To: exodus
Ron Paul did that; now he's a traitor, worse than any Democrat, because he won't walk in lock-step with the Republican leadership.
When socialsts took over the Democratic party, those conservatives who noticed switched parties and became Republicans.
Now socialists have taken over the Republican Party. Where are conservatives supposed to go now?
I believe the Free State project is the result of a very realistic assessment of all the possible courses of action. I do not speak for them but that's how I observe and read the situation.
Comparing the socialist takeover of the Democrat party to libertarians or even conservatives taking over the Republican is like comparing apples and oranges. Two different matters completely. Socialism and communism were more than just a political philosophy they were mass religious movements and their followers had a zealotry to them that normal people just wanting to be left alone lack. Also they believed in using evil to fight evil and evil came naturally to the true believers as this religion stirred up base and negative emotions - envy, greed, resentment, even hate and the lust to destroy. Of course this was veiled as love and compassion for ones fellow man and building utopia. Using deceit and pitting groups against each other is legitimate, even righteous for these people as they think of a loftier end result.
There is also a financial angle to this that can not be overlooked and it is more important than the religious fanatics mentioned above. Ever wonder why so many socialists and communists are wealthy people and families? it means monopolistic control giants of industry will have as they partner with big government. Small business i.e.. competition will be strangled. Not to mention the looting of the treasury as government picks up the tab for business costs - R&D to advertisment,etc. In short socialism is a racket - a lucrative and perpetual one.
The Republican establishment signed on to the Democrat socialist program back in the 1930's. They had to retain the two party front but they believe in the program. Wendle Wilkie was no real conservative. Post War 2 pols like Ike were establishment tools. Goldwater was sabotaged by GOP establishment as much as the Democrats. Reagan was an aberation and he was contained. True conservatives are being purged from the party now as we speak in case some haven't noticed.
So to sum up a take over of the GOP is not going to happen by good honest grassroots liberty loving people at a national level. Even at sate level it would be impossible in 40 of the states and that is why I believe the FSP is looking at a couple of small states where right thinking people could concentrate their efforts. BTW so far the FSP is not advocating a take over of the GOP or starting a third party. That course of action could only be determined when a state is officially selected and the actual numbers of FS members is known and they are in place. The plan is sound and realistically our only chance.