Participating in social activities like Objectivist salons and dinners with friends might advance the political values Mr. Stephens values incrementally. But, if candidates for office and elected officials do not hear from Objectivists, they will hear from people who might want to use government for purposes you might not like. Individuals seeking office will not receive the feedback they need, so they might act in ways with which you disagree. I have reminded them of some of those principles at meetings and events, but I'm just one in a small audience. The crowds at the meetings and events are small, so they have little incentive to move in the direction I suggest.
Politicians listen to the groups that scream the loudest.
I suggest you get out there and make your voice heard. It is utterly naive and reckless to think we can simply sit around and discuss ideas in salons on the premise that without first winning the cultural revolution we can make no headway against the political. I have no idea how Mr. Stephens comes to the conclusion that national politics have no bearing on one's personal life. The list is endless. I can only hope that few Objectivists will heed this call to wait in the bunkers for the cultural revolution and will instead also fight to beat back the infidels in relevant political battles.