Independence Day Message from Bob Barr
July 2nd, 2008 by Bob BarrThis weekend, millions of Americans will celebrate our Independence Day. They will gather in parks and on front lawns, fire up their grills and enjoy an evening of fireworks, family and friendship.
Children will wave sparklers in the air, tracing figure eights, while fathers will light seemingly endless fuses of fountains and firecrackers.
Most revel on the Fourth of July as a matter of tradition – and it is a good one. I have celebrated this day throughout my life, even when I lived in nations that did not cherish freedom.
When I reflect on our Independence Day traditions, I am deeply grateful that Americans continue to celebrate this historic day, but I am also saddened by our combined failure to stop the continued encroachment upon our freedom.
Each July 4th, I look back at our year and can literally count the ways in which the path set forth by our forefathers has been distorted and, many times, betrayed.
We live in a nation bursting with people who love liberty but governed by men who lust for power.
For over 100 years, those designing men have been enabled by a political system that favors and protects the powerful.
Republicans and Democrats have maintained and significantly increased their hold on the reigns of our government regardless of the damage that has been done to the men, women and children who work, love, live and die in our great nation.
Today’s America does not resemble the intent clearly laid out within that document that was signed by patriots 232 years ago.
They put more than ink to paper when they signed the Declaration of Independence; they placed their lives, families, prosperity and honor on the line for liberty.
Our founders knew that we are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights. They held no tolerance for the thought that we are granted rights by government.
Our rights, our decisions, our very lives are ours. It is through individual responsibility by which we prosper or fail – not by state decree or legislation.
When Jefferson added the word “among” into the phrase, “among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” he was defiantly stating that our rights are self-defined, short of depriving another of their life or liberty.
Since the day that the Declaration of Independence was signed, we appear to have lost the meaning and intent of the words: independence, freedom and liberty.
Instead, those words have been echoed with abuse on campaign trails and government buildings by politicians who use them as Orwellian tools to mean just the opposite.
We now use “freedom” as an excuse to invade sovereign nations.
The protection of “liberty” is now an excuse to take it from us.
But today, during this election year, we have the opportunity to change the course of events.
We have a chance to send a message to Washington that will rock its foundation.
Together, we can make the word LIBERTY ring true with deafening accord.
My candidacy for President of the United States is not one of vanity or shallowness. I, probably just like you, have had my eyes forced open by a government that wants to take all that it can from me and my family.
I am running for president to stand firm and demand a return of my liberty, my privacy, my labor and the peaceful heritage of my nation.
I ask you to stand with me.
Together we face the two-party behemoth that will do all that it can to silence us.
That’s why I need your help today and in the future.
I respectfully ask that you support my candidacy by making a donation today.
Given the state of our economy, I know that times are tough. They are tough for all of us and that’s why we so desperately need real change in our nation.
If you can, please donate today, as your contribution is urgently needed to move our campaign forward.
As important, over this coming weekend as you are spending times with friends and loved ones, take a minute and attempt to educate them as to the true meaning of liberty and how it has been lost in our nation and ask them to stand with us.
Respectfully,
Bob Barr
P.S. Please donate today so that we can meet our goal by Independence Day. This show of support as we near this historic day is very important to me. Donate today.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:34 pm
This is a very powerful letter as we approach Independence Day.
I hope everyone reading it will stand by Bob and make a committment to donate now and be an integral working part of this campaign.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Want to celebrate REAL freedom? Give to Bob Barr’s campaign and vote for him in November. We’re Raising the Barr!
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
This is exactly why I am enthused about the Barr Campaign! Over the past several years, Democrats and far too many Republicans, have simply given up on presenting any clearly articulated reasoning for their policy desires. This is what makes it difficult to truly believe in a candidate. Thanks, Bob, for presenting a clear and powerful case for liberty in our day.
Let’s help Barr/Root reach their goal of $88,000 by Independence Day!
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:33 am
I was shocked to see the Constitution Party bashing Bob Barr. Though I haven’t decided which 3rd party candidate to vote for, I am now looking closer at Mr. Barr as my selection.
I wished Ron Paul would endorse a candidate. That would give me a better direction to look to.
Good luck Mr. Barr.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:48 am
E-mail this to everyone in your address book!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob Barr 2008!
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:18 pm
M. Lane: I am very surprised to hear that the Constitution Party is bashing Bob….there must be many more differences to consume them regarding the Republican and Democratic candidates,
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Laurie, I’m not…
Baldwin will be on the ballot maybe 37 states like he was in 2004 and get 143,630 votes again - 0.12%.
Bob Barr will be on the ballot most likely in all 50 states and is currently polling at 3% nationwide.
Plus, the new Libertarian’s party platform doesn’t scare off 99.9% of the voters like the Constitution Party Platform which Baldwin as VP and now President for the Constitution Party could have made less religious zealous.
The Baldwin supporters are instead trying drag down Barr so he doesn’t seem as viable a candidate to all the Ron Paul supporters they are trying to attract. This will most likely continue until Paul endorses someone.
I wrote Paul a letter yesterday. I have no idea if it will do a lick of good. I essentially said your friends (Barr and Baldwin) will understand your decision to endorse a one or the other of them in order to keep the revolution moving forward. The decision must be made sooner than later so that the revolution doesn’t wither away with no presidential ticket to rally support around. And in my opinion, Bob Barr from ballot access, to delivering the libertarian message to voters on the main stream press, and to the professionalism of the campaign is obviously the candidate to support.
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:14 pm
M.Lane, I too was disheartened to hear that the Constitution Party is bashing Bob Barr. Shows a real lack of tactical understanding in the current political climate and system.
The focus of third and fourth parties should be on breaking the monopoly of the Republicrats (or Demicans, if you prefer), not tearing into each other. Any breakthrough by a third party is automatically good for all parties outside the current system. If Bob Barr makes a breakout, the Constitution Party and all others automatically benefit in terms of being taken more seriously by the mainstream.
July 4th, 2008 at 12:19 am
I just saw the $88,000 by the fourth reach it’s goal at 1:12 a.m. on 07/04/2/08. With .20 cents to the good! We did it. It is quite a good 4th of July! Now for the next effort.
July 4th, 2008 at 12:27 am
That was, of course, at 1:12 a.m. EST in my last post. And yes the date should read 07/04/2008. Congratulations to all donors. And my personal thanks to each and every one of you. I watched most of your names appear on the donation lists. You know who you are and now I do too. For the first time in a long while I feel I am part of something worthy and worthwhile. It’s going to be a good fourth of July for me. Now I can finally go to bed and rest.
July 4th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Hardy: thank you for the explanation about the relationship between the Parties. It was very helpful to me.
I’m glad you have written to Congressman Paul directly. His endorsement would certainly be a big plus - especially if it comes soon.
This seems like such an opportune time to make major strides forward: the message is strong, the fundraising is on track with goals and Bob is making inroads with the national media.
July 4th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I hope the influx of funds and the show of support made by reaching the Independence Day goal will bring renewed vigor and hope to the campaign. We’re rooting for ya, Bob!
I look forward to seeing photos of the snazzy Barr ‘08 race car! I’m sure we’ll make a splash at the NASCAR event and draw in more than enough support and donations to offset the related expenditures.
July 4th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
$91,584!
Let’s put Bob over the $92,000 mark before July 4 is over!
July 4th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Yes, infighting is bad. The U.S. Constitution Party should just die and join the LP since it doesn’t offer anything the LP doesn’t already offer. You can still be a Pro-Life Libertarian, as Ron Paul. The Libertarian Party is just more organized and supported than the U.S. Constitution Party. There is just no need for the U.S. Constitution Party. It does more harm than good.
July 4th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
laurie. You asked for it and you got it. The count stands at $92,069.27 on 07/04/2008 as of 11:06 p.m.! (Although the actual time may have been a bit earlier). I see no reason to stop at that figure.
July 5th, 2008 at 6:20 am
aahzy: good news!
I agree with you we need to continue to raise as much money as possible for Bob, both in expanding his current donor base and in asking those already committed to him to make recurrent donations as often as they can between now and Nov.
I always remind folks how important even the smallest donation is and encourage them, if they can, to make small recurrent donations as often as possible. It provides a steady flow of money to get our candidate’s message out which in turn brings in more donors.
July 5th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I agree laurie. I see this election as making the difference between the country continuing as the United States of America or chaos, anarchy, loss of national identity and sovereignty. We won’t be getting another chance in 4 or 8 yrs. By then the damage will be done, irreparably and irreversably.
July 5th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I am a long time Libertarian and a Ron Paul supporter. It is time for “We The People” to continue what the Founding Fathers began so many years ago. Bob Barr is the best chance at restoring OUR Constitution. Let Freedom Ring!
July 5th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
While watching Fox News, Michele Malkin suggested Ralph Nader would be the spoiler of the November Elections. This morning one of the talking heads on Fox and Friends thinks our Candidate will garner no more than 2000 votes.
I’ve written to Malkin, Fox News and CNN to state the fact they are running scared that someone out there believes in our Constitution and is a threat to their “Same old Party Politics.”
It truly amazes me the Media is so firmly aligned to one Party or the other.
I will continue to remind these partisian Media outlets daily that America does have a real choice and chance to restore what this Country once stood for.
Hopefully, you too will find the time to send email requests to the telepromter readers at the Major outlets as well your Local Media’s (TV, Radio, and the Newspapers), in your areas.
I put http://www.bobbarr2008.com on any political website I can.
Just keep spreading the word of Freedom, America needs Bob!
Together We Can Do It!
July 5th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Gerald: It’s good to have a Ron Paul supporter here. I hope more will follow.
Congressman Paul fought a hard fight within the Republican Party - I hope Bob can continue to fight for the same principles within the Libertarian Party.
I have been hopeful that Ron’s supporters and Bob’s supporters and Chuck’s supporters could work togther for the common good of this nation. Together they would be such a strong political force this year!
There seems to be such an opportunity this year to made substantial strides to return to what so many Americans hold dear.
July 5th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Walt: thanks for letting us know about Malkin and FOX News/I think the fact they are trying to downplay Bob’s growing support is a direct reflection of the GOP fear about the support Bob is garnering across the nation.
Senator McCain is having a hard time attracting the Republican base because he and the party have drifted so far away from Republican core values.
At the same time, he doesn’t have a consistent or attratctive message for independents.
I believe more and more Republicans, independents - and yes, - even some moderate to conservative Democrats will turn to Bob in increasing numbers as the summer goes along and we head into fall.
People are really wanting to get ‘back to basics’, back to our roots, back to the Constitution and to all the things that made us strong and prosperous.
The main stream media is doing the Nation a disservice by trying to control the election process.
July 6th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Laurie,
I have been a registered Independent Voter for 30 years now.
Why, because neither the Dem’s or the Gop’ers have a platform that is based on American Values or Rights. I can agree with certain planks from each party, very few planks. Then both Parties wander off into obscure policy ideals.
The Socialist Left or the One World Government Right.
I wanted to let you know Bob has more Independent follower’s than you may think. Bob’s Campaign is and has been the only Political Party I have ever made a Donation too in my 39 years as a registered Voter.
I do not believe in the Polls we get from the Main Stream Media because they do not have a System that allow all Americans place their Votes, these poll’s are limited and sometimes I believe you must have a robe and hood or be part of a secret organization to be polled.
The only Poll I do believe in is from “Real Politics”. This Poll shows what Americans truly believe, only 29.3% have faith in President Bush,
only 18.5% of Americans have faith in Congress. Those numbers are
telling us it’s not business as usual for the Good Ol Boys in Washington. It tells me they are not safe and it tells me Voter’s and soon to be First Time Voters will make a Statement, one that may shake the Foundations of the once Hallowed Halls in Washington.
Again I mention my Local, State and Federal elected officials by name when I discuss what they have done to me and my Country since they were last elected with fellow voters and non voting citizens.
http://www.opensecrets.org is a wonderfull place to research who the current Politicans accept the Special Intrest money from and who they truly work for. It’s not you or me or any one of their Constituants!
As the saying goes, “Just follow the Cash!”
July 6th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Walt: thank you once again for all the good information.
I went to the Realclear Politics site and read some of the articles; then put the site in My Favorites for future reference.
It was good to see the donation counter here had jumped another $1000.00 since I looked yesterday.
I’m hoping after Bob’s exposure today with the national media a lot of folks will come here to the site to find out more and hopefully to make some contributions.
.
July 6th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
i fail see what bar is for, where is he on issuse. what can he do but put barock in
July 6th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Keep after it hard Bob and we will be by your side. Lets get the same old groups out of the house.
July 6th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Below is an email I sent to Poker Stars and Full Tilt Poker. If anyone else out there has a favorite poker site I encourage you to send a similar email.
“I would love to see your site taking a stance on the 2008 election. We have Bob Barr running for President this year and he supports the people’s right to be able to play poker online. With your help he can win this election.
Maybe an email to your U.S. players or even a tournament where the fee is a donation to the Bob Barr champaign.
I’m sure you guys can think of something to help the cause.”
Thanks,
Michael Micelli http://www.titlemike.com
July 7th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Liberty means so little to so many Americans today. A lot of our contrymen and women want the government to “define” things for the rest of us, use laws to tell us how to think and whom we should or should not accept morally, and amend the greatest document ever written to take rights away from people. As Americans we have the right to live our lives how we see best and the government shouldn’t define jack for anybody.
I look forward to the day where all Americans can be truly equal and live their lives how they choose. I think that day will only come when the LP is in DC.
Thanks
Jeff Scherschel
July 9th, 2008 at 9:21 am
It’s time to tell people who Wayne Allyn Root is.
He needs some face time on the air with Bob Barr.
I’ve read about his being a magnetic personality and a successful businessman, gambler, and motivational speaker. Well, we could probably use some of that charm to counter the Obama-effect.
Let Bob handle the policy points, and Wayne do the glad-handing and motivational presentations.
We might as well take advantage of his strong points. Being an unknown personality is his weak point. So let’s introduce him and let him have the stage once in awhile. They might just make a good team. I’m one who has written here of doubts about presenting an unknown as a candidate before. But this looks like the ticket; so let’s get behind it!