Time to stop being naive

[BlackSand]

One of our biggest problems is our naivety. We seem to forget were in the game of politics. We need to realize that there are no friends, there are no enemies. There are only strategic opportunities. We have to realize that anyone can turn on us in an instant. But that doest mean we can't use these people. For instance, I've recently heard of a campaign for libertarians to leave a liberty minded book in every hotel they stay at (link?). ENLIST GLENN BECK. He may not be the friendliest man to the movement, but he reads the same books we do (for the most part). If he started campaigning for this, we could inundate hotels with liberty literature. Congress would probably have to ban it. Imagine the press's response?

We need to stop seeing people as friends or enemies and just start using them for what they're worth. Remain skeptical of everyone. But don't be afraid to use them. It's as true with tea party candidates as it is with socialists and neocons. There's always at least one issue you can agree on with even the most statist politician.

 

[heavenlyboy34]

~shudders at the thought of dealing with a wacko like Beck~

 

[Sola_Fide]

I agree with the OP. We have to focus on the coalitions when we find them. The political landscape is a little more favorable to us in 12 than in 08. We have more opportunities to make inroads.

 

[libertybrewcity]

the hotel would just throw out a bunch of books. interesting idea though. i was thinking that it would be better to donate liberty books to libraries. over the summer, i went to my library almost everyday and studied what books they had. many were by liberal authors. i requested books by ron paul and thomas woods a bunch of times.

 

[amy31416]

I agree with the OP. We have to focus on the coalitions when we find them. The political landscape is a little more favorable to us in 12 than in 08. We have more opportunities to make inroads.

Oh yeah?

So you're finally on board with working with folks like Sanders, Grayson, Kucinich, Feingold, the ACLU, Jon Stewart, Rachel Maddow et al on the points where we agree? If so, cool.

But I haven't seen much of that from the social conservatives around here who'd like us to cozy up to Beck, Savage, DeMint and their ilk--but lose their shit when it comes to the overlap we sometimes have with the lefties.

 

[TCE]

No need to work personally with them, just do what Ron Paul does, ask for their co-sponsorship/support on bills and issues, and leave it at that.

Honestly, if we as a movement just stopped supporting candidates who have no chance in their respective districts/states, and instead focused our money on good candidates in winnable situations, we would have progressed so much farther by now and could make such a greater impact. It's not about having more resources or working with people we don't like, it's using those resources and skills better.

 

[TheTyke]

Oh yeah?

So you're finally on board with working with folks like Sanders, Grayson, Kucinich, Feingold, the ACLU, Jon Stewart, Rachel Maddow et al on the points where we agree? If so, cool.

But I haven't seen much of that from the social conservatives around here who'd like us to cozy up to Beck, Savage, DeMint and their ilk--but lose their shit when it comes to the overlap we sometimes have with the lefties.

It's the primaries we struggle with. Like it or not, at means the "Right" people will be of more use to us. Besides that, Ron anyhow, is already polling well with Dems and Independents and can win a general... again it's getting through the darn primary that is tough.