Weyrich claims in a recent article that Paul has "strange ideas" but never really clarifies this.
It is too bad some of the ideas he advocates are strange because many of the things he says makes sense.Strange enough some people confuse Weyrich with an actual paleoconservative. - I think not.
What of these strange ideas?
Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) is the leading advocate for freedom in our nation’s capital. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dr. Paul tirelessly works for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies. He is known among his congressional colleagues and his constituents for his consistent voting record. Dr. Paul never votes for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution.
This is true and something found on a campaign site- a rare occurance. You do not need to listen to Paul's speeches or read his words to really know where he stands - look at the man's voting record in Congress over the last 20 years. You will know that he really means what he says - find another politician out there that really can say that.
I know, I have said it before, one man and one election cannot restore the republic. However, enough people fully supporting a man that stands on the right principles (whether he wins or loses) is the absolute right step.
Ron Paul has stood firm on a strict interpretation of the Constitution the entire time he has worked in Congress - that is the number one reason I support him.
Surely that is not the strange idea mentioned above. What of his stance on the other hot-button issues.
American Sovereignty - 100% right, no NAU, NAFTA, UN or other foreign entanglements
"We must withdraw from any organizations and trade deals that infringe upon the freedom and independence of the United States of America."
Border Security and Immigration - 100% spot on target
"Physically secure our borders and coastlines; Enforce visa rules; No welfare for illegal aliens; End birthright citizenship; Pass true immigration reform"
Taxes and Debt - Amen
"Working Americans like lower taxes. So do I. Lower taxes benefit all of us, creating jobs and allowing us to make more decisions for ourselves about our lives.... We cannot continue to allow private banks, wasteful agencies, lobbyists, corporations on welfare, and governments collecting foreign aid to dictate the size of our ballooning budget. We need a new method to prioritize our spending. It’s called the Constitution of the United States."
Health Freedom - he is the doctor
"I oppose legislation that increases the FDA‘s legal powers. FDA has consistently failed to protect the public from dangerous drugs, genetically modified foods, dangerous pesticides and other chemicals in the food supply. Meanwhile they waste public funds attacking safe, healthy foods and dietary supplements
I also opposed the Homeland Security Bill, H.R. 5005, which, in section 304, authorizes the forced vaccination of American citizens against small pox. The government should never have the power to require immunizations or vaccinations."
Home Schooling - my children are home schooled thank you very much
"My commitment to ensuring home schooling remains a practical alternative for American families is unmatched by any Presidential candidate.
I will veto any legislation that creates national standards or national testing for home school parents or students. I also believe that, as long as No Child Left Behind remains law, it must include the protections for home schoolers included in sec. 9506 (enshrining home schoolers’ rights) and 9527 (guaranteeing no national curriculum).
Federal monies must never be used to undermine the rights of homeschooling parents. I will use the bully pulpit of the Presidency to encourage a culture of educational freedom throughout the nation."
Privacy and Personal Liberty - who but a tyrant could disagree?
"The biggest threat to your privacy is the government. We must drastically limit the ability of government to collect and store data regarding citizens’ personal matters.
We must stop the move toward a national ID card system. All states are preparing to issue new driver’s licenses embedded with “standard identifier” data — a national ID. A national ID with new tracking technologies means we’re heading into an Orwellian world of no privacy. I voted against the Real ID Act in March of 2005.
I have fought this fight for many years. I sponsored a bill to overturn the Patriot Act and have won some victories, but today the threat to your liberty and privacy is very real. We need leadership at the top that will prevent Washington from centralizing power and private data about our lives."Property Rights - again only a tyrant could disagree
"Property rights are the foundation of all rights in a free society. Without the right to own a printing press, for example, freedom of the press becomes meaningless. The next president must get federal agencies out of these schemes to deny property owners their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property."
Social Security - fixing FDR's socialist nightmare
"It is fundamentally unfair to give benefits to anyone who has not paid into the system. The Social Security for Americans Only Act (H.R. 190) ends the drain on Social Security caused by illegal aliens seeking the fruits of your labor.
We must also address the desire of younger workers to save and invest on their own. We should cut payroll taxes and give workers the opportunity to seek better returns in the private market.
Excessive government spending has created the insolvency crisis in Social Security. We must significantly reduce spending so that our nation can keep its promise to our seniors."
The Second Amendment - praise the lord and pass the ammunition
"I share our Founders’ belief that in a free society each citizen must have the right to keep and bear arms. They ratified the Second Amendment knowing that this right is the guardian of every other right, and they all would be horrified by the proliferation of unconstitutional legislation that prevents law-abiding Americans from exercising this right.
You have the right to protect your life, liberty, and property. As President, I will continue to guard the liberties stated in the Second Amendment."
War and Foreign Policy - 100% correct
"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... 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....Under no circumstances should the U.S. again go to war as the result of a resolution that comes from an unelected, foreign body, such as the United Nations."
Ron Paul is really not a Republican (insofar as the party is concerned). Many folks talk about how the Republican party has changed but I really don't see it. The only thing that has changed is that the party no longer uses conservative or semi-conservative rhetoric. It has always been the party of Lincoln.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, the GOP has never done much more than talk about a few conservative issues, there have been a few (rare) individuals that stood firm on conservative principles. I think a guy like Ron Paul is important to mobilize the real conservatives in America that keep throwing their votes at GOP non-conservatives. Perhaps he might win, perhaps not.
ReplyDeleteIf he were to win we would get to see first hand a clash between principled leadership and pragmatic politics. If he loses but real conservatives support him we will begin to understand that our voices mean nothing in the current system.
Either way, he is (I believe) an important stimulus for potential future change.
I agree. I personally believe that he is the only candidate who can beat a democrat in 2008.
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