MagnumDweeb; OK. You got my attention. Are you able to set something like this up? Do you have the knowledge to make this a reality? What kind of seed money would you need?
I think you have a great idea. Darned good actually, best I've heard yet. I believe that this would work. I really do. I do have a few concerns. It won't really matter who "runs it". Yes, it will have to be someone who understands your philosophy. But power and money corrupt. How do you intend to prevent this idea you have from being another NRA?
Not to knock them too badly, but most of the power in the NRA are there for the money. Way overpaid employees mean less money for political clout. I was a member for a long time. Got tired of weekly mailings claiming some pending legislation that was going to make all my guns turn into cotton candy. Almost daily phone calls for more money "cuz we're drowning in debt and the NRA leaders need new airplanes "
NRA is to aggressive panhandling money from its members and to quick to compromise RKBA issues. but, they are the only one I'm aware of that is making a dent in D.C.
How much would you need to get started? No, I don't have that kind of money. If I did, you and I would already be talking over coffee. But I do know someone who has told me he wants to be involved in "something that would turn this country around some. Something to fix some of the wrong I see and read about every day. Not another corporation run by bean counters and lawyers, but something that'll give the common man a fighting chance. Something Patriotic"
His words in quotes. I've cut and pasted your posts and would like to talk to him about all this.
Tinman357, to address the issue of it becoming just another NRA. The Trust would have an element of democracy so all beneficiaries at some point would get a vote. So far I'm thinking $360 would be the total amount someone would have to contribute to have a voting power, or they would have to had contributed $3 and ten years later they would have voting power. That is done in part to prevent a hijacking from the MAIG types, and there would be language written in regarding dissolving of the Trust that would keep the money from going anywhere other than the NRA and SAF, but I'm also planning language that would give those those who didn't vote to dissolve the Trust the right of starting a mirror trust and retaining the Activism funds (unless they have a majority vote otherwise) while the Corpus funds are distributed to the beneficiaries in the Trust (the contributors).
It's a headache but that's how it is. Also the Trust would have set scopes and guidelines of performance that would require the Trustee acting in good faith to accomplish them. If he didn't he could be removed via a majority vote for bad faith or incompetent performance before the scheduled election. If the Trustee steals or misappropriates funds, or is giving fiscal favors to his friends and family without majority approval of the beneficiaries (paying someone for example to publish a newspaper periodical for the Trust and then hiring their dad to do it), then he will face potential civil and criminal liabilities.
It's not perfect but few things are. This will all be a "volunteer" effort. We all have different skills and abilities. Something we bring to the table. Some of us are greybeards with decades of wisdom and more knowledge about guns than some museums probably have. Some of us are tech and social media savy. Some of us are willing to be the public face. Some of us add credibility. Etc. etc. etc..
It will give us an undeniable grass roots identity as opposed to the insults of Astroturf. Let them see it is not a few who lead us, indoctrinating us, but a mass of people with voices that demand to be heard. That can coordinate and march in support of each other without the promises of gold and silver, without the risk of corruption and subversion. We want the antis out and so we will play the game (lawfully) to see that that happens. And we will start in California. And if it works there then it's onto Connecticut, New York, Maryland. We just need the momentum. At least that's my hope.
Today I was musing as I ate my homemade peanut curry dish that for grins and giggles, but also SEO purposes, that the Trust's site as it relates to blogs should have a recipe section. Stick with me here. Everyone is going to assume we are right wing nuts, racists, and anti-government types. So what better way then to knock some of that down is to show us making unusual dishes, videos of us talking to folks at 5k races, AIDs walks, and such. We can't just beat our chests and foam at the mouth.
We have to be articulate, sophisticated, and above all things clever (while also not breaking the law in anyway). We have to get the Bubbas in the backwoods to support us. The hipsters to not-not-like us. The artsy types to nod in approval. The usual middle class and working class folks to give us the thumbs up.
It's out there, I know, but that's why we need to discuss these things. We, I, need people to have an input. I have lots of ideas, but some of those ideas might make people shake their head no and tune out.