With Knowledge, Comes Responsibility

With the presidential election coming up, persuasive speaking is utilized widely.  Candidates work hard to present their ideas in a relevant, justifiable manner.  This idea of persuasion affect people through conviction.  Although I believe myself to be a democrat, after watching this ad on Ron Paul, I found myself being convinced that many of his ideas are valid.  They were presented in an organized and fluid way which held my attention and allowed me to understand his perception.

In this ad, the history of war in America is explained and discussed on a level that is understandable to the average person.  I never paid much attention to politics, but I realized that was because my preconception of politics is that they are above me.  I felt that there's nothing I can do and it's too complicated to read into.  But ads like these simplify it for people who were naive to it before.  The ad answers American's need for clarity about current events and foreign affairs.  It gives situations, presents a plan for action, combats possible consequences of the plan, an then supports the plan through historical examples pulled from America's timeline of war in order to show that this plan will work.


A quote from Daniel Hannan, a British member of Parliament, states, "On of the really appealing things about Ron Paul is that he understand the importance of history, he understands the importance of seeing where you're coming from."  This is the exact reason why Ron Paul is persuasive.  Ron Paul gives us credibility, trust, and evidence to support his claims.  Credibility is what America wants in a president; someone who backs up their claims with evidence so that we feel safe in our decision to make him president.


The video presents statistics and shows our military debt compared to other countries in order to show us that this is a problem, and that Ron Paul can fix it.  In the middle of the video Ron Paul's plan is presented through short statements: Defend this country, restore our economy, secure our borders, end foreign aid, lead by example and not by force, and consequently be a safer, stronger America.

"We as a group now have a greater moral responsibility to act than those who live in ignorance, once you become knowledgeable you have an obligation to do something about it."- Ron Paul


Ron Paul says this statement, which provides exigence to America.  Through this statement, he unifies his audience and appeals through pathos by providing the audience with the pride that they now have knowledge, which comes with responsibility.  Before the act I lived in ignorance of foreign affairs, but now I have a responsibility that I will keep by gaining more knowledge on the topic in order to make an informed, proactive vote so that I can say that I did my part in helping the future of our country.