Dissatisfaction

The current political environment bristles with excitement. As I travel across Ohio meeting with various groups, I am struck by how many people are becoming familiar with the Constitution of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, and the wisdom of the Founders. Each local organization has its own organizational structure even if it has been patterned after a national model. Each local group has its own emphases and priorities sometimes in accordance with the larger organization, and often in addition to those that are of broader concern. Certainly, the level of activity and the nature of their actions vary widely among the newly-active.


At the risk of engaging in oversimplification, I believe that I can place the members of the Patriot groups, Tea Partiers, Liberty Lobbyists and so forth into four distinct categories: the Discontented; the Dissenters; the Disillusioned; and the Disenfranchised. Not only does each local organization appear to reflect one of these categorical distinctions, but within each local committee, one can find some members who represent the various aspects of the spectrum. The Discontented believe that the political system is generally operating reasonably well, but that on specific issues and certain policy matters, the government (federal, state, or local) has failed to address the concerns of the voters. The Disillusioned suspect that the entire government apparatus at every level has gone haywire, and they fear that it may be too late to restore any level of sanity to our system of self-governing. The Disenfranchised believe that government has become a cudgel of tyranny that is committed to beating the citizenry into submission. The Dissenters represent, in my view, the largest segment of the Patriot movement. They merge their love of country, respect for the Founders and the Documents, with passionate belief that they can ferret out good candidates, support them and restore the nation, state or local community. Generally Dissenters are more optimistic about the future of the Republic than are the other attitudinal categories. In my experience, Dissenters are Republicans who seek to purge the party of RINO’s and liberals. They maintain their allegiance to the GOP while seeking to support candidates who represent the conservative mainstream and the principles associated with conservatism. Some Dissenters have chosen to run for County Central Committee posts in order to assure that the conservative emergence is not short lived.

Many of us who are Libertarian candidates either seek or are offered opportunities to meet with many of the Patriot groups to explain our positions and to engage in informational dialogue with their members. Our assumptions as we encounter the Patriot groups are varied. Some of us go with the idea that all citizens who are disgruntled provide a willing audience for our message of smaller Constitutional government, low taxes and more personal freedom. It is up to us to convince them that Libertarianism is the vehicle for them to express their dissatisfaction. Our anti-tyranny, pro-freedom message should be attractive for the Disenfranchised people. Their angst will find a home in a third party such as ours. The Disillusioned, too, provide an opportunity for Libertarians to acquire some votes and support. They desperately want a new direction of governance that is more citizen oriented—more bottom up.

The Discontented and Dissenters are more problematic for Libertarian candidates. If they have been Democrats and are discouraged with the leftist progressive influence within the party, then they become ripe targets for the Libertarian message. If, on the other hand, the Discontented and Dissenters are within the ranks of the GOP, then their primary focus is to reform and restore the party. A Libertarian candidate who clearly shares their views and their objectives may be considered if he/she is not running for an office that could sway the balance of power between the two old parties. The fact that these four groups are frustrated with the political systems as it presently functions is an advantage for Libertarians, but because this is perceived to be a Republican year due to Democrat overreaching at the federal level, the Discontented and the Dissenters may decide to “stay home,” and thus become more difficult to convince that Libertarianism is in their best interest. Nevertheless, we should engage them all and share our message of liberty.

Comment or email:  cnpearl@woh.rr.com

On the Road

Here’s Willie:


 www.youtube.com/? watch v=1TD_pSeNelU

So, that’s my life for the coming nine and one-half months. Last night was the second notable appearance of the campaign as I traveled to Sidney, Ohio in Shelby County to meet with the Sidney Shelby County Liberty Group. Approximately 75 people were on hand to hear a representative from the county Democratic Party, the county GOP and moi’. We were each given fifteen minutes to address the audience, and then the microphones were available for questions and answers. It was a great give-and-take opportunity with some really wonderful, nice people. If I could spend the remaining time in this campaign in similar venues, with equally gracious hosts, and surrounded by concerned, curious citizens like those at the Dorothy Love facility, then whatever the outcome of the election, I will have considered my campaign successful. Obviously, I want to win. One does not commit a year of one’s life and significant personal resources to merely “show up.” Still, the message is paramount. Too many professional politicians dilute the message and make the elections about them. The message echoes the principles: smaller Constitutionally-based government, lower taxes as a result of smaller government, and more personal freedom for every individual.

It’s rather easy to become distracted from the primary during the course of a campaign. As one travels to various communities throughout the state, one discovers that each of them has burning local issues that have captured the attention of the locals. Some seek affirmation of their point of view when the statewide candidate comes calling, thus diverting the discussion from the candidate’s message to one involving local disputes. As a responsible candidate who seeks to be of service to constituents or potential constituents, one is sorely tempted to offer an opinion. Bad idea. The source may be biased or misinformed, and certainly the candidate will lack the requisite knowledge for making an informed judgment. As a candidate, I must constantly, consistently and covertly remind myself to stay on message. The principles of Constitutional government, lower taxes and more personal freedom trump chicken farm zoning, school board shenanigans, and County Commissioner malfeasance. They are important critical issues for those who must face them, but I must stay focused on the big picture. If I, and those who believe as I do, fail, then those other local problems will not matter. Big Brother will make those decisions for them…for us.

Comments or email:  cnpearl@woh.rr.com

Cupcakes and stuff

This election cycle promises to be an exciting one here in Ohio and around the nation. Citizens are exchanging beers and barco-loungers for Tea Parties and Liberty Lobbies. An over current of discontent and dissatisfaction is driving citizens to become more informed and more active in the political scene. While their activity is noteworthy and generates media attention, if one were to objectively examine the restoration movement, it would, in my view, become apparent that they represent an infinitesimal segment of the voting population. On the other hand, it is difficult to ascertain their potential impact on the election because they do interact with family, friends and co-workers. Observing the restoration movement in action as a candidate and as a long-time political watcher has led me to conclude that their activities remind of something that I witnessed many years ago.


At this point I would suggest that if you have young children gazing at the computer screen, you usher them to another room. I plan to discuss bodily excretions in the remaining portion of this treatise. Bodily functions are natural and excretions are the body’s method for disposing of unwanted, harmful elements. My memorable metaphor occurred some time ago at a birthday party for a four year-old child. One of the angelic little kiddlings attracted my attention. The main staples of the celebration were beautifully decorated cupcakes, and the little was attacking his with relish. As he meticulously rotated his cupcake while chomping off the edges, I noticed that his nose was running profusely and streaming down onto the cupcake. This development didn’t appear to faze the little guy because he continued his dedicated munching…cake and mucous.

One of the advantages of being a statewide candidate on a third-party ticket is that most people assume that you are crazy. So, when I have an unprovoked flashback of a grotesque moment, and then associate that memory with the current political scene, most people are not shocked. So, here goes. The scene that I recalled reminds of the current state of the Republican Party….lots of glitter, some substantive cake adorned with waste. Despite their protestations to the contrary, government under GOP rule continues to grow and oppression increases. Since 1994 the GOP has to one degree or another had a grip on the reins of power. That is sixteen years…more than one and a half decades. Does CPB/PBS still receive federal funding? Are OSHA and the EPA smaller? Do Planned Parenthood and ACORN slurp at the federal trough? Have non-vital federal lands been sold to the private sector, or has federal ownership of real estate increased? The Republicans smugly declare that their contribution to sane government involved their slowing or stopping some extremely noxious legislative efforts. So, I’m supposed to be encouraged by this chest thumping? The GOP is actually more dangerous, in some respects, than the Mad-Hatters who are rushing us toward tyranny. They (the Republicans) may not be driving the bus, but they are willing riders on it…and neither group will squirm when they toss us under the wheels.

Lest some of you readers perceive that I am targeting my greatest wrath toward the Republicans by using body waste as an illustration, let me balance this screed by stating that the Democrats/progressives promise us booger sandwiches…but with no bread. The bread metaphor is used for money, therefore the D’s promise the moon, but will spend us out of money in the meantime. So, dear Reader, you may believe that it’s safer to support one of the old spendthrifts, unconstitutional parties, but it’s not.



Comment or email:  cnpearl@woh.rr.com