In 1966, Ronald Reagan popularized what became at that time the 11th Commandment for Republicans: "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican." This strategy of "staying positive" eventually led to many Republican victories and Reagan's 8 year stay in the White House. In light of the fact that conservative and libertarian freedom lovers have consistently sabotaged themselves and made it possible for government worshippers to win elections, maybe a Liberty Lovers 10 Political Commandments is needed:
(1) Thou shalt not speak negatively of any other candidates or parties. Negative complaining, whining, attacking ... turns off voters. Such negativity is unnecessary, makes one look personally ugly, and is politically self-defeating. Grandma's advice: "If you can't say anything positive, don't say anything at all."
(2) Thou shalt not speak or write about issues which are anathema to the vast majority of voters. Grampa's way of putting it: "If you spit in people's faces, you lose their support." Navy SEAL's way of putting it: "If your position is highly unpopular ... shut up about it."
(3) Thou shalt definitely speak or write loudly and often about issues which resonate with the vast majority of voters, but which other parties are not adequately addressing. People are attracted by positive solutions to what they feel inside are real problems for themselves, their families and their neighbors. The Republican Party initially burst into prominence with one single idea which people knew inside themselves to be true: slavery is wrong.
(4) Thou shalt definitely extend love and respect to supporters of other parties. Those who extend love and respect always attract others because love and respect are attractive. But in politics attracting supporters of other parties is particularly important. To be successful ... you need the votes of those who have previously supported other parties. You cannot win by hoping to amass a majority among those who DO NOT usually vote.
(5) Thou shalt definitely talk in street language which anyone can understand. Using specialized political terms that are currently popular conversational fare in the halls of universities and legislatures causes regular people (voters) to want to escape the discussion as soon as possible.
(6) Thou shalt definitely come up with examples that are personal and elicit emotion when using examples to illustrate your points. "How would you feel if your neighbor came to your door with a gun and demanded some of your earnings to pay for his favorite program?"
(7) Thou shalt definitely listen without resistance. Others may want to voice their currently held points of view. By hearing them out, you are respecting them, and therefore respecting yourself. Most people will not "let in" your views if you are not willing to listen to their views.
(8) Thou shalt definitely recognize that most communication is non-verbal. Any truth in your mind will join with the (perhaps hidden) truth in the mind of another if you are willing to be in rapport with the other (willing to be "joined with" the other in spirit). Seeds planted on subconscious levels by joining with others will sprout in due time.
(9) Thou shalt not place one's ego-satisfaction above defeating the worse evil. The ego's purpose is to defeat you. If you insist on satisfying your ego by not voting for the lesser of evils, then the greater of evils will always win ... and your highest interests will always suffer.
(10) Thou shalt not try to "go it alone," shutting out the infinite power and wisdom of God. Your spirit is free and should be considered holy. Your holy spirit wants for you outer conditions of freedom which reflect your true inner freedom. So freedom lovers have all the power of the universe on their side, if only they allow it. When uncertain, go with your holy spirit, not your intellect. And always give thanks that freedom will win.
The device which more deeply prepares freedom lovers for success, A Course in Miracles , talks about our ultimate need to free ourselves from every kind of slavery:
You have been told to bring the darkness to the light, and guilt to holiness. And you have also been told that error must be corrected at its source. Therefore, it is the tiny part of your self, the little thought that seems split off and separate, that the Holy Spirit needs. The rest is fully in God's keeping, and needs no guide. But this wild and delusional thought needs help, because, in its delusions, it thinks it is the Son of God, whole and omnipotent, sole ruler of the kingdom it set apart to tyrannize by madness into obedience and slavery.
Also available free of charge online:
Course in Relationship Miracles
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