“I have tried several times, both in posts and in comment threads, to make the important distinction between the principled people who support libertarian positions and the fringe people and ideas swarming like flies around Ron Paul’s stinking midden.”
Hey Christopher Cook. I know you’re reading the thread.
Can you tell us your FR handle so we can see for ourselves the posts you’re describing?
It’s only fair - you made the claim in your article.
Come out, come out!
The reference is primarily, though not exclusively, to posts and comments on ModernConservative.com. Here are a few examples:
To libertarians and small-government conservatives, PLEASE STAY, and help fix the aspects of the GOP that are not working. Your ideas are welcome. The fact that Ron Paul is your only hope right now is a sad thing. Together, as a part of the GOP, we can do better for fiscal conservatism! To the racists, anti-Semites, neo-Nazis, radical SorosBot moles pretending to be Republicans, and 9/11 truthers who are the
other part of Paul's supporters: GET OUT, and don't let the big tent-flap hit you on the way out.
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You have also attracted the support of some
very decent Americans who just want to see smaller government. Set them free! Show them your newsletters, sir, so that they can decide whether they want to pay the high price for your particular brand of "smaller government."
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There are ways to solve the problems with the GOP and this nation that don't involve Ron Paul. Ron Paul has some good views, and some very questionable ones. Anger at the GOP + desire for change does not necessarily = Ron Paul. There are other options. So the current crop of Republicans is not good enough? So what? Work within the party to get better ones. If I want to see a movie, and there are no good movies to see at a particular theater, I don't go so a movie with serious flaws, just to make myself feel better. I work harder to find a better movie to watch. That's not a great analogy, but the hour is late and my brain is tired. I sympathize with some of the issues raised by the good-hearted R. Paul supporters. But Ron Paul is not the answer.
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I get the sense of betrayal thing. I may not entirely agree that the situation is as severe, but I understand at least some aspects of the complaint, especially on matters of fiscal conservatism and size-of-government issues. What I do not get is the notion that it then follows that Ron Paul is the answer.
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There's probably more too, but I have a bunch of work to do. Still, since you asked the question, I thought I should at least provide some answer. I have tried so hard to indicate that I look at Americans interested in smaller government as natural allies...and that I really dislike racists, anti-Semites, people who reflexively oppose America and give succor to her enemies, and people who are pretending to be Republicans in order to cause mayhem. There is an element of both groups among Paul supporters, and both groups are providing a portion of the energy behind him. I keep trying to make the distinction in my views of the two groups. I hope the above-referenced comments serve to do that. Thanks! Must...go...work...now :-)