Ron Paul Blimp Questions??? I have answers.

[BrianK]

Excellent question

"Originally Posted by expatinireland
The site states: "No limits for U.S. individuals."

The implication of this statement is that non US individuals may contribute with limits.

First of all what is a US individual?

I am an American living overseas. Am I a US individual and will the site allow me to contribute?

Can foreign nationals contribute with limits?

The site could be a bit clearer about this.

There are over 100,000 Americans living in Ireland alone so I hope you, unlike the official campaign website, facilitates donations from Americans living overseas."



I second this question. It has been implied that foreigners cannot sponser the blimp. I thought the whole point of becoming a LLC was to avoid such limitations. How can a privately owned LLC fall under the jurisdiction of the FEC?
Are you saying that someone from say Ireland could not buy a billboard in the US?
I am confused as to why there are limitations on foreign support when this is now a private business and doesn't even say "president" or "election" or really anything political on the blimp.

Thanks.

McKarnin, this is one I would also like an answer to.

 

[Mark]

McKarnin, this is one I would also like an answer to.

She's probably not here now. No answers for a while. Maybe later.

 

[robinlynn]

hi katherine

first off, thanks for volunteering for this project.

I was wondering about the new price for the blimp banners. originally the cost of $350K included the banners and a 10 person ground crew for the blimp. in the new budget, there is a price of $25K on top of the $350K for the blimp. can you explain why this is?

Also, imo, the project does not need 2 full time videographers. I've worked in tv for ten years, and personally think that one videographer is enough. Ron Paul himself has 1 videographer... and he seems to be doing just fine that way.

I really want to donate to this blimp. But I'm worried about all of the changes that have taken place and the price increases.

thank you

 

[NerveShocker]

Great job answering questions and informing everybody. It seems you have even convinced the people who have been completely skeptical the entire time. All I'm wondering is why these people were so convinced it was a scam before even though they have no info. Either way great job now I suspect many will stop spamming negative comments. I really hope next time before attacking and damaging their own effort people will wait for the information.

www.RonPaulBlimp.com

 

[CelestialRender]

I think you dont understand the message... its about the people not one pereon beniffitng from us or one persons ideas foced upon all of us--yes free market but we have the same goals lets just get it done but not only benefitting certian people this is all for Dr. Ron?!?! dont you get it? Greed screws everyting up

The profit motive is what makes capitalism work. Most of us are working for the sole profit of getting RP elected, but we're also not working full time.

If I was working full time for RP, I would have to demand a salary as well; else, I wouldn't be able to support myself.

 

[OferNave]

This is not Trevors project this our project, this is not George Bushs country this is our country. We should have input......

You are sorely mistaken.

Are you at all familiar with the world of Free/Open Source software? This grassroots movement works like that.

Someone takes a leadership role and starts a project. Everyone is free to give the person input, or volunteer to assist in any way. The project creator has full control. The creator is usually cooperative, and with large projects will delegate responsibility often, but when the need arises, the creator's absolute word is respected, because that is the only way it works. Ultimately, nothing great can be done by a committee.

The same exact roles apply here. You start the project, the project is yours. Anyone who disagrees can start their own. Anyone who wants to can participate in any project that allows them to.

You guys keep acting as if this project belongs to you. It doesn't. You need to understand that. Nov 5 didn't belong to you, or me. I liked it, so I pledged and donated. The tea bag mailing project doesn't belong to you or me. I like it, so I'm participating. The tea party rally in Boston doesn't belong to you or me. I like it, so I'm going, and I've offered to help flyer the town the day before.

Are you starting to understand your flawed premise?

And before you keep repeating the same tired old "he tricked us!" routine, no one collected any money until after the new structure was made clear. At most, all you did was submit your email address. They didn't "use our money to start their company", because there was no money collected until after the company was created and announced, replacing the previous site. No one lost anything, no one was used. The previous form of the project was replaced because it was found to be impossible to continue it in the originally envisioned manner. That's called a reality check. That's no one's fault - except maybe the FEC.

Now, the only thing left is to give constructive criticism that the administrative costs are too high. And even then, understand that you are the consumer in a consumer/producer relationship. The most you have the right to do is say whether or not you are interested in the product, and why. And if the overhead was the only problem, I already offered to pay it for you, and have not been taken up on it.

I don't see what's left. If you continue to persist, everyone is going to ignore you completely.

 

[Mark]

OferNave

Are you starting to understand your flawed premise?

It's all clear here.

 

[rrroae]

Who said that?

Someone just said they would get the blimp in the air at no cost (to others) at all.

Quit.

If someone were really serious, we'd have a detailed plan outlining how they would propose to do such. You're being hostile because you're upset Elijah and Trevor turned our grassroots movement into their personnal business venture.

We get it.

Many others aren't to thrilled about it either. Ok?

So if we look at this rationally, we have 2 choices.

1.) Make the blimp happen with Elijah's and Trevor's company

2.) Do everything we can to hijack the blimp because we're ticked it turned into a business venture which wil probably benifit Elijah and Trevor.

What would you propose we do?

...And you know full well it's too late to change management now if we're to have any chance of being in Boston by the 16th.

 

[FreeTraveler]

Are you starting to understand your flawed premise?

Beautifully stated. Thanks!

 

[Mark]

Quit.


What would you propose we do?

if we're to have any chance of being in Boston by the 16th.

I proposed it in the part you cut off.


Probably the only way to get the blimp in Boston by the 16th

is the person willing to cover the cost themselves.

Unless you think $300,000+ will come in in a couple of days.

 

[BrianK]

Legal questions.

Who can purchase ad time and why/why not? Foreign Nationals? Private Corporations? The official Paul campaign?

Airspace? Where is it allowed to go?

Damn! I swear there was a third I had in my head before I started writing this. Oh well.

 

[Jagwarr]

It was only proposed that long ago. It was only the last 3 weeks that it became serious thanks to Elijah. Over $350k has to be raised. The CEO of the blimp company which is over 20 yr old is backing this venture with large discounts so I think has he judged these people competent and the other professionals that have signed up with them have the confidence in them. Go to the website and learn more.



ronpaulblimp.com...donate both

This has not answered any of my questions, but thanks for trying. I should have been more direct in my questions, my fault.

I am not asking about the Blimp company. I am asking about the advertising company which is collecting funds, they are called Liberty Political Advertising .

How much capital (money) have the President and Vice President of Liberty Political Advertising put into this new venture of thier own. They hope to raise $500K, what percent of that figure has been put up by the owners of Liberty Political Advertising? I ask because it is possible that those buying thier product may lose some of thier funds, I am curious how much the principles of the company have at risk?

The ownership of any company is often the key to gaining investors and/or capital and getting a project off the ground. I do not know much about those who own and run Liberty Political Advertising and I am simply seeking some information. This information I am asking is very basic.

What is the past employment history of the President and Vice President? Have they been charged or convicted of any criminal activities in the past? Are they married? How long have they lived at thier current address? What level of education do they have?

These questions really are the basics and I am sure they would be asked of anyone who applies to be the treasurer of Liberty Political Advertising. The community expects transparency, especially from the leadership and owners those asking to collect over $500,000 from one particular community.

I'd also like to know if Liberty Political Advertising have reached out and contacted other companies and political parties concerning future advertising and which parties or individuals they have contacted?

Dr. Paul answers questions very directly and I am only looking for the same input here on his very own forums. Thank you

 

[twdahm]

You are sorely mistaken.

Are you at all familiar with the world of Free/Open Source software? This grassroots movement works like that.

Someone takes a leadership role and starts a project. Everyone is free to give the person input, or volunteer to assist in any way. The project creator has full control. The creator is usually cooperative, and with large projects will delegate responsibility often, but when the need arises, the creator's absolute word is respected, because that is the only way it works. Ultimately, nothing great can be done by a committee.

The same exact roles apply here. You start the project, the project is yours. Anyone who disagrees can start their own. Anyone who wants to can participate in any project that allows them to.

You guys keep acting as if this project belongs to you. It doesn't. You need to understand that. Nov 5 didn't belong to you, or me. I liked it, so I pledged and donated. The tea bag mailing project doesn't belong to you or me. I like it, so I'm participating. The tea party rally in Boston doesn't belong to you or me. I like it, so I'm going, and I've offered to help flyer the town the day before.

Are you starting to understand your flawed premise?

And before you keep repeating the same tired old "he tricked us!" routine, no one collected any money until after the new structure was made clear. At most, all you did was submit your email address. They didn't "use our money to start their company", because there was no money collected until after the company was created and announced, replacing the previous site. No one lost anything, no one was used. The previous form of the project was replaced because it was found to be impossible to continue it in the originally envisioned manner. That's called a reality check. That's no one's fault - except maybe the FEC.

Now, the only thing left is to give constructive criticism that the administrative costs are too high. And even then, understand that you are the consumer in a consumer/producer relationship. The most you have the right to do is say whether or not you are interested in the product, and why. And if the overhead was the only problem, I already offered to pay it for you, and have not been taken up on it.

I don't see what's left. If you continue to persist, everyone is going to ignore you completely.

Yes but you have to realize that there is a campaign reputation on the line here so this is not your average grassroots fundraiser if it goes bad (ie Nov 30th) the campaign looks bad. So if we see something that does not look fair or right or potentially creating bad press for our HQ we should express our opinions.

Its not about the percentage of overhead as I have been saying this whole time it is about the managing of the projects. The salaries are "ok" (could be tighter) it is the amount of staff with those salaries that is very excentric. Since this is GRASSROOTS funding they should follow Dr. Paul and his fiscally conservative message when it comes to staffing. Dr. Paul is so fiscally repsosible he controls the air conditioning in the Buss. We do not need half of these positions. (exageration)

I hope these failures dont become a pattern with the fundraising events or the media is going to start having fun with it. I believe that Dec 16th is going to be huge BUT TREVER PLEASE DO NOT SEND OUT PRESS RELEASES STATING WE ARE GOING TO RAISE 10M LETS DO IT AND THEN SEND OUT A PRESS RELEASE ON WHAT WE RAISED BETTER OR WORSE. I plead with you all please do not set us up for failure in the MSM eye again....

 

[rrroae]

I proposed it in the part you cut off.


Probably the only way to get the blimp in Boston by the 16th

is the person willing to cover the cost themselves.

Unless you think $300,000+ will come in in a couple of days.

So you would like us to believe that any person who comes along and offers to finance the blimp expenses is 100% serious, without even checking them out?

You'd rather put the fate of the blimp into the hands of anyone besides Trevor and Elijah, no matter what the risks, because you're holding a grudge and could care less what happens as long as those 2 don't benifit from this.

 

[twdahm]

This has not answered any of my questions, but thanks for trying. I should have been more direct in my questions, my fault.

I am not asking about the Blimp company. I am asking about the advertising company which is collecting funds, they are called Liberty Political Advertising .

How much capital (money) have the President and Vice President of Liberty Political Advertising put into this new venture of thier own. They hope to raise $500K, what percent of that figure has been put up by the owners of Liberty Political Advertising? I ask because it is possible that those buying thier product may lose some of thier funds, I am curious how much the principles of the company have at risk?

The ownership of any company is often the key to gaining investors and/or capital and getting a project off the ground. I do not know much about those who own and run Liberty Political Advertising and I am simply seeking some information. This information I am asking is very basic.

What is the past employment history of the President and Vice President? Have they been charged or convicted of any criminal activities in the past? Are they married? How long have they lived at thier current address? What level of education do they have?

These questions really are the basics and I am sure they would be asked of anyone who applies to be the treasurer of Liberty Political Advertising. The community expects transparency, especially from the leadership and owners those asking to collect over $500,000 from one particular community.

I'd also like to know if Liberty Political Advertising have reached out and contacted other companies and political parties concerning future advertising and which parties or individuals they have contacted?

Dr. Paul answers questions very directly and I am only looking for the same input here on his very own forums. Thank you

I agree I work with VC (venture capitalist) on a regular basis. They will not even look at a deal unless the Pres/VP have signifactly invested in the preject themselve....

 

[hillertexas]

Just because you are a LLC does that mean that salaries MUST be paid?
Isn't there a law that makes the pilot responsible for making sure that nothing is dropped from the aircraft? I know there was a pilot on these forums talking about this a month ago. Are you still here, pilot?

 

[OferNave]

How much capital (money) have the President and Vice President of Liberty Political Advertising put into this new venture of thier own.

I don't know the answer, but I'm going to venture a guess, since I think the rep is away at the moment. I'm guessing it's $0, which makes sense.

You only seed capital when you're starting a business to make money. Now, this company they've started may turn into a proper profit making business some day, but for the purpose of executing this project's original goal, they aren't. They are collecting exactly the money needed to rent the blimp, plus the salaries and expenses that they've documented. They're not going to profit beyond that, in the usual sense of profit.

A year from now, when the campaign is over, and if the company is still around, I imagine they'll raise the per-minute rate by 30% or so, and that will represent a profit margin. Right now, the company is selling their product to us at COST.

So I don't think your question applies. Does this make sense? This is just my understanding, I may be wrong.

 

[Mark]

So you would like us to believe that any person who comes along and offers to finance the blimp expenses is 100% serious, without even checking them out?

Gosh, I didn't say anything like that.

Of course. Ask him. No one has yet.

 

[OferNave]

Yes but you have to realize that there is a campaign reputation on the line here so this is not your average grassroots fundraiser if it goes bad (ie Nov 30th) the campaign looks bad. So if we see something that does not look fair or right or potentially creating bad press for our HQ we should express our opinions.

The blimp project has nothing to do with the tea party fundraiser. They are separate projects. The tea party is doing great, and is in no danger of "going bad". If the blimp shows up, hey, that's great, it will help, but the tea party does not in anyway *depend* on the blimp.

Its not about the percentage of overhead as I have been saying this whole time it is about the managing of the projects. The salaries are "ok" (could be tighter) it is the amount of staff with those salaries that is very excentric. Since this is GRASSROOTS funding they should follow Dr. Paul and his fiscally conservative message when it comes to staffing. Dr. Paul is so fiscally repsosible he controls the air conditioning in the Buss. We do not need half of these positions. (exageration)

I'm sure the company will make their best effort to explain why each staff member is needed. Ultimately, you have to decide if you like the product you're getting for the price it's offered, and either buy or don't. You are not obligated to buy, just like they are not obligated to bow to your demands, or even answer your questions - though I have faith that they will do their best to answer questions.

I hope these failures dont become a pattern with the fundraising events or the media is going to start having fun with it. I believe that Dec 16th is going to be huge BUT TREVER PLEASE DO NOT SEND OUT PRESS RELEASES STATING WE ARE GOING TO RAISE 10M LETS DO IT AND THEN SEND OUT A PRESS RELEASE ON WHAT WE RAISED BETTER OR WORSE. I plead with you all please do not set us up for failure in the MSM eye again....

This whole fuss of disappointment and screwing things up is based on one mistake Trevor made - predicting $2.5M when it was unrealistic. All this anger over one mistake? Would you like the world to hold you to such an unachievable standard as perfection?

 

[Mark]

The blimp project

What is the big deal with just letting this person cover the costs? Check them out, if all's well, go for it.

Trevor's company will be fine without this particular blimp job on Dec 16th.