Well, LLepard, looks like you have about a 50-50 split here, which I guess won't help you a lot? I like it like it is. I do understand your family's concern; it is just a little in-your-face, not refined, polite, polished. But I like that. It's time for some plain speech, even in the haughty, hallowed pages of the New York Times.
I don't see the money figure as "egotistical", though. I have a feeling that sort of reaction comes from our cultural conditioning, that regards being public about how "rich" you are as vulgar or in bad taste. $85,000 is, yes, about five times my yearly "income", but, since I grew up from liberal to libertarian over 25 years ago, I don't resent your having that much money. You needn't apologize to anyone for being successful. Nor do you "owe" anyone anything, nor do you have any obligation to "give back" (I assume you've worked for your success, not had it given to you).
I might suggest you try to think back to when you originally wrote the headline; how did you feel then, what motivated you to use those words (and number)? Has your own feeling changed?
I do admire and salute you for putting up a sizable chunk of your success on behalf of the Cause. God bless you, Sir.
As for "wasting your money", only you can decide that. I guess I've just been assuming, after you placed that great ad in USA Today, that you'd already decided. I kind of get the feeling that your family, lovely and wonderful though I'm sure they are, might not be as clear and firm in their libertarian understanding and convictions as you are.
Of course, you know that, now you've made yourself a public figure in the Ron Paul Revolution, at some point you may very well come under some kind of attack. And yes, I wouldn't be surprised if some mainstream liberal types criticize you for "showing off" or something similar. The usual liberal subtext: it's immoral to be financially better off than the average. Again, you needn't apologize for being successful. And the fruits of your success are yours, to use as you will.
As a free man and a libertarian, I understand that it's none of my business what you do with your honestly-earned money, nor is it anyone else's; whatever you decide, I do hope you feel clear and at ease about it.
BTW, I do have a suggestion for the second line:
Because I care about my family, and your family.
Adding a comma puts a little pause for effect there.
And, if the ad is still not final, I'm still wondering: Has the phone number at the bottom been corrected? It should be 1-800-RON-PAUL. That's the best number for people to call the Campaign.
Edit: I see that later posts (while I was composing mine) are increasingly in favor of leaving it as it is. Good, I like that. Go get 'em! Yes, you may get some heat, from people who don't (yet) understand what Ron Paul and Freedom are all about; if you feel you can handle that, I'd stay with what you have.
