Why won't the liberty movement look respectable?

[TGGRV]

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.

I agree. What's amusing is that I wouldn't go to a job interview wearing regular clothing, even though they'd hire me for a skill. It's the same here.

 

[G-Wohl]

Schiff will only win this election if he completely disassociates himself with the so-called "liberty" movement. He needs to run on his ideals and his principles, not on his associations.

Peter's association needs to be with the people of Connecticut, not the "freedom movement" throughout the country. Peter is running for senate, not for some executive position!

 

[LibertyRevolution]

I don't know what is wrong with you people.
I dress how ever I feel comfortable, and I don't care what anyone else thinks about me. I am an individual, I will not conform to society's wishes.
To me, all you people in suits and fancy clothes are fools. Why would you bother to adorn yourself with so much unnecessary expensive clothes. Pants and a T-shirt work for me, anything more is just bling.
Also, you can spot sheep easy, they are the ones that dress like everyone else.

 

[Metal Militia]

Being a rebel is fun and everything, but if you want to win the game, you must play the game.

Wearing nice clothes does not compromise any of our political values. Losing the revolution because we look like bums will compromise all of our political values.

 

[TGGRV]

I don't know what is wrong with you people.
I dress how ever I feel comfortable, and I don't care what anyone else thinks about me. I am an individual, I will not conform to society's wishes.
To me, all you people in suits and fancy clothes are fools. Why would you bother to adorn yourself with so much unnecessary expensive clothes. Pants and a T-shirt work for me, anything more is just bling.
Also, you can spot sheep easy, they are the ones that dress like everyone else.

Well, you dress like everyone else like you. lol

Anyway, the thing is this. Most people are sheep. They will follow someone in a suit, not someone in shorts and tshirt. If you want to get more people to the movement, you won't do it in the latter, you will have more success in the former. I know a lot of people who were put off by this, even though they liked Ron Paul.

 

[anaconda]

290 cosponsors. Editorials continually making reference to the "Ron Paul Wing" of the Republican Party. Making Schiff's opponents cough up huge bucks just for a primary fight. Town hall meetings. Etc. I think the Liberty Movement is looking VERY RESPECTABLE! We've kicked serious ass in two years. Be proud. Be patient. We're doing very well! It is possible that these people are not called on at town halls because the enemy is afraid of them. This is a very good sign!!!!!!

 

[GunnyFreedom]

Hmm, CT must be a different place than NC altogether. The majority of us in NC look a lot like the guy in my signature.

 

[Cillian]

Can I please state that having long-hair, a goatee and wearing cargo pants does not make you an individual?

Being somebody who's received media training, I can tell you that looks are very important to sell your message. By wearing the bad clothes, you're only really playing the game that the C4L's detractors in the media want you to play.
A shirt, tie and suit go a very long way.

There needs to be a certain amount of pragmatism within the campaign in order for it to succeed.

 

[TGGRV]

Can I please state that having long-hair, a goatee and wearing cargo pants does not make you an individual?

Being somebody who's received media training, I can tell you that looks are very important to sell your message. By wearing the bad clothes, you're only really playing the game that the C4L's detractors in the media want you to play.
A shirt, tie and suit go a very long way.

There needs to be a certain amount of pragmatism within the campaign in order for it to succeed.

And the problem with people who are saying... But we're having success regardless... It is that they're preaching to the people who are already converted and supporters of a said idea.

When someone didn't hear of libertarians and whatnot, if their first impression will be some dudes with long beard, unclean hair and casual clothing, they won't really care about hearing more or that person would have to fight a lot more to get his message through due to the negative first impression.

 

[G-Wohl]

Can I please state that having long-hair, a goatee and wearing cargo pants does not make you an individual?

Being somebody who's received media training, I can tell you that looks are very important to sell your message. By wearing the bad clothes, you're only really playing the game that the C4L's detractors in the media want you to play.
A shirt, tie and suit go a very long way.

There needs to be a certain amount of pragmatism within the campaign in order for it to succeed.

Well, it's a good thing that Peter Schiff dresses like a respectable individual. Imagine how seriously he would have been taken by the press had he dressed like a slob this whole time.

 

[FreeTraveler]

Wearing nice clothes does not compromise any of our political values. Losing the revolution because we look like bums will compromise all of our political values.

If you want to be a representative, look the part. I personally won't be speaking out at those meetings because I'm the old hippy in the back in the "Homeland Security" Indian-style tee-shirt, goatee, and long ponytail.

But that's my choice. I won't pretend to be the political front of the liberty movement, because I personally don't want to play that game. I'll leave it to those who want to do it correctly.

 

[FSP-Rebel]

Even if people didn't want to go the suit route, they could always wear a polo or collared shirt with some nice pants and that would do the trick as well.

 

[muzzled dogg]

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock
– Thomas Jefferson

 

[Gaius1981]

Not all libertarians are scruffy looking, though. The libertarians who support organizations such as The Cato Institute, The Ayn Rand Institute and The Competitive Enterprise Institute tend to look very sharp—but then again, a lot of them are businessmen.

 

[TheTyke]

Perfect quote, Shemdogg!

 

[tmosley]

I'd go further, and say you should always wear black, to mourn the death of our freedoms and our nation.

People treat you differently when you are well dressed. If you go to speak while looking shabby, you probably won't get the time of day. You should always dress better than the crowd if you want to be heard. If the crowd is wearing shorts, wear slacks and a polo. If the crowd is business casual, wear a suit.

If you don't follow that rule, you'll get nowhere. You are sabotaging yourself over vanity. Yes, refusing to wear a suit because it "compromises your individuality" is VANITY. You might as well spend an hour a day preening in front of the mirror.

 

[LibertyRevolution]

I guess I just see things differently.
I am not trying to win their game, I don't want to play their game at all. Its a one sided game, its like Mini-Me vs. Shaq. I say fuck playing basketball, lets limbo! I say walk up and get in the live camera shot, talk over them, force them to listen, PROTEST!
To me a person in a suit is the enemy. They are already too far gone, or are wearing proof, that they willing to sell out to conform to the system, even if its in the most minor way.
I want the hippies, I want the rednecks, I want the inner city thugs, I want the drug users, I want the angry lower middle class walmart shoppers, they will be my army, and the suits are the ones that will be laying bleeding on the ground when the dust settles. Your suits and polo shirts will be our targets, take out the ones in charge, the bosses, the suits, then offer the rest freedom or death.

 

[TGGRV]

I guess I just see things differently.
I am not trying to win their game, I don't want to play their game at all. Its a one sided game, its like Mini-Me vs. Shaq. I say fuck playing basketball, lets limbo! I say walk up and get in the live camera shot, talk over them, force them to listen, PROTEST!
To me a person in a suit is the enemy. They are already too far gone, or are wearing proof, that they willing to sell out to conform to the system, even if its in the most minor way.
I want the hippies, I want the rednecks, I want the inner city thugs, I want the drug users, I want the angry lower middle class walmart shoppers, they will be my army, and the suits are the ones that will be laying bleeding on the ground when the dust settles. Your suits and polo shirts will be our targets, take out the ones in charge, the bosses, the suits, then offer the rest freedom or death.

As I said before, people like you are the reason a lot of the people I know in the US that are independent didn't support Ron Paul.

 

[G-Wohl]

As I said before, people like you are the reason a lot of the people I know in the US that are independent didn't support Ron Paul.

I echo this. When people don't "compromise their principles" (as some here put it) they never can dream of a day when their principles are ever enacted.

You can act like a principled buffoon if you want, or you can act logically. I would be weary of an individual who seems so "passionate" about their cause but never gets into shape to see his passions be carried through. Men like Peter Schiff and Ron Paul do not get where they are by just speaking their minds - they got there by being respectable people who people can trust. If you're some trench coat wearing slob who showers every other day, with unkempt facial hair and a disgusting oily mug, don't expect to be taken seriously. And if you can't expect to be taken seriously, then you probably are only hurting the movement you're so effortlessly claiming to endorse.

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

...
To me a person in a suit is the enemy. ...

Jeff Frazee and I are enemies?

Adam is an enemy?

Dr. Paul?

I could go on and on at how wrong your post is... will just state that it come very close to advocating violence and that will get you banned. In addition I'd recommend reading the mission statement/guidelines,

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=22

The forum guidelines have a sliding scale of tolerance based on the long established credibility of the user. Repeated offenses of guidelines can lead to further moderation actions including banning.

Forum Mission Statement

Inspired by US Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, this forum is dedicated to facilitating grassroots initiatives that aim to restore a sovereign limited constitutional Republic based on the rule of law, states' rights and individual rights. We seek to enshrine the original intent of our Founders to foster respect for private property, seek justice, provide opportunity, and to secure individual liberty for ourselves and our posterity.


Forum Guidelines

+ Posting of direct or inferred threats of violence against other people or property that is not your own is completely unacceptable by any user and subject to immediate banning...