Jim DeMint Is Right: It’s Time for a Debate Between Conservatives and Libertarians
by Dr. Susan BerryConservative Senator Jim DeMint (R-S. Carolina) is not hoping that libertarian Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) drops out of the GOP race for the presidential nomination…at least not for the time being. In fact, he’s hoping that the other GOP candidates will learn something from him.
Sen. DeMint told The Daily Caller, “I really don’t want Ron Paul to drop out until whoever our front-runner is is collecting some of the ideas that he’s talking about.”
Though the senator has predicted that Mitt Romney will win the South Carolina primary, he himself has not endorsed any of the “not-Romney” candidates. Yet, Mr. DeMint has a suggestion for his party:
The debate in the Republican Party needs to be between libertarians and conservatives. … There’s no longer room for moderates and liberals because we don’t have any money to spend, so I don’t want to be debating with anyone who wants to grow government.
Sen. DeMint, who has spent much of his political career fighting against big government, went on to say, ““I’d like to see a Republican Party that embraces a lot of the libertarian ideas.”
Though Ron Paul has acknowledged that he might not make it to the nomination, he hopes that his supporters will have a major role in the national party organization. “The more delegates I have, the more leverage I have,” Dr. Paul said in a New York Times interview. “We’ll go after delegates, and we have staying power.”
Perhaps the issue that divides conservatives and libertarians the most is that of foreign policy. Sen. DeMint states:
I don’t agree with Ron Paul on foreign policy and his disengagement around the world, but we’re going to end up where he is because we don’t have any money. So the Republican Party needs to become the big tent of Americans who really want freedom, prosperity, opportunity and that’s just synonymous with a more limited government.
Sen. DeMint’s approach is right on. The “not-Ron Paul” candidates all have gaps in their conservatism, some more than others. The area of agreement between “true” conservatives and libertarians is limited government and a balanced budget. While most conservatives agree, along with Sen. DeMint, that Ron Paul’s foreign policy dictates “disengagement,” Congressman Paul’s continued presence in the race will push the other candidates toward a fiscal policy that will be compatible with both true conservatives and libertarians. Ultimately, if Ron Paul, in fact, is not the nominee, he who is nominated will need to move- and stay- on the side of limited government. In addition, if both true conservatives and libertarians begin to use the same language, i.e., small government, limited government, freedoms, liberty, prosperity, opportunity, etc., they can, together, work to elect a Congress in which those who believe in smaller government will be the majority. A president who is lacking, in any way, in limited government philosophy, will then be checked by a Congress in which liberals and moderates are the minority.
The obvious way for true conservatives and libertarians to intersect is through the Tea Party movement. Both political philosophies have had a major presence in the Tea Party, and have contributed greatly to its rise. Libertarian Ron Paul is often termed, the Founder of the Tea Party, yet conservative Michele Bachmann heads the Tea Party Caucus in Congress. The Tea Party movement is also clearly identified by its opposition: liberals who have labeled it “extreme.” The candidates who decide to reach out to the Tea Party will have the best chance of securing the nomination, when true conservatives and libertarians, much of the Republican electorate, emphasize that limited government, balanced budgets, freedom, and prosperity are the goals.
A freedom-loving, limited government senator is calling all true conservatives and libertarians to a conversation that may truly save the nation from further tyranny. Will they answer the call?
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Got a Tip?
169 Comments
"Sen. DeMint’s approach is right on. The “not-Ron Paul” candidates all have gaps in their conservatism, "
Exactly right!
"A freedom-loving, limited government senator is calling all true conservatives and libertarians to a conversation that may truly save the nation from further tyranny. Will they answer the call?"
Well that really depends if people want to sit down and engage in logical and reasoned discussion, rather than resorting to ad-hominem and attacks.
For the record, I support Paul, he in my view most closely represents my views in regards to limited government, and constitutional principles.
People often want go off about what ifs, maybes and could bes instead of what is. I dont expect to be that well received.
I can say this, the more the media ignores Paul, and the more vociferous the attacks become, the more convinced I become he is the one. Apparently this view is also held by others.
So let it begin.
I didn't come here to make friends
Milton Friedman was a "libertarian." Wrong Paul is a nut. Please learn the difference.
Ron Paul has been gaming the GOP because there is zero buzz in the Libertarian Party. Pat Paulsen used to get more votes. The Libertarians need to stand on their own and follow their platform on defense, foreign policy and legalization of street drugs. Their stand has no place in the GOP platform.
And there is a difference between smaller government and no government.
Wow…that would be revealing…revealing to show that libertarians are nothing more than LIBERALtarians…where anything goes with no laws…no limits…and no regulations!
Kinda like "Pot" Paul and his OWS tent people…right?
can you make an argument using logic and reason? you sound like a leftist with your grade school attacks. Seriously. make a logical argument that supports your comments or STFU
Don't worry you aren't!
We know who you are…and anybody that votes "Pot" Paul is as crazy as he is!
HE WILL NOT WIN…YET AGAIN!
HE CANNOT WIN…YET AGAIN…BECAUSE OF HIS FLAWED 'ANYTHING GOES' POLICIES AND HIS RABID WORSHIPPERS LIKE YOU…WHO SHOW AMERICA…EXACTLY HOW DANGEROUS HE AND YOU CAN BE!
No love for the Conservative Democrats?
Amen to that truth!
AGAIN PROVING YOU HAVE NO ARGUMENT THAT IS GROUNDED IN LOGIC.
You effectively lower yourself to that of the garden variety leftist.
Using terms like
"pot Paul"
Ronulan
Paul bots
just effectively lowers you that of a leftist that screams " RACIST" because you have no logical argument.
You can only use Alynski style attacks on those that dont know what they are.
What a novel idea, the candidates listening to the people. This idea if it catches on could land someone in the White House. Looks like Ron Paul has started something…
I am very glad DeMint said this. There are many of us that are dedicated Republicans, who care deeply about trimming government, protecting our rights, and halting the liberal agenda. I pulled the lever for the republicans in every election, from local on up, every time. We were also a driving force in the tea party, which helped bring in a wave of conservatives like Pat Toomey, Mike Lee, Rand Paul, etc.
Over the past week, the rank-and-file GOP has turned on us (Ron Paul supporters). We have been all called pot heads, "liberals", non-republicans, etc. by the talking heads. When did it suddenly become unacceptable to be for limited government, sensible foreign policy, and keeping the government from interfering with our daily lives?
A whole lot of us used to be more with the GOP base. We were OK with the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, until we saw what a disaster it became. We were OK with tax cuts and somewhat looked the other way with respect to deficits. We didn't take notice much to the patriot act or the drug war. But for a whole lot of us, something changed, to sway our opinion away from the GOP power brokers on these issues.
Friedman was a statist. He believed the state should have control over the creation and distribution of money.
I would also like to add that the course this primary has taken is infuriating. Instead of uniting on economic issues against the failed Obama liberal agenda, we have taken to bickering with anti-capitalist rants. Worse, people like Santorum have used divisive rhetoric to fire up religious conservatives.
The key issue right now is the economy, clearly. Stirring up these social issues right now is downright IDIOTIC and Santorum is the heart of it. We are taking a very solid hand and overplaying it. Moderates and independents are not going to be attracted by our talk of warring with Iran, blocking the gay agenda, etc. They want to hear that we have a plan to fix the economy.
lol
good one man, thanks for the chuckle
THE TENETS OF AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM = AMERICANISM
(1) Individual Freedoms . . . The inalienable rights of mankind that allows him to think, discover, associate, produce, create, and express that result in having a Nation where the sum total of the greatness of individuals is greater than that of a minority of elitist rulers.
(2) Limited Constitutional Federal Government . . . The recognition that a powerful, centralized, over-reaching, government would be in opposition to individual freedoms, expressions, and creativity.
(3) The Free Enterprise – Capitalist Economic System . . . The recognition that supply and demand, along with competition tempered by limited regulation, results in greater prosperity and productivity and a higher standard of living, life, liberty, and happiness.
(4) The Rights of the Individual States . . . The division of America into States allows for an element of competition even in the realm of government which results in a better, more responsive, more creative government of, by, and for the American People.
(5) A Judeo-Christian Foundation . . . Inalienable Rights, the bedrock of Americanism, must be endowed by a Creator greater than man in order for man to be prohibited from denying these rights. The Faith of our Forefathers was that of Judeo-Christianity which works hand in hand with Individual Freedoms in that Christianity must be freely accepted by the individual in order to be valid.
(6) National Sovereignty . . . A land area without borders is no nation at all. Americans have the right to determine who is permitted to enter our Nation and become a citizen. Americans have the right to exclude those who seek to change our system of government, our culture, our foundation, from outside our Nation.
(7) The Inalienable Right to Self-Defense . . . American Exceptionalism will only be able to stand by recognizing the possibility of the existence of Enemies, both Foreign and Domestic, who might seek to destroy that which is The United States of America, and being willing to defend our Liberty, our Posterity, to the point of death, as previous generations have been compelled to do.
This is because Santorum is a communitarian.
He cleverly wraps himself up in social issues, to garner support from religious voters, but is part of the " compassionate conservative" crowd that spent us into oblivion. Santorum is a naked tyrant
Someone of your ilk…wouldn't understand logic and reason…that is why you support crazy, old man "Pot" Paul!
Seriously!
Ron Paul can't do it alone.. check your local races.. Ted Cruz in Houston we need to stop that guy from winning ..his wife is goldman sachs .. and plenty of other races going on.
Liberals: Regulate/Ration Food, Oil, Water, Energy
Conservatives: Regulate Bedroom Activities and Plants
Libertarians: Dissolve any agency with the power to enact any of the above.
Well you have confirmed repeatedly you are about as emotional as a 12 year old premenstrual princess.
Take some midol, take a deep breath, and present a logical argument without trying to paint me into a group, like a typical leftist. Perception is almost never reality, and painting with a broad brush turns people off to your message, what ever that message is.
Shhhhhhh dont tell all the Sean Hannity worshippers
Thank you very much Dr. Berry!
Unfortunately, the Big sites have contributed a lot to the perception that "Ron Paul is a nut", and it is difficult for those of us who are Ron Paul supporters to deal with a lot of the hyper reaction to one mention of Ron Paul here… see the comments for example.
Ron Paul really is the only true conservative that is in this race. Rick Santorum continually votes to raise the debt ceiling, AND he wants to invade Iran. Gingrich is a politician who blows w/ the wind- want to end the Supreme Court as we know it, wants the invasions, cap and tax, etc etc, Perry is a NAFTA man, and Romney well, we all know about Romney- YET,
out if absolute FEAR of Iran, a small country thousands of miles away, they will vote for a DOUBLE WHAMMY of foreign and domestic intervention and foreign and domestic welfare.
How about we worry about OUR borders for once? How about we start UNDERSTANDING Austrian Economics and the meaning of sound money? How about we learn about the business cycle? How about we start to study the idea of BLOWBACK and interventionism?
We aren't dummies, we know that "the others" are merely repeating what Ron Paul has said for decades, and trying to take it as their own idea. Perry and the 10th Amendment for instance. This Texan knows that it is all RHETORIC – (Perry is NAFTA man) and that when Ron Paul started talking about states rights' and the 10th Amendment, Perry tried to "up him" with SECESSION! (maybe secession to MEXICO!) it's a joke!
All in all, my hope is that since these politicians are parroting this, that the American People will actually STUDY what those people are saying, and whether they mean it or not, it won't matter…. The people will boot them after a term if they discover it is only rhetoric.
Remove the isolationism from the libertarian and they are virtually the same…..
I'd take ANY libertarian over a liberal. In my opinion, we are on the same side…
If Ron Paul did nothing but expose the big government bona fides of Romney, Gingrich and Santorum we would all owe him a debt we could never repay. RP has made it clear that the Republicans are primarily big government activists despite the limited government/constitutionalism that they talk about.
If any of the not-Ron Paul candidates become the nominee libertarians and Tea Partiers will have to decide whether or not to vote. The other side has made it clear that if the Ron Paul supporters fail to vote for Romney-Gingrich-Santorum it would be a vote for Obama. On the other hand they won't vote for RP under any circumstances. Mark Levin says he will vote third party if Ron Paul gets the nomination. This means that Levin sees RP as at least as great a threat to liberty as Obama. It makes you wonder just what Levin means by "liberty".
If Romney-Gingrich-Santorum fails to incorporate huge cuts in the party's platform then we'll have four more years of Obama no matter who wins the election.
NO.
Ted Cruz is ok. Vote ANYONE over Dewhurst.
David Dewhurst is one of the dirtiest politicians in Texas. He PERSONALLY gutted the Texas anti-TSA-"pat-down" bill.
Don't vote Dirty Dewhurst.
"We were OK with the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, until we saw what a disaster it became. We were OK with tax cuts and somewhat looked the other way with respect to deficits. We didn't take notice much to the patriot act or the drug war."
You are forgiven. Now go, and sin no more.
Seriously, you speak for a lot of people who didn't understand all of the implications of what was happening because the "compassionate conservatives" kept talking "free market" and walking "crony socialism". It's why I really hate the Republican party. It's the party of saying one thing and doing another.
amen brother.
The more I hear from these blowhards on fox and the radio, the more it looks like what I thought was unbiased information, is just as crooked and untrustworthy as any outfit on the left.
At this point I question everything, and trust no one. I can do my own thinking
stan, stop making sense.
That type of thinking will not be tolerated, you will be immediately turned into the "thought police"
This is a good article. Senator Demint is right.
This is why Ron Paul needs to be part of the conversation. So he goes off the deep end in some ways.
His domestic policies of smaller government and adhering to our constitution should always be at the forefront.
The sad fact is that I don't think any of the candidates are very conservative… My main issues are ending the corruption (Congressional Insider Trading) and crony capitalism (TARP, Auto Bailouts, Solyndra, etc.) in Washington, overturning Obamacare (and certain portions of the NDAA), and reducing income taxes as much as possible. These are major issues, but I don't see any of the candidates talking about them as major policy platforms. I like Ron Paul because he's the only candidate who seems to be bringing up these issues. I would feel a lot more comfortable if the other candidates would start talking about them.
Oh, and David Dewhurst PERSONALLY gutted Texas' anti-TSA-"pat-down" bill.
Don't vote Dirty Dewhurst.
Friedman wanted a centrally planned and manipulated currency, in which the Central Bank could print up whatever it deemed a 'stable' supply
The central basis of a market society is a solid, market based commodity, not to be centrally manipulated.
He was a libertarian light, if that.
Debate? Why? There is no stopping the fact that libertarians, led by Ron Paul, are the future of the party. Perfect example: the youth are registering Republican in droves. To vote for Ron Paul.
The old guard establishment right wing is going to be left in the dust. And its a good thing, because the boomers are the ones who bankrupted this country. They will go down along with their establishment brethren.
They are right about Ron wanting smaller government. He is the only one talking about wanting to shut down entire departments. His views on the Fed are spot on. Those are the issues the conservatives need to start supporting! Those issues are true conservative values people are searching for. The division between Libertarian and Republican has always been foreign policy, which is where Paul losses out. Anyone with a brain understands that we must maintain a strong defense, especially in todays world!
If Paul runs as third party he will take votes from Obama, not conservative Republicans is my guess.
Republican and conservative are mutually exclusive especially when you look at what we have with the political elite in the republican party…..
"Instead of uniting on economic issues against the failed Obama liberal agenda, we have taken to bickering with anti-capitalist rants. Worse, people like Santorum have used divisive rhetoric to fire up religious conservatives. "
Yep and that's the way they've kept government growing for the last 50 years. Divide and conquer. Gingrich driving the free market/predatory capitalist wedge and Santorum driving in the religious/secular wedge. Sometimes they'll swap positions and Gingrich will talk about the "secular socialists" and Santorum will stump for special favors for manufacturing industries.
Ask yourself why, when the nation opposed the TARP by a 60-40 margin, both candidates supported it even though both McCain or Obama knew that it was such a powerful issue that opposing it could swing the election in their favor.
I salute your knowledge on the TSA anti-groping bill!
SubVert: If you want to have some fun tell Eileen that you think the Bilderbergers are a great organization. Then duck.
No joke, Dewhurst is a joke and Craig James should be run right out Texas.
Only choices in the Texas Senate race, imo are Ted Cruz and Glenn Addison.
Ron Paul will not run third party. Trust me. He knows what a 2nd Obama term means. Plus, he has his eyes on the delegates and influence on the Republican party.
As a registered Libertarian here in sunny California, it is nice to read this piece. The Republican Party could get me into their ranks if the RNC gets their heads out of their bums. Now, whomever you all chose to be your nominee – they have my vote. I would vote for almost anything over Obama, and any of these five are WAY better than the Mr. Constitutional-Erosion Man we have right now.
I am glad Ron is in these debates. I don't like a number of his stances, but I am pleased to hear someone verbalize libertarian ideas to a nation that needs a dose of Constitutional conservative libertarianism.
As for anyone who thinks these debates weaken your candidates – nope. Anything you think is damaging will come up in the race against Obama. I think that Ron Paul and Mitt Romney are the most vulnerable against Obama. Ron Paul because it is too much for folks to handle – the elderly cringe at his honesty on entitlements, the bankers at his stance on the Fed, his stance on drugs scares those who don't understand the failed drug war, etc., and Mitt Romney – well, he is a blessing to the Obama campaign because Romney supported the TARP bailouts and has RomneyCare in his resume.
Best bet for you Republicans is Newt Gingrich, Santorum, or Perry. I lean towards Newt myself – but I am not in that party.
Best of luck to you all!
Eileen for Bilderbergers? She says she is for freedom and then goes on and on about Rick Santorum. Cognitive dissonance on display for all to see. You cant reason with that.
RP doesn't need to run third party because Gary Johnson is plan B. If Paul doesn't get the nomination and Romney-Gingrich-Santorum produces a meaningless platform at the convention then Johnson will probably get enough RP donor money to fund a campaign to pull plenty of protest votes. Staying home could be misinterpreted but votes for Johnson won't be. If he were to pull more than a couple of percent it would put the Republican party on life support.
The bilderbergers want you to keep working hard, the NWO will reward you handsomely for your hard work.
Ted Cruz is supported by Jim Demint and the Texas Tea parties. I think your screw is loose.
Libertarians are not anarchists. Based on what we have now, what Libertarians want seems like anarchy. As a Libertarian, I want a Federal government that deals with the international business of government, and ties the several states together as a single country. That means the Federal government provides a common, stable currency, strong national defense, and international ties that ensure trade of American goods. The federal government should not have an impact on the daily lives of individual citizens. An individual citizen should not be taxed by or receive any type of service directly from the federal government. Neither should the federal government tell an individual citizen what he can and can not do. An individual must be responsible to God, himself, his family, neighborhood, town, county and state. Government intervention, if needed should be provided at the lowest possible level. The idea that the Federal government is important to the daily life of an individual is the reason presidential campaigns pander to individuals and have turned into a circus act. Each candidate is walking a tight rope while blowing a horn and balancing a ball on his nose in a bastardized attempt at attention and a desire to appeal to as many voters as possible. They say "Look at what I can do for you" not "This is how I will keep America strong." How can we be taken seriously internationally when our soon to be leaders put on such a ridiculous display for 18 months.
You want a Conservative, look at Gary Johnson.
"No love for the Conservative Democrats? "
I saw a Conservative Democrat once. He was standing right between Big Foot and the Tooth Fairy.
I agree. The conversation should be just like the one Churchill and Stalin had when the socialists started the last world war. It'll start like this, we all must agree on one thing, if that SOB gains another ally it won't matter what we think any longer.
Ron Paul comes across as a complete nut. Too bad Gary Johnson couldn't gain any early support. I'd really like to see the rank and file abandon the republican establishment and vote for Gary, but I don't think the US is ready to vote for a Libertarian. It is a tough choice, vote for somebody I agree with 98%, or vote for the best chance to beat Obama?
Brilliant! Succinct and true!
stop feeding the troll
yeah, his whole rejection of the Declaration of Independence sealed it for me. People call Ron Paul nuts, but Santorum is downright insane.
it's not isolationism
Nice strawman, but RP is not advocating for a weak military, just a Constitutional one. There is a difference between military spending and defense spending.
DeMint speaks the truth when he says we will end up at Paul's foreign policy position because there is simply no money to support the global military operation we and the rest of the world have enjoyed since World War II.
I completely agree that Conservatives and Libertarians have much to come together on. Jim DeMint deserves to become Senate leader in 2012!
I see Eileen for Fascism is up to her old tricks.
Here is my beef with Ron Paul.
He claims to "support the Second Amendment and all that", talks endlessly about Liberty but then discounts the reality that we indeed are on the receiving end of a war initiated by Zealots bent on Islamic Domination of the entire world.
He tries to paint this picture that we can just turn away, close our eyes and pretend that literally millions and millions of dedicated jihadists will stop at nothing to destroy any Freemen who refuses to bow down before Allah and submit themselves to the path of Islam. He refuses to accept that there is nothing this nation can do, short of full conversion to Islam, that will see them stand down their war of aggression.
Ron Paul refuses to admit that we are not the aggressors in this fight, but that we are fighting back against an enemy that despises Individual Liberty outside that which is set forth in the Koran and the Hadiths.
There are some who would say that discounting Paul based on this is everything from a warmongering decision to a dismissal upon a single issue. Well, I would submit that survival of Liberty is pretty dang important, and, furthermore that Ron Paul contradicts himself in an unforgivable way by trying to lay the finger of blame on the USA for the actions of a society, the Ummah, that endlessly and openly preaches more hatred and barbarism as a matter of religious tenet than any other civilization in recorded human history.
Ron Paul is so very right about a great many things, but he is so very wrong about this point that there is absolutely no way he is fit to set behind the Resolute Desk.
Let's get one thing straight, there are Libertarians, which are actually liberaltarians, and there are libertarians, which are folks pointing directly at LIBERTY as the number one position, with government powers strictly limited to enumerated powers stand alone.
the liberaltarians, the capital letter, party politicking Libertarians, need to go back to their real home, the Democratic party where the socialists roam, and stop skewing what small l libertarianism actually consists of.
If that takes place, if that measure is respected, then the conversation is worth having. If not, then it is strictly another waste of time because it resting atop a false premise from the get go.
DeMint's a Neocon and out for himself as are most of the SC Republicans.
I've been seeing Breitbart attack Paul daily with what can only be called, frankly, complete BS. Not even he, with his amplified ADHD, is immune to this issue.
If people vote with their emotions and not their brain in the next election, this Country will collapse. And maybe that's what we deserve.
I hope that Ron Paul, or anyone that upholds the US Constitution, is elected. But I'm preparing for the dumbest among you to slam the Nation head first into the pavement.
I notice that the people calling Ron Paul crazy have something in common. You ask them any detail, any fact, and they stumble and fall in blindness. It's like talking to a liberal. If you can't respond to a factual question with a factual answer, you don't deserve to call yourself Conservative.
You 46% get caught up in this whirlwind of stupid, arguing about things that have nothing to do with the responsibility of the Federal Government. Like lemmings, you continue to latch on to pointless causes that have no bearing on government. Regulate your own lives. Understand the law and why it exists. More importantly, understand that everything outside of the Constitution is illegal.
Until you grasp this, the root of the problem is between your own ears. And your ignorance isn't bliss. It's the Hell that's coming.
The more the GOP establishment tries to redefine moderate as the new conservative, the less I have anything in common with them. And the less support they get from me.
We are fighting for the survival of America. Pauls foreign policy may be weak or even dangerous, but quit frankly there is no foreign enemy we face that is a bigger threat to the actual survival of this country then our looming bankruptcy, hastened by being over extended all around the world. We cannot micromanage the globe.
The greatest existential threat America faces involves money, not bombs.
completely false. Milton Friedman was opposed to the concept of a Federal Reserve, BUT, he accepted that it exists, and it exists because people psychologically need it to exist–reliance on the gold standard makes people nervous about deflation, bank runs, and panics.
He wasn't a statist, he was a realist, but a realist who stood up for his intellectual principles, and that's why his books are read by hundreds of thousands, and your snark-post by maybe a hundred.
yea, I mean at least the Democrats say they're going to steal your money.
But they call you a racist if you object, so it's a catch 22, aint it?
Bilderbatsh1tcrazy
How would you know the difference? Smaller government? Much like real capitalism or a free market, we have not had a smaller government in anyone's living memory. This is the appeal of Ron Paul. Deep down, everyone knows that the federal government will still get bigger and spend more no matter who wins, R or D. Though I miss Reagan dearly, even he could/would not shrink the government or it's budgets. Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate who one could even remotely imagine taking executive action, even if congress won't lift a finger. He is the ONLY candidate who one could realistically imagine vetoing a budget or bill on constitutional grounds. No one else will actually do it. No one else has.
His foreign policy concepts may be a disaster, but no larger a disaster than our continuing loss of liberty and steady plunge towards a massive fiscal meltdown. There is no other option being offered to us except more of the same. Bigger government, bigger budgets. Same old thing, time and time again. Like the debt ceiling "compromise." Nothing changes. It's just talk. It took a "crazy" man to face down the Soviet Union, now we need another "crazy" man to face down our own government.
"…psychologically need it to exist–reliance on the gold standard makes people nervous about deflation, bank runs, and panics. "
You're a statist, as well.
Libertarians are liberals under a different label.
I believe quite a few people mislabel themselves as "Libertarian" when what they are really advocating is "Classical Liberalism". And if you aren't aware of the differences between Libertarianism, Modern Liberalism and Classical Liberalism I suggest doing some reading on political philosophy.
For what it's worth, I advocate Fiscal Conservatism, Classical Liberalism and Peace Through Strength. I strongly advocate AGAINST Modern Liberalism, Statism and the Isolationist approach to foreign affairs.
I guess you failed to take any government or history classes, as well as a doing research in general. By definition, Ron Paul is the only true republican seeking nomination…
Its truly scary seeing all of the uneducated Romney supporters on this board. Just like the Obama idiots theyre going to vote for who the media tells them. It makes me sad for this once great country.
Romney gets most of his contributions from Goldman Sachs and other large financial institutions (the same ones that put Obama into power). Romney is nothing more than a richer and whiter Obama.
His net worth is 250 Million (not counting stock options and favors). He thought a gallon of milk cost $1.50 when asked the other day. Romney is incredibly out of touch with the average American, yet people still vote for him.. I guess people want more massive BANK BAILOUTS. I guess people don't want to do any research, but instead vote for who the msm tells them to. I guess people want a candidate that will stomp the lower and middle class into dust.
Please I beg you. If you believe in freedom and this great nation you must research Ron Paul and convert 50 friends. This isn't just enough either. You have to register republican and vote in the primaries. Its easy to say you support Paul and freedom on the internet, but that's useless if you don't vote. Please get the word out. The majority of Americans would support Paul if they knew the truth. SPREAD FREEDOM. SPREAD THE TRUTH. VOTE PAUL 2012!
Also, Pauls the only candidate that has stood out against the NDAA and SOPA. The NDAA (signed by Obama) will allow the president to detain any American he wants without trial.
SOPA which is currently in congress will allow the govt. to shut down any website or post they disagree with. It will be censorship on a scale that is as bad or worse than China. Please watch this song about SOPA and spread the word.
If you want some more TRUE facts check out my site about the man: http://antination.com/p/contenders.html
Make no mistake. This is the watershed election since 1860. We either find the right person to slam Obama to the mat and turn the direction of this country back towards Constitutional abeyance at the Government level or we will probably dissolve into a full civil war with anarchy and true mayhem every where.
Why do you think gun sales are higher today than at any time?
Why Do you think Gold is $1650 per oz?
Why has the Congress passed legislation that allows the government to detain you and incarcerate you without trial or outside contact?
Why has Joe Lieberman presented a bill that allows the government to declare any one who is against it a non citizen and will be able to deport you and take your citizenship.
Why does the Obama administration completely ignore Our Constitution and the Rule of Law?
Why do you think Obama is planning to lower the Military roles by 500,000?
Why is Holder not in jail?
Why is Chris Dodd not in Jail?
Why have the Bankers who robbed us blind never been prosecuted?
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
.
Ditto
Wrong !
Five minutes of debating moonies is a wasted five minutes
Just like the Obama idiots theyre going to vote for who the media tells them
Just like the Obama idiots you are going to vote for a messiah instead of a politician. Same ignorance but no messiah this time around
Agreed. Obama is a communist and Paul is a useful idiot
Yep, and that label is "Libertarian"
Yes we are classic liberals. In fact its the progressives who ARE NOT liberals. They do not endorse expansion of liberty.
Ash, there are a lot of people around here than want to argue with absence of logic and reason. You are not one of those people. I always welcome your replies, and posts because they are thoughtful and well reasoned.
Paul does absolutely support the second amendment, and is a solid conservative across the board.
I also understand your viewpoint on Islam, it is well founded and warrants serious concern.
What really troubles me is the media flatly declares we are 15 trillion in debt, and if this is the number the media is putting out there, we can assume with certainty the debt is higher than that. Gimmick accounting agencies like the GAO have a long track record of underestimating financial realities. That being said, I have a really hard time swallowing the idea we need to be ready to bomb Iran. Iran has been purportedly been six months away from having the bomb for the last 5 years, it is becoming evident to me, that this business with IRAN is looking a lot more like the right wing version of "global warming". A boogeyman.
While we argue back and forth about Islam and Iran and concurrently neglect the glaring fact that many Americans are armed to the teeth, we have a more daunting threat currently, on American Soil. Agenda 21 and the " Sustainable Development " initiative currently underway right here, right now. This in my opinion is a greater threat to sovereignty and liberty than the dirty bearded 5th century throwbacks over in IRAN.
America will not be brought down from nations "over there" but will be taken down from within by our elected officials under the guise of being a good member of the " global community". Paul understands this threat, and put up legislation that would have the U.S. secede from the U.N., abolish treaties which threaten American freedom, and end tax dollars to prop up corrupt foreign regimes.
This is a very unpopular position. We have a serious problem in this country when the only person that constantly defers to the Constitution is roundly condemned and attacked. It is funny how people want to selectively choose which parts of the Constitution deem adherence, and which ones we need to discard in the name of " national security".
I think people have just been conditioned to think it is OK for us to abandon certain constitutional principles in the name of threats, real or imagined. These suspensions of rights historically have been restored after a time, but in this particular instance, with every new piece of legislation, more and more rights are being seized.
I have to be honest with myself, the media is a complete propaganda machine, or it is not. In order for me to employ serious critical thinking skills, I have to factor in a lot more than what is widely reported in the media. My view is, Paul has taken on the Federal Reserve, has attempted to have America secede from the United Nations, one is a Powerful Banking institution, and one has powerful global banking influence ie IMF. These are two very big dogs. Anyone that aims to disrupt their power and influence has some very big balls, and that is why I think Paul is qualified to hold that seat.
Don't deal in tricks…leave that up to the 'loons' and "Pot" Paul worshippers…"I" deal in only the truths of what 'is…is'!
Ron Paul is right about a great many things. The establishment GOP has walked away from their conservative platform and gone farther and farther to the "big tent" progressive left. Not Paul. I voted for John McCain, he introduced the NDAA bill. I voted for GW Bush, he gave us war and the patriot act. Gingrich is a long time member of the CFR and the globalist agenda. Mitt Romney is also a progressive "Obama light" with many globalist connection. He's store bought more of the same and we can't take any more of the same. But aside from his not being in any way a "conservative" candidate, he's also the same guy who, as lame as John McCain's campaign and debates were in 2008, lost the nomination to John McCain. So what would conservatives be thinking putting a proven loser up against Obama? Only if you want to lose that election. The ONLY candidate standing up for American rights we are losing by the week now is Ron Paul. You're not hearing that from anyone else for a reason. I would like to make that choice while we still have the right to have a choice or voice an opinion, thank you.
I absolutely respect Senator DeMint, but our establishment GOP has, by the non-conservatives it has chosen for us….again, shown that it is no longer listening to the American people, same with the DNC bringing us a radical leftist and calling him a Democrat. They've both earned the right to sit down and shut up. The conversation is walking away from them both and the majority of the American people, both sides of the aisle, are sick enough of it that they are willing to work together to support freedom like they always have. They are being Americans first.
Little boy…playing games?
Sub, as I have stated to you before, a great many of RP's stances are true and correct, but his stance on foreign relations and the military are just too far off for me to rally my support for him.
We have a great many policies in place that do not belong.
RP's policies will not take and the R electorate will not accept.
Question is, will the RP supporters rally behind the nominee or go third rail?
If not, then it shows the true colors after all.
alien, thank you for stating the obvious.
Maintain a strong defense against what? We are letting known drug cartels and members of terrorists groups freely come across our borders (and arming them thanks to our own government) while the decent, law-abiding citizens are being frisked at the airport and now are subject to indefinite detention. We allow terrorist training camps by the dozens to operate here on American soil while our Secretary of State negotiates a small arms treaty with the U.N. to take the only defense (and the only right) we still have. We have 70 socialist members of Congress and a fascist president who have successfully scrapped our constitution and rule of law. We are again on the virge of war because we have been indoctrinated that it is necessary again. Anyone feeling safer now with our current foreign or domestic policies isn't paying attention. And after our economy collapses……we're not going to be able to afford gas and groceries, much less a "foreign policy". Please come to the party folks.
"The chickens have yet to come home to roost, but they will, and America will suffer from a Reaganomics that is nothing but warmed-over Keynesianism."
From RP's letter to the GOP just prior to his full denouncement and resignation from the GOP.
So, how can you call him a 'true republican'?
Eileen,
I love your posts!!!
That is ok with me. You have to decide for yourself if he is for you or not.
I can not personally get behind candidates that support parts of the constitution, and discard others. Paul in my view is the only one consistently deferring to the founding documents. I cant complain about my freedoms being snatched up and then turn around and vote for a guy that has a record of snatching my tax dollars or my freedoms. That would be non-sequitor.
I am a Paul supporter because he is the most consistent on the constitution. And frankly in matters of foreign policy, I would rather bear the responsibility of my own security, rather than parse it out to central planners that have ulterior motives for foreign adventures.
On your question, I can only speak for myself. Unfortunately, the republican party is going to need a serious beat down before they wake up and smell the TEA
Thank you…that is good to hear…when so much negativity is coming from the "Pot" Paul lunatic side!
They are NOT for freedom of speech…try to squash all others except their own…and that should be the revealing fact when going into that voting booth about "Pot" Paul and what he believes about 'anything goes'! Anything goes for only him and his lunatic fringe…not for the rest in opposition to them…almost as if he is mimicking the fraud we have now and his false worshippers…RIGHT?
Thank you…you keep speaking up and speaking out…and together we will win this war waged against 'real' Americans everywhere!
Gary Johnson is the Libertarian Candidate. are you even a voter? or just a zombie.
Unfortunately, The TEA is spread as widely as the wind right now.
Like I said before, if RP is nominated, I will support him unequivocally.
Question is, will you, in turn, do the same?
Wait…what conservative republicans?
I know I have received and will so for all of this, bit that is what it will be.
From what I saw tonight, you are spot on regarding RP.
He truly is off the rail. 'The Golden Rule' in regards to our enemies???? Really????
He is truly in need of the substances he is advocating for the legalization there of!!!!
Gingrich- the guy who said the patriot act didn't go far enough. Santorum- hardly articulate, and when he is…hypocritical (to put it mildly) SEE: Huckabee's Forum with AGs on the issue of Habeas Corpus. Perry- stimulated almost no one; his only titillating policies have been off of the back of Ron Paul's campaign.
Goodness, what has the republican party become, that one of our presidential hopefuls (Mitt Romney) has to look to what everyone considers the loon (Ron Paul) to answer a question of constitutionality of state powers (NH debate, I believe)? I could've sworn that's the document the P.O.T.U.S. swears to protect and defend.
What is so crazy about a return to the rule of law?
I don't agree with Ron Paul on a lot of issues, like Sen. DeMint, but what he says regarding the fiscal discipline is spot on. We need serious cuts like he proposes, we need a bold and vigorous defense of free-market capitalism as a moral and American economic system and we need to rethink a lot of the currently existing programs. I'm, as opposed to Ron Paul, taking more of a Jeffersonian approach to foreign policy. That said, I see a dire need for GOP to adopt some of Ron Paul's fiscal policies ASAP. In this regard the remarks made by Sen. DeMint are spot on. Lets hope that the nominee of the party adopts some of his propositions, because this will not only help him win the general, but also unify the party as a hole.
P.S. Stop SOPA/PIPA.
Good point. I guess I mean the conservatives who, for now, have the choice of voting for a republican or democrat for president.
Well stated!
“Yep and that's the way they've kept government growing for the last 50 years.”
And that is the bottom line.
“Yep and that's the way they've kept government growing for the last 50 years.”
And that is the bottom line.
You must be logged in to post a comment.