Since it's Friday, I thought I'd write something on the light side. I couldn't think of anything lighter than the gravitas of the Ron Paul campaign.
Paul is a congressman from Texas who calls himself a Republican but is more of a neo-libertarian. He constantly refers to the Constitution and acts as if his interpretation is the only true interpretation. He has a rabid, small following who Google his name three times a day (this will help them find this piece: Ron Paul, Ron Paul, Ron Paul) and comment on every Web site that mentions him. If what is said is derogatory, they become venomous and launch ad hominem attacks at the writer, kind of like LaRouchians. They go to every Internet presidential poll and vote for him repeatedly and then carp that America loves the man because he won a poll they rigged.
But let's look at Ron Paul on the issues. Let's start with national security:
Note that the only one to ever call or talk about a draft is Ron Paul and Charles Rangel and Rangel did it purely for political reasons. For the record, Congress did vote. I believe Paul was serving at the time. Note also every answer has the word "Constitution" in it.Both Jefferson and Washington warned us about entangling ourselves in the affairs of other nations. Today, we have troops in 130 countries. We are spread so thin that we have too few troops defending America. And now, there are new calls for a draft of our young men and women.
We can continue to fund and fight no-win police actions around the globe, or we can refocus on securing America and bring the troops home. No war should ever be fought without a declaration of war voted upon by the Congress, as required by the Constitution.
He's against the Patriot Act, which has been used successfully in numerous cases and has proved to not be as intrusive as Paul and liberals have said.
I do agree with Paul on several issues -- immigration reform and tax relief -- but his stand on national security is one I'll never get past. We are fighting them over there and not here. We have not been attacked in the U.S. because of the WOT and Paul knows this. He just chooses to ignore it.
He's a small-time candidate who will maybe get as many votes as Ralph Nader in a good year. He has a bit of an Internet recognition thing going but ask 100 or so average Americans on the street what they think of Ron Paul and you'll get 99 blank stares and one guy who will agree with Paul (or his ghost-writing staffers) that the Israel lobby runs the U.S.
But Scott, you'll all say, "he's won every major poll after the debates on MSNBC, CNN, blah, blah, blah.."
I'll say, "so what?" These polls mean nothing. Does anyone think that Hillary or Rudy have an e-mail list that they send out information on these votes urging their supporters to vote? Of course not, because it means nothing. Look at Rasmussen or any of the other polls, at present, Ron Paul is carrying at best 3% and is not even a footnote at Real Clear Politics. In other words, his campaign is a sham.
It's nice that he has automaton supporters who bristle at every cross word said about their hero (believe me, I'm glad they're occupying themselves on the net), but that and twice as many of you might give you .0008% of the total American vote.
Bring it Ron Paul fans, vent your ire. I predict that the first comment comes within ten minutes of this being posted and it's a slam at me for either "hating the Constitution" or "supporting those who wish to create and oligarchy".

Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 7)
31. The Constitution is not open to interpretation. It says what it says and it is the law of the land. Congress, the President and the Supreme Court are bound by oath to obey the Constitution. NO ONE is allowed to "interpret" it, it is LAW and must be obeyed to the letter.
If you want it changed, go through the process and change it, but until that happens the Constitution must be obeyed.
Ron Paul is THE ONLY candidate worth voting for. All the others are scam artists who only want to get their hands on the power. Paul is the "unpolitician" who wants to restore the proper level of power to the Federal government.
Oh, BTW - Ron Paul's odds have dropped to 7 to 1, and his fundraising is now approaching $5 million and that's in the same league as McCain.
Get used to it, Ron Paul is the next President of the US.
Michael Wagner at 9:45AM on Jun 10th 2007
32. Oh, "Scott", I'm one of those automatons you referred to earlier. Here's how absurd and ridiculous you are: you have to appeal to a site called "litte green footballs" to make your case! Do you have a little tin foil hat on too?
So you're going to denigrate and make fun of an American who believes in the Constitution? How sick and twisted can you be? What's next, do you have a little replica of Abraham Lincoln in the urinal there at work you aim at everyday?
It is not funny or quaint to believe and uphold the Constitution. It is the very foundation of our system, the only document which gives our government legitimacy and permission from the people to legislate.
I used to work for AOL. I used to be one of the people who was encouraged everyday to lie to subscribers, lie to shareholders, lie to the media, lie to law enforcement. I know AOL has no conscience and will do whatever it takes to push forward their agenda. I also know Mary Cheney (which indicates Bush et al have major influence) is an executive with your corporation, that you're based in NYC, and that you guys rigged a poll to make Rudy win. How do I know that? Because Paul was winning handily, then in 3 hours (3 AM to 6 AM) Rudy suddenly have 4 times as many votes! Come on, that was absurd. That's fine, it doesn't really matter, as you say. Apparently you fit right in with the rest of the AOL TW crooks and liars, so congrats on finding your place in this world.
Ron Paul is a good, decent man, a much better human being than you or I. He should be the next President, and he is immenently qualified. I wish you could find someone to be so passionate about. I think it's pretty sad you have to go and make fun of people who are passionate because you find life dull, dreary, and without color.
Study the issues and attack Ron Paul on substance, not on who votes for him. Be a man, son, be a man. Don't resort to "ad secuutus" attacks.
Cameron Davis at 10:56AM on Jun 10th 2007
33. Its nice to see that, even though you obviously dislike the good doctor, you are still taking the time to contribute to his campaign by publishing more articles about him.
thank you, we appreciate your effort.
Kristian at 10:51AM on Jun 10th 2007
34. Ron Paul's Foriegn policy recognizes that America can - and has - suffered from bad decisions. The Neo-Cons have the America is too big titantic mentality.
Be friends with the world - trade with the world but do not try to rule it.
Tom Martin at 11:59AM on Jun 10th 2007
35. For those who don't really know who Ron Paul is, here is a video that gives insite into his beliefs about the feat currency
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5232639329002339531
Do any of the other candidates have any thoughts on this?
Ryan Mann at 3:44PM on Jun 10th 2007
36. It's ironic that you accuse Dr. Paul's supporters as "venemous" and guilty of "ad hominem attacks", yet your blog entry is completely devoid of facts. You claim that the congressman garners ".008%" of the vote, yet the Opinion Dynamics poll released today puts him ahead of Gov. T. Thompson, Sen. Hagel, Sen. Brownback, Rep. Hunter, Rep. Tancredo and Gov. Gilmore. Incidentally, this is NOT some web poll; it is one of the major-outlet, nationwide polls covered on www.pollingreport.com.
Sean at 12:24AM on Jun 11th 2007
37. I hate Ron Paul...over 16,000 You Tube Subscribers. He's so...well...he so...HONEST. As a politician, he's making the rest of the pack look...well they look so damn insincere. http://www.IHateRonPaul.com - join me in my misery.
Rudy G at 3:03AM on Jun 11th 2007
38. Since it's Friday, I thought I'd write something on the light side. I couldn't think of anything lighter than the gravitas of the Ron Paul campaign.
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I think that you are mistaking a train wreck for power, so to insinuate that Ron Paul's campaign is not serious and weak is to put yourself in the latter camp and good luck with that!
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Paul is a congressman from Texas who calls himself a Republican but is more of a neo-libertarian. He constantly refers to the Constitution and acts as if his interpretation is the only true interpretation.
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Unfortunately he is the only one mentioning the document ......of course he would seem to act that way since no one is challenging him on the subject....they are only interested in getting to the trough of power.
Remember it's important to include 'awareness' in your evaluations of the man!
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He has a rabid, small following who Google his name three times a day (this will help them find this piece: Ron Paul, Ron Paul, Ron Paul) and comment on every Web site that mentions him.
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The American people are in a conundrum: How to get rid of the warmongers and bring back their troops. So When they discover and hear a rumor that some guy called Ron Paul has a clear solution they google his name, I did!
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If what is said is derogatory, they become venomous and launch ad hominem attacks at the writer, kind of like LaRouchians. They go to every Internet presidential poll and vote for him repeatedly and then carp that America loves the man because he won a poll they rigged.
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I went into vote.com - a poll which Mr.Paul won by quite a majority - and had to leave my email address and other information when I voted, I hardly think that it would be easy to rig such a poll. America doesn't love the man, they love his message which is freedom and granted maybe some of that love may spill onto him!
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But let's look at Ron Paul on the issues. Let's start with national security:
Both Jefferson and Washington warned us about entangling ourselves in the affairs of other nations. Today, we have troops in 130 countries. We are spread so thin that we have too few troops defending America. And now, there are new calls for a draft of our young men and women.
We can continue to fund and fight no-win police actions around the globe, or we can refocus on securing America and bring the troops home. No war should ever be fought without a declaration of war voted upon by the Congress, as required by the Constitution.
Note that the only one to ever call or talk about a draft is Ron Paul and Charles Rangel and Rangel did it purely for political reasons. For the record, Congress did vote. I believe Paul was serving at the time. Note also every answer has the word "Constitution" in it.
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I have also noticed that you center your argument on one small aspect of his dialog....'the draft'.
You really don't seem to realize the position the country is in. If the Neocons get back into power and attack Iran in support of Israel lot of people worldwide could object and it would more than likely lead to a world war. If nukes are used in Iran you may have to kiss your love one's goodbye.... because it will probably be the last time you will see them alive. Countries like China have a lot of nukes also.
George Bush has called the constitution " a g..damm piece of paper and has been destroying it since he was elected and you fault Ron Paul for being concerned about the constitution... unbelievable!
Sir: Americans have involved themselves in the affairs of others under numerous pretext's as warned by Jefferson why don't you address that in your argument....maybe because you have no point to press, all you can mention is two small words:'the draft".
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He's against the Patriot Act, which has been used successfully in numerous cases and has proved to not be as intrusive as Paul and liberals have said.
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The 'Patriot Act', 'Homeland Security' were the types of terms used by the 'Nazis' in the second world war: are you not aware of that!
The Neocons are not Nazis but they seem to want world conquest...just like them.
How many terrorists have been apprehended as a result of the Patriot act? I am not up on the topic but I am sure there are some ...there must be!
Where are all the massive terrorist attack's that were predicted. The whole Alquida thing is the farce and you probably still believe that a small group of terrorists with box cutters caused
the war in Iraq.
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I do agree with Paul on several issues -- immigration reform and tax relief -- but his stand on national security is one I'll never get past. We are fighting them over there and not here. We have not been attacked in the U.S. because of the WOT and Paul knows this. He just chooses to ignore it.
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When the US get out of the middle east America will be totally ignored. What reason would terrorists have to attack you? The argument is nonsense. Did the Vietnamese follow Americans back to the states when you left. What about Korea?
If the Chinese decide to set up shop in Cuba would the US not try to run them out of there...of course you would and would you thenchase them endlessly on their soil. That's ridicules !
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He's a small-time candidate who will maybe get as many votes as Ralph Nader in a good year. He has a bit of an Internet recognition thing going but ask 100 or so average Americans on the street what they think of Ron Paul and you'll get 99 blank stares and one guy who will agree with Paul (or his ghost-writing staffers) that the Israel lobby runs the U.S.
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You should only hope that the American people won't hear about Ron Paul's message.....maybe you can help to start a petition to regulate the internet because thats where you seem to heading in you argument!
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But Scott, you'll all say, "he's won every major poll after the debates on MSNBC, CNN, blah, blah, blah.."
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Within 5 to 10 years the Internet will be the main news source for most thinking people. The main stream media has all but relinquished all possible claim to being a credible news source and seem only now to disseminates corporate propaganda. So I would advise you to get use to the results of internet polls as being relevant. The Russian elite also thought that (Communist)Pravda was doing quite well and as you see now that editor staff has been purged by events and it will probably also happen here.
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I'll say, "so what?" These polls mean nothing. Does anyone think that Hillary or Rudy have an e-mail list that they send out information on these votes urging their supporters to vote? Of course not, because it means nothing. Look at Rasmussen or any of the other polls, at present, Ron Paul is carrying at best 3% and is not even a footnote at Real Clear Politics. In other words, his campaign is a sham.
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A hoax's and hypocrisy, that is what the main stream candidates support. Do you truly think that the administration and main stream Republicans gives a damn about the present self created illusion that terrorists are in every nook an cranny. Its about power, oil and support for Israel and they are using you....Israely policy since 911 has become American policy!
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It's nice that he has automaton supporters who bristle at every cross word said about their hero (believe me, I'm glad they're occupying themselves on the net), but that and twice as many of you might give you .0008% of the total American vote.
Bring it Ron Paul fans, vent your ire. I predict that the first comment comes within ten minutes of this being posted and it's a slam at me for either "hating the Constitution" or "supporting those who wish to create and oligarchy".
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I remember the Vietnam war and this reminds me of that time, the dialog is simmilar and you know what! things changed then and they will probably change soon again.
The oligarchy is already here and that is what Ron Paul is trying to alter. The leaders of today will not be the leaders of tommorow so I would advise you to choose wisely!
vagn sorensen at 7:37AM on Jun 11th 2007
39. "He's against the Patriot Act, which has been used successfully in numerous cases and has proved to not be as intrusive as Paul and liberals have said."
Very funny. Scott, you must be the LIAR in the crowd. Is your name Romney? "Saddam had a shredder." "Saddam kicked out investigators." Spread the Lies dot com. AOL - Butts on lying?
Prezmadison at 11:33AM on Jun 11th 2007
40. Yes, a candidate that references the constitution is bad. Another member of the Ron Paul Spammer Conspiracy.
specsaregood at 1:06PM on Jun 11th 2007
41. Scott,
Isn't your ad hominem attack on the "rabid, small following" a little like the pot calling the kettle black?
And please tell me, sir, where were you on September 11, 2001? ("We have not been attacked in the U.S. because of the WOT and Paul knows this. He just chooses to ignore it.")
I rather believe we WERE attacked on our own soil. Had our troops not been in Kosovo, perhaps we could have prevented it?
And what, pray tell, is wrong with expecting our government to follow what the Constitution lays out? Isn't that WHY we have a Constitution? Isn't that WHY the Supreme Court handles the interpretation of all laws so they don't violate it?
I had not heard of Ron Paul until I went to a "meetup" this weekend. I can assure you, the man has my vote, whether he wins the Republican nomination or not.
Ben Rogers at 1:41PM on Jun 11th 2007
42. Phil said:
"He wants to remove all restraint on capitalism, such as unions and environmental monitoring and enforcement. He supports a true capitalistic society where people who can afford healthcare get it, those who can't die. "
Phil...you're a donk.
Try doing some reading first. This is like straight out of the Sean Hannity 'school' of thinking.
Try having your OWN opinion for once, and not one that's spood fed to you during rush hour talk radio, so you can feel like you're 'involved'.
Please.
Chris at 2:18PM on Jun 11th 2007
43. Hi Scott. I hope that you do not vote until you become better informed about the US Government, specifically the documentation that describes how it is set up and what it's functions are. You can read it online at http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_transcript.html
It is called the Constitution of the United States. Is the Constitution relevant? Well, it is the rule book of the federal government so I hope that you can see the relevance. Another step further would be to notice that Ron Paul was the only candidate in either the D or R presidential debates that mentioned the Constitution. Now, since the second debate, the other candidates are trying to talk as if they were Ron Paul. Educated people know Ron Paul's voting history is in line with what he says, unlike the other R candidates.
Here is a snippet from the above mentioned documentation:
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
cnelson700 at 2:32PM on Jun 11th 2007
44. I try to keep up with the politics of the country. I read all I can about each candidate. I am a firm believer that Ron Paul is the only candidate that is truly for America and the American people.
Chuck at 2:36PM on Jun 11th 2007
45. Thanks for the info on Ron Paul. I am a democrat. I'm writing a check for $1,000.00 today for the Ron Paul for President Campaign. Ron Paul is the only honest politician among the Republican candidates. Even the leading democrat contenders have lined up with the warmongering neocons on IRAN. Not Ron Paul. Even if I have to switch parties, I will vote for Ron Paul, and I will send money to help finance his campaign.
A vote for the "leading war party democrats or "leading war party republican" is just the same as another vote for George W Bush. Its time to get the oil lobby out of the white house, Its time to get the neocons out of the white house, Its time to get the warprofiteers out of the white house.
Michael Herron at 2:36PM on Jun 11th 2007