Why won't the liberty movement look respectable?

[PeterSchiffVideos]

Something tells me that a bunch of long-haired people with scruffy facial hair in "End the Fed" T-shirts is not going to win over all the old people in CT.

I was at my Reps town hall meeting a few weeks ago. There were 1,200 people there and he took questions for an hour or so. The long-haired, unshaven fellow who was yelling "follow the Constitution" at the top of his lungs did not get called on to ask a question. His buddy who was wearing a t-shirt and cargo shorts did not either. I know both of these guys, they are part of the liberty movement. Myself, I wore a suit and tie and was the second person (out of a crowd of 1,200) called on to ask a question, to which I went on to properly represent the freedom movement.

Running around dressed like colonial Americans while we beat drums might convert a college student or two. But seriously, old people and lifelong Republicans just see us as a bunch of Libertarians trying to hijack their party when we don't put forth an effort to look respectable. The Campaign for Liberty website always has pictures/videos of members at town hall meetings or other venues. In the vast majority of the photos, our members are dressed in garb better suited for lounging around on the couch.

 

[dannno]

Ya, so why are so many respectable people not apart of the liberty movement??

Oh.. cause they are more easily manipulated and conform to society... hmmmmmm...

I dunno what to do about that. I wear cargo shorts and sandals, too. I hate having to wear shoes to work, to be honest.. Lucky for me I can still sport the cargo shorts.

 

[Metal Militia]

I have long hair and a goatee.

 

[Live_Free_Or_Die]

nt

 

[Bman]

This is a fair observation. We should own up to the fact we are selling ideas and dress the part.

Well it depends on the target audience. If the target is older people and you show up loking like a hippy you may not be well recieved, however if you show up at a drum circle in a suit you may also not be well recieved either.

Town Halls... Look professional people. Jeans/shorts/wife beaters/sandals/sneakers/t-shirts/underwear are not for public address in this type of medium.

No need to cut your hair or completely shave. Just tie the hair back and look clean, or wonder why noone takes you serious.

 

[CCTelander]

"[L]ong haired people with scruffy facial hair" ended the Vietnam War.

 

[dr. hfn]

Play the part. That is all. Americans are superficial, remember that.

 

[BuddyRey]

Coming from somebody who looks and dresses like the forgotten third son of Ward and June Cleaver, I nonetheless take umbrage to the notion that ideas, thoughts, and insights are somehow sullied or made less believable when conveyed by people who look like, or perhaps are, members of the counterculture. Some of the most brilliant people I've ever known, including my own father, are obvious hippies, and several prominent libertarians are too. What's next? Are we gonna tell Penn Jilette to lose the ponytail?

 

[dannno]

bump

 

[dannno]

?? How'd this topic get off the front page w/out comment

 

[UnReconstructed]

so... when would you have people to live free?

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Something tells me that a bunch of long-haired people with scruffy facial hair in "End the Fed" T-shirts is not going to win over all the old people in CT.

I was at my Reps town hall meeting a few weeks ago. There were 1,200 people there and he took questions for an hour or so. The long-haired, unshaven fellow who was yelling "follow the Constitution" at the top of his lungs did not get called on to ask a question. His buddy who was wearing a t-shirt and cargo shorts did not either. I know both of these guys, they are part of the liberty movement. Myself, I wore a suit and tie and was the second person (out of a crowd of 1,200) called on to ask a question, to which I went on to properly represent the freedom movement.

Running around dressed like colonial Americans while we beat drums might convert a college student or two. But seriously, old people and lifelong Republicans just see us as a bunch of Libertarians trying to hijack their party when we don't put forth an effort to look respectable. The Campaign for Liberty website always has pictures/videos of members at town hall meetings or other venues. In the vast majority of the photos, our members are dressed in garb better suited for lounging around on the couch.

I believe it was the CFL website where I read that when attending meetings, you should tend to be the best dressed person in the room, not the worst. Appearances are important. It's reality.

 

[FSP-Rebel]

I believe it was the CFL website where I read that when attending meetings, you should tend to be the best dressed person in the room, not the worst. Appearances are important. It's reality.

Sad but true. The 'respectables' have a thing about associating with those who have unkept appearances.

 

[Dr.3D]

Yes, It's all about conforming to the social norms.
Of course if we conform, then we become like them don't we?

 

[FSP-Rebel]

Yes, It's all about conforming to the social norms.
Of course if we conform, then we become like them don't we?

Libertarians have to employ stealth to get elected I'm afraid. Catering to the masses may suck, but what's the alternative. The liberty movement has to adapt or it will receive the same level of success it always has, which is next to nothing.

 

[constituent]

did you offer up some gangsta garb of your own, or are you just bitchin' about it online?

 

[mtj458]

The OP is basically right. It's just basic psychology that people will take you more serious if you dress nicer. Is the idea of this movement to be non conformists or is it to actually bring about change? If it's to actually bring about change, dressing nicely to these events is a good way to cater to the public without sacrificing any of the real morals of the movement.

 

[TCE]

A Judge once told me that if a defendant seemed like he/she didn't care for the proper dress of the court, he/she would have that much more of an uphill battle. The more "radical" the style of dress was, the worse that person's chances.

The point is this: If anyone is going to a political event where there will be a lot of people or the media will be watching, DRESS YOUR BEST! The media loves to pick out one long-haired, unshaven, baggy-clothed random handing out 9/11 truth DVD's and say the entire Liberty Movement is like that. Don't give them the chance!

How many times has the media pointed out someone in a suit and tie asking a question and called them a radical? When was the last time people pegged a guy wearing professional attire as "an insane Ron Paul supporter?"

 

[PeterSchiffVideos]

To the people who do not think that dressing nice is important: I'm sure that even you would dress decent if you went to a wedding, a funeral, and possibly even church. So there are some things in life that you would dress nice for. There are some things in life that all of us would dress nice for. Yes, that line is different for all of us.

For me, political activism crosses that line. When I'm at a town hall meeting, canvassing, or manning a booth, I am a representative. I'm a representative of Campaign For Liberty, the freedom movement and liberty. As a representative of these groups/ideas, I do my best to represent them properly.

When you are out being politically active, you are the face freedom and liberty. After you've talked to somebody they are going to associate you with the ideas you portray more than the ideas themselves. The face/image that they equate with the liberty message is your mug, not the words you said.

When the sheeple watch Fox News and MSNBC rip on freedom and our movement, I want the sheeple to remember my well-dressed appearance and polite demeanor. This might make them question what they're being fed.

 

[dannno]

To the people who do not think that dressing nice is important: I'm sure that even you would dress decent if you went to a wedding, a funeral, and possibly even church. So there are some things in life that you would dress nice for. There are some things in life that all of us would dress nice for. Yes, that line is different for all of us.

For me, political activism crosses that line. When I'm at a town hall meeting, canvassing, or manning a booth, I am a representative. I'm a representative of Campaign For Liberty, the freedom movement and liberty. As a representative of these groups/ideas, I do my best to represent them properly.

When you are out being politically active, you are the face freedom and liberty. After you've talked to somebody they are going to associate you with the ideas you portray more than the ideas themselves. The face/image that they equate with the liberty message is your mug, not the words you said.

When the sheeple watch Fox News and MSNBC rip on freedom and our movement, I want the sheeple to remember my well-dressed appearance and polite demeanor. This might make them question what they're being fed.

Well I never said it wasn't important, I just said I don't like doing it.

If I had the option, I'd go to all of those events you listed in my regular clothes. I really don't see a purpose in putting on special clothes for special events, unless it's raining or something. Then I'd probably want to put on something waterproof. But that is based on the fact that I wouldn't judge others for dressing how they wanted to.. but since realistically people judge, I often do conform to the attire that is expected, and I'd recommend that to those who do want to be taken seriously. I just think it's lame.