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 7 of 7)
91. You wrote that the US PATRIOT ACT "has been used successfully in numerous cases".
Name three!
Jose Castillo at 10:37PM on Jul 6th 2007
92. ok, enough ron paul. scott, get to the bottom of the "mike gravel charade"! if he throws anymore rocks into lakes, america will be his for sure...
Skruff at 8:29PM on Jul 7th 2007
93. Ron Paul is and has been from his first election, what our country needs, a Statesman, not a politician. I will vote for him. Gorma
Gorma West at 12:28AM on Jul 8th 2007
94. I confirm my comments. I have been to Ron Paul meetings and he is one candidate that will answer "the question" and not skirt around the question. I will vote for him.
Gorma West at 12:30AM on Jul 8th 2007
95. Where do you begin with comments like this? I suspect those that don't like Paul feel that way for the exact same reason others DO like him. He's right.
Keith at 2:25AM on Jul 8th 2007
96. I like how Scott likes to try and rile up RP supporters. And you say we're the ones guilty of ad hominem. Too bad YOU, Scott, are the one who has ceaselessly whitewashed, blackballed, and criticed the Ron Paul campaign from the beginning. Your "facts" or evidence that you present are all lies and don't cover up the fact that Ron Paul's voting record is flawless. We can't be more happier that you have absolutely no idea what you're ever talking about. Your plan is backfiring and the American people are waking up to the ongoing culture of corruption and mass-murder that the Neo-cons are responsible for.
We no longer want to bounce back forth between royal families in this country (Bush, then Clinton, then Bush, another Clinton in 2008?! OMFG!) George W. Bush had the audacity to compare this war in Iraq (as part of the ongoing War OF Terror) to the revolutionary war. I see the similarity in that George W. Bush is King George III, governing a corrupt empire and trying to maintain control over colonies spread thin.
WE ARE FED UP. Put your money where your mouth is! Stop funding the partisan frauds! We no longer want liars and thieves to run this country! Ron Paul is the ONLY one who actively supports the Constitution (and has the records to prove it).
Now, go collect your blood money from your corporate shill masters, Scotty. And just so you know, the more annoyed, the more you try to smear Ron Paul's campaign, the more powerful we grow.
But please, carry on.
jo at 5:11PM on Jul 16th 2007
97. Read about the man yourself and make up your own mind:
http://www.ronpaul2008.com
peter hughs at 2:00PM on Jul 19th 2007
98. Scott's hollow Ron Paul bashing, and weak arguements, only make me more sure I have made the right choice in supporting Ron Paul as the next president of our great Republic. Restore the Republic. Vote for Ron Paul for president in 2008.
Jenny Worman at 10:14PM on Jul 19th 2007
99. The only real and clear choice is Ron Paul. I am one of his long time constituents. He has always spoken for the people in our county. This is what makes him different from all of these political tell the people what they want to hear goonmuffins. We love you Ron! When the Media tries to black you out...Remember that "LIGHT" shines brightest in dark places.
Karla at 11:16PM on Jul 19th 2007
100. Thank you for posting this. I was looking on the internet for who and what this Ron Paul guy is. (People are on the freeway overpasses with his signs and I need to know who he is) This is the first thing in pages of Google that had anything but positive things to say. Not everyone can love him. I want bad along with the good to make an informed decision.
Raevyn at 3:16PM on Aug 6th 2007
101. Ron Paul is our Hope For AMERICA!!!! Vote to bring our loved ones home and protect us here in our own country NOT to take our father's, brother's, sister's, mother's and lovers away from us!
Mel at 12:27AM on Sep 6th 2007
102. Ron Paul is our Hope For AMERICA!!!! Vote to bring our loved ones home and protect us here in our own country NOT to take our father's, brother's, sister's, mother's and lovers away from us!
Mel at 12:29AM on Sep 6th 2007
103. Ron Paul is our Hope For AMERICA!!!! Vote to bring our loved ones home and protect us here in our own country NOT to take our father's, brother's, sister's, mother's and lovers away from us!
Mel at 12:29AM on Sep 6th 2007