Is it the gray hair? The wrinkles? Is it that distracting habit of licking the upper lip? I have wracked my brain trying to come up with the reason why the Republican party has such an aversion to Ron Paul. However, the only conclusion I keep coming back to is the simplest, most obvious one. Ron Paul is anti-government. Or, I should say anti-BIG government as my colleagues so deftly (ouch!) point out.
Some have used the words "eccentric" and "flaky" to describe him. However, when one considers the candidates who opposed him and watches footage of the 2008 debates, this holds no merit
whatsoever. Aside from a slight tendency to ramble when he speaks, which can be easily forgiven, his comments are nearly always poignant and accurate.
In comparison, Sarah Palin has stepped back into the limelight. She appears to have gained quite a following among conservatives. However, upon reviewing her interview with Katie Couric during the 2008 elections, she was elusive, vague and grasping for answers. She also recently wrote a letter of praise to Obama regarding his handling of the war in Afghanistan and asking for more troops. During the 2008 debates, one of the classic questions asked was whether or not the President needed to consult with Congress to take military action against a nuclear threat. Romney did not know
the answer and hedged to the best of his diplomatic ability. In contrast, not only did Dr. Paul know the answer, he was vehement in his delivery, "read the Constitution!"
In fact, when one reviews the debates, it is amazing how Dr. Paul always seems to land on his feet regardless of the question. Another example is when he is coming under attack from Giuliani and even the moderator for his stance on pulling out of Iraq. Mike Huckabee, who has made it clear that he is also for maintaining the war despite its enormous financial drain, stated that it did not matter whether or not we had made a mistake by getting into the war, but that we needed to finish what we started. Dr. Paul's response to this was "when people make a mistake... they are responsible to
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correct the mistake, not continue the mistake". This is possibly a reference to JFK's famous speech regarding freedom of the press in which he quoted Orlando Battista who said, "an error does not become a mistake until you refuse to correct it." This does not sound like dementia, eccentricity or "flakiness". It is good, sound reason!
Another clear observation during the 2008 debates is made when the subject turns to war. Ron Paul is always vehemently opposed to war. However, no other Republican can bring himself to oppose it, including Huckabee and Brownback. War is to Republicans as social programs are to Democrats. It is a chance for politicians to make tons of money. It means more government jobs. It is also an opportunity to increase technology, to try out new toys and to simply expand the government's reach. Remember, both Democrat and Republican parties have the same goal in mind, the expansion of government control and power. Ron Paul is marginalized because he is anti government. Someone who has been consistently right on economic issues and is now pushing through a measure to audit the Federal Reserve, which has never been done in its entire 90 year history, cannot be all that "flaky".
Dwight Eisenhower himself warned against the "military industrial complex". He stated that, "only an
alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals."
Recently in Pittsburgh, military and police were dispatched to break up anticipated riots in the city. It was unprecedented show of force in an American city. Many of the scenes from this melee are disturbing. In some instances it appears to be taking place in some other third world country rather than here in America, except for the sophisticated military "toys" on display. I believe in having a strong defense, but not at the expense of being a "bully" to the rest of the world and certainly not to be used on American citizens. In one Pittsburgh instance officers are clearly
antagonizing a young female until she responds, then is promptly thrown to the ground and arrested. Whether or not the officer is disciplined, he clearly went outside his boundaries and was caught on camera.
Herein lies the problem with the Republican stance of war and the legislation of morality. Whenever force is used to compel people to comply with a belief, ideal or policy, regardless of whether or not it is for their betterment, natural rights are violated. Once government has encroached upon these rights, there is no retreat. In fact, both Republican and Democrat parties are guilty of this encroachment. Forcing individuals to obtain health care is just one example.
In the Ron Paul video above, Mitt Romney states that we would "use the law to follow people who are preaching doctrines of terror and hate..." without any conscious recognition that this would violate every citizen's right to privacy. Unfortunately, this type of thinking has now become commonplace. Fighting terrorism sounds good until YOU are labeled terrorist. We have already seen how easily that can take place.
Comments
I agreed with almost everything you wrote, except the observation about the cop and the woman on the bike. The police made it clear that everyone needed to be getting out of there, and she had no right, whatsoever, to throw that bike at them. They were vandalizing, which is already a criminal offense. The fact that the police were going to let them move on without arrest was sufficient. She should've taken the mercy, eventhough it was a bit forced.
As far as Ron Paul goes, I didn't support him in 08 but I will in 12. Revolution.
Thank You Rick George For Overcoming "Short Term Media Memory" => History Does Matter.
Anyone Advocating A Return Toward The Spirit Of Constitutional Rule Is An Ally.
Do Not Follow Words => Follow Actions. What People Do Is Far More Important Then What They Say.
Ron Paul's Actions And Words Are Synonymous.
Ben, glad u've woken up to Ron Paul. But u're gonna have to take another look at the video. The cops assaulted her first, as she was trying to comply w/ their orders. I'm glad she threw the bike...she should have spit in their faces.
ben, I highly doubt that the girl was vandalizing. Or the numerous other people on bikes being pushed around. The cops doing the pushing are out of line and should be punished, period. Its this mad-dog mentality appearing in many police lately that is pushing us toward a "police state" feeling...and reaction.
Goon Squad Police are not going to protect democracy.
GSP, are the foot-soldiers of permanent Corporate tyranny, not freedom.
As a Canadian Nationalist that is expecting America to attempt to annex our nation during the next act of the 9/11 False Flag script, that was commissioned by the Money Masters of the NWO,
my hope for a free & democratic future future rides with the fortunes of Ron Paul & his peaceful r3VOLution.
It is our last, & best hope !
What Ron Paul did in the election cycle is show how dishonest the press and main stream media has become. I have never seen a candidate in any party be interviewed and at the end of each piece be told "you can't win" or something to that effect. These are now the same people that are floting the idea of a bail out for the newspapers. They can all go to hell. I no longer buy the lies they print.
@ Ben, it's pretty clear in the video that the girl is pinned between the two groups (kids on bikes/riot squad) and is helpless to change her "speed of withdrawal." Look closely, until the one RS member shoves her by placing his hand on her butt, she doesn't react in an "agressive" manner. I hope these kids get lawyers.
I the Kansas State Supreme Court ruled that old English common law forbids MERS or any other non-involved principal can bring a foreclosure and about 60 million folks have been wrongfully foreclosed on how can we spread that law or it's effects to Washington State?
The police clearly assaulted that young woman as she was moving across a city street, a street which her tax dollars and mine paid for. She did what any normal person would do who had a baton jabbed in her back numerous times; she reacted forcefully. They should be charged with assault. She should be let go for self-defense (not that she inflicted any injury on anyone anyway).
And for any police who may be reading this, know that now you can abuse the peaceful America people, but know that your power is fleeting. You abuse me or my family, or many other true patriots like me, and you will receive the swift justice of fully armed self-defense. Go to youtube and search "soccer steaker mob" and watch the first video that comes up. That's what happens when police abuse power and THE PEOPLE stand up.
For some odd reason, people only see her throwing the bike. But I clearly saw the police pushing them with their billy clubs (or whatever they call them) and antagonizing them. That young, small girl then gets hit with the club and knocked down. Thugs.
Correction: "soccer streaker mob"
It is clear in this instance that excessive force is used. Disciplinary action is in order. What these officers fail to realize is that they are actually inciting the riot themselves, or perhaps they do realize it, it which case the situation is much worse. It is most likely a case of adrenaline and "control" mentality. This is no justification for excessive force which will only lead to escalation.
Any cop or Military personal who disavow their oath, deserve everything they get. If you won't uphold the Constitution, and are out on the streets only for the purpose of thuggery, I don't care the color of your uniform, who you know or blow, I will come there and defend the Constitution from your attacks, and the Citizens of the local you supposedly serve.
Or, conversely, you can come take me in the night, your choice.
Oh, and Dear Censor; The NSA already knows my name.
Thank you for being realistic about Ron Paul.
My only slight correction would be that Paul is actually PRO-Government. If you consider the Constitution the basis for everything "Government". It's the neo-con style conservatives that I would consider to be the ones against thaT.
Good point TC... I can accept that.
Fortunately for you, Rick, I have secret friends in government, and as a result of this column I will report you as a terrorist. Hope it doesn't cramp your style. Have a nice day.
Seriously, I think it's two things: (1) they love the military, and (2) they don't understand monetary structure and hiding behind the Fed is their safety net so it won't be revealed.
Ron Paul 2012.....
Ron Paul could have saved us all
Ron Paul is the only hope for America.
Ben, the fact that she threw her bike AFTER the fact doesn't excuse how they were shoving her BEFORE the fact. She was compliant, they were just bullying her, and other bicyclists, for kicks. And we need police to be held to higher standards than that.
The fact that you've woken up since '08 to the merits of Ron Paul is a good thing, though.
I'll tell you what's wrong with Ron Paul.
His simplistic answers don't address the world we find ourselves in today. Taking a "defensive only" stance is a losing proposition. By the time we are forced to war (see WWI/WWII) millions more will die than would have had to with earlier intervention. Most people get it. Some like RP pretend that if we quit, everybody else will, too. It's a recipe for global catastrophe. Even if we're not directly involved, our very existence is so intertwined with the rest of the world that we would suffer the same fate as if we had been. It's just a fool's vision of the world. But for that glaring absence of forethought and cognition, Paul would be a great possibility. As it is, in the foreign policy dept., he's more dangerous for America than Obama--and I don't say that lightly.
Ron Paul is NOT 'defensive only'. He advocates involvement in free market trade and the use of law as well as mutual agreement between countries. Neither is he against the gathering of intelligence. He simply says that we need to follow the Constitution, its the same as our domestic laws. If you go and assault someone simply because they make threats against you but don't have the power or inclination to back it up, YOU are the one at fault, not the one making the threats... We have the right to defend ourselves or anyone else we want, but lets make sure there is a real, viable threat before we go in and obliterate thousands of innocent people! It could happen ya know!
JwnTx
Your statement makes it clear you are for one too old or not able to serve and number two do not have any children in the armed forces. You are a hypocrite. You will send everyone one else into the meat grinder in an undeclared war.
Ron Paul is my hero. He's done more to support freedom and liberty in his life than all of the rest of the government combined. He's truly a giant among men. For as long as I live I will respect him and I will give generously to the causes he champions.
He is simply for a Constitutional government.
Very unfortunately for us, world domination is the goal of many top dogs who impede Dr. Paul's strong message of small government, little taxation, property rights and sound money.
You see the founders were the first to realize that a government under any type of ""Central Control"" creates poverty and confusion for the masses.
That's the reason "Limits" on Power were set in the Constitution, for the first time in the history of the world.
Limiting the "Power" of the government contributed to the development of the most prosperous nation on earth ! !
Destruction of Constitutional power has/is destroying our country !
Why are Americans so easily manipulated, by the major "news" media who allow the Republicans/Democrats to rule unchallenged, imposing their ruinous economic policies and wars on the nation?
The Media was almost unanimous in marginalizing Ron Paul and all 3rd Party candidates. The choice was portrayed by the media as one of personalities; Obama & McCain both supported the Bush bailouts and wars and excess government spending and a debt economy. The powerful elite try to portray anyone who challenges their lucrative empire as "nutty." They have no real answers to the challenges, so name calling is their response.
And Maxine, your response makes it clear you have no ability to follow a logical thought. My concern--and it has been borne out time after time--is that when we try to pretend that what happens "over there" doesn't affect us, by the time it does, it costs us far more than it would have if we had intervened earlier. It's evident in conflict after conflict since this country was founded. So while you claim Constitutional purity, your view, in the end, costs far more lives and treasure than the one that I favor. For instance, I prefer a policy that would prevent Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon in the first place, whether that involves military action or not. RP's view would force us to confront a nuclear Iran that had probably already wiped out Israel and threatened Europe as well. How many lives do you think will be lost fighting a nuclear Iran vs. the Iran we face today?
What a great article. Finally an objective review of one of this countries greatest patriots. I will support Ron Paul for Prez in 2012.
JWnTX: Where is it written that the United States has the right to tell another sovereign country that they can't have a nuclear weapon? Like it or not, Iran, in my opinion, has the right to have nuclear weapons. I don’t like the fact that more and more countries have them, but I feel very strongly that it is not our place to say who can have them.
True conservatism means limited intervention in others affairs. That was what was advocated by the Founding Fathers; people that where far smarter than any existing people leading this country today.
Ron Paul is the only politician that has the guts and is smart enough to say that we are bankrupting the country with this endless war and large military spread all over the globe. Rome fell because it became a war machine. The same is happening to the US.
Ron Paul is not like by the republicans simply because he is against the industrial military complex and large government, in general.
The Republican and Democrati
Ron Paul unlike the GOP does not support the Military Industrial Congressional Complex (MICC)... the GOP tries to paint their support of Taxpayers subsidies of the Military Industrial Complex as being strong on defense ... anyone with a brain knows this is BS. IF we look beyond the MICCThe entire Congress is bought and paid for by Corporate America ... Heck my eyes tell me that our Congress not only does not read the legislation they vote on they dont even write the legislation they vote on ... Special interests ...ie .the industries to be regulated by legislation write teh very bills designed to regulated them and then the whores in Congress pass the legislation. High crimes imo.
JWnTX you have a fear based world view .. you are afraid of the unknown ... Iran should not be forced to cower to your views because their views differ from you own...
I have a question for you JWnTX ... why are we fighting in Afghanistan and Pakistan ? I wonder if it has anything to do with Afghanistan and Pakistan being the only two countries in the world that border both Iran and China ... AND AND AND that Iran has intentions of an energy transit corridor from teh Middle EAst to China that differs from what the United States bozos in power would like. IF Iran pulls off delivery of energy to China the real reason why we went into IRaq .. Iranian hegemony within the regions will have been for not... maybe before you lecture us on Ron Paul's simplistic views of the world you step away from the BS you consume on the mass media and educate yourself to the ways of the world.
thank you for having some common sense
Uphold the Constitution or DIE. RON PAUL RULES!
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