RateItAll: The Opinion Network

he is the one we need for this country...

Ron Paul is not afraid to think in abstractions -- if we can be grateful to him for anything, it should be that we won't hear him bullsh&tting us about how when he met Mr. & Mrs. Such-and-Such on the campaign trail, he was moved to rethink his social outlook, etc. He brings real principles to the discussion, an admirable quality in an elected figure. Principles can also be bulldozers, to both good and bad effect: what allows Paul to attack a destructive and fruitless war in Iraq also leads him to attack the safety net preventing the aged from sinking into abject poverty.

Many admirers see this as a mark of Ron Paul's toughness or willing to make sacrifices in the name of his principles, but they tend to overlook the fact that perhaps the problem is that his principles are not very complex or well thought-through. The lack of coherence is the case with Ron Paul's principles, and with libertarian principles generally, though it is not unique to this brand of thought.

I should have noticed this incoherence before, but it became blatantly obvious during yesterday's news frenzy over Ron Paul's old newsletters, which contained some offensive language about race. I was astonished to see Paul respond to the controversy like every other unprincipled politician, trying to lie his way out of it, asserting that he didn't write and in fact hadn't even read the mailings that went out under the title of The Ron Paul Newsletter -- a preposterous assertion for a small-time candidate who likely had few staff and was appealing to a mostly local constituency. The real story here, though, wasn't the assertions contained in the newsletters, which weren't all that shockingly horrible; they reflect what many Republicans think and continue to think, and would not be out of place coming from the mouth of a Newt Gingrich. The real story wasn't the lies Paul used to deny the facts. The real story was that Paul demonstrated that he was an intellectual lightweight in talking about racism. In his CNN interview, Paul got into a feverishly ungrammatical state of agitation, making such claims as "Libertarians are incapable of being a a racist [sic] because racism is a collectivist idea: you see people in groups. A civil libertarian like myself see everybody as important individual ... " The idea that Paul is "the anti-racist," as he dubbed himself, because libertarians allegedly don't "see" race is the biggest crock I've heard from a political figure in years.

In order to be anti-racist, your first step obviously has to be to admit that you see race. To assert otherwise is to substitute a shallow principle for the human fact. Paul was not just lying about his past, but deceiving himself. Not only that, he demonstrated how hollow the philosophy of libertarianism is.

Now, Ron Paul isn't all bad. He did say the most true and meaningful thing in this presidential campaign yet: his observation that Mike Huckabee is an example of how, quoting Sinclair Lewis, "when fascism comes to this country, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross." But Paul still needs to admit that libertarianism isn't innocent of evangelism itself. It's a faith, too -- a blind one.

Why is he on top of this list, is it because he is more Libertarian? maybe Americans do crave more liberty, which is being slowly eroded by overzealous social consevative, health freaks, et cetetra. Ron would be an interesting president, but maybe too harsh on the social net.

Ron Paul is a very fascinating pheonomeon. He seems to basically be another internet meme, as constantly online polls are spammed by his online followers, even polls (such as those on Little Green Footballs) where it is made clear that Paul is being mocked. In real life, followers of his recently got a blimp funded, but in public, they constantly disrupt as a group, ala 9/11 truthers.

...and rightfully so. His positions on Iraq and foreign policy are laughably bad and almost make him seem like a reasonable veep candidate for Dennis "Aliens Among Us" Kucinich. He basically blames America for 9/11 and blames America for tinpot dictator villains like Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro.

His ideas for elimiating certain government programs completely are appealing...but are killed by his totally asinine foreign policy views. Oh, well, like Mike Gravel (or Dennis) on the left, I guess each party needs at least one laughable goof.

Very intruiging (sp?) candidate. . .seems too smart for the nomination. . .actually values freedom thus clearly will insult the zealots and we-must-go-at-war-with-all types. . .I'm interested to see when it strikes midnight for this guy or how long the ball will actually last. . .

Once you get past all the ad hominems of people like Fitman, you end up seeing that, looking that him through the eyes of reason and logic, he is a really good candidate. There are those that think that an ad hominem is more important than anything. No offense fitman but he is a libertarian. A libertarian, believing in individual negative liberty, wouldn't have any ability to harm any race no matter how much that person may distain that race. Sadly for you, the truth is that he isn't a racist and if he was, it wouldn't matter (much in the same way that gender doesn't matter). "well he said some racist remarks once many years ago LOLOLOLOLOL!!11!" so, that doesn't #$%^ matter idiots. If you don't understand political philosophy then do us all a favor and don't vote (soon your ignorant voting wll lead to a system where voting is banned). I think that you people have got to be the biggest idiots on the Internet. This is the very reason why i switched to politics.wikia.com. Stop making all this worthless kipper people.

Aboot the man: he is a libertarian with good, true, beliefs that are rooted in negative liberty. If you think that is extreme, then that could be a sign that you are a non ideological moron. In that case, i can see your point and i guess that you can live with your bread and circuses of ad hominims and contradictory clinton style policies. Just move to another country and screw that country up, don't ruin this one. I hope that, if a third party candidate doesn't win the election, Ron Paul does.

Ron Paul is the only candidate that can save this nation and fight the globalists among us who are seeking to destroy our country. Ron Paul is the only person in congress who has been true to his oath of office. Ron Paul will restore our republic and overturn the decades of executive orders that have removed The Constitution as law of the land!!! say no to the patriot act, say no to the coming national id card, say no to the U N, say no to unconstitutional "wars", say no to tyranny in America, say yes to freedom and liberty, say yes to the ideology that made this country great for 200 years. vote for Ron Paul please.

His stance against the occupation of Iraq, gun control and the counterproductive war on drugs is a definite plus, and if seniors didn't vote, this guy might have a chance, but Social Security, HUD senior housing assistance and Medicare are all that keep millions of our vulnerable elderly from homelessness and death, and he's determined to abolish all US government social programs, so I doubt he's really in the running.

UPDATE:

During his 30-year career in politics, Paul has made a number of offensive, racist statements in the press and in his personal newsletter, The Ron Paul Political Report, including: * "If you have ever been robbed by a black teen-aged male, you know unbelievably fleet-footed they can be." Victoria Advocate, 5/24/96 * "Given the inefficiencies of what the DC laughably calls the criminal justice system, I think we can safely assume that 95 percent of the black males in that city are semi-criminal or criminal." Victoria Advocate, 5/24/96 * "Opinion polls consistently show that only five percent of blacks have sensible political opinions, i.e. support the free market, individual liberty and the end of welfare and affirmative action." Victoria Advocate, 5/24/96

http://www.stormfront.org/forum/showthread.php/ron-paul-one-388512.html

The only real choice for those who believe in liberty and traditional conservative values. (And yes he is a Republican) Many Republicans try to write him off as a "Libertarian" while yes he ran 1 year for that party, he has been a Republican office holder for over 20 years. He is a libertarian (little "l") which means he promotes personal liberty as prescribed by the US Constitution. An ACU rating of 82.3, GOA Score 100, "Taxpayers best Friend" Basically the only Republican who can beat Hillary issue by issue.

I am from Arkansas and I like Mike Huckabee. I think he's a decent guy, but when he and Dr. Paul got into it at the recent debate I was forced to reconsider my true feelings. He may have some unpopular views, even among the GOP, but I honestly believe he is the best hope for our country.

Huckabee mentioned that we should not return from Iraq until we can do so with honor, but I believe that is impossible. The neo-cons sold this war to America and we (myself included) bought it. The pretenses were questionable. Yes, Saddam was a terrible dictator, but was he our responsibility? Was he any more threat to us than Iran or North Korea? No. Yes, we have messed things up royally, and now a civil war is at hand. It's happening right now, it's simply manifesting itself as insurgent fighting because we have machine guns on every second street corner.

Paul is simply the only candidate (republican or otherwise) who is ready to say that America was attacked, not because we are a rich nation, or because we have freedom for women. Many other nations fit that description. But because we have been meddling around in other countrys' affairs for the last half century.

He may have some outlandish views on taxation. I think he wants to dismantle the IRS. I know he wants to un-federalize education, which is fine with me. My wife is an educator and I can attest to the ineffectiveness of "no child left behind". But I believe the biggest threat to the United States its foreign policy. We are blinded by our own hubris, and many of us would rather sacrifice additional young men and women of the armed forces, simply to save face in Iraq.

Republicans like to brag about defending the constitution. They talk about the Framers as if the framers as if they were infallible. Fact is, the Framers would have balked at the fact that the President can now wage a war without a declaration of war from congress. Paul has never voted against legislation not expressly authorized by the constitution, and he has never, not once voted for an unbalanced budget.

Say what you will, I think Dr. Ron Paul is about the only honest man left in Washington. Hope for America indeed.

This guy is not a Republican he is a libertarian and a wacky one at that!!!

Ron Paul, age 72, is a very mixed bag. He has some good positions, but he also has some very far-right fringe positions that are downright kookie. Well spoken and intelligent, but too far out there on too many issues for me. To read my summary of what he supports and opposes, click here.

Ron Paul is the only way to get our freedom back

Hope, Thats what Ron Paul will Bring to the United States and no other Candidate is as Pro-Freedom and Less Government as Paul.

He's a good guy, but the GOP nomination is real longshot for him. Start out with the fact that his stance on the war and US foreign policy in general puts him at odds with the majority of the party. There is an element of the conservative movement that is much less interventionist, but they really don't have that much real political power in Washington. Ron Paul is trying to be their standbearer, but he's running in the wrong party. The Libertarian parties nomination is his if he wants it.

A man of integrity who believes in adherence to this archaic document called the United States Constitution. Paul will not get the nomination because he is hated by neocons everywhere. He blew any slight chance he may have had when, in the first debate, he pointed out the fact that a lot of hatred towards the US has to do with US foreign policy- he was nearly booed off the stage.

Our only chance at the world not ending. His knows his stuff and speaks the truth about the issues.

ron paul is the best for america

Speaks truthful, best candidate up there

The best candidate out there since Ronald Reagan. Time to revive the Reagan revolution -- elect Ron Paul.

He is the best person for the job today.

Ron Paul is the only mainstream politician whom I would ever support. He's truly a unique example that even in our corrupt political atmosphere full of two-faced con artists it is still possible for someone with integrity, intelligence, and character to break through.

First choice among folks who are reality disabled.

The only candidate in the running that will support and defend his oath to support the Constitution.

Ron Paul is by far the most principaled man running for President in 2008. He has my wholehearted support and vote.

He is a really high ranking officer in the weirdo brigade.

True American, understanding the business of America is business and that the government should keep its grubby hands off.

I like a man who can say "NO" to big government. Apparently, he has read the Constitution - unlike the other presidential hopefuls.

A man that realizes that the true conservative is a libertarian, unlike KCtheGreatIdiot and other liberal Republicrats.

Idiot libertarian who poses as a Republican because everytime he ran for office as a libertarian, he got his butt kicked.