Actually, I've always liked him, and I agree with your assessment. However, his career is as a political campaigner. I like how he adds to the discussion. So I donate money to his campaigns at the start.
Ultimately the President is the CEO and CIC, and chief protector of the Constitution. I really have to ask, which candidate makes the better executive, the executive who must select the people who will carry out the duties of the government? Which candidate has the experience to understand the role of CIC and order the effective direction of the armed forces? Which candidate will respect the limits on government set forth in the Constitution?
I think Candidate Ron Paul falls terribly short as to CEO/CIC experience, but his respect and understanding of the Constitution exceeds all others as much as the Sun outshines the stars.
Civilization is on the edge, and we need a candidate who is the most effective in all of the respects above, not just one. The Democrats have not fielded a candidate with these qualities in the history of my adult life. They seek naked and uncontrolled power to impose their misguided ideal upon us all, and when they achieve it, they are tyrants - and proud of it. We need someone who may successfully oppose this. If we can't achieve this, I fear we will see the fall of the American civilization in my lifetime. Already it may be too late to prevent the catastrophe.
I agree with every thing that you’ve said and will most likely vote for Ron Paul for those very same reasons. That being said, my assessment of current culture and politics is that the majority of people don’t want an end to the current paradigm of big daddy government handing out candy and providing “protection” to us and the world.
That’s not to say it won’t end, just that it won’t end voluntarily but rather when we have no means to continue with this insanity. We are being given a choice, maybe not the ideal choice but a choice none the less and most people here are firmly in the “let’s continue the government party” camp, even if they do call themselves conservatives.