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Entry: Only a Revolution Will Do Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/only_a_revolution_will_do#16838 Post contents: Prozium Sure, Dr Paul might have done better in many Southern states (here in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana) with that type of campaign, perhaps even a few western states (Montana, Idaho), but would have ended up making more enemies than friends. Like I posted above, Dr Paul is, I believe, putting himself and his political descendants in a position to be "heroes" when the Republican ship REALLY starts to go under. By the way, here in Northeast Alabama, the ONLY campaign signs I have ever seen this primary season were Ron Paul for President '08 signs. In Calhoun County, Huckabee had 46% of the vote, followed by McCain with 36%, then Romney with 15%, and, finally, Paul with 2%. What we have to understand is how people are informed to vote. One of three ways, starting with the weakest to the strongest ways in which they are informed: 1) Personal Ethics: unfortunately, these days people's ethics are no longer formed - they are allowed to just "happen" by being exposed to a non-ethical society. The ultimate evils are the only things unethical: murder, rape, burglary (not ALL types of theft, mind you, are unethical, only the most violent), etc. Abortion is "wrong", but not generally "immoral" in people's minds, not, at least, as long as it remains "legal". 2) Media: Mostly television. The television will expose them to the candidate's style, looks, manner of speech, but very little substance of either their character or philosophies (like I said above, non-ethical society). The network news is the strongest of all the media outlets, having gained the attention of the voters for generations. However, cable television is beginning to take over, and has the inner culture of providing more "sensational" coverage, which will make the campaigns even more focused on soundbites and style, less so on ethics and substantial philosophies. 3)Friends, family, FELLOW CHURCH GOERS: For whom your friends, family members and, most importantly, the people you "fellowship" with after Sunday church, are voting is the strongest influence on your own voting pattern. This explains the Huckabee phenomenon here in Alabama, and across the South. Brother Harold and almost everyone else likes Huckabee because they're all Baptists. Sister Sherry doesn't quite know for whom to vote. Of course, she is going to go with the "group" and vote for Huckabee. Jonny, the Methodist, doesn't quite "connect" with Huckabee, but his fellow church goers at the First Methodist Church of Heflin are voting for McCain, so that is what he decides. How did they arrive at that decision? Because a FEW members were convinced to vote for McCain by methods #s 1 and 2. As it is said: the best form of advertisement is "word of mouth". THAT, in my estimation, is how democracy "works" in America. So, Ron Paul never really had a chance. The few people that vote for him just aren't "connected" enough to the rest of the community to influence it in any meaningful way. Here in Northeast Alabama, the only people that supported Ron Paul were a couple of wealthy businessmen who put up the signs (method #2, not as strong as personal relationships with the voters) and traditional Catholics (using method #3, but we just don't have the "clout" with the Baptists that dominate this place). Sent at: 2008 07 06