If Elijah doesn't change the graphics back, he is going to loose half the pledges

[fredricko]

Well, if it's reasonable, why don't YOU just cover their salary so ALL of the money can go for the blimp?

If I could, I would, but that is not the point. I simply meant that if people are getting paid for this blimp project, it is perfectly reasonable that their salaries are disclosed.

Also, why do you keep berating everyone? It's not like the blimp is taking any of your money.

If you are suspicious about the blimp then don't donate. People will use their discretion in deciding whether the blimp project is legit or not, just like you have done.

I understand that it is important to make opinions and information available so people can make informed decisions, but as it stands I don't think you aren't contributing anything else to this discussion.

 

[Delain]

Really? NO reason. Like, using the RON PAUL FORUM to MAKE MONEY? No reason huh? To tell them to TAKE IT ELSEWHERE?

Oh, yes there is.

Ok, that’s a legitimate point.

Its grassroots and all volunteers, so what now when people are getting financial compensation or a salary?


I don’t know. Those people from " Operation Live Free or Die", are they getting financial compensation?

Anyway, writing in CAPS like you’re sitting there screaming and foaming behind your pc doesn’t help to get your point across.

 

[Mark]

okay well then since you don't have to make payments, i say you start your own blimp endeavor. get it all together, and don't make a salary since you don't need one.
youre not seeing my point. all the money they recieve should be guaranteed. someone shouldn't donate like 10 grand, and then be able to get it back. thats not good, especially when we're still trying to get this off the ground. and why would i give you my money, you cannot relate you asking someone on a forum (especially a minor) for money to buying a blimp from a company. ones legit, ones just..you

I don't have payments, because I DON'T HAVE a house or car. It must be nice to have those things.

And yes, now you've almost got it. "all the money they receive should be guaranteed." Guaranteed to be REFUNDED.

Why not just give me your money like you're saying everyone should just give THEM their money?

Why is it ok for them, but not for me? I promise, I'll guarantee not to give it back. Will that make you happy and comforted?

 

[rjo43084]

I Agree

We can move forward today and get lots of contributions!

Just remove the "NO REFUND" statement in the "terms" contract.

Say if the blimp does not fly, you will receive ninety five percent returned of your original contribution. That's reasonable for good business faith on both sides.

I figure 5% cost already expended is a reasonable amount. So What's the problem?

With that said... let's get the blimp up in the AIR!

I agree with this, and I think it would make things a lot more legitimate and reasonable. The no refund policy is the main reason I became so skeptical of the LLC idea in the first place.

 

[Mark]

Ok, that’s a legitimate point.

Thank you, I thought it was quite reasonable.

Its grassroots and all volunteers, so what now when people are getting financial compensation or a salary?

It stops being "grassroots and volunteering" when you GET PAID FOR IT. Understand?

I don’t know. Those people from " Operation Live Free or Die", are they getting financial compensation?

No, they're VOLUNTEERS, they're spending their OWN money to do it.

[/quote]
Anyway, writing in CAPS like you’re sitting there screaming and foaming behind your pc doesn’t help to get your point across.[/quote]

That's YOUR imagination. I'm not screaming, I'm emphasizing. It's a lot quicker than using all the BBcode.

 

[cien750hp]

I don't have payments, because I DON'T HAVE a house or car. It must be nice to have those things.

And yes, now you've almost got it. "all the money they receive should be guaranteed." Guaranteed to be REFUNDED.

Why not just give me your money like you're saying everyone should just give THEM their money?

Why is it ok for them, but not for me? I promise, I'll guarantee not to give it back. Will that make you happy and comforted?

i think we're on different pages here. i think youre talking about getting refunds if the blimp project does not get enough, i was talking about getting refunds before they call it quits because you feel like getting your money back.
like just deciding one day you'd rather go on vacation so you want a refund, not the blimp project not getting enough funds to go forth.
i highly doubt it will fall through though. we are the grassroots of ron paul, and we can do anything. unfortunatly you don't think this and feel everyone is getting scammed and has ill intent. lighten up, youre not donating. let it stay at that.

 

[robinlynn]

?

"Really, if we can keep this up, we will get an incredible number of new users on here, and that will be worth something too Welcome aboard, #6."

dear beFranklin,
not sure what you mean by that... i joined before you did.

 

[Mark]

Also, why do you keep berating everyone? It's not like the blimp is taking any of your money.

This isn't their board to make money and start their company.

It's the board for the grassroots to work together to get Dr Paul elected.

If they want to go somewhere, make enough money to pay for the blimp,

come back and donate it to the grassroots like everyone else is with their projects ect. Fine. Great. God Bless 'em.

.
Nobody here but THEM ask for money to pay themselves. Most of us are making tremendous personal sacrifices to volunteer for Dr Paul.

.
I've got a lot of real work to do. Which, by the way, I'm not making a penny on, in fact, it's costing me a lot of money that I can't afford to spend.

I've explained enough for anyone to understand.

If you still have trouble comprehending my points, maybe just re-read everything I've already written.

l8tr

 

[Delain]

It stops being "grassroots and volunteering" when you GET PAID FOR IT. Understand?

Yes I do. And because of that you dont want them or the project on these forums anymore, correct? Close the Ron Paul Blimp subforum?

>> Forum Feedback & Ideas

 

[BeFranklin]

"
dear beFranklin,
what do you think this is, a private surf beach?.

I'd like to think it was a forum of serious discussion, but it hasn't been today!

 

[Mark]

Yes I do. And because of that you dont want them or the project on these forums anymore, correct? Close the Ron Paul Blimp subforum?

>> Forum Feedback & Ideas

No, just stop trying to support themselves with what they claim is a "volunteer effort".

I'm out.

 

[macdee]

I've got to get some sleep!

The "NO REFUND" clause doesn't sit well with me. But I hoping their going to review this issue. There is no point in me taking on ALL the RISK of the project if the blimp doesn't fly. That’s like saying, if they don't produce what was agreed upon in good faith, I'm shit out of luck! I loose 100 percent of my donation! Boy... Doesn't that sound fair?

Why should I take on one hundred percent of the risk? If that’s the case, no one is responsible for anything! Why would I give money to someone that is NOT responsible? It confounds my common sense. And I don't have an answer to that but to get more information. Or strike a better deal somewhere else.

A good nights sleep won't convince me that I have to take on 100 percent of the risk. I'm a hopeless believer in a grass roots campaign efforts, but I expect those collecting the funds to be responsible in producing results with my money. If it's a "NO REFUND" policy, then they have no responsibility or incentive to produce the desired results. Explain this to me, please.

This is very basic business principals that all honest agreements follow. Enough said. I don't need to explain this again. I’m going to sleep for the night. Think I'll buy some gold.

 

[homah]

I can't believe there are still typos in the FAQ. It would take 5 minutes to proofread and correct the errors. Tons of people are going to read that and assume this is an organization that doesn't have its act together. When you're raising money like this, having a professional looking website counts for something.

 

[JohnnyWrath]

My point was, and is, that Trevor and Elijah have started their own company....they are no longer volunteers, they are a for profit company, and after that the whole blimp website changed.,..

I would like to know what we are paying their company for this project??

Understand? They are now a company....not individuals on a website, they are a for profit company, and I am curious what they are charging us for their services??

The way it looks now, we just donate all we can endlessly, and they do the project and keep all extra as profit.


How much is your company charging for this project? Trevor? Elijah?

HOW MUCH WILL YOU MAKE?

 

[LBT]

I've got nothing against these guys getting a salary. Probably something like $800-$1000 per week so people don't get too envious. If the project is a success, it would be one huge asset for the resume.

Campaign staff receive salaries and we don't question their loyalty. Sometimes their competence perhaps

This is a special grassroots effort and requires great investments of time, hopefully over a long period. To give it a chance of working we must accept that those who go full time on this project are not going poor in the process. We know Trevor has done a hell of a lot for the campaign already, and completely voluntary. Why shouldn't we chow our appreciation for people who make huge contributions to the campaign?

As for refunds, this needs to be addressed. There are probably set start up costs that need to be accounted for. These organizers are taking a risk and so must the contributors to some degree. There may need to be a sliding rule on refunds.
e.g. If project is cancelled by Dec.15th, monies raised over the amount of $50,000 will be divided amongst contributors and refunded. Any excess remaining will be contributed to x,y,z chip in projects.

It might need to be more complex that this, depending on where and when expenses are coming into the project and what date deadlines they have.

 

[Bakkhus]

Wrong Logic

this is the wrong approach and the wrong logic. the whole thing about advertising and branding, which is basically what we're doing, is to make positive associations... I feel as if you are putting your faith in some people who claim to have credentials or experience in public relations/ marketing/advertisement, but i'm telling you, they are wrong. From a practical standpoint, the blimp will get more donations if more people like the message on the blimp... and from a marketing standpoint, we need to be enforcing the idea that ron paul is a serious candidate.

Absolutely correct. As someone with years of senior level marketing and brand management experience, I have to agree with posters that the current message is deeply flawed. The past positive message of "Peace, Prosperity, and Freedom" was right on target for the average American and the best one to help build the "Ron Paul" brand. Whoever convinced Elijah to abandon it was giving bad advice.

 

[Hook]

Absolutely correct. As someone with years of senior level marketing and brand management experience, I have to agree with posters that the current message is deeply flawed. The past positive message of "Peace, Prosperity, and Freedom" was right on target for the average American and the best one to help build the "Ron Paul" brand. Whoever convinced Elijah to abandon it was giving bad advice.

QFT

 

[JayCANelson]

Presidential politics

I'm fine with whatever message is put on the blimp. But I'd disagree with the inclusion of 'for President' to turn people off. Yes, that would turn people off through most mediums. But this blimp-advertising is so novel, I'd doubt anyone would care.

And people, why would you complain about having the old graphics vs. new. Save your energy for canvassing.

 

[michaelwise]

Then I'll just double my pledge.

 

[noztnac]

It's "lose" not "loose".

...as in lose pledges.