Steve and Erin, please stop the viral marketing of Ron Paul on the forums

[Tasaio]

I'm tired of these threads that extol Ron Paul's virtues. I don't like him, and I don't support him.

http://www.stevepavlina.com/forums/b...tml#post122382

http://www.stevepavlina.com/forums/c...highlight=paul

http://www.stevepavlina.com/forums/g...highlight=paul

http://www.stevepavlina.com/forums/s...highlight=paul

Yet, in the course of two weeks, he seems to be the official candidate for these forums. Why? It's always the same few people participating in the threads.

I think that, despite all her flaws, Hillary Clinton is the best choice for president. She's intelligent, educated, and has her husband to help her. (Some claim he'll do the job for her...and if that's the case, then is that bad?)

But, you'll notice that those of us supporting Clinton, Obama, and Mike Gravel don't need to start multiple threads on the subject?

Gravel is in an even worse position than Paul, financially and publically. So don't try and put this down to raising funds.

There is a time and a place for discussing a candidate...say, in a single thread.

Steve, I suggest you open a new forum "Political discussion", to keep these threads in one place.

[ticktockclok]

Anyone who supports Clinton should go read a basic primer on economics. If you support theft and force, well then, go for Clinton. Tells a lot about who you are.

Anyhow, I think we should keep politics off the forums period.

[The David]

I think Steve and Erin are nonpartisan. But a political forum would be a great idea.

[seeker5]

I'm a big supporter of Ron Paul, but I have to admit, if someone was creating all these thread about Clinton or any other presidential candidate I'd hate it.

I'm not sure we need a political thread on a personal development website, but we could simply move all political threads to the General Forum. I wouldn't mind that, and in fact would prefer it.

[Angela]

Yes, I think it would be a good idea to create a separate political forum, if we're going to have discussions like that here.

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by Angela

Yes, I think it would be a good idea to create a separate political forum, if we're going to have discussions like that here.

Wouldn't having a separate political forum encourage more political discussion? We're supposed to be here for personal development, there are thousands of political forums all over the web that we can go if we choose to discuss politics. Most political discussion drags us down to lower levels of consciousness, which is why it's so healthy to avoid the news. I'm not saying to ban political talking when it comes up, but I'd suggest we NOT create a special place on this forum that tempts people to spend their time discussing politics instead of working on their personal development. I for one would appreciate not having the temptation; this forum is like an oasis for the most part for me from the sad and disempowering world of politics. When I started to avoid internet news back in July, coming on here was a good way for me to avoid politics and a way for me to break my addiction to politics and the news. I'd so hate for us to encourage politics to come in here.

[Zukin]

Here's some pros and cons about making a new forum:
Pro: More forum page views and more ad revenue for Steve, opportunities for people to discuss the consciousness levels and relative merits of political candidates
Con: Politics is one of the most divisive and corrosive forces I've seen (and I'm speaking from the position of someone who had a political radio show, researched politics & government, and worked with campaigns). Even discussing religion isn't as divisive as politics. Some of the discussions could create bad blood and spill over into other areas of the forums.

[Savage]

Originally Posted by seeker5

Wouldn't having a separate political forum encourage more political discussion? We're supposed to be here for personal development, there are thousands of political forums all over the web that we can go if we choose to discuss politics.

Agreed. Politics isn't really a personal development subtopic IMO, which is why there's no specific forum for it here. But political threads can certainly be started in the General forum.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Politics isn't really a personal development subtopic IMO, which is why there's no specific forum for it here. But political threads can certainly be started in the General forum.

I disagree, because I feel that any subject people feel strongly enough about to want to discuss it with others has the capacity to generate personal development. Living in society with others, how we pick our leaders, who we pick, how society is run, how governments work to or don't work... I think that's all perfectly valuable fodder for some people to work out their own personal growth issues, if they're willing to accept responsibility for that.

I do think that it's a hot button issue, that people tend to get so worked up that they forget to accept personal responsibility and to work towards generating understanding as opposed to righteousness. Perhaps there could be special guidelines in such a thread that remind folks that it's essential to stay responsible, or they get the boot.

Having a separate forum for political discussion would also mean that people like seeker5, and me for that matter, who are not as interested in that kind of discussion, could easily be free of it just by avoiding that forum. It is pretty irritating to be talking about some aspect of, say, IM, only to have someone intrusively jump in with political opinions.

[Tasaio]

Thanks for the replies. Steve, I must agree with Angela w.r.t. a political forum; the pros outweigh the cons.

Let's at least, keep the political threads on the General forum in the future.

[Dan.Linehan]

Kucinich... definitely vegan, definitely very sharp, I definitely had brunch with him and his wife at DRAGONFLY Neo-v last year.

Good guy.

On that note, I'm moving this thread to the general forum.

[coollikeme]

Is a waste of time, and waste of money. I wish people would donate their money to charity instead of a wasted cause.

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by coollikeme

Is a waste of time, and waste of money. I wish people would donate their money to charity instead of a wasted cause.

Interesting view. I've found Ron Paul to be a great usage of time and he's given hopes to millions who had no hope. Sure, even if he doesn't win, he's given hopes to all those who wish to rid their lives of government interference. I consider the money I contributed to his campaign well spent.

[Brutha]

Even if he doesn't win, having a few of his issues more in the center of the public debate would be a good thing.
Politics is not only about who gets elected but also about which ideas are in the public debate.

[schola]

There are people with a vested interest in keeping his views under wraps. This is no conspiracy theory mumbo jumbo. These people are in high places and have a lot of money, and Ron Paul's message threatens their way of life.

That's why some of his supporters may come off as slightly crazed or rabid.
They've researched what he said and found it he was right, and they're pissed off!

[cybersphere]

If you want a socialist New World Order, ruled by an Iron fist, vote for Hillary.

If you value freedom, and don't wish to see your country transformed into a living hell, vote for Ron Paul.

Simple really.

[Parthon]

I vote for Nachos.

They haven't pushed their agenda on me, and are delicious. I've never been naysayed because I've wanted nachos either. As far as a political candidate goes, Nachos is both strong when needed, but soft when there are pressing issues(ie: teeth).

A vote for nachos is a vote for yummy.

Aside from the derailment, I think all political based posts not directly influencing personal development should be closed or moved to general, and if people continue to start new ones elsewhere, have them warned.

[geekchic9]

Originally Posted by cybersphere

If you want a socialist New World Order, ruled by an Iron fist, vote for Hillary.

If you value freedom, and don't wish to see your country transformed into a living hell, vote for Ron Paul.

Simple really.

Several comments:

1) False dichotomy. There are other choices available, such as McCain and Obama.

2) Socialism does not necessarily imply a New World Order or an iron fist. Many countries, such as those in western Europe, have adopted some socialist principles, and they're not exactly ruled by an iron fist.

3) Hillary can be called a lot of bad things, but the socialists would say she is not socialist enough.

[Barcs]

IMHO, I don't see the big deal about making threads about Ron Paul or Hillary or whoever. If you want to avoid talking about politics then all you have to do is simply not open the thread. Bingo! Problem solved!

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Barcs

IMHO, I don't see the big deal about making threads about Ron Paul or Hillary or whoever. If you want to avoid talking about politics then all you have to do is simply not open the thread. Bingo! Problem solved!

Agreed. All the Ron Paul threads seem to be clearly labelled as such.

[Tasaio]

To those just responding,

I started this thread over three months ago.

At that time, Ron Paul posts were appearing in every forum--Social, Tech, Personal, Steve, Business, General...

More frustrating was the fact that not all of these threads were labelled as Ron Paul posts. One, for instance, was simply titled "Who does he think he is?!".

Another reason I objected to the threads was that some of them were just fundraising advertisements. At least two threads advertised the infamous money bombs.

As {aspiring_for_clarity} duly noted, the RP supporters would not appreciate Hillary supporters doing the same thing.

Consider it this way. How would you feel if fundraising advertisements for KKK members' political campaigns started appearing in every forum?

I'm not directly relating Ron Paul to the KKK, but you have to accept that both are going to encounter opposition on a generally progressive forum. I call this forum "progressive" because past polls have shown the clear majority to be as such--libertarian (like RP) and left wing (not like RP).

This "World Affairs" forum didn't exist when first I suggested a political forum. This is the kind of forum I was suggesting.

In conclusion, I have no objection to discussing Ron Paul on this forum. I would suggest that fundraising posts be confined to a single thread clearly marked as such, though. (That goes for all candidates, not just RP.)

Since this thread's topic has already been addressed, I recommend that this thread be closed, before it causes any more confusion.

[Brutha]

The old thread was in relation to Ron Paul threads being in multiple different forums. Now we have the World Affairs forum to discuss politcs.

If someone still wants to continue the topic, please open a new thread.
I will close this thread.