The signs all read "Google Ron Paul". When you do, you are assaulted with a deluge of articles and blogs and opinions and news and analysis and everything imaginable under one ludicrous big top. Ron Paul is such an icon in the ether world that everyone wants to attach "Ron Paul" to something, anything, to get themselves noticed and get "the hits".
Fan him or pan him, but mention him and you have arrived.
But that’s alright. That’s the way it should be. Politics was never meant to be antiseptic and predictable and dull, was it?
Politics is a living and breathing entity- like the dragon in the hill yonder- that we all like to whisper about and talk about and shout about over beer and pretzels and the noise of the jukebox.
Politics is what matters to us least, and most; coexisting in our minds while we try and get through our days and get on with our nights. It affects everything and we know it, and yet it seems so far off it hardly matters. It is something that transpires "over there", and we, of course, live mostly over here.
Google Ron Paul and over there and over here become a cacaphony of geographic uncertainty.
"Am I in Oregon building houses, or am I in New Hampshire knocking on doors to promote something I think I truly believe in?"
Politics and Ron Paul have combined to move many people’s minds all over the entire country. Suddenly, people from New Hampshire and Iowa are important to people in Oregon. Suddenly, a nation is starting to congeal again, around an old guy, a doctor of the birth canal, and this time, there is no drum beat of war.
The Ron Paul hit pieces are part of the music of the movement. They are the dying shrill cries of the uncertainties of the established order. While the often despised and talked-down-to Ron Paul supporters chant "Freedom! Liberty! America! The Constitution! Peace! Love! Blimps! Money Bombs!", there is another voice out there, denying it is all even real.
"He can’t win."
"He has no chance."
"There are just a few, very enthusiastic supporters out there."
"He can’t turn his support into votes."
And they are part of the whole opera too.
I try and write five or so Ron Paul pieces every week. It is what I can do to join the chorus that sings of liberty. I am not much of a singer, but I can play the cymbal and maybe even a tambourine or two.
Google Ron Paul and you might read this piece. If you do, remember, you are part of the music too.
©2007 Scott from Oregon, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Monday, December 24, 2007
Last modified: Monday, December 24, 2007
The views expressed in this article are those of Scott from Oregon only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Scott from Oregon is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: earl
Date: 2007-12-24 05:16:56
Good article, well put. Not to judge, but just passing on positive feedback. I applaud your effort.
Posted By: barbara
Date: 2007-12-24 06:48:17
Enjoyed the article. Particularly your description of people and their relationship to politics. Well stated.
Posted By: Fatboy
Date: 2007-12-24 10:19:37
Short brief and to the point no fillers or additives necessary.
We were never going to the moon either! Right.
"Ron Paul" The solution, 2008 all the way baby!
Posted By: nancy
Date: 2007-12-30 14:32:42
Great article!