Topic: Economics
Dr. Ron Paul and the Art of Extremism The smear 'extremist' has been used to label Dr. Ron Paul as a political candidate in 2008. But was this accurate?by Nickalis N. Tower
(libertarian)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Is Dr. Paul -- the 11-term U.S. Congressman who ran as a Republican candidate for President in 2008 -- an extremist? That makes me laugh.
There are three typical reasons a person might make this claim:
First, some people who know Dr. Paul's record of integrity are trying to smear him and to get any listener who hears them utter 'extremist' to stop listening to Dr. Paul. Second, some people have been duped by the smears and have stopped seeking the truth for themselves and instead are unthinkingly parroting the smears. Third, most people hear some sensational sound bites of Dr. Paul's agenda that he would like to accomplish during his would-be Presidency. Sound bites such as "eliminating the IRS and income taxes" and "returning to sound money" make these people claim Dr. Paul is an extremist. Such people believe America can never accomplish such things.
But ask those who brand Dr. Paul an extremist to define what they mean by extremist', then you'll hear them utter more fear-mongering notions meant to shut off your mind from thinking about those important issues facing America this election year.
I define an 'extremist politician' such as the good Dr. Paul as being one who gives knowledge to the people instead of the fantasies played upon by his fellow politicians. 2400 years ago the philosopher Plato considered it ethical for politicians to lie for the 'good of the state'. For the past 30 years in America, nearly all Capitol Hill politicians except Dr. Paul seem to live by this creed. For example, when American politicians dismantled the mangled remains of the 19th century iron-clad gold standard in 1971, they gave us lies that our money would remain valuable on 'faith' alone. In 1976, Dr. Paul was elected to Washington as a Representative and warned the Congress that their actions would destroy the middle and lower classes and finally bankrupt America. Many Americans see that their money buys much less today than it did 30 years ago, and Dr. Paul has told us why.
After 9/11 at least one wise man in the CIA has documented how our foreign policy since W.W.II has fomented fear, anger, and hatred in the Arab world, and that 9/11 was caused by our interventionist foreign policies in the name of 'democracy for the world'. Many Americans believe we must give up our liberties to gain security. Dr. Paul explains why his non-interventionist foreign policy would protect America in the future from terrorism.
Dr. Paul is an extremist when compared to his peers on Capitol Hill, because he is honest and tells us things other Congressional leaders either don't understand or don't have the courage to reveal (for fear of not being re-elected). Dr. Paul is not a revolutionary... he's not out to change our form of government. Dr. Paul is an extremist in the best sense when he inspires Americans to rally the leaders in D.C. to start obeying the Constitution. Dr. Paul wants the Executive branch to stop it's destructive policies against our inalienable rights and liberties. He wants the Judicial branch to simply enforce Constitutional laws and overturn unconstitutional ones. He wants the Legislative branch to stop telling the people that welfare and warfare can both be had without any negative effects on America. Dr. Paul explains how the twin lies of welfare and warfare "affordability" will wipe out the middle class via inflation.
What is the is the state of we, the American people, who've been told we have no right to dissent with our government? We, the people, are slaves living in a state of fear. We have swallowed the lies of dishonest politicians who claim that patriotism means unity and assent in the face of lies and obedience in the face of abuses on Individual Rights.
Dr. Paul has told We the People the truth, and he has never sought power over us in the Congress. Thefore I'm certain he wouldn't have sought power over us as President. That is morally good to the extreme. We do not have to live in fear. Dr. Paul reminds us to live happily and in toleration of others' opinions and beliefs, and that is the essense of America's Revolutionary founding. Dr. Paul's plan for American prosperity and security is unmatched by the other candidates.
It wasn't extreme for me to vote for Dr. Paul as the Republican nominee on Feb. 9th 2008, and it won't be extreme for me to vote for any future candidate who makes as much sense and displays genuine integrity as Dr. Paul did in 2008, with regard to respecting America's Founding Ideals, of inalienable individual rights, and earned property rights. These are the anti-racist, anti-classist principles that made America the most moral country on earth.
In 2008, Dr. Paul showed us a way back to the greatness of America. Ron Paul authored 'The Revolution: A Manifesto', the debut #1 best seller this past April. I want to witness that return of American greatness in my lifetime. If you think America has faltered, if you're a concerned America who wants to understand the problems America faces at this very moment, in economics, in foreign policy, in education, and the nationalization ('bailouts') of industries etc., then read this short book by Ron Paul, and welcome to the 'Ron Paul Revolution' !
The views expressed in this
article are those of Nickalis N. Tower only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Nickalis N. Tower 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.
Your definition that an extremist is one who "gives knowledge to the people instead of the fantasies played upon by his fellow politicians" is about as fanciful as Ron Paul becoming President.
An "extremist" is one who has viewpoints that very few people support. Very few people want to abolish the Fed, the IRS, withdraw from NATO and the UN, remove US military bases from foreign countries, oppose the War on drugs and gun regulations, want to eliminate (or "negate") Roe v Wade, and want to go back to gold-backed currency.
I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue! Barry Goldwater
You are right that the majority of the people in the United States are not calling for the end of the FED or the IRS because if that were the case then they would be gone. The point you seem to miss is that they are not calling for the end of these organizations because they do not fully understand how they operate. You think that anywhere near the majority of Americans understand how many troops we have stationed around the world or how much we spend annually on our foreign policy? You say very few people oppose the war on drugs. I'd like to see you back up that argument considering the overwhelming majority voting to pass medical marijuana and decriminalization. It is clear you haven't done a great deal of research about Ron Paul's principles or what they are based on. You likely have no historical or statistical evidence or insight to backup anything you say. I would recommend educating yourself or stealing the ideas of someone that understands the world better before posting garbage like that.
Posted By: Liberty for Life
Date: 2008-12-11 23:25:34
Let's C,
Collectivism: The principles or system of ownership and control of the means of production and distribution by the people collectively.
Communism: A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people.
Screw the damn "Natural Law of the Land" that's not even extreem nor radical...
Great Post NT
Great article. Small-minded people tend to sneer at things they don't understand or that don't conform to the popular pack mentality.
And atta boy, Levi, you tell that "master" goof what's up! "Very few people want to abolish the IRS"???? Wow, my sides hurt from laughing at that one. What reasonable, thinking person wouldn't want the IRS abolished?? Except perhaps people on the payroll there or, frankly, EXTREMISTS.
Master C: definition of insanity is to continue with failed policies that did not work in the past. You think the war on drugs is working well?? You seem to be highly IGNORANT of American colonialism in other countries and how much anger foreign intervention has lead to. Most Americans are pro-life and also some "pro-choice" people say how liberal Roe&Wade is. You are unaware that Roe has changed her mind radically and endorsed Paul?
In short: Paul is simply defending the constitution, that must also be extreme, according to you.
There is such a group of losers and bellyachers on this site that it makes seeing the cancellation of "That 70's Show" and other stellar programs like it going off the air look mild in comparison. The protest from those who can't stand to see their FAVORITE programs cancelled must be as overwhelming as... well, as those seeking tax relief for asthma!
What a bunch of crybabies! And you won't even admit that there aren't enough people to support your tired, nihilist views to even have a parade!
Ron Paul, Bob Barr ~ and ANYONE ELSE you want to represent your ideas ~ are going to be REJECTED by voters because people like the system the way it is. You scream (really wail like a baby having a tantrum) that people don't like the IRS, yet there are NO EFFORTS anywhere to end it that are supported by enough people to make a collective sneeze! In my book, that's people denying REALITY! And, people who deny reality are usually called "kooks" or "deluded" or ~ as in your case ~ an exasperatingly broken record!
Ron Paul is so EXTREME and WRONG about the issues he supports that he couldn't even muster 1% of the vote. That, to me, is a sign that shouldn't be overlooked ~ even by that group of drooling supporters who think that OTHERS just "don't understand". Ha! Ha! Maybe someday you'll realize that the shoe is really on the other foot.
Don't be so hard on Master C. He's just repeating what he was taught in school: the government is your friend, and does what it does out of a deep concern for the common good. I don't blame him for taking the conventional view on every issue under the sun.
Funny, though, that he thinks a "gold-based economy," which I'd bet my life savings he doesn't understand, is a stupid idea. Why, exactly? Because the New York Times thinks so? (I'm sure the answer I get will be a cliche, or one of the typical dumb-guy replies that can be answered in five seconds.)
As for the Fed, which this fellow is just sure is a wonderful thing, why is it so wonderful that the dollar has lost 95% of its value since the Fed was established? Why is it wonderful to have an institution that can artificially lower interest rates, thereby misleading investors as to the size of the pool of savings and this starting the economy on unsustainable booms?
Of course, the poor guy has never even heard, and perhaps can't even understand, questions like this, since all he knows is what Time magazine and his eighth-grade teacher taught him. Some people cannot or will not leave that comfort zone. They cannot imagine the prospect that the political and media establishments might be wrong about something. If he's told to go to war in Iraq, he goes. If he's told bailouts are needed, he accepts it. Etc.
The liberty minded need to learn about and study this living example of intellectual bankruptcy; a questionably high caliber ex-government re-educator is quite a test dummy to practice on. Consider how debates spiral into the use of ad hominems and other rhetorical fallacies, ad nauseum. Learn to recognize that hubris laden and facetious rebuttals come from those who have mentally surrendered. And while engaging against the close minded is an excersice in futility, a well-thought argument won't fall on deaf ears, especially writing here in this medium.
On a side note: Reality is not defined by its capitalization, but rather is "the state of things as they actually exist", what MC tells you the meaning of reality is. Riiiiight.
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