Posted on 03/15/2008 9:13:01 AM PDT by pissant
Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), he of the quixotic GOP presidential campaign and unique policy positions, is never one to be shy about his opinions. Take the case of fallen New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D), whose political career fell apart this week after his liaisons with high-priced call girls became public. Spitzer resigned his office effective Monday.
Most politicians from both sides of the aisle publicly (at least) offered condolences for Spitzer and his poor family, including his three daughters, but didn't — of course — defend Spitzer's atrocious behavior.
But for Paul, Spitzer's downfall at the hands of a Justice Dept. investigation shows government at its worst. Yes, Spitzer climbed to power on the backs of political enemies he destroyed, making him not a swell guy, but he didn't deserve what happened to him. The FBI should have never been allowed to listen in to his phone call in the first place, according to the Texas Republican.
Here's the statement Paul made on the House floor last night. It's worth reading, at least for the enlightenment it gives into Paul's view of the world, which basically comes down to who controls the money:
"Madam Speaker, it has been said that 'he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.' And in the case of Eliot Spitzer, this couldn't be more true. In his case it's the political sword, as his enemies rejoice in his downfall. Most people, it seems, believe he got exactly what he deserved.
"The illegal tools of the state brought Spitzer down, but think of all the harm done by Spitzer in using the same tools against so many other innocent people. He practiced what could be termed 'economic McCarthyism,' using illegitimate government power to build his political career on the ruined lives of others.
"No matter how morally justified his comeuppance may be, his downfall demonstrates the worst of our society. The possibility of uncovering personal moral wrongdoing is never a justification for the government to spy on our every move and to participate in sting operations.
"For government to entice a citizen to break a law with a sting operation — that is, engaging in activities that a private citizen is prohibited by law from doing — is unconscionable and should clearly be illegal.
"Though Spitzer used the same tools to destroy individuals charged with economic crimes that ended up being used against him, gloating over his downfall should not divert our attention from the fact that the government spying on American citizens is unworthy of a country claiming respect for liberty and the Fourth Amendment.
"Two wrongs do not make a right. Two wrongs make it doubly wrong.
"Sacrifice of our personal privacy has been ongoing for decades but has rapidly accelerated since 9/11. Before 9/11, the unstated goal of collecting revenue was the real reason for the erosion of our financial privacy. When 19 suicidal maniacs attacked us on 9/11, our country became convinced that further sacrifice of personal and financial privacy was required for our security.
"The driving force behind this ongoing sacrifice of our privacy has been fear and the emotional effect of war rhetoric — war on drugs, war against terrorism and the war against Third World nations in the Middle East who are claimed to be the equivalent to Hitler and Nazi Germany.
"But the real reason for all this surveillance is to build the power of the state. It arises from a virulent dislike of free people running their own lives and spending their own money. Statists always demand control of the people and their money.
"Recently we've been told that this increase in the already intolerable invasion of our privacy was justified because the purpose was to apprehend terrorists. We were told that the massive amounts of information being collected on Americans would only be used to root out terrorists. But as we can see today, this monitoring of private activities can also be used for political reasons. We should always be concerned when the government accumulates information on innocent citizens.
"Spitzer was brought down because he legally withdrew cash from a bank — not because he committed a crime. This should prompt us to reassess and hopefully reverse this trend of pervasive government intrusion in our private lives.
"We need no more Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act! No more Violent Radicalization & Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Acts! No more torture! No more Military Commissions Act! No more secret prisons and extraordinary rendition! No more abuse of habeas corpus! No more Patriot Acts!
"What we need is more government transparency and more privacy for the individual!"
“we in this country like to lie about it rather than be open about it.”
It’s an epidemic.
Because, regardless of the moral judgment and hypocrisy, Paul feels that Spitzer's Fourth Amendment rights were violated, and that he should speak out about it, lest government power over citizens continue to grow and grow.
I'm not necessarily endorsing Paul's view on the Spitzer affair, merely stating his rationale for the speech.
Weeding through the usual cynical FR responses, I haven't found anything informative about whether there's any truth to Ron Paul's charges (above). Anyone have any non-inflammatory, down-to-earth facts on these charges whether they're true or false?
Entrapment would be sending an undercover cop to wiggle her fanny in his face and cuff him if he copped a feel.
Actually, I don't know any of those, although I'm sure there are a few. Trying to say that's the norm is simply, well..........dumb.
My comment was on your immaturity and strange generalizations. Which you are still doing.
And if you were as perfect and rational as you say, you'd admit it and move on.
Please explain how the government enticed him into using hookers?
“That and the fact that it exposed him to extortion and manipulation by those whose services he was using. For example, granting of pardons.”
Another example... the fact that prostitution is illegal in every state where he hired a prostitue.
“That and the fact that it exposed him to extortion and manipulation by those whose services he was using. For example, granting of pardons.”
Another example... the fact that prostitution is illegal in every state where he hired a prostitue.
Someone said the other day that their idea of term limits for elected officials was two years: one in office and one in jail.
:o)
Americans everyday have their Constitutional rights violated. Paul should speak out on every case?
I know where Paul stands on the Constitution and on government power. He simply didn't need to comment on this case. Why does he need to speak out on behalf of a scumbag like Spitzer? This is an ongoing investigation and Paul doesn't have all the facts in this case.
Surely you jest. There are some people convicted of crimes that they didn't do. The criminal justice system in the US is far from perfect, what with all the sleazy prosecutors and defense attorneys arguing cases, and with juries sometimes being too ignorant to decide them correctly.
Or was the FBI already investigating the escort service and snared the Democrat Governor?
“But Spitzer was paying for hookers when he was AG and Governor, all the while going after people for he exact same thing.”
In addition, he only ‘steamrolled’ over political opponents and personal enemies with his position of authority, while conveniently ignoring the rape and pillaging of ‘his friends’.
I never said I was perfect nor perfectly rational. Where are you getting this junk?? What is your problem? Lay off the personal attacks. I have done nothing to you to deserve it.
Ron Paul is an idiot.
Al Qaeda's spokesthing in Congress will be around for another two years as a continued embarrassment to America and to the GOP caucus. Well, at least the old anti-American bastard is 72 years old and cannot have much Congressional time left. It IS still possible that he might be offered the opportunity to run as Cynthia McKinney's running mate on the moonbat ticket. Or maybe some Republican Member of Congress would display the cojones to move to expel Paul from the GOP Caucus.
“Yes he did deserve this, but long before they caught him with a prostitute.”
I would say, long before they decided to ‘expose’ him for using prostitues.
This has been a long term investigation, and he is but a ‘black knight’ in the game of political chess.
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