Neocon influence permeating tea party movement

The internet and cable news outlets (see below) were abuzz this week with stories concerning Texas Congressman Ron Paul and Tea Party activists. Ron Paul has three opponents in the Republican primary, all associated in one form or another with the Tea Party movement. Incumbents rarely face opposition in primary elections, but 2010 is an exception to the rule.

One of Ron Paul’s opponents in the Republican primary is Tim Graney. Mr. Graney attacks Dr. Paul mainly in the area of foreign policy. Graney states on his website:

My opponent wants to cut spending on our military industrial complex because he believes in a weaker foreign policy. I support a strong foreign policy and a strong military to back it up. I do not have a problem with our military presence throughout the globe but he does. It is a global economy and America must be ready, willing and able to protect our interests around the globe.

Graney’s foreign policy is pure, unadulterated neocon. (For those unfamiliar with the term ‘neocon’, here is a brief description of the neocon philosophy: (A) In spite of their rhetoric to the contrary during the election cycle, neocons have no problem with the welfare state and runaway federal spending. (B) Where foreign policy is concerned, neocons believe America must constantly be involved in unconstitutional, undeclared, open-ended wars, i.e., perpetual, global domination.)

The term necocon means ‘new conservative.’ However, there is really nothing new about them, and certainly nothing conservative, in the traditional sense of the word. Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson embraced many neoconservative ideals.

Contrary to what Mr Graney says, Ron Paul supports a strong foreign policy and a strong military. What he does not support is the American government being the policeman of the world. As stated in another article, America can neither afford, nor does it have the moral or constitutional authority to intervene in skirmishes all over the globe. Furthermore, taking a close look at our current economic morass and federal budget deficit, how could anyone seriously believe America is in a position to tell the rest of the world how to run its business!

Paul’s critics accuse him of being soft on terrorism. However, battling terrorism, according to the conservative think tank, the Rand Corporation, can be best accomplished by a light military presence, if indeed, any at all. Dr. Paul agrees with this premise, and he agrees with what George Washington had to say in his farewell address.

Ron Paul has survived previous attacks from establishment Republicans, and he will likely survive this attack as well. Tea Party activists need to ask themselves the following questions: Am I really in favor of much smaller, limited, constitutional government? Given their records, do I really want neocons taking over the Tea Party movement? If they answer the first question with an honest ‘yes’, the second question must be answered with an emphatic ‘no!’