Official Poll - 1/9/08 Should Ron Paul Accept Matching Funds?

[dseisner]

We discussed matching funds in the summer and the consensus was that it is totally against what Ron Paul stands for and that they won't be accepted. Recent evidence might indicate that we need it and it could make an astronomical difference.

Besides, Ron Paul inserts earmarks for his district. It's against his beliefs but he understands that ultimately, the system is broken and he must return as much money as he can to his district's taxpayers.

Some have argued that there are too many restrictions on the money and it's not worth the 20+ million we'd be getting.

You make the call and we'll send it in to HQ.


*Please sticky - important issue we need everybody's opinion on.

 

[ceakins]

I think he should.

 

[groverblue]

Absolutely not!

 

[exer51]

Hell yea. 20 Mil from "The Man" to help destroy them... How can we NOT take it? I understand not wanting to on principle, and I GUESS it could hurt him in the long run... But I'm still in favor I think.

 

[Time for Change]

I'll second that he should.
It is OUR money anyway, so it is a contribution from the people.

 

[unloud]

It's like the earmark issue. The money is there, why not use it in order to repeal the 16th amendment?

 

[dseisner]

Vote in the poll you dummies.

 

[unloud]

Could you please take the words off the poll other than "Yes" "no" and "I don't know"....I personally say yes because the funds are there and should be used, an option you don't have.

 

[ceakins]

Absolutely not!

We need to play the game from here on out. The good old boy are entrenched, and this is war. We have to pull out all the stops from here on out. Leave nothing off the table.

 

[LoveTheCoast]

Dr. Paul *must* use matching funds. The current establishment makes this legal and as long as RP stays within boundries of current laws, he is doing nothing wrong -- and in my opinon, is doing everything right.

The best way to make change is to become a part of the establishment and use the methods and resources of that establishment. I don't think any of us agree with matching funds, as it shuts out the "little" guy even more, but the only way to make change is to get into the power position.

 

[dseisner]

Could you please take the words off the poll other than "Yes" "no" and "I don't know"....I personally say yes because the funds are there and should be used, an option you don't have.

I can't change the poll. If you want to vote yes, choose the top option.

 

[dseisner]

Dr. Paul *must* use matching funds. The current establishment makes this legal and as long as RP stays within boundries of current laws, he is doing nothing wrong -- and in my opinon, is doing everything right.

The best way to make change is to become a part of the establishment and use the methods and resources of that establishment. I don't think any of us agree with matching funds, as it shuts out the "little" guy even more, but the only way to make change is to get into the power position.

Just imagine how many more votes we could get if we had 20 million MORE in the bank. The establishment created this socialism - let's use their own tactics to take them down.

 

[Sola]

Not too happy about doing that as its against what Dr Paul stands for....but for me its the same as asking for a tax refund....If Dr Paul takes matching funds then he's welcome to my tax dollars if they're going to be used to save this country.

 

[atilla]

i don't like your choices. i think he already spent too much money in new hampshire to be eligible for matching funds. but if he can get them, sure go ahead, it's a tax refund.

 

[dseisner]

i don't like your choices. i think he already spent too much money in new hampshire to be eligible for matching funds. but if he can get them, sure go ahead, it's a tax refund.

If that's the case then clearly he won't take them. But the polls isn't about whether or not it is still possible. It's about whether you think he should or shouldn't.

 

[stevedasbach]

Paul can't take matching funds -- given his statements about not taking his Congressional pension, not accepting student loans for his kids, etc. he would lose all credibility. Plus, it would severly hamper him in the months prior to the convention if he actually won the nomination.

If they will spend the money they've raised on advertising to boost his national poll numbers and earn a victory somewhere, money won't be a problem. If they don't, money won't matter.

 

[amonasro]

Are you guys aware that accepting matching funds limits the way he could spend it? It's not a blank check for 20 million.

 

[ShowMeLiberty]

Absolutely YES.

1. It is very much like "earmarks" so I don't see how it violates Dr. Paul's prinicples.
2. It is money that is given voluntarily by people who check that stupid box on tax forms, so again, I don't see how it violates Dr. Paul's principles.
3. Probably a lot of us can't afford to donate much more (I sure can't), but HQ says they need a LOT more money.

 

[dseisner]

Are you guys aware that accepting matching funds limits the way he could spend it? It's not a blank check for 20 million.

Explain.

 

[adam1mc]

Do you really want to win?

Ideologies aside... Do you want Dr. Paul in the Oval Office?

Yes or No?

If you said yes, then there is only one option. Matching Funds.

We NEED the money for name recognition in the other 48 States.

I know it's against his positions and we all want to have the perfect candidate, but I want Dr. Paul in Office. I'm so upset about Iowa and NH. I want real change, not Clinton.

I WANT MATCHING FUNDS!