The ad, which appeared on Nov. 21 to target holiday travelers, was paid for by Larry Lepard, an avid Ron Paul supporter. It takes the form of an open letter to the American People from the Founding Fathers.
Lepard, a venture capitalist, said he spent nearly $85,000 for the ad, an impressive chunk of change for an individual to throw at a presidential candidate's campaign.
He compares the ad to throwing a "small hard rock at a good target." Considering that USA Today is the nation's largest daily circulation newspaper and Nov. 21 was the busiest travel day of the year, his analogy just might be right. It is hard to imagine the large number of people that will see that full-page advertisement.
U.S. News quotes Lepard:
"
I'm trying to get maximum bang for the buck," said Lepard, 50, a Republican who says his strong opposition to the Iraq war drove him to take out the ad. His firm, Equity Management Association, invests in emerging markets, he said, adding, "I'm good at spotting early trends."
The
ad [PDF] reads:
"In 1776 our Founding Fathers risked their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor" to establish a free and prosperous nation. They warned us that it was our responsibility to keep it that way, but we have strayed from their counsel.
We The Founding Fathers...
...warned of the dangers of foreign entanglements. Now the trusted friends and allies you support with generous foreign aid packages and weapons all too often become enemies who take the lives of your brave soldiers.
...Ron Paul will order an immediate and orderly withdrawal of our troops in Iraq and keep us out of entangling alliances.
...warned you to obey the Constitution because power corrupts. Now a secretive government can spy on you and detain you at will under the guise of "National Security."
...Ron Paul will restore individual rights, liberty and habeas corpus.
...warned of the dangers of excessive taxation. Now you must labor nearly six months of the year to pay your taxes at all levels as your economy groans beneath the cruel burden.
...Ron Paul will reduce taxes and phase out the IRS.
...warned of the danger of government spending. Now your growing National Debt stands at $9 trillion and your children are in debt from the day they are born.
...Ron Paul will stop spending beyond our means and insist on a balanced budget.
...warned of the dangers of a Central Bank (The Federal Reserve) and a debt-based, fiat monetary system. Now your government borrows and spends endlessly while destroying the value of your savings.
...Ron Paul will stop runaway inflation by restoring honest money.
...warned to keep your nation sovereign and independent. Now you submit to UN global authority and NAFTA "free trade" agreements at the expense of your independence and prosperity, as your borders are left open to legions of illegal aliens.
...Ron Paul will secure our borders and put America and Americans first."
The ad, which was placed on the right-hand side in the front section of the newspaper, continues to list some of Dr. Paul's positions. It also notes his
$4.3 million fundraising day.
