First Draft. NH Adv. by LLepard. Comments

[LibertyEagle]

If you have the full page, why not create several pieces from several angles.... one an "op-ed," one a report on your charitable giving that sneaks in a reference to the fact that the reader is in the middle of another sorta episode in the story... one a story about some local charity event held by ron paul supporters and another about ron paul doing something really kick azz in congress or something like that.... maybe even a little comic strip/political cartoon?

then we could get really creative w/ layout and name placement.

I don't agree at all. That would totally dilute what Larry is trying to do.

 

[constituent]

totally.

 

[burningfur]

I don't agree at all. That would totally dilute what Larry is trying to do.

+1

This is an incredibly unique ad, let's not change the most important aspect of it.

 

[constituent]

+1

This is an incredibly unique ad, let's not change the most important aspect of it.

goodness gracious.... no imagination. the page tells the same story, it just segments it into nice neat little bits and keeps the reader involved.

but ehhh, whatever.

 

[burningfur]

goodness gracious.... no imagination. the page tells the same story, it just segments it into nice neat little bits and keeps the reader involved.

but ehhh, whatever.

I offer you a cat as a peace offering.

 

[constituent]

:: sneeze ::

lol, thanks. have a good one!

 

[KirkOlson]

You are a true hero llepard.

(And a rich one, I might add )

 

[pikerz]

Being long may be irrelevant depending on how its laid out. I'd wait to see that before making any judgements about length.

NH takes its responsibility seriously, so I wouldnt underestimate their desire to read it thru.

While I myself believe in evolution, and agree with your points on critical thinking, I agree with Linda in that it will alienate more people than it will gain.

 

[Sematary]

Don't know. Does Microsoft word tell you that? If so, how?

It is 6 pages double spaced. Would be 6-8 columns in 10pt on a full page newspaper.

I think you need to note that the attention span of most Americans is very short.
I like the "America I grew up in" theme. I think that will resonate.
I guess I'll have to see the pdf but right now, it looks too long. Perhaps if each individual concept were encapsulated in it's own section with a bolded "headline" to draw the readers attention it would seem less long and easier to read.

 

[JenaS62]

Larry, I think it's wonderful, however, much too long for the average American. We have become "bullet point" readers. I'm afraid that most people will not take the time to read it. I realize that if it's shortened it will lose some of your passion - but you want as many people as possible to read it. Just a suggestion.

 

[Leslie Webb]

Larry, what if you did the essay in an interview format? It is such an outpouring of your ideas that it reads as if you are talking. The interview questions in bold would help to break up the text and make it easier to read. For example, something like this:

Larry Lepard On His Support for Ron Paul

On Nov 21 and 22 USA Today ran a one page ad for Presidential candidate Ron Paul. Larry Lepard, a partner in EMA a Boston financial management firm paid $85,000 of his own money for the ad.

Larry, what prompted you to spend $85,000 of your own money for a USA Today ad for Congressman and Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul?
Why did I spend my hard-earned dollars on such an ad? I will tell you. Because Ron Paul is different from every other individual who carries the title "politician." He is truly a public servant. A "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" type of guy. No vested interest will support him, but I will. (I strongly believe that at this critical time we have a dire need for honest leadership in this country.)

As Americans, we stand at an important crossroads in our history. We need to make a decision as to what we want America to represent, and to become. History will record the outcome of our decision. If we make the wrong choice, many more innocent people will die, and history will not be kind. As I say to my closest friends, I do not want to have to explain to my grandchildren that I stood silent as others destroyed this country.

Who and what are destroying America? How has it changed?
Let me state it clearly. The America that I grew up in believed in the rule of law, not the rule of men. The America that I grew up in believed in telling the truth. The America that I grew up in believed in following Judeo-Christian values, and yet made room for those of different faiths and backgrounds. The America I grew up in had a religious flavor, but we were wary of those who wore their religion on their sleeves. The America that I grew up in believed in the golden rule: treat people the way we would like them to treat us. The America that I grew up in believed that you did not lie, cheat or steal. The America that I grew up in believed in the inherent goodness of most men, but recognized that evil exists.

Nevertheless, the America that I grew up in did not believe in an eye for an eye. It believed in protecting oneself from evil, but in the process of doing so we were cautioned not to become what we were protecting against. In short, the America that I grew up in was a place where one could be proud of one’s country, and thankful to the men and women who had sacrificed so much in the past to give us this heritage.

How do you see our current plight?
I wake up today as a 50 year old husband and father of three, and I wonder where that America has gone. I see a President who called the U.S. Constitution “just a piece of paper”. He replaced a President who blatantly lied to the American public. Admittedly, the lie was about something that was none of the public’s business. However, when a country is led by a liar, it lowers that country’s level of discourse and makes lying seem acceptable. It is not. Are these the best leaders this Country can produce? I see that second President’s wife running for President and claiming she will end the war, when she initially voted for the war, and recently voted for a resolution against Iran that makes another war more likely. Do Americans really believe she will act in our best interests given all the money she has received from lobbyists and the military industrial complex? Do Americans really believe she will end the war, as she now has begun claiming in her political advertisements? Or is this just a tactic to gain anti-war votes now that Obama is breathing down her neck. Will her position on the war be like the story she told us about how she traded "cattle futures" so successfully?

Tell us a little more about your views on the Iraq War
I see the U.S. involved in an aggressive, undeclared war against a country that did not represent a threat to us in any way. We were lead into this war on the pretense of false and inaccurate information. The truth is, we are far less safe now than we were before we invaded Iraq. This war has created more emotionally charged enemies who have more reasons to attack us than ever before. Of course, the Administration and the media conveniently assure us that the “surge” is working. No surprise there, given that there is an election coming up.

You support Ron Paul for President. What has been his position on Iraq?
Ron Paul voted against invading Iraq. Rather than attack an entire nation, he tried to convince Congress and our President to strategically target the terrorists responsible for 9/11. The current Administration has failed to capture and eliminate the criminals who perpetrated this crime against us. Those responsible are still at large, our borders are wide open, and our troops are spread thin all over the globe. We need a leader who will protect us with a strong national defense and keep us out of foreign entanglements that in the end, create more enemies than friends. We need a President who will put the national security of the American people, and the safety of our troops, before the interests of oil companies and the military industrial complex.

At the end of the day, what have we accomplished with this war? And, what mistakes were made?
To date the outcome of this war is that between 100,000 and 1.0 million innocent people have died. These figures are between 30 and 300 times the number of people killed on 911. Do two wrongs make a right? Furthermore, the majority of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudis. Not one of the hijackers was from Iraq. We are allies with Saudi Arabia and yet Saudi Arabia is far from being a democracy. Yet we went to war to create a democracy in Iraq and set an example for the Middle East.

The hypocrisy is staggering. The mistakes that were made are nearly criminal. Why anyone believes one thing that is said by the people who led us into this war is a mystery to me. “We will be greeted as liberators.” Wrong. “Oil revenues will pay the cost.” Wrong. “A secular democracy will emerge and be an inspiration for other countries.” Wrong. The list of misjudgments goes on an on.

Were the civilian Iraqis killed by our preemptive war “collateral damage” or is that just a euphemism for murder? Has anyone taken the time to look at their pictures on the Web? I wonder how their relatives and friends feel about the United States? I wonder if they are more or less likely to become terrorists as a result of the actions of the United States.

What about the United States and international law in regard to this war?
I see a country that has violated the Geneva Conventions. I see a country that has violated the Christian Doctrine of Just War. I see a country that has started a war that is illegal under international law. As President Eisenhower said, “Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. Frankly, I would not listen to anyone who seriously talked about such a thing”.

What about the other candidates running for President? What do you think of their positions on the war?
I see a flock of Presidential candidates, most of whom voted for this war and many of whom believe “all options should be on the table” in dealing with Iran. For those who are not current on this subject, that language is code for: we should be prepared to attack Iran with conventional or nuclear weapons.

Think about that for a moment. Leaders in this Country are actually talking about using a nuclear weapon preemptively against a country that has not attacked us. Are they insane? I hear Neocon pundits calling for the beginning of World War III.

How has the war affected civil liberties in this country? And what about torture?
I see a Country that has suspended habeas corpus. I see a country that has stripped its citizens of the Constitutional protections against an overreaching government. I see a country that has sanctioned “rendition” which is just another term for the kidnapping of anyone, anywhere, throughout the world, and then spiriting them off to a remote location where they can be subject to “enhanced interrogation techniques,” which we are told are not torture. Another lie. I see a country that has engaged in torture. Why, one leading Presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, wants to “double Guantanamo” and thinks his sons’ campaigning for him is equivalent to serving in the military. Of course, he got a deferment to avoid serving in Vietnam.

Well, what about some of the other candidates’ attitudes to the war?
Other candidates for the highest office in this land are not any better. I see a war hero candidate who sings "bomb Iran" to the tune of The Beach Boy's song, Barbara Ann. How can he make light of killing people? Shame on you Senator McCain. Of all people, you should know better. Joking about killing someone is a disgrace in my book.

Furthermore, I see a country where the top advocates of war have never fought in one. Worse yet, they sought and obtained deferments when others were fighting. You cannot make this stuff up. The irony is incredible. If, as I believe, you reap what you sow, - then the ultimate payback for these injustices will be staggering.

Then I guess you believe America does not have a mission of policing the world.
Yes, but, unfortunately, I see a country that thinks that it owns and controls the world. I believe this is ethically wrong. Furthermore, we cannot afford it, so even attempting to run the world is pointless. I see a country that thinks it should have bases in the Middle East for the next fifty years. I see a country where the dominant political party, the Neocons, believes the world is a dark and evil place. I believe the people who feel this way are projecting their own views onto the rest of the world. They need therapy. I see a country where the Government has adopted the Old Testament view of an eye for an eye. As Ghandi said, if we take this approach we will all end up blind.

In short, I wonder if America has lost its soul. Out of malfeasance, fear, ignorance, or incompetence we have implemented the wrong policies and taken the wrong course. Since this is true, then effectively the terrorists are winning. God surely has a great sense of humor. Irony abounds.

What about the American people? How do they come in?
As citizens, each and every one of us is somewhat responsible for the acts of our government. All it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing. So, has America lost it soul: yes or no? I would submit that while the current U.S. Administration and the vast majority of the Senate and Congress have lost their souls, the American people have not. Nearly 70% of the American population is against this war, and yet the war goes on. The vast majority of the American people want peace. People know what is right, yet the government does the wrong thing. How can this be? We are supposed to be a government OF, FOR and BY the People. Are we? What do you think? Does our government really represent the American people? Do you think the U.S. government should kill innocent Iraqis or Iranians to make us safer? Would you advocate killing a man who lives down the street because you think he might do you harm in the future, even though he has done nothing to you yet?

I will say it right now, clearly and loud: The huge disconnect between what a majority of this country wants and what our government is doing is the elephant in the room that no one will discuss.

What is your take on the elites that pushed for this war?
I cannot in good conscience condone or support the policies of the Neocons, the military industrial complex, or the oil industry. I do not believe in “Full Spectrum Dominance”. I do not believe “We Are The Indispensable Nation”. I do not believe we are “History’s Actors.” I do not believe we can “Make Our Own Reality”. I do not believe we should be an Empire.

How do you see our government? What kind of government do you think we should we have?
I think we have great power and military superiority and we should use these abilities to protect ourselves. Furthermore, with these powers come enormous responsibility. We are a Constitutional Republic. I believe there is a power higher than my government and that the Founders drew upon this power when they drafted the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.” That reads “all men.” Not “all Americans.” The Founders believed, as do I, that All men have God-given rights. Governments are made to protect these rights, not destroy them. Until recently, I believe the American government did a good job of protecting these rights for Americans. For many years now I believe the American government has used a different standard or play book when dealing with foreign countries and foreign citizens. But that is a story for a different essay.

If it sounds like I am mad, you’re right. I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore. (Source: Howard Beale: Network)

I take it that you are mad as hell about the economy as well.
Yes, I am mad that my money becomes worth less every year because the Federal Reserve can print money out of thin air. I am mad that the U.S. Government inflation statistics are a lie, thanks to Bill Clinton’s changing of the CPI calculation. I am mad that this change and the Federal Reserve have put the economy on a roller coaster leading to boom and bust cycles that benefit financiers at the expense of the middle class, retirees and the poor. I am mad that Wall Street titans and speculators have been rewarded while savers and honest labor have been punished. I am mad that honesty is considered quaint and naive by the political classes.

I am mad at the arrogance of those who hold power in Washington, DC. I am mad that the actions of some men in my country have taken away the moral high ground that the U.S. used to occupy. I am mad that my tax dollars are used for weapons rather than for peaceful purposes. I do not want the blood of innocents on my hands. I do not agree with many of Michael Moore’s positions, but his statement “dude, I want my country back” resonates with me. I believe that it resonates with a large portion of the American voter base.

But you still believe in the American people, right?
Individual Americans are great people. If 70% of them are opposed to the war, then there is still hope. Of course the mainstream media, the press and the vested industrial and political interests would have us all believe that we cannot make a difference. They say we need to listen to them as they tell us who the next President will be. We have to choose between the two war monger candidates they will serve up to us. We are told who the two front runners are, and we are discouraged from looking elsewhere. Why bother, they say? No one else even stands a chance. Maybe so, maybe not. This time I think they have gone too far. I would submit that the outcome of this election it is not so clear.

Are the people winning against the main stream media and the vested interests?
The establishment dam has sprung a leak. The leak may be small now, but it is growing. It is growing exponentially. The word is spreading. The candidates who represent change are moving up. The candidates who represent the status quo are moving down (Rudy Guiliani and Hillary Clinton). Even Rudy is being forced to talk about what a great religion Islam is in order to soften his Norman Podhoretz inspired:” kill’em all, and let God sort them out message.”
The lines could not be more clearly drawn.

What about Ron Paul? And, what are his chances?
Ron Paul’s message is clear and beautiful and true. It resonates with people. When you hear it you say, “that’s right, that’s what I believe”. This is why his record in straw polls across the country and in fund raising has been so exceptional. He has raised more money from small donors than any other candidate. Yet, the media still ignores him or treats him poorly. It is beautiful irony that every attack on him only brings him more attention as intelligent Americans wonder, “who is this guy that everyone keeps attacking … I wonder if there is a reason?”

The pundits say he cannot win. They say he is a fringe candidate. They say he will lose big. I disagree. First, I think there is a very good chance he will be our next President. Second, I think he has won, even if he does not win. Why? Because he has put the Freedom message out there. It is like a virus. It is spreading. It cannot be stopped. I believe history will record the Ron Paul Freedom Movement as a seminal event in the history of U.S. politics.
It is an honor to support this man. We should be so lucky as to have him for our President.
Having said that, we could all help history along a little bit by supporting the Ron Paul campaign.

How will this campaign turn out?
My favorite movie is :It’s A Wonderful Life. To me, the message of that movie is that we all make a difference. Individually, none of us have the power of the Neocons and the political classes, but collectively they are supposed to work for us. If we self-organize and unite, we have them badly out numbered. They are terrified, believe me on this. And it is happening. The growth in this movement is amazing. We can and will win this struggle. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a defeatist or is working for the other side.

I ran the USA Today Advertisement because I wanted to plant a seed and make a difference. WE ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Every conversation, every person converted, every e-mail , every effort; it all counts. The internet is what has made it possible. What a beautiful thing. The trend is really changing and it is fun to watch the old guard struggle as their fortress crumbles.

What can people do?
So what can you do? Join our effort to elect Ron Paul as the next President of the United States. Spread the word that we have an opportunity to elect an honest statesman with an impeccable record of voting in line with our Constitution.

Donate to his campaign! Each contribution represents another American who has said “enough is enough.” Every contribution helps. $10 is not too little. On December 16th, our collective voices were heard when grassroots supporters for Ron succeeded in organizing the largest one-day fundraiser in political history. Over 58,000 ordinary Americans spoke with their wallets by donating more than $6 million dollars to the Ron Paul campaign in a single day. Together we are proving to be a force to be reckoned with.

Think about it. What is freedom worth? I would submit that it is priceless. If you care about the future of this country, I know that Ron Paul will not let you down. If you care about our troops, then you must vote for Ron Paul. He will bring them home to defend America instead of someone else’s country. Ron Paul has received more donations from active military personnel than any other candidate. Why do you think that is? Have you heard about it from the Mainstream Media? I think not.

This is it folks. A once in a lifetime opportunity. We may never see a candidate with more integrity, with a better message or track record.

How would you sum up what you have said today?
Rarely has our country been so far off track. Our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honors in order to establish this Nation. Perhaps we have taken for granted the risks they took and the sacrifices they made. But we are being called. We are being tested. How will we answer? Will we meet the test or will we fail? Each of us makes a difference.

So what are you going to do? Are you going to be a Loyalist or a Patriot? Are you going to storm the ramparts or huddle with the bourgeoisie? Americans are brave people. I believe we can set this country back on the right track and that America will experience a renaissance of Peace, Freedom and Prosperity. Vote Ron Paul for President.

The danger to our Republic is real. We must act now!
Remember, each one of us makes a difference. Please vote for Ron Paul in your state’s Republican Primary and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same.

You can also learn more at www.RonPaulLibrary.org about Ron Paul”s positions on the issues that most concern you.

Thank you, Larry.

 

[user]

I think it's obvious now that the evolution paragraph has to go, since we don't even know what RP's views on evolution are anymore.

 

[Mark]

finished with the initial read-through and comments

heh,

I got this message when trying to post:

The following errors occurred when this message was submitted:

1. The text that you have entered is too long (30831 characters). Please shorten it to 30000 characters long.

~~~~

Paid Political Message

Why did I spend $85,000 to support Presidential Candidate Ron Paul? Because I care about my children and your children.

Lawrence W. Lepard, American Citizen.


Recently,I <--- missing space here

reached into my own pocket and placed a full page ad in USA Today supporting the candidacy of Congressman Ron Paul. Why did I spend my hard-earned dollars on such an ad? I will tell you. Because Ron Paul is different from every other individual who carries the title "politician." He is truly a public servant. A "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" type of guy. No vested interest will support him, but I will. (I strongly believe that at this critical time we have a dire need for honest leadership in this country. <--- missing parenthesis

As Americans, we stand at an important crossroads in our history. We need to make a decision as to what we want America to represent, and to become. History will record the outcome of our decision. If we make the wrong choice, many more innocent people will die, and history will not be kind. As I say to my closest friends, I do not want to have to explain to my grandchildren that I stood silent as others destroyed this country.
Let me state it clearly. The America that I grew up in
believed in the rule of law, not the rule of men.
The America that I grew up in believed in telling the truth. The America that I grew up in believed in following Judeo-Christian values, and yet made room for those of different faiths and backgrounds. The America I grew up in had a religious flavor, but we were wary of those who wore their religion on their sleeves. The America that I grew up in believed in the golden rule: treat people the way we would like them to treat us. The America that I grew up in believed that you did not lie, cheat or steal. The America that I grew up in believed in the inherent goodness of most men, but recognized that evil exists.
Nevertheless, the America that I grew up in did not believe in an eye for an eye. It believed in protecting oneself from evil, but in the process of doing so we were cautioned not to become what we were protecting against.
In short, the America that I grew up in was a place where one could be proud of one’s country, and thankful to the men and women who had sacrificed so much in the past to give us this heritage.
I wake up today as a 50 year old husband and father of three, and I wonder where that America has gone.

I see a President who called the U.S. Constitution “just a piece of paper”. <---

mentioned as not completely verifiable, could be replaced with something else just as powerful, for example, "who has ignored the tenets of The Constitution with signing statements that have placed the power of the citizenry given to us by that Constitution, into his own personal hands."


He replaced a President who blatantly lied to the American public. Admittedly, the lie was about something that was none of the public’s business. However, when a country is led by a liar, it lowers that country’s level of discourse and makes lying seem acceptable. It is not. Are these the best leaders this Country can produce? I see that second President’s wife running for President and claiming she will end the war <---

maybe a mention of the fact of the timeline that has been stated to last until, what, 2013?, before we can begin to withdraw in significant numbers. I think there's even been a mention by Cheney and/or others of "a hundred year war".


when she initially voted for the war, and recently voted for a resolution against Iran that makes another war more likely. Do Americans really believe she will act in our best interests given all the money she has received from lobbyists and the military industrial complex? Do Americans really believe she will end the war, as she now has begun claiming in her political advertisements? Or is this just a tactic to gain anti-war votes now that Obama is breathing down her neck. Will her position on the war be like the story she told us about how she traded "cattle futures" so successfully? <---

I missed that one, it may go over the head of people not heavily involved in investing, though,
it could cause them to look into it and see your point.

Maybe it could use a little explanation.
A short background as to the circumstances involved in the quote, and where/why it's false.


I see the U.S. involved in an aggressive, undeclared war against a country that did not represent a threat to us in any way. We were lead into this war on the pretense of false and inaccurate information. <---

a mention of the first Gulf war being due to enforcing UN sanctions may be effective for the anti-UN crowd.


The truth is, we are far less safe now than we were before we invaded Iraq. This war has created more emotionally charged enemies who have more reasons to attack us than ever before. <---

maybe a mention of us being over there occupying them as an incentive to attack us as well,
military bases all over the Middle East inciting them to attack us ect.


Of course, the Administration and the media conveniently assure us that the “surge” is working. No surprise there, given that there is an election coming up.
Ron Paul voted against invading Iraq. Rather than attack an entire nation, he tried to convince Congress and our President to strategically target the terrorists responsible for 9/11. The current Administration has failed to capture and eliminate the criminals who perpetrated this crime against us. Those responsible are still at large, our borders are wide open, and our troops are spread thin all over the globe. We need a leader who will protect us with a strong national defense and keep us out of foreign entanglements that in the end, create more enemies than friends. <---

good tie-in if perhaps there's an earlier a mention of bases in the Middle East ect,

the earlier mention might help define "foreign entanglements" instead of just mentioning them in passing.

Us being over there is key in explaining why they attack us.

People can easily understand someone invading their house as a reason to attack the invader.

Making it clear that us being in their house is a perfectly logical reason for them to attack us,
since we're the invaders in the Arab's house.


We need a President who will put the national security of the American people, and the safety of our troops, before the interests of oil companies and the military industrial complex.
To date the outcome of this war is that between 100,000 and 1.0 million innocent people have died. These figures are between 30 and 300 times the number of people killed on 911. Do two wrongs make a right? Furthermore, the majority of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudis. Not Iraqis. We are allies with Saudi Arabia and yet Saudi Arabia is far from being a democracy. <---

A mention of our tax money being sent directly to Saudi Arabia to "help them" would be effective perhaps.

People don't like being taxed so that the government can just give it away, especially overseas like that.


Yet we went to war to create a democracy in Iraq and set an example for the Middle East.
The hypocrisy is staggering. The mistakes that were made are nearly criminal. <---

maybe use - "perhaps criminal," instead?

"nearly" may imply to people that you believe the mistakes weren't quite criminal enough to be criminal,

while it seems to be common knowledge more and more that we were deliberately lied to,
to start the war for another agenda other than defense of the nation.

i.e. the war was begun to control the region.

personally, lying to start a war seems to be quite obviously "criminal" to me .


Why anyone believes one thing that is said by the people who led us into this war is a mystery to me. <---

fits well with using "perhaps" instead of "nearly"


“We will be greeted as liberators.” Wrong. “Oil revenues will pay the cost.” Wrong. “A secular democracy will emerge and be an inspiration for other countries.” Wrong. The list of misjudgments goes on an <--- missing the "d"
on.


Were the civilian Iraqis killed by our preemptive war “collateral damage” or is that just a euphemism for murder? Has anyone taken the time to look at their pictures on the Web? I wonder how their relatives and friends feel about the United States? I wonder if they are more or less likely to become terrorists as a result of the actions of the United States. <---

perhaps change the last "United States" to "the current administration" or the like
to focus blame on the administration and distance blame from the US as a whole.


I see a country <---

again, perhaps use "an administration" instead of "a country" for the same reasons as immediately above.


that has violated the Geneva Conventions. I see a country <--- same again


that has violated the Christian Doctrine of Just War. I see a country <--- same again


that has started a war that is illegal under international law. As President Eisenhower said, “Preventive war was an invention of Hitler.
Frankly, I would not listen to anyone who seriously talked about such a thing”. I see a flock of Presidential candidates, most of whom voted for this war and many of whom believe “all options should be on the table” in dealing with Iran. For those who are not current on this subject, that language is code for: we should be prepared to attack Iran with conventional or nuclear weapons.
Think about that for a moment. Leaders in this Country are actually talking about using a nuclear weapon preemptively against a country that has not attacked us. Are they insane?
I hear Neocon pundits calling for the beginning of World War III. <---

maybe a mention of Bush coming out and directly mentioning WW III based on lies that have been found out now,
in terms of them trying to suppress intelligence assessments.

I see a Country that has suspended habeas corpus. I see a country that has stripped its citizens of the Constitutional protections against an overreaching government. I see a country that has sanctioned “rendition” which is just another term for the kidnapping of anyone, anywhere, throughout the world, and then spiriting them off to a remote location where they can be subject to “enhanced interrogation techniques,” which we are told are not torture. <---

maybe a mention of "no lawyers, no trials, can be held indefinitely/for life" ect may be effective somewhere around here.

Another lie. I see a country that has engaged in torture. Hell, <---

okay by me, but to avoid a slightly "curse word" may be wise.
Could easily say, perhaps, just as effectively,

"one leading Presidential candidate - even - wants to “double Guantanamo”"


one leading Presidential candidate wants to “double Guantanamo” and thinks his sons’ campaigning for him is equivalent to serving in the military. Of course, he <---

perhaps replace "he" with "that candidate" to avoid any confusion as to
which person you're talking about, the candidate verses the son.

as in:

"Of course, that candidate got a deferment to avoid serving in Vietnam."


got a deferment to avoid serving in Vietnam. Other candidates for the highest office in this land are not any better. I see a war hero candidate who sings "bomb Iran" to the tune of The Beach Boy's song, Barbara Ann. How can he make light of killing people? Shame on you Senator. Of all people, you should know better. Joking about killing someone is a disgrace in my book.

~~~~~~~~~
Then there is another republican candidate who doesn't believe in evolution, and literally believes the world was created in six days. If we are going to replay the Monkey/Scopes trial at the Presidential level, we are surely lost. Anyone who does not believe in the theory of evolution, as proven by science, is immediately disqualified by me as not being capable of critical thought. I am not saying people are not allowed to think "magically", I am just saying that I do not want one of these people running my country.[Linda comment (I’d take it all out and not even go there—assuming your goal is to help Ron get elected. Plus the copy just flows better into your next statement with it out.) ]
~~~~~~~~~

Could easily reference Huck with something like "wears his religion on his sleeve", or even now,
"misled people about receiving a Theology Degree", ect ect. Huck has tons of things to mention.


Furthermore, I see a country where the top advocates of war have never fought in one. Worse yet, they sought and obtained deferments when others were fighting. You cannot make this stuff up. The irony is incredible. If, as I believe, you reap what you sow, - then the ultimate payback for these injustices will be staggering. <---

nice, no comment from me here, just wanted to mention that it's powerful and effective.
As a minister I like it. So very true. A point I try to make as often as I think the
perpetrators will see/hear it. Let's not forget, God sees all, and will repay in kind, both the good and the evil.


I see a Country <--- perhaps change to "an administration" or the like for previously mentioned reasons

that thinks that it owns and controls the world. I believe this is ethically wrong <--- include "and morally" perhaps?

Furthermore, we cannot afford it, so even attempting to run the world is pointless. <---

"self defeating" instead of "pointless" perhaps?

i.e. we're kind of defeating ourselves, economically for one, by trying to run the world ect.


I see a country that thinks it should have bases in the Middle East for the next fifty years. <---

only 50? Hasn't there been a mention of at least a "hundred year war"?

perhaps use "50-100 years" or "50 to a 100 years" ect.



I see a country where the dominant political party, <---

perhaps use "group" instead of "party" since Neocons are a subset of the Republican Party,

i.e.,"where a dominant political group"


the Neocons, believes the world is a dark and evil place. I believe the people who feel this way are projecting their own views onto the rest of the world. They need therapy. <---

true, but "They need therapy" almost sounds a bit sarcastic.

I like it, but perhaps, not really necessary to include that personal of a statement.

Perhaps something like:

"and they endanger us by it"
"and their viewpoint endangers the rest of us"
"and they endanger the rest of the world,"
"and their viewpoint endangers the rest of the world"
"they need to step back and reassess their position because it only endangers the rest of the world"

.

something about the dangerousness of their viewpoint perhaps?

I agree with your "needs therapy" statement,
but perhaps something less accusatory and more definitive as to why their viewpoint is unsound would be more effective.


I see a country where the Government has adopted the Old Testament view <---

perhaps modify to "has adopted the literal viewpoint of the Old Testament law of equivalency"

since there are valid reasons to believe that the law was not literal,
but rather suggestive of equal punishment or judgment, rather than a literal mandate.


of an eye for an eye. As Ghandi said, if we take this approach we will all end up blind.
In short, I wonder if America has lost its soul. Out of malfeasance, fear, ignorance, or incompetence we have implemented the wrong policies and taken the wrong course. Since this is true, then effectively the terrorists are winning. God surely has a great sense of humor. <---

no comment other than, as a minister, just nice to know someone else believes this way because I do too,
and I rarely hear someone else mention that God has a sense of humor.


Irony abounds.
As citizens, each and every one of us is somewhat responsible for the acts of our government. <---

perhaps also include something along the lines of, "In fact, the Constitution states that "We the people" are the government",

for emphasis that the government isn't some bureaucracy, but, we the people of the United States,
and it's our responsibility to stand up for our rights to be the government,
instead of leaving the governance of the country in the hands of a few politicians and bureaucrats,

i.e. We need to take the power back ect, and it's our responsibility and duty as citizens to do so.


All it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing. So, has America lost it soul: yes or no? I would submit that while the current U.S. Administration and the vast majority of the Senate and Congress have lost their souls, the American people have not. Nearly 70% of the American population is against this war, and yet the war goes on. The vast majority of the American people want peace. People know what is right, yet the government does the wrong thing. How can this be? We are supposed to be a government OF, FOR and BY the People.<---

I hadn't read this yet before my last comment, I see that it makes the same point.
(I'm reading as someone who has never see it, and relating my impressions as I go along)


Are we? What do you think? Does our government really represent the American people? Do you think the U.S. government should kill innocent Iraqis or Iranians to make us safer? Would you advocate killing a man who lives down the street because<---

perhaps add the word "just", as in "just because"
to emphasis that preemptive war includes killing innocent people because of 'thought', not fact.

i.e. someone thinks harm is possible, rather than actual harm taking place.

(personally, I think the neocon agenda of preemptive war isn't based on an actual fear of harm,
but rather an excuse used to persuade the American people to go along with their true agenda
to control the Middle East for various nefarious reasons.)


you think he might do you harm in the future, even though he has done nothing to you yet?
I will say it right now, clearly and loud:

The huge disconnect between what a majority of this country wants and what our government is doing is the elephant in the room that no one will discuss.
I cannot in good conscience condone or support the policies of the Neocons, the military industrial complex, or the oil industry. I do not believe in “Full Spectrum Dominance”. I do not believe “We Are The <---

should the quotation mark come before "The" instead of "We"?
i.e. "The Indispensable Nation”

Indispensable Nation”. I do not believe we are “History’s Actors.” I do not believe we can “Make Our Own Reality”. <---

perhaps include "The policemen of the world" since it's a very well known and understood phrase, one that, I believe, Ron has said on various occasions.


I do not believe we should be an Empire. I think we have great power and military superiority and we should use these abilities to protect ourselves. Furthermore, with these powers come enormous responsibility. We are a Constitutional Republic. I believe there is a power higher than my government and that the Founders drew upon this power when they drafted the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.” That reads “all men.” Not “all Americans.” The Founders believed, as do I, that All men have God-given rights. Governments are made to protect these rights, not destroy them. Until recently, I believe the American government did a good job of protecting these rights for Americans. For many years now I believe the American government has used a different standard or play book when dealing with foreign countries and foreign citizens. But that is a story for a different essay.
If it sounds like I am mad, you’re right. I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore. (Source: Howard Beale: Network) <---

maybe add somehow that "Network" is a movie for further clarification.
i.e. (Source: Howard Beale: Movie: Network)


I am mad that my money becomes worth less every year because the Federal Reserve can print money out of thin air. I am mad that the U.S. Government inflation statistics are a lie, thanks to Bill Clinton’s changing of the CPI calculation. I am mad that this change and the Federal Reserve have put the economy on a roller coaster leading to boom and bust cycles that benefit financiers at the expense of the middle class, retirees and the poor. I am mad that Wall Street titans and speculators have been rewarded while savers and honest labor have been punished. I am mad that honesty is considered quaint and naive by the political classes. I am mad at the arrogance of those who hold power in Washington, DC. I am mad that the actions of some men in my country have taken away the moral high ground that the U.S. used to occupy. I am mad that my tax dollars are used for weapons rather than for peaceful purposes. I do not want the blood of innocents on my hands. I do not agree with many of Michael Moore’s positions, but his statement “dude, I want my country back” resonates with me. I believe that it resonates with a large portion of the American voter base.
Individual Americans are great people. If 70% of them are opposed to the war, then there is still hope. Of course the mainstream media, the press and the vested industrial and political interests <---

perhaps add "economic interests" as well


would have us all believe that we cannot make a difference. They say we need to listen to them as they tell us who the next President will be. We have to choose between the two war monger candidates they will serve up to us. We are told who the two front runners are, and we are discouraged from looking elsewhere. Why bother, they say? No one else even stands a chance. Maybe so, maybe not. <---

perhaps somehow add "but" i.e. "but maybe not", it's more defiant ,
more indicative of an "in your face" attitude to the MSM, fits well with the anger aspect, it's kind of like,

"oh yeah MSM, think again"


This time I think they have gone too far. I would submit that the outcome of this election it is not so clear. The establishment dam has sprung a leak. The leak may be small now, but it is growing. It is growing exponentially. The word is spreading. The candidates who represent change are moving up. The candidates who represent the status quo are moving down (Rudy Guiliani and Hillary Clinton). Even Rudy is being forced to talk about what a great religion Islam is in order to soften his Norman Podhoretz inspired:” kill’em all, and let God sort them out message.” <---

should the quotation mark be after "out" instead of "message"?

i.e. ” kill’em all, and let God sort them out"


The lines could not be more clearly drawn.
Ron Paul’s message is clear and beautiful and true. It resonates with people. When you hear it you say, “that’s right, that’s what I believe”.
This is why his poll numbers are rising faster than any other candidate. Yet, the media still ignores him or treats him poorly. It is beautiful irony that every attack on him only brings him more attention as intelligent Americans wonder, “who is this guy that everyone keeps attacking … I wonder if there is a reason?” They say he cannot win. They say he is a fringe candidate. They say he will lose big. I disagree. First, I think there is a very good chance he will be our next President. Second, I think he has won, even if he does not win. Why? Because he has put the Freedom message out there. It is like a virus. It is spreading. It cannot be stopped. I believe history will record the Ron Paul Freedom Movement as a seminal event in the history of U.S. politics.
It is an honor to support this man. We should be so lucky as to have him for our President.
Having said that, we could all help history along a little bit by supporting the Ron Paul campaign. My favorite movie is : <---

I think, adjust colon 1 space left to "is:"

It’s A Wonderful Life. To me, the message of that movie is that we all make a difference. Individually, none of us have the power of the Neocons and the political classes, but collectively they are supposed to work for us. <---

perhaps add "and represent"

i.e. "they are supposed to work for and represent us."

to emphasize that they aren't the true power, that the American people are.
That the Constitution gives "We the people" the power.


If we self-organize and unite, we have them badly <---

perhaps change to "badly" to "greatly"

i.e. "greatly outnumbered"
for emphasis on the size of "We the people"compared to the small group of people
that comprise the current neocon ruling elite.

Also more "positive" of a word, rather than the more negative "bad" or "badly"


out numbered. They are terrified, believe me on this. And it is happening. <---

perhaps exchange "change" for "it"

i.e. "And change is happening."

change is a political "buzzword" this electoral season, and it's beginning to resonate among the electorate.
Numerous mentions of "change" abound.

Also, the instant I read "And it is happening." I was a bit lost on the meaning of "it".
And lost focus and concentration on the powerful message that had me gripped.

With the word "change" I would have immediately understood your meaning without losing focus.


The growth in this movement is amazing. We can and will win this struggle. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a defeatist or is working for the other side. <---

perhaps use something like "status quo" instead of "the other side".

Everyone understands "status quo", and "the other side" may come off as a bit "conspiratory" or "paranoid"

I don't believe your paranoid, but you know how people are in jumping to conclusions.

Also, again with the previous "losing focus" point.

"the other side" made me pause and think,
where "status quo" would have caused no hesitation due to instant comprehension of your message.


I ran the USA Today Advertisement because I wanted to plant a seed and make a difference. WE ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Every conversation, every person converted, every e-mail , every effort; it all counts. The internet is what has made it possible.
What a beautiful thing. The trend is really changing and it is fun to watch the old guard struggle as their fortress crumbles.
So what can you do?
Join our effort to elect Ron Paul as the next President of the United States. Spread the word that we have an opportunity to elect an honest statesman with an impeccable record of voting in line with our Constitution.
Donate to his campaign!
Each contribution represents another American who has said “enough is enough.”
Every contribution helps. $10 is not too little. On December 16th, our collective voices were heard when grassroots supporters for Ron succeeded in organizing the largest one-day fundraiser in political history. Over 58,000 ordinary Americans spoke with their wallets by donating more than $6 million dollars to the Ron Paul campaign in a single day. <---

perhaps as well a mention of the over 25,000 new donors somewhere in here to, for example,
emphasize the "be a contributor" part to the people who have yet to contribute, ect


Together we are proving to be a force to be reckoned with.
Think about it. What is freedom worth? I would submit that it is priceless. If you care about the future of this country, I know that Ron Paul will not let you down. If you care about our troops, then you must vote for Ron Paul. He will bring them home to defend America instead of someone else’s country. Ron Paul has received more donations from active military personnel than any other candidate. Why do you think that is? Have you heard about it from the Mainstream Media? I think not. <---

perhaps use something along the lines of "perhaps not" or "more than likely not" ect.
because there has been some mention of it in the MSM, if not so much expressly by the MSM.

Basically, many people may have heard it, if only in passing,
and use of a less definitive statement than "I think not" may be more effective.


This is it folks. A once in a lifetime opportunity. We may never see a candidate with more integrity, with a better message or track record.
Rarely has our country been so far off track. <---

perhaps say something like in the form of a question,
this may encourage people to come to their own conclusion at this point and begin to really think "He's right" ect.

e.g. "Has our country ever been so far off track?"

It's less of a statement and more inclusive of the reader it seems to me.


Our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honors in order to establish this Nation. Perhaps we have taken for granted the risks they took and the sacrifices they made. But we are being called. We are being tested. How will we answer? Will we meet the test <---

perhaps use "this test" instead of "the test"
it may be more slightly more referencing of the previous "We are being tested."

~~~~

no comments past this point, I had to delete the rest of the letter due to the length of the post.

 

[Starks]

tl;dr
(too long; didn't read)

 

[LSUiLike]

Paid Political Message

Why I spent $85,000 to support presidential candidate Ron Paul
by Lawrence W. Lepard

During the Thanksgiving holidays I reached into my own pocket and purchased a full page ad in USA Today supporting the candidacy of Congressman Ron Paul. It was not done at the request of or in association with Dr. Paul or his official campaign. It was done because I've realized and I hoped to convey to my fellow citizens that Ron Paul is unique in the political arena. He is truly a public servant. A "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" type of guy. No interest vested in the status-quo will support him, but I will.

I believe history will show that we, as Americans, stand at an important crossroads. We need to make a decision about what we want America to become, and that is largely affected by who we choose to lead us. History will judge all of us, as a people, on what we allow America to become and how we choose to face the rest of the world. As I say to my closest friends, I do not want to have to explain to my grandchildren that I stood silent as others destroyed this country.

Let me state it clearly.

The America of my youth believed in the rule of law, not the rule of might or majority. It believed in telling the truth. It believed in upholding Judeo-Christian values while making room for those of different faiths and backgrounds. It believed in the golden rule: treat people the way we would like them to treat us.

The America of my youth believed we shouldn't lie, cheat, or steal, regardless of rank in society. It believed in the inherent goodness of most men, but recognized that evil exists. It believed in protecting oneself from evil, but in the process of doing so we were cautioned not to become what we were protecting against.

In short, the America of my youth was a place where we could be proud of our country. We were thankful for our progenitors, the men and women who sacrificed and contributed so much to give us the freedom and heritage we were born into and benefited from.

I wake up today, a citizen all my 50 years, a husband and father of three, and I wonder where that America has gone. I look at the recent string of leaders we've had, and at the candidates clamoring to be next in line, and I wonder, "Are these the best leaders my country can produce?"

I see the U.S. still involved in an aggressive, undeclared war that rages on, even after toppling a sovereign nation that posed no real threat to our national security. Instead of defeating terrorism, I believe our actions, both intended and unintended, are creating new terrorists. How many innocent Iraqi lives have been affected by the unintended consequences of our actions in Iraq?

New reports out of Iraq assure us that the “surge” is working. Assuming these reports aren't efforts to help push the status quo in the upcoming election, is anyone else bothered that a major, long term solution in Iraq's national defense strategy is to work out an agreement with our armed forces to provide continued support?

Ron Paul voted against invading Iraq. He supported a response that would strategically target the terrorists responsible for the tragedy of September 11, 2001, but he did not support an attack on a sovereign nation. When it was clear we were gearing up to go to war, he proposed that Congress actually declare war, as called for in the Constitution, but there was no support for that.

The bottom line is that the current administration has failed to capture and eliminate the criminals who perpetrated this crime against us. Those responsible are still at large, our borders are wide open, and our troops are spread thin all over the globe. We need a leader who will be truly dedicated to a strong national defense, which includes keeping us out of foreign entanglements that in the end create more enemies than friends and more complications than solutions. We need a president who will put the national security of the American people, and the safety of our troops, before the interests of oil companies and the military industrial complex.

I will stop at this point, at least for now. I know I have changed a fair amount of what you wrote, but I believe it is more effective and it captures the essence of what you're trying to say. It may still need to be trimmed (shortened), but I'd be happy to continue editing your article if you'd like me to. I believe keeping references to other candidates out of your article is probably for the best.

 

[Mark]

^4_comments

 

[LSUiLike]

We have violated the Geneva Convention. We have violated the Christian Doctrine of Just War. We have started a war that is illegal under international law. And most damning, our Congress never declared war.

President Eisenhower said, “Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. Frankly, I would not listen to anyone who seriously talked about such a thing," yet this has since become policy? What is more alarming is that we have a majority of candidates, most of whom supported this war, that want to keep all options on the table when dealing with Iran. With no shame, potential leaders of this country will not take a preemptive nuclear strike against Iran off the table. Iran has not attacked us, and while they should be taken seriously, they pose no immediate threat to our national security.

Even if we could afford to continue our fight with Iran, would it be just? There would be no support from the world for a preemptive strike on Iran and the entire region would rally against us. In addition, the plain truth is that we could not afford it.

Our citizens have seen an erosion of the Constitutional protections against an overreaching government. Our leaders sanction “rendition,” another term for the kidnapping of anyone, anywhere, throughout the world, and then spiriting them off to a remote location where they can be subject to “enhanced interrogation techniques,” which we are told are not torture. Another lie.

Yet, for all their tough talk, how many candidates that advocate war have never fought in one? Worse yet, how many sought and obtained deferments while others were serving their country? You cannot make this stuff up. The irony is incredible.

Out of malfeasance, fear, ignorance, or incompetence we have implemented the wrong policies and taken the wrong course. I am sad to say, the terrorists are winning.

As citizens, each and every one of us is somewhat responsible for the acts of our government. All it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing. So, has America lost its moral compass? I would submit that while the current U.S. administration and the vast majority of Congress have lost their way, the American people have not.

Our leaders are meant to serve the people, not their party. Nearly 70% of the American population is against this war, and yet the war goes on. People know what is right, yet the government does the wrong thing. How can this be? We are supposed to be a government OF, FOR and BY the People. Are we? What do you think? Does our government really represent the American people? Do you think the U.S. government should kill innocent Iraqis or Iranians to make us safer? Would you advocate killing a neighbor with a different would view because he might do you harm in the future? Have we really exhausted all other avenues?

We may be conflicted between leaving Iraq and abandoning the Iraqi people, but a big reason for the conflict is because many Muslims oppose western intervention. If we leave, that element will no longer have a cause to rally against in Iraq. However, because we decided to topple the existing Iraqi government, a new governmental structure must be formed in Iraq. This structure should be decided upon among Iraqis - we have no moral basis to influence the decision of the people of Iraq. Iraq may suffer growing pains because of this, but we can do little to circumvent that inevitability unless we plan on maintaining a long term presence in Iraq.

I will say it right now, clearly and loud:

The huge disconnect between what a majority of this country wants and what our government is doing is the elephant in the room that no one will discuss.
I cannot in good conscience condone or support the policies of the Neocons, the military industrial complex, or the oil industry. I do not believe in “Full Spectrum Dominance”. I do not believe “We Are The Indispensable Nation”. I do not believe we are “History’s Actors.” I do not believe we can “Make Our Own Reality”. I do not believe we should be an Empire.

I think we have great power and military superiority and we should use these abilities to protect ourselves. But with these powers come enormous responsibility. We are a Constitutional Republic. I believe there is a power higher than my government and that the Founders drew upon this power when they drafted the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.” That reads “all men.” Not “all Americans.” The Founders believed, as do I, that all men have God-given rights. Governments are made to protect these rights, not destroy them.

In the past I believed the American government did a good job of protecting these rights. Sadly, and for many years now, I believe the American government has used a different standard or play book when dealing with foreign countries and foreign citizens. Furthermore, I see a change slowly spreading domestically in how our government treats its own citizens.

If it sounds like I am mad, you’re right. I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore!

I am mad that my money becomes worth less every year because the Federal Reserve can print money out of thin air. I am mad that the U.S. government inflation statistics are a lie, thanks to Bill Clinton’s changing of the CPI calculation. I am mad that this change and the Federal Reserve have put the economy on a roller coaster leading to boom and bust cycles that benefit financiers at the expense of the middle class, retirees and the poor. I am mad that Wall Street titans and speculators have been rewarded while savers and honest labor have been punished.

I am mad that honesty is considered quaint and naïve by the political classes. I am mad at the arrogance of those who hold power in Washington, DC. I am mad that the actions of some men in my country have taken away the moral high ground that the U.S. used to occupy. I am mad that my tax dollars are used for unnecessary war instead of more thorough solutions. I do not want the blood of innocents on my hands.

I believe that I am not alone and that my views will resonate with a large portion of the American voter base. Individual Americans are great people. If 70% of them are opposed to the war, then there is still hope. Of course the mainstream media, the press and the vested industrial and political interests would have us all believe that we cannot make a difference. They say we need to listen to them as they tell us who the legitimate candidates will be, using unscientific polls as validation. In the end, we'll have to choose between the lesser of two evils.

This time I think they have gone too far. I would submit that the outcome of this election it is not so clear. The establishment dam has sprung a leak. The leak may be small now, but it is growing. It is growing exponentially. The word is spreading. The candidates who represent change are moving up. The candidates who represent the status quo are moving down.

Ron Paul’s message is clear and righteous and true. It resonates with people. When you hear it you say, “That’s right, that’s what I believe”. This is why he is able to raise "front runner money" despite fighting the only message the media feels comfortable sharing with us: "This man cannot win. He is unconventional." If what we've had is conventional, why would we want it?

Intelligent Americans are beginning to wonder, “Who is this guy that I keep hearing cannot win? Is there a reason his name keeps resurfacing? How is this guy able to raise money comparable to the front runners?” They say he cannot win. They say he is a fringe candidate. They say he will lose big. I totally disagree.

I think his message is spreading like wildfire and that there is a lot more support out there than the media is giving him credit for. There is a real chance enough people will risk their vote on a candidate who risks telling us the truth despite being scoffed at by the status-quo'ers. There is a real chance, a chance that is becoming more galvanized by the day, that Ron Paul will be our next President.

But apart from the race for the candidacy, Dr Paul has already won, by spreading the message of freedom, hope, and empowerment. His message is spreading. It cannot be stopped. I believe history will record the Ron Paul Freedom Movement as a seminal event in the history of U.S. politics. We will see more and more candidates for public office with this message of freedom, truth, and a commitment to truth.

It is an honor to support this man. We should be so lucky as to have him for our President.

Having said that, we could all help history along a little bit by supporting the Ron Paul campaign. I ran the USA Today Advertisement because I wanted to plant a seed and make a difference. WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Every conversation, every person converted, every e-mail , every effort; it all counts.

So what can you do?

Join our effort to elect Ron Paul as the next President of the United States. Spread the word that we have an opportunity to elect an honest statesman with an impeccable record of voting in line with our Constitution.

Donate to his campaign!

Each contribution represents another American who has said “enough is enough.”
Every contribution helps. $10 is not too little. On December 16th, our collective voices were heard when grassroots supporters for Ron succeeded in organizing the largest one-day fundraiser in political history. Over 58,000 ordinary Americans spoke with their wallets by donating more than $6 million dollars to the Ron Paul campaign in a single day. Together we are proving to be a force to be reckoned with.

Think about it. What is freedom worth? I would submit that it is priceless. If you care about the future of this country, I know that Ron Paul will not let you down. If you care about our troops, then you must vote for Ron Paul. He will bring them home to defend America instead of someone else’s country. Ron Paul has received more donations from active military personnel than any other candidate. Why do you think that is? Have you heard about it from the Mainstream Media? I think not.

This is it folks. A once in a lifetime opportunity. We may never see a candidate with more integrity, with a better message or track record. Our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honors in order to establish this Nation. Perhaps we have taken for granted the risks they took and the sacrifices they made. But we are being called. We are being tested. How will we answer? Will we meet the test or will we fail? Each of us makes a difference.

So what are you going to do? Are you going to be a Loyalist or a Patriot? Are you going to storm the ramparts or huddle with the bourgeoisie?

Americans are brave people. I believe we can set this country back on the right track and that America will experience a renaissance of Peace, Freedom and Prosperity.

Vote Ron Paul for President.

The danger to our Republic is real. We must act now!

Remember, each one of us makes a difference. Please vote for Ron Paul in your state’s Republican Primary and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same.

You can also learn more at www.RonPaulLibrary.org about Ron Paul”s positions on the issues that most concern you.

As many have said, this is probably too long, but there is a lot of good stuff in there. I think you should tone down the pacifist undertones, which I did. Tone down the "Mass Media is against us" comments, which I started. We want to appeal to as many people as possible and presenting our point of view as pacifist or conspiratorial isn't as effective as it could be.

 

[LFOD]

I don't understand the logic on why this would be an effective advertisement. It's too long by a factor of 10 at least. Many people in this forum can't get through it, including myself, and I'm an avid reader. Why would someone who is not currently intending to vote for Ron Paul sit down and read a full page letter from a supporter? I really don't see that as a realistic scenario.

In my opinion, the best bang for the buck would be to take the USA Today ad and run it instead of this one.

 

[james1844]

Hi All,

I agree. Its a really first rate idea, but I'm afraid that its too long!

Most people have like a 30 second attention span - its the MTV effect.

Best,

James

 

[tmg19103]

Larry,

I suggested this with your USA Today ad, which I thought was great - I think it is a good idea to spend a couple hundred with a marketing consultant who specializes in newspaper ads and who has ideally done campaigns.

I know you are speaking from your heart and since you are spending your money you want to get your own message across in your own way.

I think we all agree with the nessage. The point here is to get RP elected. If I had the money to place a full page ad in every NH newspaper in support of RP, I'd certainly spend the small amount needed to get feedback from a professional marketing consultant.

You don't have to accept everything this consultant has to say, but it may give you ideas on how to better position the ad in a way that satisfies your personal view of what this message should be AND also has the best impact on the reader.

JMHO. Whatever you do, you have my gratitude.