockandrollsouls]

You make great points, and I don't want to argue any of that. I just think what Matt chooses to do is what he chooses to do. I'm sure it took a lot of hard work to get to where he is, even if it may not seem all that difficult to obtain. I'm glad to have him on our side, but he doesn't speak for us as a whole. People may judge our entire movement on his actions, but are these really the types of people we can change? I think people like that are just looking for reasons to hate us, no matter how petty or idiotic (snowballs @ Hannity comes to mind).

I'd rather have him out there doing what he's doing than sitting at home eating Doritos and playing XBox. Something is better than nothing IMO.

All I can say is just because someone is not visible in the public eye at the moment, and just because you aren't aware of what they may be doing, doesn't mean they would be contributing any less.

I'm sure there are a lot of people that are doing a lot of work you are unaware of...