Topic: Ron Paul
Dr. Paul should Learn from Dr. Phil Denial is not a river in Africa.by Scotch Moose
(libertarian)
Thursday, January 31, 2008
I heard an NPR commentator today discussing the economic visions of the presidential candidates. At the end of the piece, just to avoid a flood of emails, they mentioned Ron Paul. In that hurried dismissal the commentator used the word "radical" at least three times. I might have lost count. I think he was just too emotionally invested in a big government perspective to see our problems way I do.
Maybe the techniques of Dr. Phil, the TV therapist, would work here. Publicly discussing dysfunctional and unhealthy behaviors is uncomfortable and humiliating, but it does help people to confront the realities of their lives and shake off their rationalizations.
It is not in his nature but I sure would like to see Dr. Paul get a chance to ask some questions in the style of Dr. Phil. It might snap that NPR commentator and other big government apologists out of their delusions.
"How do you feel about Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid?"
"They're great! People need big government programs to survive."
"We haven't paid all the bills yet. Do you know how much these entitlements are costing us?"
"Well the un-budgeted liability is at least 56 trillion dollars."
"And how are we going to pay that?"
"We'll figure it out later. But we could start by taking back the Bush tax cuts."
"And I heard you talking about compulsory universal health insurance?"
"All the other countries have it. Why can't we?"
"Don't you think we have enough debt already?"
"Take back the Bush tax cuts, and take money from healthy people, and rich people. Anyway, It shouldn't be about the cost. People have a right to get these services and products paid for by the government."
"Our government can't force people to work for free or deliver products without being paid."
"Well, Yes..."
"How can you expect this country to take on another under-funded entitlement."
"Take back the Bush tax cuts, raise new taxes, take money from the healthy people, and the rich people."
"That will bring us to the point where productive people keep less of what they earn than they pay in taxes. You have to admit too many taxes will harm the economy and discourage honest work."
"We'll tax right up to that point and we can lower the Fed rates to stimulate the economy with cheap credit."
"When the Fed creates credit it devalues the dollar. Today our dollar is worth 4 cents of a 1913 dollar, maybe less since this morning. Inflation is destroying people's savings."
"And cheap credit causes mal-investment, which causes economic bubbles, which pop, like sub-prime mortgages in 2007, real estate in 2004, dot com's in 2000, and stocks in 1929."
"What do you want? A hard currency? Like a gold standard? That would be radical!"
"And what we've been doing. How's that working for you?"
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The views expressed in this
article are those of Scotch Moose only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Scotch Moose 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.
Not a bad strategy! You should pass this on to the campaign. A big challenge is Dr. Paul's professorial approach. Some can catch it because they want to learn and consider many things. Many just go 'huh?' The Huckster has a knack for breaking complexity down to easier to swallow bites. Your approach would help do the same. Thumbs up!
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