Fair Tax Leadership

Comment

Comment by Steve Curtis on March 12, 2009 at 7:12am

As Sun Tzu would say, we need to let the many attack the few. In other words, in order to "get noticed", we need to use the resources we already have, or can develop, to effectuate a change, no matter how small, on the system. Since we still lack the ability to elect a President, we need to find a state or Congressional election(s) where we can make a difference, and do it. Most importantly, we need to make sure everyone knows we did it.

Once political leaders see that FairTaxers have, and will use, their political power, then the FairTax will "be invited to the table", and our agenda advanced.

And it doesn't really matter which party, state, or election we influence. We just have to find our voice, and make it heard. Once that happens, not only will the politicians pay attention, our own members will be energized since we will have "done something". Talk is great for educating the masses, but people who are investing their time and money want to see progress in order to stay motivated and committed.

The FairTax needs to produce demonstrable progress, by some objective means of measurement, or, eventually, it will simply whither due to lack of interest.

Comment by Dave Sibole on March 12, 2009 at 6:24am

Are we listening to ourselves here? What is the definition of grassroots? Did we not read Ken Hoagland's blog? Just because all of the current co-sponsors happen to belong to the Republican party does not mean the Republican party is any more behind this than the Democratic party. There was only one Republican and one Democratic presidential candidate with enough intestinal fortitude to endorse the Fair Tax. Numerous third parties have sprung up not a one of them endorse it either. Not one state party endorses it that I'm aware of. They all still think we will go away or never get the strength to have the influence to get it done. Even AFFT Houston tells us not to rock the boat too hard. We are currently just a pesky fly to them and until we become a plague it ain't going to happen.

I don't want my comment about AFFT Houston to be misunderstoond. There would be no grassroots without them. Mr. Limbeck, Jr., Mr. Schutte and Mr. Hoagland, et al you are appreciated. But without the grassroots AFFT Houston would get nowhere either. There is too much resistance at the top in all parties. People don't like their power or money tampered with. That is what politics is all about. They don't have America's best interest at heart. (I'm stereotyping there.) They don't represent us and our interests. They only tolerate us for our vote. In reality we shouldn't be opposing the stimulous package and the pork. We should be saying bring it on. Continuing with the analogy about the flies and plague. Just as maggots need rotten meat to thrive and reproduce. We will not become that plague of flies we have to become until we (all) are fed up with the system. We need them to make us mad we are too complacent. Our job as leaders is to educate, educate, educate. People have been brainwashed into thinking they have no alternative but to put up with the system.

Dave

Comment by Jeff Murdock on March 11, 2009 at 10:45pm

OK, I'll try that next time.. Any thoughts on the Ads? They are radical, but the opposition was just as radical..

Comment by David Nelson on March 11, 2009 at 10:38pm

Jeff, when you're typing, you see the
B
I
U
S above? Try the one that says, "add an image" when you hover on it.

Comment by Jeff Murdock on March 11, 2009 at 10:30pm

Thanks David, I have another one.. hot off the press. Any feedback would be appreciated! (-:

http://www.imagebam.com/image/f1738f29389796

Comment by David Nelson on March 11, 2009 at 9:56pm

Comment by Jeff Murdock on March 11, 2009 at 9:45pm

Another idea... please post. I don't know how to make images show up on forum,

http://www.imagebam.com/image/d64f0e29388129

Comment by David Nelson on March 11, 2009 at 9:31pm

Jabari,
I've been saying the same thing for a couple years. I completely gave up on the "FairTaxGroups" board because it became completely partisan. I've had many ideas of ways we could reach the progressive side of the aisle and I always get shot down. I'm glad to hear the idea respected here.
Some people here know I resigned my former leadership position with AFFT so that I could take a job working for Senator Mike Gravel's presidential campaign. He was the only one of nine candidates on the left who supports the FairTax. I have an idea for a strategy we could employ if the national effort will help pass the word.
Backstage at one of the Democratic primary debates, then Senator Joe Biden walked up to me, tapped the FairTax sticker on my shirt and said, "That's an interesting idea; I'd like to learn more about it." I reacted badly because I was there in the employ of one of his opponents and I was startled that he broached the topic, but I grabbed Ken Hoagland who was in the room and suggested to Senator Biden that Ken could answer questions better than I.
Now that Mr. Biden is the Vice President he certainly has the president’s ear and like John McCain often quipped, nothing to do all day except break ties in the Senate and ask about the president’s health. I think it would be a great time for the American people to help him learn about the FairTax. He would have nothing to lose by listening, and with his background and ideology, he may well become the strongest ally the FairTax can hope for in today’s Democratic leadership.
What do you’all think about a national letter-writing campaign to the VP?

David Nelson
727-422-7190

Comment by Jeff Murdock on March 11, 2009 at 9:17pm

Larry & Jabari.. This is the "Fair Tax".. meaning it is beneficial to both sides. If we are to successfully pass this we must market it in the language each party responds to. To be honest, I don't think the "leaders" of the fair tax have been very successful. I encourage everybody to put themselves in the shoes of the people who would not be for this.. then think of a way to convince them. I would love to know why the DEC would not support the fair tax. My guess is that the Democrats associate it with Republicans like Jabari says.

Bottom line is that we have been marketing this idea to the wrong party.. Every Republican I know would agree to the fair tax. It's time for the Democrats to get on board and now is the perfect time. (See my prior post) There is so much wealth envy and negative ideas about Wall Street that we are at a once in a life time opportunity. Let's use this to our advantage. Show how much a rich person who got a bail out bonus and bought a new house would pay in taxes versus a lower income person would pay who is renting an apartment!

If we do that.. we will see how long the DEC would continue to oppose this. The fact is both parties are opposing this because of special interests and we need to call them out.

Comment by Larry Walters on March 11, 2009 at 7:31pm

Jabari,
You are absolutely right when it comes to not being critical of those who may be Democrats or Liberals which takes both parties into account.
However, and I've posted this before, Democratic leadership, even at the local Executive Committee level for the most part will not support the FairTax.
I have attended many local DEC meetings parked outside the meeting room because I am not a registered Democrat. Doing so allowed me to register approximately 20% of the committees membership base but not one leader.
It requires a registered Democrat to be able to attend and speak at the DEC meetings. I found a Democrat supporter to speak locally and he was abused by his own party members.
Bottom line is idealistically youj are right and we do need to be more open to communications with those who are not active in Democratic functions in order to gain them as supporters and put constituent pressure on their representatives be they Dems or Repubs.
Which party is in power has less to do than how may supporters are letting their reps know who will get their votes.

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