The Single Talking Point Powerful Enough to Put Ron in the Presidency

[Jordan]

Ron's numbers with the younger generation are outstanding. The problem, though, is that young people don't vote--err, they/we don't make up a large enough slice of the voting pie to make Ron president.

In a short visit with my grandpa, I realized what it is exactly that is on the mind of every senior. It isn't the debt, nor is it the job market--the issue is interest rates.

Ron can hit hard here, and gain some very serious early momentum in locking down this core voting block.

He NEEDS to start talking about the Fed in language that voters can understand. There is no better way to pull on the strings of the aging voter than to hit on interest rates, which are in the toilet.

He has to say something like:

"The Federal Reserve affects seniors in the worst way. Hundreds of thousands of seniors across the country watching this debate should know that it is the Federal Reserve that is ruining their retirement. How much longer can the American retiree manage earning 1% per year on their savings when their cost of living is rising by three, four, or even five percent per year?

I am the candidate for America's greatest generation."

"The biggest crisis facing retirees isn't Social Security's future. No, the biggest threat to America's seniors is low interest rate policy from the Federal Reserve. I am the only candidate who wants to return to a strong dollar. I have been fighting for seniors, savers, and fiscally-responsible Americans for the last thirty years, and as president, I will do it for the next four."

Grabbing a slice of the senior voters would be HUGE in building his polling numbers early, which would only stand to establish him as a serious candidate for the next two years. He needs to act now. I hope his campaign is here, and takes this post very seriously.

-------------------------------
EDIT:
Proof of concern, for those who asked:

Great article about retiree fears. Article is entirely about interest rates:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703410604576216830941163492.html

Summary of actuarial study: http://www.benefitspro.com/2011/05/16/inflation-interest-rates-and-home-values-top-conce

"Both retirees and pre-retirees expressed concern about maintaining the value of their savings and investments with inflation (58 percent of retirees very or somewhat concerned, versus 71 percent of pre-retirees)."

"Half of retirees and more than six in 10 pre-retirees expressed concern about having enough money to pay for adequate health care (49 percent of retirees, 67 percent of pre-retirees), and their income varying from changes in interest rates (52 percent of retirees, 62 percent of pre-retirees)."

Responses to a NY Times article about low interest rates. Seniors saying thank you for bringing it to the attention of everyone else: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F01E1DB1F3EF936A15752C0A9669D8B63

This issue is only going to get bigger as time goes on. There are many millions of seniors who, this year, will be shocked into horror when they roll 5-year CDs from 2006-2007 that yielded 4-6% into new CDs paying 2%.

For example, anyone keeping $500,000 in a 12-month certificate of deposit earning a rate of 1.5 percent annually — one of the best savings rates available nationally these days — would earn $7,500 a year, hardly enough to live on. Just three years ago, that same investment would have generated $26,250.

Now, savers are searching desperately for a better return on their money.

“All of our clients are struggling with this,” said Cary Carbonaro, a financial planner who works in New York City and Long Island. “It has never been as bad.”

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100913/MONEY/709139955

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Sorry, I don't have easy access to a bunch of retirees. However, I'll get on the phone for 10 minutes tomorrow, call a few brokers, and ask them about their older clients. Might be interesting to hear. I'll call the credit union, too, just for fun. I encourage others to do it too. Ask seniors you know.

 

[malkusm]

You deserve way more +rep than you currently have

 

[low preference guy]

You deserve way more +rep than you currently have

i made my contribution to fix that problem

 

[Rebel4Liberty]

Actually EVERYBODY, no matter what side of the aisle they are on, should easily IDENTIFY with a "higher" check out total at the register for groceries and other life essentials they need. At what point do they get fed up with getting LESS and PAYING more

 

[Hotchney]

I think the federal reserve is a powerful point. In general, I think he needs to stick closely to a message of what exactly he can and will do as president as well as easing minds about his foreign policy by couching it in slightly different talking points. I know my mom likes Ron but always says he's too radical on his foreign policy. He needs to meet these people in the middle in a way by using different language to deliver the message. You can't expect a paradigm shift from every voter but if they trust the man, there's a lot more leeway.

 

[Sola_Fide]

Great post!

 

[sailingaway]

Also his social security medicare funding by cutting from the overseas commitment we can't afford, so the kids can opt out vs 'ending social security' which is how many, including an AARP newsletter (or medicare news, I forget which) described it... also US sovereignty. These seem to be real eye openers, as does his refusal of the Congressional pension program. My Dad cried out 'I didn't know that last time!' as if that one thing would have made all the difference. It really caught my attention. He always thought RP was truthful, but that a gold standard wouldn't work.

 

[AndrewD]

I really like this, and will probably steal it lol.

"You have given out too much Reputation in the last 24 hours, try again later."

I'll get back at ya.

 

[kazmlsj]

He NEEDS to start talking about the Fed in language that voters can understand.

That's the key - for the average person to understand - cause and effect.

 

[kill the banks]

I still think a simple approach to explain what the fed reserve does to undermind every American incl a powerful senior voter group would result in a tea party sweep ... Consider explaining it like this ( but with American context ) ~ http://www.youtube.com/v/WPSoQfumzQ0&hl=en&fs=1

if our ads hit this home ~ we win imo

scroll down for additional video

'time for constitutional credit & dividends'... we won the war and lost the peace in free enterprise ... stifling socialist welfare system could be replaced by making each person a plough share holder of USA and with a dividend ... the banksters use compounding interest against you ... This would allow it to work for you ... then like a trust company or ma bell , you are a shareholder in America !
(look at ND and it's approach with it's own bank = prosperity )

 

[thomas-in-ky]

In a short visit with my grandpa, I realized what it is exactly that is on the mind of every senior. It isn't the debt, nor is it the job market--the issue is interest rates.

My wife said virtually the same thing this morning after talking with her parents. Her parents are 70+ years old, always vote, have no 401k or stocks, but have worked hard all their lives and had hoped to realize some interest income from their CDs. (they are frequently shopping for interest rates as various CDs mature) Right now they are getting hosed and they know it. In the conservative senior demographic, low interest rates and high inflation do not stimulate spending so much. They're just taking a beating on their savings. Ron Paul could really grab their attention and votes by talking about interest rates and inflation.

 

[sailingaway]

My wife said virtually the same thing this morning after talking with her parents. Her parents are 70+ years old, always vote, have no 401k or stocks, but have worked hard all their lives and had hoped to realize some interest income from their CDs. (they are frequently shopping for interest rates as various CDs mature) Right now they are getting hosed and they know it. In the conservative senior demographic, low interest rates and high inflation do not stimulate spending so much. They're just taking a beating on their savings. Ron Paul could really grab their attention and votes by talking about interest rates and inflation.

Huh, I didn't read the OP that way, now I get what he means. That is a good point. If you watch 'house of cards' there is a great clip of Ron telling Bernanke that the fed is immoral to steal from savers such as seniors who live off their interest.... Might be a good one to show.

 

[pmbug]

Good post Jordan. Back during the 2008 campaign, I used to post my musings after having conversations with my FIL and other folks (ie. GOP voters) outside the Ron Paul echo chambers. You only get someone's attention for a short period of time. You need to choose your topics and how you frame them carefully.

 

[sailingaway]

Here's House of Cards by Avaroth, if you haven't seen it (it was pulled down most places after the market crash in '08 proved Ron right) you really need to see it:

[video]http://objectsinmotion.org/house-of-cards/[/video]

 

[Jordan]

My wife said virtually the same thing this morning after talking with her parents. Her parents are 70+ years old, always vote, have no 401k or stocks, but have worked hard all their lives and had hoped to realize some interest income from their CDs. (they are frequently shopping for interest rates as various CDs mature) Right now they are getting hosed and they know it. In the conservative senior demographic, low interest rates and high inflation do not stimulate spending so much. They're just taking a beating on their savings. Ron Paul could really grab their attention and votes by talking about interest rates and inflation.

Bingo bango.

Now is the perfect time. It's 2011, so there are literally millions of seniors who are rolling over 5-year CDs issued in 2006 that were yielding 4-6% but now yield only 0-2.5%. The FED halved their retirement income in just five years.

 

[FSP-Rebel]

I couldn't agree more with the OP. My grandparents and parents are in the same ball game as far as shopping for interest, though they are already Ron folk. It's time to lay off the iconoclastic talk with regards to drugs and prostitution and really focus on the economy and the fed. These are the issues that made Ron to begin with and he'd be missing a big opportunity at this point in time not to strike while the iron is hot. Maybe play the family guy in Iowa but hit the next 4 states with nice flyers giving the run down on the fed, economy, jobs, etc. There's more retired folks than you think in NH and we all know this would be a great way to shore up support in FL.

 

[teacherone]

bump.

this is good.

 

[sailingaway]

I couldn't agree more with the OP. My grandparents and parents are in the same ball game as far as shopping for interest, though they are already Ron folk. It's time to lay off the iconoclastic talk with regards to drugs and prostitution and really focus on the economy and the fed. These are the issues that made Ron to begin with and he'd be missing a big opportunity at this point in time not to strike while the iron is hot. Maybe play the family guy in Iowa but hit the next 4 states with nice flyers giving the run down on the fed, economy, jobs, etc. There's more retired folks than you think in NH and we all know this would be a great way to shore up support in FL.

sigh... did Ron ASK to talk about heroin and prostitution? no, he did not....

 

[ForLibertyFight]

bump

 

[FSP-Rebel]

sigh... did Ron ASK to talk about heroin and prostitution? no, he did not....

Point taken, guess I meant just trying to steer clear of non-starter issues that create huge negatives.