I’ve posted about Ron Paul in the past, and I’m doing it again, damnit. I never thought I’d be quoting a Fox News host to do anything aside from point out the obvious marginalization of reason and rationality, but in the words of Neil Cavuto…
“At first he was just an internet curiosity, then he became an internet phenomenon. Fourteen bands had wrote songs about him… fourteen! Rich and not-so-rich fans raised more than 4 million dollars in one day. They love his IQ, his EQ, and now, apparently his GQ, because he is among that hit publication’s Men of the Year.”
I’m one of those that found him to be a curiosity. But encouraged by the numerous soundbytes I heard of him so intelligently pontificating on the ills of deficit spending, and war-mongering, and unchecked power and growth of government, I read more. I researched his political career, and now I’m one of those not-so-rich fans.
A Fan of Ron Paul
As a fan, I almost wish that I donated on the 5th of November when Ron Paul supporters raised that $4.3 million. To be a part of something so historic would be unforgettable. Alas, the gods (and by gods, i mean people) have smiled upon me and all others that haven’t yet made the leap from future voter to proactive supporter. Marking another historic anniversary that celebrates dissent from authoritarian rule, the grassroots supporters have organized another website for a major donation - Teaparty07.com.
Also as a fan, it’s encouraging to see someone like a self-absorbed host from Fox News almost fawn over Ron Paul when that same host was so eager to interrupt Ron Paul’s explanations in past interviews. You see, Neil hasn’t always been so nice to Ron Paul. Just a few months prior, Cavuto was trying to pigeonhole Paul by marrying his political views to the people that holed up in their homes after not paying their taxes in protest. Near the end of the interview, Cavuto presented Ron Paul with an opportunity that Paul seized, and handled brilliantly…
“If you were president of the United States, would your first statement be on January 20th, ‘look, you don’t have to pay income taxes, nor should you’?”
And Paul’s response is something everyone should listen to, especially those people that are calling him the “worst kind of god-pusher” or preaching that liberals shouldn’t believe the hype because he’s against abortion or doesn’t push hard enough for the separation of church and state, or anybody that thinks he’s someone to be feared. His response to Mr. Cavuto?
“No. But I would certainly work with the Congress, the proper way, and get the Congress to pass a law to change it, and to repeal the 16th amendment. So no, a president… you’re always making the assumption that the President is an authoritarian. The President should be responsive to the government and to the Congress and to the people. But a president like myself, even though I would believe this, I couldn’t do it. But I would try to persuade people to do it, just as I do in the Congress, and just as I do in campaigning for the presidency.”
In case you’re interested, here’s the interview in its entirety…
Now, in this instance Ron Paul was speaking specifically about abolishing the IRS, and related tax issues. But this philosophy can be applied to all of Ron Paul’s positions. All of them. The overarching point that people seem to miss when they preach fear of Ron Paul’s political ideals is that he doesn’t seek to use government the way it’s been used for the past 7 years (and perhaps longer).
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