The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - 'Ron Paul Reboot' Edition

I had no intention of writing about this situation, but enough people have contacted me that I decided to do so. A little history first. While I was an outspoken proponent of the Mises Caucus (MC), I was not an integral part of the MC plan to takeover the Libertarian Party (LP) and recreate the “Ron Paul Revolution.” I wanted to remove the Progressive element from the party, but that's about it. I did participate in a couple private calls in early 2021 where the strategy was discussed to start a huge recruitment drive into the MC so that at the 2022 LP National Convention (LPNC) the caucus would have enough votes to elect people loyal to the MC in pretty much every office possible. Honestly, it was a good plan, and they did just that in May 2022. I, however, bowed out in late summer of 2021 when I began to understand that the regime was taking politics down a road in which preaching the ideology of "live and let live" would only help to increase its power. I had left the MC once before, in the spring of 2020, when COVID was in full swing and I was in full spiral mentally. I understand that this appears to make me "flighty," and I accept that. At that time, I was searching for a firm foundation in my beliefs, and while I believe I have found that firm foundation, I understand the journey is never over and the fight bell never rings.

In the early meetings of 2021 I was privy to, the plan was discussed that the MC would not only take over the LP but would run Dave Smith as their presidential candidate in 2024 with the intention being a reboot of the 2008 and 2012 Ron Paul Revolution. I thought it was as good an idea as any but still wondered how that could be accomplished through a third party when Ron ran as a GOPer. I was assured that with Dave’s reach on cable news and his numerous appearances on the Joe Rogan Experience, he could successfully get the message out there as well as Dr. Paul. I knew there was no way the Regime would let Dave near the debate stage after what I saw happen in the 2020 election, but the plan was set in motion.

Watching from afar—but still talking with many people in the MC—I wondered how long after the takeover Dave would announce. Through my contacts, I was told that most of the discussion within the MC private chats was a constant conversation on this same question, with quite a few becoming heated. I was aware that when Dave’s son was born in late 2021, he had a radically abnormal heart issue, and I prayed as hard as I could during the surgery and recovery. It was a tense time for him, and I knew that was all he could think about.

So, with his family at the forefront of his mind, Dave made the decision not to run for office. He has two beautiful young children and a fantastic wife, I don’t blame him for this decision. I don’t think anyone can, or should. In addition to this, by the time his son was born and the abnormality discovered, I was fully convinced that running as an LP candidate for president was a waste of time. We are in an age of decline and thinking about yourself and your family must take precedence over everything. Local community is important if you are in an insular, tight-knit area, but in most cases, you can’t be of use to others until you have your own house in order. That was my growing problem with the LP; it seemed to attract a lot of people who didn’t have their shit together and blamed it all on either the size or very existence of the State. Famously, someone who went to the 2022 LPNC to help with the MC takeover returned home and had to start a crowdfund so he could pay his rent. When you consider the LP has no accomplishments and, in my opinion, never will, you have to look in the mirror and ask yourself why you are involved in such an organization.

In closing, I’d like to comment on why I think so many people are disappointed that Dave is not running for president, outside of the complaint that he should have let his intentions be known sooner (which I don’t really care about). While the MC did plan to run Dave for president to reboot the Ron Paul Revolution, they also constantly talked about decentralization and local politics. From what I understand, few who joined the MC cared as much about their plans to start a decentralization revolution as they did about the reboot of the Ron Paul Revolution. Why? Because most people don’t want to actually do the work. Local politics is a slog and can be incredibly frustrating. However, having someone else do all the hard work to kick off a "revolution" while the only thing you contribute to is a convention trip and kicking in a few bucks every month sounds inviting to most people. They get to contribute very little but potentially reap the rewards if a "revolution" starts up again.

I know there are some people who will be upset as they read this. I can already anticipate the comments. "What are YOU doing, Pete? You’re just a black-pilled nihilist!” If that’s the cope you have to go with, have at it! Again, to those who are upset that I got them involved, I want to sincerely apologize to you. I was struggling to find my way and just so happened to be doing it publicly within this fringe community. Now I make every attempt to be careful with what comes out of my mouth and through my keyboard. I am hopeful, and I know a lot of others are as well, because they clearly see the reality they are facing and are learning what they need to do to push through and defeat it, if not politically, then personally. To those people, I applaud you. To everyone else, I hope the scales fall from your eyes and you clearly see what you are facing and that "wishes," "revolutions," and riding about on the highest horse in the land are not going to change anything. This is on you, and if you understand the nature of what we’re dealing with, I can confidently say, "You got this!"