I’m sorry to hear about what happened at the convention; it sounds like the Republican party is going to go through a rough period. I hope you succeed at bringing small government and liberty back as the party’s core values.

Now for some unsolicited advice to the Ron Paul revolution. It is very easy for libertarians to come across as a mix of millionaires complaining about how hard the government is making their lives, kids rebelling against authority, and too-idealistic thinking. After 20? years of Ron Paul being an example in congress he says the only thing that got people’s attention is raising so much money. I am encouraged by the amount of enthusiastic support he received, but as the movement exists I can see it growing to twice it’s current size at most. That is not enough to make it mainstream for Republicans, let alone the country.

Small government, personal responsibility, obeying the constitution, etc. are all principles that I am hopeful a majority of Americans will believe it, but it is too much to insist that total liberty is the best solution to every problem that humans will ever face. Intellectual maturity requires admitting that one does not have all the answers.

Another type of immaturity is also present in some libertarians: the “You can’t tell me what to do.” attitude. There is a lot of immaturity in all political parties but this one is easier to spot and it gives others an excuse not to listen you what you have to say.

Here is my take: I cannot serve in good conscience as a simple participant in the Minnesota Republican Party. I will actively serve in efforts to overturn the current leadership. As a Christian, I was most embarrassed when Ron Carey spoke about how godly the opening of the conventions were. He also gave an evangelical confession of faith that would be accepted by virtually all evangelical Christians. His actions though did not accord with a Christian testimony.