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Is Free Republic a Failure?
vanity ^ | July 6, 2002 | B. A. Conservative

Posted on 07/06/2002 2:31:54 PM PDT by B. A. Conservative

"Founded in 1996 by Jim Robinson, Free Republic is a loosely organized group of grassroots Americans who support our Constitution and look for honesty, integrity and honor from those in government."

What is our mission? "Free Republic is dedicated to reversing the trend of unconstitutional government expansion and is advocating a complete restoration of our constitutional republic." Jim Robinson has listed a great deal more worthwhile information and detail concerning the mission and a description of Free Republic. The current mission statement has been edited from an earlier version to account for past events. The original mission statement included language advocating the impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton, then President of the United States. Free Republic accomplished that portion of its mission statement by playing a central role in the events culminating in the successful vote in the House of Representatives to Impeach William Jefferson Clinton. For its role in the impeachment, Free Republic is an unequivocal and unqualified success.

However in evaluating and measuring Free Republic's performance with regard to the larger and by far the more significant role, "reversing the trend of unconstitutional government expansion and a complete restoration of our constitutional republic", I think the leadership and members of Free Republic need to refocus their thinking. By using any yardstick of your own choosing, there are few if any parameters in which conservatives can claim any improvement. And in any small victories that might have occurred, I would ask that you point out the role played by Free Republic in bringing it about. In short, I think that Free Republic has lost its focus on its most important reason for being.

Before offering my suggestions for getting back on track, I would like offer some thoughts on how and why we have become distracted from the primary focus as so eloquently stated by Jim Robinson:

The two courses of action most likely to offer a speedy and effective return to our Constitutional Republic are political and judicial. The left has used judicial appointments very effectively against the Constitution. Reagan advanced the task of recovering the federal judiciary, but we still have a long way to go in this area. Nevertheless, strategic use of the courts could be a very effective weapon in our arsenal. I think this should be the topic of some very serious discussions on how we can use the courts to attack existing unconstitutional government actions, laws and regulations. It takes someone to bring an action, and some legal thought to make such efforts productive. Forum shopping and plaintiff seeking are actively used by our opposition. I think this is an area where we can do much more than we have been doing.

And that brings us to the area of the greatest interest to us all. And it is in this arena that we are more likely to bring the quick results that we all desire. Well thought out, carefully crafted political activism can be effective. And each election offers opportunities to build on prior successes and to learn from prior mistakes. I will proffer that we have done little more than chat or indulge in wishful thinking. Our attempts at organized planning, coordination or unification of efforts, orderly assignment of tasks and delegation of responsibilities have been largely non-existent. All volunteer labor is hard to harness and effectively deploy. But it is not impossible.

Our computers and the internet provide the means to share and coordinate our efforts. It could also provide the means of choosing our leaders, delegation of tasks and responsibilities, and our most powerful weapon in recruiting new talents. Every human on the planet that has an internet connection has access to our materials and our efforts. It is a means to make our voices heard and to recruit more voices.

Everyone that frequents this site has visions of making their voice heard and making their vote count. Individually our voices are lost in the crowd noise. And even with our dismal lack of voter turnout, there were still more than 100 million votes cast in the last presidential election. It is difficult to know that your vote counted when it constitutes such a small part of the total vote. Political parties make a difference in the outcomes of elections by pooling the votes of like-minded individuals. Political candidates exercise power because each supporter transfers a portion of their individual power to the candidate. Coalitions gain power by pooling the individual powers of their members.

Free Republic can exercise the power of a coalition through uniting behind either common candidates or common issues or both. By acting as a unit, we can multiply our political effectiveness considerably. By recruiting and enlarging or attracting new members or supporters, we can multiply our effectiveness even more. We have proved that we can be effective. Ask the House managers and other members of the House how Clinton came to be impeached in spite of all the efforts of the media to prevent it.

We are approaching another election in a few months. Traffic on this site will increase progressively as we get closer to election day. Our political clout and power will increase exponentially as our viewing numbers increase. No matter what anyone wishes, the polls will be relatively close and the outcome of the election uncertain until the polls are closed. We will only have a good idea of the outcome when the exit polls and returns begin to come in. Before Election Day, the closer the polling data and the more uncertain the outcome of the election, the more our votes and our voices will matter. The more unified we are leading up to the election, the more our voices will be heard, and the more our votes will be courted.

We will have zero influence on Democratic voters or candidates. Any efforts directed at Democratic candidates will be a complete waste of our time and resources. Almost all directed at Democratic votes will have the same sad results. But our efforts directed at Republican voters and candidates can have a tremendous impact on the election and more importantly on the campaign leading up to the election. And surprisingly, our efforts in this election could have an even greater impact on the election of 2004.

FreeRepublic has the power within its grasp to achieve its mission and change the course of history. Organization, delegation, and unity of purpose are the keys to success. On another thread, I have offered what I believe to be one solution to the problem. There may be others. That is what the mission of this forum is about. Let's Roll!


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: freerepublic
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To: B. A. Conservative
There are already almost enough knowledgeable patriots, who hang around this venue, to turn America around. In the sense of creating an interactive ferment, where ideas on how to take back America are stimulated daily, this is already a success. It is far too early to judge the ultimate result--or the ultimate issue, by the present state of American politics.

What is happening here, is that a lot of otherwise unaffiliated Conservatives are stimulated to think a bit more deeply, a bit more tactically as to what should be done. In meeting others of like mind, their spirits are also raised just enough to bring out a bit more individual effort. As this interactive process continues, new approaches--hopefully better approaches--will emerge.

It is important to understand how powerful an informed group, numbering in the thousands, can be, when they understand the issues and the tactics of influencing the political dynamics. In early 1916, Lenin had 10,000 dedicated followers. Eighteen months later, they had expanded to 40,000, and took over one of the World's most populous empires. I refuse to believe that mobilized evil is more powerful than mobilized virtue and honor.

While we are not--we hope--faced with having to manage a revolution in the streets, the point is the same. With 20,000 well informed Conservative activists, we could create a psychological climate that would make the continued drift to the Left impossible. With 40,000, we could finish the job we thought we were going to accomplish in 1980.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

21 posted on 07/06/2002 2:55:04 PM PDT by Ohioan
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To: FF578
Part of the problem is that Free Republic has been infiltrated by leftists (Libertarians) who support blasphemy, drug use, homosexuality, abortion, fornication, adultery, prostitution, immorality, and a host of other things that All true conservative despise and hate.

A bigger part of the problem is that FR has been "infiltrated" by statist jackboots who see the government not as a huge and terrible threat to liberty but as a tool to force everyone at the point of a gun to live as they believe is "correct".

22 posted on 07/06/2002 2:55:12 PM PDT by Jonathon Spectre
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To: B. A. Conservative
Only the Republican Party can restore America to her former greatness by defeating the Democratic Party that led Americans away from freedom and down the road to serfdom through socialism.

Conservatives win when conservatives work towards conservative ends. The Reagan Presidency and the 1994 "revolution" prove that. Reagan and Newt accomplished their goals with a Dem majority in both houses (for most of the time), and an unopposed leftist media because they had the b**ls to lead. They didn't use the excuse that they had to have a majority in both houses before they dared put forth conservative values.

Unlike Reagan who was bold enough to proclaim "government is the problem", we now have a President that is foolish and elitist enough to believe that government is the grand benefactor, it just hasn't been used properly yet.

We don't have leaders anymore, just a bunch of weak, wussy, blue bloods. Non-leaders who I wouldn't follow on a damn cake walk, much less trust with this nations and my family's future.

The party has become a watered down parody of itself full of pantywaiste self serving Clinton imitators. They have no problem spending our families into serfdom or cheerleading huge goverment initiatives at our expense, as long as they think they're winning the argument. They also proven they are at best ignorant of the constitution, at worst hold it in contempt.

Now I'm supposed to swallow all of this and vote for them again?

23 posted on 07/06/2002 2:56:37 PM PDT by AAABEST
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To: B. A. Conservative
Only the Republican Party can restore America to her former greatness...

It was at this point that your essay was disqualified from possessing anything meaningful.

Only God can restore America... if we really want Him to.

24 posted on 07/06/2002 3:00:58 PM PDT by Darth Sidious
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To: FF578; jonatron; ElectricStrawberry; Maceman; FlyingA; JulieRNR21; Doc On The Bay; bimmer
The problem is that people like to Talk not Walk, get real get active. There is nothing wrong with FReeRepublic it is a forum, the problem is with those who like to talk a issue to death rather than do something about it.

It takes only 33% to make a revolution, where the hell are you?

25 posted on 07/06/2002 3:01:05 PM PDT by Little Bill
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To: FF578
Part of the problem is that Free Republic has been infiltrated by leftists (Libertarians) who support blasphemy, drug use, homosexuality, abortion, fornication, adultery, prostitution, immorality, and a host of other things that All true conservative despise and hate.

I disagree. I think "Part of the problem is that Free Republic has been infiltrated by" newbies that try to justify no knock SWAT raids where people are getting killed over contraband. Then when they lose the argument, they become jaded and start calling everyone "Libertarians".

Like you did on another thread.

WTF do you know about how this forum has been "infilterated" when you've only been here as long as you have? You're the infilterer, I remember when the vast majority of this forum nearly worshipped the constitution.

26 posted on 07/06/2002 3:03:28 PM PDT by AAABEST
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To: FF578
(Libertarians) who support blasphemy, drug use, homosexuality, abortion, fornication, adultery, prostitution, immorality, and a host of other things that All true conservative despise and hate.

But we also support capitalism, which is why we're not leftists. Who else is going to support freedom - John Ashcroft?

27 posted on 07/06/2002 3:05:28 PM PDT by BlazingArizona
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To: AAABEST
Babe, go ahead & keep helping liberals get elected to power. WHO ARE YOU KIDDING? If stuff doesn't go your way, as fast as you want it to, you would prefer that republicans would be defeated, and socialists will be elected. OK. All or nothing. Try explaining to your unborn grandkids someday how you sold out their futures for a "principle".
28 posted on 07/06/2002 3:05:43 PM PDT by leilani
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To: B. A. Conservative
Never speak ill of a fellow Republican.
--Reagans Law
29 posted on 07/06/2002 3:06:45 PM PDT by ChadGore
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To: BlazingArizona
"Who else is going to support freedom - John Ashcroft?"

Oh boy, a dead giveaway. Exactly HOW is John Ashcroft gonna take away your freedom BA? Time for truth here.

30 posted on 07/06/2002 3:10:25 PM PDT by leilani
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To: FF578
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!

Is that you Kevin???????

redrock

31 posted on 07/06/2002 3:13:27 PM PDT by redrock
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To: FF578
...things that All true conservative Christians despise and hate.

Sorry to disappoint you, but we don't live in a theocracy.
32 posted on 07/06/2002 3:14:01 PM PDT by Djarum
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To: AAABEST; dixie sass; Memother; chesty_puller; Japedo; madfly; Snow Bunny; FallGuy; JohnHuang2; ...
I remember when the vast majority of this forum nearly worshipped the constitution

Me too BUMPS and in 2 years the whole face of this VAST EXPANCE we call Freerepublic has changed and contorted into a Think Tank in which even our great government can be envious of our government could not put together the great minds and ideas i have seen in 2 years on here but they could anmd i beleive in some cases they have used ideas expressed on this site.

33 posted on 07/06/2002 3:15:38 PM PDT by ATOMIC_PUNK
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To: Little Bill
Bill...

Even less....At the first revolution, thirty percent of the colonists supported and did the bleeding and dying. Thirty five percent supported the King and did their best to undermine the effort. The other thirty five per cent were equal to our modern day draft dodgers and slackers, waiting on the sidelines to join the victors, like buzzards at a feast.

I would hazard a guess that given the same circumstances, the people here at FR would follow the same per centages.

34 posted on 07/06/2002 3:16:56 PM PDT by cynicom
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To: B. A. Conservative
We can cost the left a lot of money if Republicans in every state introduce a voucher bill before the election. All the Democrat groups, from the NEA to the AJCongress and PFAW have vowed to do with it takes to defeat vouchers in state legislatures.

Every dollar they spend defeating vouchers is a dollar they don't have to give to a Democrat candidate.

It costs us nothing to introduce legislation. It will cost them millions stopping it.

35 posted on 07/06/2002 3:19:22 PM PDT by LarryLied
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To: FF578
Some of them - the pervotarians - are evil. Some are stupid. But some are just ignorant - "folies de jeunesse" types. The beauty is, we have the Jesse Jackson options re: their putrescent blobs of posted pus - laugh at 'em - ignore 'em - or both. There's thousands of lurkers learning here - even some of "them."
36 posted on 07/06/2002 3:21:12 PM PDT by 185JHP
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To: Jonathon Spectre
Shhh!
37 posted on 07/06/2002 3:21:15 PM PDT by StriperSniper
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To: usconservative
Is Free Republic a failure? HELL NO

Bump to that and I still owe you an A$$ Whoopin'!

38 posted on 07/06/2002 3:21:40 PM PDT by humblegunner
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To: FF578
Part of the problem is that Free Republic has been infiltrated by leftists (Libertarians)

And part of the reason is that people post here who are too stupid to tell the difference between Liberalism and Libertarianism. As for 'infilitrated', libertarians have been hanging out here probably since FR was founded, so we didn't infiltrate.

Some people want the government to dictate morality. Others think people should do it themselves. I guess it is impossible for individuals to be moral, only the institution of the government can do that, particularly if it is large, bureaucratic, and totalitarianistic.

Don't you worry, the government you want is coming quickly. I hope you like it.

Tuor

Give me liberty or give me death.

39 posted on 07/06/2002 3:21:44 PM PDT by Tuor
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To: B. A. Conservative
Is Free Republic a Failure?

I hope not!!!I just sent them a donation!

40 posted on 07/06/2002 3:22:25 PM PDT by shiva
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