Posted on 05/11/2011 5:19:28 AM PDT by Kaslin
The man who likely has done more than anyone to put the libertarian philosophy of freedom and small government on the political agenda probably will make another run for the presidency: U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.
Paul is always upbeat, but lately he's had more reason to be, as he sees libertarian ideas bubbling up from the grass roots.
"People outside of Washington are waking up," he told me, "and they're getting the attention of a few in Washington."
Paul has been in Congress more than 20 years, and much of that time he's played a lonely role, often being the only representative to cast "no" vote on bills to expand government.
"Twenty years ago, there weren't very many people around that would endorse these views. So ... I'm very pleased with what's happening. There are more now, but the problems are so much greater."
Because bigger government creates built-in resistance to cuts.
"Everybody has their bailiwick they want to protect: 'We know the spending is bad. But don't touch my stuff.'"
The biggest growth is in entitlements. Recently, after constituents yelled at them, Republicans backed off on their reasonable plan to try to make Medicare sustainable.
"This is one of the places where good conservatives and good libertarians have come up short. ... We get a bad rap that we lack compassion. A liberal who wants to take your money and give it to somebody else ... grab(s) the moral high ground."
At the recent Conservative Political Action Conference, Paul floated a novel idea: "Would you consider opting out of the whole system under one condition? You pay 10 percent of your income, but you take care of yourself -- don't ask the government for anything."
The CPAC crowed applauded. But liberals like MSNBC's Chris Matthews mocked him, sneering that anyone who accepted Paul's offer would have no access to federal highways, air safety, food inspection, cancer research or defense.
Paul laughs at Matthews' shallow criticism. Ever the constitutionalist, he'd like to privatize the federal highways someday, but he notes that even now they are largely financed by the gasoline tax -- essentially a user fee. As for air and food safety, he's sure the airlines and food companies have no desire to kill their customers and that careless companies would be disciplined by competition and the tort system. He claims that government stands in the way of a lot of cancer research.
In other words, it's foolish to assume that just because the government doesn't do something, that it wouldn't be done at all.
"(Matthews is) using fear," Paul said. "They all do that ... use fear to intimidate."
A member of my studio audience asked Paul about the coming vote to raise the debt ceiling.
"They're probably going to ... (but) we shouldn't raise it. We should put pressure on them. If you took away the privilege of the Federal Reserve to buy debt, this thing would all come to an end because if you couldn't print the money to pay for the Treasury bills, interest rates would go up and Congress then would be forced (to cut spending)."
But smart people say we need the Fed to keep the economy going.
"The people who benefit from big government spending love the Fed. ... The Fed is very, very detrimental. You cannot have big, runaway government -- you cannot have these deficits -- if you don't have the Fed."
We libertarians say government is too big, but one thing it is supposed to do is provide for the common defense. Paul criticizes conservatives who support an aggressive foreign policy and says much of what is called "defense" is really offense. "I don't want to cut any defense," he said.
He added: "You could cut (the military budget) in half and even (more) later on because there's nobody likely to attack us. Who's going to invade this country?"
Ever the optimist, Paul says, "We have a tremendous opportunity now because most people realize government's failing ... ."
Yet he's a realist: "I think ... our problems are going to get worse ... before we correct them."
Maybe some are, but most, like Paul are minarchists.
They got their political slogan from the 60’s. “If it feels good, do it”. It is the typical selfish “Me” attitude of the 60’s.
Actually - you are right... Obama has the best chance of winning.
The polls show that (so far) Paul has the best chance at beating Obama.
Which is nothing more than relabeled anarchy.
Nevertheless, it's not conservatism.
Which should make the Paultards happy. Zero's policies will ultimately make anarchy easier for them to achieve.
The polls show that (so far) Paul has the best chance at beating Obama.
You haven't shown any such poll.
Do you plan to answer my questions in post #38?
“I love our military people”
YOU are a LIAR.
Your post 8 and post 13 tell me otherwise.
YOU try again.
“I love our military people”
Hey, ping the military guys, we have a live one here.
Read mommya’s posts 8, 13, and 30 in this thread and tell me if they LOVE the military.
As far as Paul and the polls, I think the more people see and hear him the lower he will go in the polls.
Choke on your words troll and head to someplace where there is no military.
Anarcho-capitalism and minarchism
Anarcho-capitalism advocates simply abolishing the state so that private-sector entities will be free to promulgate, enforce and adjudicate legal codes. Minarchism calls for a "minimal" or Night watchman state.[3] In a minarchy, the only justifiable government institutions are armies, police, courts and legislatures, for the purposes of protecting citizens from external attack, from local crime, to determine innocence or guilt, and to determine the proper application of property rights in new areas.[3] In an anarcho-capitalist society, these functions would be provided by competing private firms.
This is NOT the Republic the Founders set up!
Thank you for the expert and humorous but truthful skewering.
Whatever makes you feel better...you are doing yourself a disservice by ignoring the polling data.
I was a Paul supporter last time around but I had no real hope of him winning because I trusted the polls - and they were mostly right.
This time around he is polling much better, and until and unless some other stronger candidate enters the race, Paul is the best chance we have to beat Obama.
He does not poll the highest for the bid as the Republican nominee...but in a match up against Obama, which is what counts.
About your questions...
Could care less about gay marraige.
Not sure about gays in military... I kinda liked don’t ask don’t tell.
No abortion beyond early first term.
Are you going to tattle to Jim Rob?
In a minarchy, the only justifiable government institutions are armies, police, courts and legislatures, for the purposes of protecting citizens from external attack, from local crime, to determine innocence or guilt, and to determine the proper application of property rights in new areas.
It’s not?
Didn’t say I love the military...said I love our military people.
Have family members and freinds in all branches of military.
Guess what. Some of them like Ron Paul too.
National defense is a constitutional priority, but our military modern mission has just become too bloated. Besides, we can’t afford it any longer. Do you think we can?
Let’s bring most of em’ back home and reevaluate and restructure.
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