This is Ron Paul’s classic 2007 Christmas video… we hope there will be another one in 2011!

http://www.forlibertymovie.com

As the 2007-08 presidential campaign cycle offered up the usual slate of Washington insiders, Ron Paul, an obscure Congressman from Texas brought an alternative voice that challenged the political establishment.

Advocating a philosophy of sound money, a non-interventionist foreign policy, strict Constitutionalism, and individual liberty, Dr. Paul inspired a unique grassroots movement unmatched in American history – the repercussions of which continue to reverberate today and into the future of the American psyche.

For Liberty: How the Ron Paul Revolution Watered the Withered Tree of Liberty follows this historic campaign from the perspective of grassroots activists, and showcases the unique, often bizarre, yet groundbreaking projects they undertook as they brushed aside traditional campaign methodology.

Credits

Produced and Directed by
Chris Rye & Corey Kealiher

Editor
Chris Rye

Assistant Editor
Corey Kealiher

Director of Photography
Chris Rye

Special Editorial Assistant
Bryan Thome

Key Grip/Awesome Dude
Michael Maresco

Additional Photography
Bret Hatch
Bryan Thome
Ernest Hancock
Bill Dumas
Barclay Bean
Bernard Carman
Tom Westbrook
Mike Mart
Bob Dwyer
Julian Smith
Boston Liberty Project
Kenneth & Julie van Schooten
Byron Jackson
Gary Franchi
Tory Watson
Corey Kealiher
Shane O’Hara
John Vidurek
Michael Matthews
Robert Abraham
Istvan Lettang, Eclipptv.com
Andrew Neef
Cynthia Kennedy
Mandy Nichols
Ron Paul Air Corps
Granny Warriors
John Seibold

Meet The New Boss, Same As The Old Boss

On November 4th, 2008, 8,538,559 more people voted for Barack Obama than did for John McCain, giving Obama a landslide victory in the Electoral College. Mr. Obama won this election by doing what most other campaigns try to do: run against the establishment on a message of ‘change’, not just in the superficial and artificial sense, but in a meaningful and profound way. Among other commitments, Obama promised to restore the rule of law and our cherished Constitutional principles. Touting his career as a Constitutional lawyer and law professor, Obama gave some hope to civil libertarians by denouncing torture, domestic spying, and Guantanamo Bay. He danced around these issues all the while voting for the FISA amendment and perpetuating his double-talk; saying one thing, and doing another.

Now that he’s been President for several weeks, Obama has begun to deal with an issue that is very dear to my heart: civil liberties. Throughout every one of his executive orders President Obama gave the appearance of reversing the policies of George Bush. However, he has left, and continues to leave, loopholes that allow for torture and extraordinary rendition. He is even open to “modified military commissions.” He will take over a year to close Guantanamo and he will allow the CIA to operate our empire overseas despite the predictable blowback that would result from this. He will continue to allow our troops to be stationed in over 135 countries across the globe. He will continue giving money to dictatorships. Essentially, the product was not as advertised. Barack Obama will not significantly change US policy. The deception continues.

The use and abuse of executive branch powers under Barack Obama will apparently be used no less than they were under his predecessor, George W. Bush. The office of the President of the United States of America, over the past 60 years, has grown increasingly and progressively more powerful and aggressive. This power has been taken forcefully by presidents over the years, each adding his own contribution and helping to set unfortunate precedent. Each president has used a ‘crisis’ to usurp more power from the Congress and the Legislature; Bush used the 9/11 attacks and Obama will use the economic crisis. The use of executive orders with almost no oversight from Congress or the courts will continue with Obama.

All of these culminate into one large disappointment for civil libertarians who believe in civil liberty, non-interventionism, and sound Constitutional principles. More and more it is becoming apparent that the vast majority of politicians in Washington are two sides of the same coin. More important and more worrisome, is the complete media blackout about important issues such as the Federal Reserve, our national sovereignty, third party candidates, monetary policy, and our foreign policy blow back.

Many Obama supporters may become disillusioned with their leader and may turn to a third party. Many Republicans may tire of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity and may do the same. Both Democrats and Republicans may become so disillusioned with their leadership in Congress that they may look to real alternatives, like Ron Paul. He represents more than himself; he represents a large swath of patriots in this country who reject the two self-serving corporate parties.

Now is the time to grow the Ron Paul movement. Spread the message! From 2009 and into the future, the Ron Paul Revolution lives on.

Ron Paul was reelected as Congressman for the 14th District of Texas. He did not have an opponent.

Montana

John McCain: 50.1% (236,513 votes)
Barack Obama: 46.7% (220,301 votes)
Ron Paul: 2.2% (10,230 votes)
Ralph Nader: 0.8% (3,570 votes)
Bob Barr: 0.3% (1,300 votes)

Louisiana

John McCain: 58.6% (1,147,603 votes)
Barack Obama: 39.9% (780,981 votes)
Ron Paul: 0.5% (9,353 votes)
Cynthia McKinney: 0.5% (9,184 votes)
Ralph Nader: 0.4% (6,991 votes)
Chuck Baldwin: 0.1%

Why was Ron Paul on the presidential ballot in these states?

In Montana, the Constitution Party of Montana used to be an affiliate of the national Constitution Party until July 2006. Since then, it has been an independent party. This year, they selected Ron Paul and Michael Peroutka as their presidential candidates.

In Louisiana, a group of Ron Paul supporters founded the Louisiana Taxpayers Party and selected Ron Paul and Barry Goldwater Jr. as their presidential candidates.

In California, Ron Paul was nominated as a write-in candidate by Gail Lightfoot, a former Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate.

CNN: Whoever wins the presidency today, he will face a lot of challenges. With a look at some of the obstacles facing the next President I’m joined by former Republican presidential candidate, Congressman Ron Paul. He joins me from Clute, Texas this morning. Glad you’re up with us, great to see you this morning

Ron Paul: Thank you, thank you very much.

CNN: As we take a look at how things are shaping up today, what are you thinking of, what are some of the things that stick out in your mind today?

Ron Paul: Well, I think the obvious is, what’s it going to be like with the new president, because we are going to get a new president. But the old problems are still going to be there. We’re still going to have to deal with the Middle East. We have the policy now where we’re going into Syria, we’re going into Pakistan, we’re threatening Iran, we’re having bad conditions in Afghanistan and Iraq, so, those problems are getting bigger by the day.

And also the financial situation is, you know, both candidates have supported the same old policy of pumping in 5 trillion dollars worth of new money, trying to prop up all the mistakes made over the last 20 or 30 years.

So, the American people have a lot to think about, and we do have a lot of concerns. Let’s hope things improve, but right now I don’t see any significant change in policy on the horizon.

CNN: Do you think that there’s a lot of promises that have to be made during an election cycle that one side, either gentleman, finally gets to the Oval Office, perhaps a lot of the things that have been promised aren’t necessarily going to be realistic to happen in this current environment?

Ron Paul: Well, I think that happens just about all the time. You noticed that neither candidate has talked about balancing the budget, but they sure have promised a lot of spending. No, nothing to be cut, spending is going to continue. And if deficits do matter, which I happen to believe, I mean, how can we expect any changes? Government is going to get bigger, more intrusive into our private lives, the foreign policy is going to remain the same, we’re gonna be the policeman of the world… So, really there’s no offer of solutions.

Obama talks about change, but what is he going to change? He and McCain agreed with the total bailout package, they don’t disagree on foreign policy, really, so the American people are going to be frustrated. They’re enthusiastic now and they’re hopeful and we all should be. But what’s going to happen after a month or two if each of these problems I’m talking about are much worse?

CNN: One of the things Congressman, as you talk a little about what we could see coming down the road, and whether things will change, there’s probably more of a chance of legislation at least being passed under an Obama administration if we do see the House and the Senate both go to a majority of Democrats, perhaps even a veto-proof majority.

And this is what former Senator Bob Kerrey wrote about this impact. He said,

“The primary threat to the success of a President Obama will come from some Democrats who, emboldened by the size of their Congressional majority, may try to kill trade agreements, raise taxes in ways that will destroy jobs, repeal the PATRIOT Act and spend and regulate to high heaven.”

Could single party rule actually be more detrimental to the country?

Ron Paul: Oh, I don’t think there’s any doubt about it. I think that’s one of the strongest arguments for voting for McCain. What this country needs is a little bit of gridlock on new legislation. You know, I think the only laws that we should be passing now, are laws that repeal legislation, repeal previous legislation, that’s what we need. So, no, I think it’s going to be sad if we don’t have any gridlock or any debate, I mean, if everything gets rubber-stamped, of course I wouldn’t mind a little bit of movement to get rid of the PATRIOT Act, that wouldn’t be too bad.

If they were doing the right things it wouldn’t be a problem, but right now there’s no evidence that we’re all of a sudden going to see a shift, that we’re going to see new policies, that we’re going to have a deep concern about the Constitution, that we’re going to talk about a non-interventionist foreign policy, that we’re going to talk about the Federal Reserve, the culprit in this whole financial mess. Nobody is talking about that, so, yes, I think if we rubber-stamp and see no gridlock and one party power I think it’s very bad for our country.

CNN: Alright, Congressman Ron Paul, it’s great to talk to you this morning, thanks for your take today.

Write-in votes for Ron Paul in other states will not be counted.

Ron Paul endorsed Chuck Baldwin on September 23.

Ron Paul endorsed Chuck Baldwin on September 23.

Ron Paul endorsed Chuck Baldwin on September 23.