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Farewell, Ron Paul

Nov. 16, 2012 2:35am
David Boaz is the executive vice president of the Cato Institute and has played a key role in the development of the Cato Institute and the libertarian  […]
David Boaz is the executive vice president of the Cato Institute and has played a key role in the development of the Cato Institute and the libertarian movement. He is a provocative commentator and a leading authority on domestic issues such as education choice, drug legalization, the growth of government, and the rise of libertarianism. Boaz is the former editor of New Guard magazine and was executive director of the Council for a Competitive Economy prior to joining Cato in 1981. He is the author of Libertarianism: A Primer, described by the Los Angeles Times as "a well-researched manifesto of libertarian ideas," the editor of The Libertarian Reader, and coeditor of the Cato Handbook For Policymakers. His articles have been published in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, National Review, and Slate. He is a frequent guest on national television and radio shows, and has appeared on ABC's Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, CNN's Crossfire, NPR's Talk of the Nation and All Things Considered, John McLaughlin's One on One, Fox News Channel, BBC, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and other media. His latest book is The Politics of Freedom.
[ x ]
dboaz@cato.org
Author's Website

Rep. Ron Paul gave a farewell address to Congress on Wednesday. Ed Kilgore of the Progressive Policy Institute wrote in a Capitol Hill newspaper that he is “not going to miss Paul’s tirades.” Yes, establishment Washington is tired of hearing about peace and civil liberties, freedom and sound money.

The remarkable thing about Paul’s farewell is how much it sounded just like what he’s been saying since he was first elected to Congress in 1976: The federal government is spending too much, printing too much money, and launching too many wars.

For most of that time Paul labored in the semi-obscurity that befalls most members of the House of Representatives. But over the past six years he has become an Internet sensation, attracted college students like the Pied Piper, and made libertarianism part of the political debate.

His 2008 presidential campaign exploded out of nowhere when he clashed over foreign policy with the now-forgotten Rudy Giuliani in a nationally televised debate. But his 2012 campaign was much more successful in attracting votes and delegates. Paul didn’t change much in four years. What did?

In 2007 (which is when he got the most attention in the last cycle), Ron Paul warned that an economy based on debt and cheap money from the Federal Reserve was not sustainable, but the economy was booming and nobody wanted to listen. After the crash of 2008, they started listening.

In 2007, he said we should replace the Federal Reserve and fiat money with the gold standard, and even some libertarians said things like, “What’s the beef with the Fed?  They’ve dramatically reduced the volatility of the business cycle while achieving low, reasonably constant inflation.” Nobody scoffed at criticism of the Fed after the crash.

In 2007, Ron Paul criticized excessive federal spending, but with a Republican in the White House Republicans weren’t so interested. With even more excessive spending by a Democratic president, spending became a central issue of the Obama years.

In 2007, Ron Paul criticized endless military intervention, but most Republicans were content to repeat, “The surge is working.” By 2011, even Republicans were getting weary of war.

In 2007, Ron Paul said that Congress and the president should not act outside their powers under the Constitution, but Republicans didn’t want to hear about unconstitutional acts by a Republican president. After the bailouts and the health care takeover and Obama’s unauthorized war in Libya, all the Republican candidates at least talked about restoring the Constitution.

It’s not that Ron Paul moved closer to the center but rather that the center of American political discussion moved closer to him.

One thing nobody ever points out is that Ron Paul is the San Antonio Spurs of Congress. When they won their third NBA championship in seven years, Washington Post sports columnist Mike Wise praised the resilience of the Spurs, who kept coming back to win without ever being quite a Bulls-style dynasty. He said the Spurs “had their crown taken away twice since 2003 and got it back both times.”

Similarly, Ron Paul is the only current member of Congress to have been elected three times as a non-incumbent. Given the 98 percent reelection rates for House members, it’s no great shakes to win three terms — or 10 terms — in a row. It’s winning that first one that’s the challenge. And Ron Paul has done that three times.

He first won in a special election for an open seat. He then lost his seat and won it back two years later, defeating the incumbent. After two more terms he left his seat to run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate. Twelve years later, in 1996, he ran again for Congress, again defeating an incumbent, this time in the Republican primary. Some political scientist should study the political skills it takes to win election to Congress without the benefit of incumbency — three times.

Like many libertarians, I’ve had my differences with Ron Paul on trade agreements, immigration, gay rights and federalism, and his failure to repudiate the associates who put his name on their bigoted newsletters. But as long as he keeps recruiting people, especially young people, to the cause of limited constitutional government, sound money, and non-intervention, I’m glad to see him making an impact.

It’s a tragedy that the people who want a smaller, less intrusive government at home often support an interventionist U.S. policy abroad, and vice versa. Ron Paul’s campaigns helped to bring those people together. He ran TV ads in which he said, “I’m the only presidential candidate who’ll bring our troops home from Iraq immediately and stop wasteful government spending.” And he drew thousands of students at campuses across the country with that message of peace and freedom.

Watch or read his farewell address, and you’ll see him talking about liberty on issues from raw milk to the president’s kill list, from drug laws to “warfare, welfare, deficits, inflationism, corporatism, bailouts and authoritarianism.”

And you see him talking about first principles: “The immoral use of force is the source of man’s political problems. … To develop a truly free society, the issue of initiating force must be understood and rejected.” Ron Paul has a passionate and deeply informed commitment to individual liberty and to peace. He will be missed in Congress, but we can hope he won’t stop writing and talking about limited constitutional government

David Boaz is executive vice president of the Cato Institute and author of ‘Libertarianism: A Primer and The Libertarian Vote.’

 

Comments (133)

1 2
  • sonsofliberty
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 8:27pm

    The man who woke me up! A modern day Founding Father! A true Patriot!

    Thank You Ron Paul!

    Report this comment

    sonsofliberty  
    • justangry
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 2:28am

      I think one of my favorite campaign signs was… “Dr. Ron Paul cured my apathy”. I know before I knew about him, I thought EVERYONE in Washington was nothing but garbage. Thanks to him, we have a few more in there that actually represent the people. Not enough to change anything yet, but enough to get people talking.

      Report this comment

      justangry  
    • sillyfreshness
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 6:51pm

      Ron Paul’s biggest downfall is he refused to let the “chosen people” be his handlers like all the other politicians. Had he gave in to the “chosen people” he would right now be president. He had convictions and refused to give in to his enemies of liberty (chosen people).

      The good news is RP started a liberty awakening. More Americans are becoming awake. Many sheeple are now realizing that that the government works for the people, not the other way around. The other good news is this whole “secessionist movement” that was just born. We need to elect candidates who run on the platform of amending the Constitution to allow secession. Then we can rebuild this country. Let the East and West Coasts be as liberal as they want and let the rest of this nation live as a constitutional republic. Right now we have the two coasts controlling the rest of the nation. There is no end in sight unless there is secession.

      Report this comment

      sillyfreshness  
  • charjan
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:52pm

    Too bad Harry and Nancy didn’t follow him out the door.

    Report this comment

    charjan  
    • justangry
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:10pm

      All statists need to go. Of course that wouldn’t leave too many parasites left in Washington, but I could live with that.

      Report this comment

      justangry  
    • ZengaPA65
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 8:20pm

      The Blaze trashed Ron Paul, like the neocon Republican shills they are, and pushed every single other Republican candidate regardless of what a ridiculous ass they were i.e., Herman Cain until Romney of the Magic Underwear and cousin to Bush was the candidate. So NOW he’s some hero of liberty? SCREW YOU HYPOCRITES!

      Report this comment

      ZengaPA65  
  • Brother Winston Smith
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:32pm

    Wow. The fake-conservative REPUBLICAN media can’t seem to get enough of (exploit) the name Ron Paul… now that he’s no longer a direct threat. A little awkward, though, after MONTHS AND MONTHS AND MONTHS of blackout (which amounts to election fraud).

    Thanks again, REPUBLICANS, for reelected Obama, by CHEATING OUT Ron Paul. Just like you did in 08.

    Report this comment

    Brother Winston Smith  
  • Yakov-Yurovsky
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:32pm

    Farewell Ron Paul, you’re the only politician that ever made me cry when I realized what you were saying! As a patriot that is.

    Report this comment

    Yakov-Yurovsky  
    • FreeUsAll
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:37pm

      Same here, Yakov. Same here. He’s also the only politician that made me cry when nominations were lost. But, we can be contented to know that he may actually be happy to get the hell out of Washington. I am positive I would not want to spend my days with those psychopaths, as I have a difficult enough time dealing with those who put them in power.

      Report this comment

      FreeUsAll  
    • Trufreedom
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:10pm

      I’d just like to say thanks to Beck, The Blaze and all the other neo-conservative talking heads out there. Thanks for ignoring, talking down Ron Paul and throwing support behind pizza CEO’s and real estate clowns instead of an actual doctor and the ever rare consistent politician aka, Ron Paul. His message of liberty, limited govt, ending the FED, ending govt tyranny and abuse and unnecessary wars needed to be buried. I’d also like to say thanks for paying lip service to his work and message now that he’s retiring, I knew you guys were part of the controlled opposition, I just didn’t know you knew no bounds when it came to how low you were willing to go or how obvious you were willing to make it.

      But hey it worked out in the end right? You got Obama for all your efforts, possibly put the final nail in the coffin for the country by keeping the liberty movement limited in its success, and ensured continued undeclared wars and the continued erosion of what’s left of American’s liberties.

      Report this comment

      Trufreedom  
  • ventiman
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 5:02pm

    Libertarian or any small govt ideals lost there hold way before this time.
    We are still fighting to bring back those ideals.When they where lost within the high period of Industrial revolution. Until we de-rid the Edu system of its mass unions and a press/main media back to hits roots of skeptical of all those in power. We are just going to be blowing in the wind.
    We need people who share small govt ideals to become teachers,profs, school board members, journalist, County officials. Win the battle at the ground level. Need to fight the fight with the same tactics liberal progressive have for yrs.

    Report this comment

     
  • Independent4ever
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:24pm

    I have the utmost respect for Ron Paul. He was consistent in his views and never flip flopped like so many other politicians. He spoke often of liberty and never supported laws that took away liberty in the name of security such as NDAA and the patriot act.

    Report this comment

    Independent4ever  
  • jimbo_from_suwanee
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:23pm

    Ron Paul Supporters who voted for a third party: We were on a bus 85 miles from a cliff. There were two choices in drivers. A driver who would slow the bus down and drive at 35 mile per hour OR a driver that will drive the bus at 90 miles per hour.

    There is an outstanding driver in the back of the bus who would turn the bus around and drive it in the correct direction. One problem, he walks very slow. It takes him about an hour to walk from the back to the front of the bus.

    Congratulations on how good it makes you fill now for voting for the third party, and enjoy the trip.

    I understand the last leg of it moves very face and accelerates at 9.81 m/s*s until it comes to a sudden stop.

    Report this comment

    jimbo_from_suwanee  
    • Independent4ever
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:27pm

      Romney was not a good candidate. If he was, he would have received the votes he needed…that’s the bottom line. I thought democrats were the ones that like to blame others for their losses.

      Report this comment

      Independent4ever  
    • NoNannyState4me
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:29pm

      Tiz better to jump off the bus while it’s going 80 than to surrender yourself to going over the cliff at 35.

      Report this comment

      NoNannyState4me  
    • KevINtampa
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:54pm

      I’d say it more like:

      Ron Paul Supporters who voted for a third party: We were on a bus 85 miles from a cliff. There were three choices in drivers. A driver who would say he would slow the bus down and drive at 35 mile per hour OR a driver that would say he will drive the bus at 90 miles per hour; while a third driver said the truth really was that the bus was travelling at 120mph and neither the guy in the drivers seat or the one riding shotgun actually intended to change that. Unfortunately, that third driver was illegitimately forced out of the back of the bus by the supporters of the slick dressed man riding shotgun as they passed through Tampa.

      Report this comment

      KevINtampa  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 5:05pm

      Fix the election laws if a vote for the best candidate hurts the republican. I will not be held hostage by the rules republicans helped make

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • Truthbeliever2
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 5:19pm

      Are you saying this is our fault that Obama won??? RIGHT BACK ATCHA!

      Romney lost because he is a LEFTIST in his heart. Romney lost because he is a PROGRESSIVE. Romney lost because he was a SPINELESS COWARD who stood on both sides of every single issue. Romney was puppet who ran a purposefully weak campaign to lose, so the GOP would have a reason to further liberalize itself.

      The SHEEP who voted for Romney are just plain STUPID!!!! That means you bozo.

      Report this comment

      Truthbeliever2  
    • justangry
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 5:40pm

      Meh, anyone that spews such dribble supported Romney anyway. I’m tried of concerning myself with what big government statist R’s think. Those fascists are worse than the Democrats because they don’t even realize, or at least won’t admit, they’re douche bag progressive authoritarians too.

      Report this comment

      justangry  
    • resme
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:01pm

      Notice the Paul Haters are always the first, just and soy? It’s like they get “paid” to hate, lol….

      Report this comment

      resme  
    • justangry
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:27pm

      @Resme, Yeah. I did have a pleasant “on the bright side” thought today. As bad as things will be when the economy tanks, natural selection will most likely finish off the rest of the establishment fascists once they receive no more or worthless socialist security checks.

      Report this comment

      justangry  
    • Brother Winston Smith
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:41pm

      jimbo_from_suwanee DISSECTED…

      LIE:
      “We were on a bus 85 miles from a cliff.”
      TRUTH:
      We went off the cliff years ago. But, more specifically, Oct. 08 and the Bush/Obama (Romney-supported) TARP.

      LIE:
      “There were two choices in drivers.”
      TRUTH:
      There was Goode, Johnson and a written-in Paul, among others.

      LIE:
      “A driver who would slow the bus down and drive at 35 mile per hour OR a driver that will drive the bus at 90 miles per hour.”
      TRUTH:
      BOTH Obama and Romney have the pedal to the metal. Identical. Same. Partners.

      LIE:
      “There is an outstanding driver in the back of the bus who would turn the bus around and drive it in the correct direction. One problem, he walks very slow. It takes him about an hour to walk from the back to the front of the bus.”
      TRUTH:
      We had veteran, economist, doctor, Christian, CONSTITUTIONALIST Ron Paul… but we decided to CHEAT HIM OUT for a leftist. And we (not me) REELECTED OBAMA.

      LIE:
      “Congratulations on how good it makes you fill now for voting for the third party, and enjoy the trip.”
      TRUTH:
      Congratulations on how good it makes you fill now for voting for the better evil – JUST LIKE YOU DID IN 08 AND LOST – and enjoy the trip… and thank you (disgusted sarcasm) for REELECTING OBAMA.

      Report this comment

      Brother Winston Smith  
    • All Pro
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:02pm

      You were the ones that cut the brake lines. When the shooting starts I wont forget that.

      Report this comment

      All Pro  
    • FreeUsAll
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:43pm

      What on this Earth would make you think that those who voted third party would ever vote Republican if there were no third party at all?

      Report this comment

      FreeUsAll  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 12:33am

      Jimbo

      Re: how good it make RP supporters feel.

      Interesting point. I have conversed with some who insist the only way to save the nation is to destroy it and rebuild it.

      That is the lunacy we are dealing with here…and all for a bit of pot.

      Report this comment

      Sapient  
    • justangry
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 12:58am

      Sapient, Wanting the system to crash and recognizing that the Keynesian bubble is going to burst by design are completely different. Both the parties have shut down all grass roots movements within their respective parties and refuse to change the system. It isn’t the Paul supporters that want the system to crash, it’s the folks in Washington. I would actually like to restore the republic back to the way it was setup without the crash, but it would take draconian cuts and a lot of people would be hurting for a while until the corrections took place. I think you’re confused on what we want and what we anticipate happening.

      As for the weed, that attack is getting old. There isn’t anyone on here that couldn’t score a bag of weed anytime they wanted now. The drug war is a joke. It costs way too much and isn’t doing squat to curb drug usage. And again, I’d like to point out that stoners don’t get high and blog about politics. Sigh… Did the drug war shrink or expand the federal government? Are ‘conservatives’ for expanding or shrinking the federal government? The drug war is a unconstitutional progressive policy and Libertarians are against unconstitutional progressive governance regardless of what we personally think about drugs. Reading anything else into our position is foolishness.

      Report this comment

      justangry  
    • MadAsHeII
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 1:23am

      Just Angry, West Coast Patriot here aka MADASHEII. I believe that Sapient may be Time_2 in disguise, just like I am in disguise. Only I have given myself away and am wondering when they will start blocking my post with this handle. He seems to be the same type of Paul, Libertarian basher as Time_2, and just as ignorant on his research. LOL.

      Report this comment

      MadAsHeII  
    • resme
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 1:40am

      @just and WC, Did you see this? http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/10/26/executive-order-establishing-white-house-homeland-security-partnership-c

      Report this comment

      resme  
    • justangry
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 2:32am

      @resme, Yet not a peep from the “conservatives” or their TV station.

      Report this comment

      justangry  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 6:25am

      JustAngry.

      My friend, please rest assured that I am just as concerned, and angry re what is happening to our nation as you. And, it may be that I am not speaking of YOU personally. And if I am not, then may I suggest that YOU need to take a look at some of the positions being advocated by those you associate with, which is what I am describing, and make a decision: either you are for restoring our nation to its Constitutional founding, based on this principles of enumerated powers, etc…or you are for something dramatically different….

      If you look on this thread, as Resme for example, you will notice that HE advocated the anti-Federalist principles. Hope you understand what that means.

      Take a look at voluntaryism, as one described it “the logical end of Libertarianism”…where that road leads if you are consistent in your thinking.

      V is anarchy…and hardly what the Founders and the US is about…and something that never works, ever, and literally destroys a nation and society. IT CANNOT STAND and ALWAYS leads inexorably to tyranny. So, you have a basic decision as to whether to be right or wrong, long or short sited.

      Good luck
      S.

      Report this comment

      Sapient  
    • resme
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 7:47am

      “If you look on this thread, as Resme for example, you will notice that HE advocated the anti-Federalist principles. Hope you understand what that means.”

      LOL, Thomas Jefferson was a bad “Anti-Federalist”… The guy who pranced around in a “purple” robe and arrested people for speaking naught of the “executive branch” was “John Adams” (The federalist). Let’s not forget John Adams who advocated for “morality” imported “whores”. Principles my foot..

      Report this comment

      resme  
    • resme
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 8:09am

      Anti Federalist – Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, James Monroe, George Mason. << ANARCHIST, /facepalm….

      Report this comment

      resme  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 8:12am

      Resme

      Good morning.

      Before I respond to this, particularly your assertion about Jefferson being an anti Federalist, what is YOUR opinion on The Federalist Papers, written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay to explain the principles undergirding the proposed Federal Constitution so that it could be accepted or rejected…..

      …and, what do you think Jefferson, whom you say was an anti-Federalist thought of those specific writings and principles, as well as other writings of that same “Federalist” oriented genre that formed the basis for The Federalist Papers?

      Yes THAT Thomas Jefferson—the Monticello guy, author of the Declaration of Independence, etc.
      God bless
      S

      Report this comment

      Sapient  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 8:17am

      MadAsHeII

      Let me assure you that I write only under the name Sapient and have no connection at all with this site, etc.

      Contrary to what you have been told, everyone who disagrees with you or RP is a statist, anti liberty, or part of a conspiracy.

      But then again, if I was all those things, that is what you would expect me to say huh?

      BTW: did you see the Big Bang Theory episode where they asked Sheldon “If you were a robot and we knew and you didn’t, would you want us to tell you?”

      There’s a moral there.

      Report this comment

      Sapient  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 8:36am

      Madashell

      Correction:

      My statement should read:

      “Contrary to what you have been told, NOT everyone who disagrees with you or RP is a statist, anti liberty, or part of a conspiracy.”

      Hopefully the rest will make more sense that way.

      Time for another cup of java.

      S

      Report this comment

      Sapient  
    • resme
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 8:56am

      Thomas Jefferson ran against the federalist party (John Adams) and won, Thank god.

      He was in France for the Anti-Federalist and Federalist Papers. Jefferson spoke of individual rights and state rights. Federalist spoke of a strong central government and strict immigration(If this happened most of us wouldn’t be here :) ). Anti-Federalist fought for the bill of rights. Federalist worried the bill of rights would cause “problems”.

      Report this comment

      resme  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 9:17am

      Resme

      Thanks…everyone knows of what you said, maybe even have read the incredible letters between Jefferson and Adams but you didn’t answer the question and what Jefferson thought of the Federalist Papers and the fact that they contain the expounding of the principles upon which our nation is founded..

      BTW: you mentioned the Bill of Rights. Do you know why that “listing” was resisted? Because to list any of them, it was feared, was to imply that the list was all there was…which of course, is what we see happening today. Those guys believed there were MANY inherent rights not even mentioned, which is why the 10th Amendment is listed as it is…

      “I go further, and affirm that bills of rights, in the sense and in the extent in which they are contended for, are not only unnecessary in the proposed constitution, but would even be dangerous. They would contain various exceptions to powers which are not granted; and on this very account, would afford a colorable pretext to claim more than were granted. For why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do?”–Hamilton.

      Kinda thought you would have appreciated that argument.

      Now, my question to you is simply this: do you seek to change the basic principles upon which our nation is founded? Iif so, please state what the new principles are, going beyond the :”no aggression” principle, and discuss what ti looks like,and where it has been tried, and what happened.

      You do have a ga

      Report this comment

      Sapient  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 9:49am

      Resme
      Sorry…but my post got cut off:

      Re: You do have a ga,,,,

      My question was for your GAME PLAN….
      it is not enough to simply espouse “personal liberty” or, as RP put it “enforcible voluntary contracts”…how do you do that in your new world?

      Or, maybe this is easier: if the prime moral axiom is no initiation of aggression, do i have to wait for someone to shoot at me and miss before I can defend myself? if not, why not, and when can I BEFORE that shot is actually taken?

      How does that apply to nations, etc?

      Report this comment

      Sapient  
    • justangry
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 10:12am

      Well I don’t recall seeing a post from Resme that I didn’t agree with, so I’ll defer to him. But yeah, I’d fall in the Jefferson Madison camp too. I’ll leave it at that because the Mrs. says no blogging about politics today.

      Report this comment

      justangry  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 11:16am

      Justangry
      Got a wife that says that huh…thought I was the only one.

      Remember, Madison co-wrote the Federalist Papers with Hamilton and Jay and was Chief Architect of the Constitution. So, this is a significant question.

      The Constitution is the flower of the political theory of Republicanism…not the party, but the idea of Republics.

      If the Constitution is a failure, as RP said in his farewell address just a few days ago, then Republicanism is also a failure and must be replaced with an entirely different set of princviples. The question is what, and where have those been tried and what happened.

      My contention is that Republicanism as expressed in the Constitution has NOT failed but has been abandoned or undermined. That is far different from saying we need a whole new set of principles. And, I think you will find that Jefferson is in perfect accord with what I just said.

      We are either IN on making the American experiment work, as every generation must decide,or we are willing to scrap it, as some are now suggesting. That is OUR failure, not the Constitution’s….

      God bless….you and the wife. Enjoy the weekend
      S

      “Here, then, is the origin and rise of government; namely, a mode rendered necessary by the inability of moral virtue to govern the world; here too is the design and end of government, viz. freedom and security.” –Thomas Paine. Common Sense

      Report this comment

      Sapient  
    • resme
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 2:56pm

      Looks like theblaze is censoring me, ugh. Maybe it will post in a bit.

      Report this comment

      resme  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 4:17pm

      Resme
      Well, at least your “censorship” post go through.
      Hope all works out well. If not, we’ll pick it up somewhere else.
      Look forward to it.
      God bless
      S

      Report this comment

      Sapient  
  • All Pro
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:55pm

    Thank you and God bless you Mr Paul.
    Sign the secession petitions and force the federals to murder citizens. End well for them it wont. The entire patriot network is on def con 2. Bring it!

    Report this comment

    All Pro  
    • HonorsGuard2
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:09pm

      And what of the innocents that will die of this measure? How about we wait for the Admin to hit us first? That way, the sentiment of the people of America will be with us…. This way the gov’t can’t spin that there are sessionist forces on the loose, and Obama needs to bring out his civilian army (or just the troops)….. The will and view of the people makes the difference in war.

      Look at Vietnam, we could have won the war, after the Tet offensive, but the American people did not have the will to lose more men….

      If you get a chance, please watch videos on Sun Tzu’s Art of War, if you can find any.

      Report this comment

      HonorsGuard2  
    • All Pro
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 5:26pm

      HonorsGuard2, I was there for 5 years in that God forsaken jungle. First Marine recon and damned proud of it. Win? We had NO right to be there. Bay of Tonkin? The CIA wanted the heroin. A lot of those flag draped pine boxes that were loaded on C130s didn’t contain the bodies of my fallen brothers. There was no attack, we shouldn’t have been there, the people HATED us. The same thing is going on right now all over the world. What do you think the attack in Benghazi was all about? Can you say rendition. We are so screwed! This was the last good man in DC. The others including Rand Paul are not trust worthy. Boehner will sell us out very shortly, watch and see. And I seem to remember there being an ‘R’ by his name. Well, anyway, we’ve all been contacted. We’re all on DEFCON 2. Anyone that still doesn’t understand that both parties have sold them out is in for one hell of a shock. They just just don’t give you enough characters on this board to lay all of this out from the beginning and connect all of the dots.
      Death before dishonor
      SEMPER-FI

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      All Pro  
    • justangry
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:18pm

      @All Pro, We’re going to win our country back. We now have KIDS all across the country talking about the Constitution and the Federal Reserve despite their Marxist indoctrination.

      Report this comment

      justangry  
  • grayling646
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:48pm

    I think I’ll go roll one in honor of this great man. Pfffffffffft

    Report this comment

    grayling646  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 5:20pm

      is that all you think about?

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • justangry
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 5:45pm

      Yup, that’s all the stupid fascists think about is budding into other people’s business. Whiny little bitches are just like the democrats that way.

      Report this comment

      justangry  
  • TheeAgnostic
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:11pm

    My fellow Liberty loving Americans, some of you still don’t get it. This Liberty movement or even the principle of Liberty isn’t about Ron Paul. He would be the first one to tell you that it isn’t about him. It is about you. It is about your hopes wishes and dreams you have for yourself and those you care about around you. Ron Paul is just a man (or woman) just like you. The only difference is that he stood up for his principles and voiced and voted on those principles. He has set an example for the rest of us to follow. Not him per say, but His principles of Liberty, the Constitution, sound money, fiscal responsibility. But just as Ron Paul is just an individual man, you are an INDIVIDUAL as well. You must form your own ideals, find your own principles and act on those for yourself. We have as a guide many great things from our history as Mankind to draw from. History from the Bible, from the teachings of Christ. From the history of great philosophers, from ancient civilizations, what worked and what didn’t. From the writings of our Founding Fathers. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Henry, Paine.. etc. Even more recent men such as Ghandi, Dr. MLK, yes even Reagan. Dr. Paul is just on more man in the history of mankind to lead the charge for Liberty. But it is up to each one of us to learn what Liberty means and carry that torch so that others might see the light. So learn to truly love Liberty, study our history as mankind.

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    TheeAgnostic  
    • TheeAgnostic
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:13pm

      Continued
      Study the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution. Take to heart the words “consent of the governed…” “… Bestow the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity…”Be true to yourself and to those around you. After all, it is truly up to us.

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      TheeAgnostic  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:19pm

      Took your advice: studied the Constitution and Declaration, the Federalist Papers and the other writings of the Founders.
      .
      Ron Paul is 1000% incorrect in what he says…so much so, you would think he never read them.
      Funny thing.

      God bless
      S

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      Sapient  
    • TheeAgnostic
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:46pm

      @ Sapient. Perhaps I failed to communicate that the pursuit of Liberty isn’t about Ron Paul. YOUR pursuit to YOUR path is up to YOU. If you don’t find Ron Paul as an example for you in YOUR life, then so be it. I sighted many other examples that you may want to use as a guide in your life. The choice is up to you. I sincerley hope that the examples you look up to, and the path that you choose to follow leads you to the destination you desire

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      TheeAgnostic  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:19pm

      Theagnostic

      My point wasn’t Ron Paul either…it was the pseudo liberty he advocates.
      Hardly the real thing.
      God bless
      S

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      Sapient  
    • TheeAgnostic
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:29pm

      @Sapient, just curious, but could you give me your definition of Liberty, so that I might understand what you mean by the phrase “pseudo liberty”?

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      TheeAgnostic  
    • West Coast Patriot
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:45pm

      Sapient, Why don’t you enlighten us on your concept of Individual Liberty and Freedom granted to us by the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights? I have read other posts of yours and it seems to me that you are for more federal government control, so please, make a fool of yourself with your words of wisdom, if you dare.

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      West Coast Patriot  
    • resme
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 5:58pm

      The anti-Federalist papers are much better. John Adams pranced around in a purple robe acting like a king.

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      resme  
    • FreeUsAll
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:47pm

      That was extremely well stated. I really wish I knew more people like you, soy, just, and resme. You individuals are the true patriots and counter-culturalists in this statist world.

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      FreeUsAll  
    • West Coast Patriot
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 8:29pm

      Sapient, Nothing? Troll? What is the deal? Scared? Are you and Time_2 the same person?

      Report this comment

      West Coast Patriot  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 9:14pm

      Agnostic / West Coast / Resme

      You may rest assured that “I dare.”
      What is interesting is that most of the arguments I have made that seem to grate so much, are simply an exegesis of the writings of the Founders.
      Resme: thanks for being honest about your allegiance to what is NOT the founding principles of our nation. I appreciate honesty.
      As for the rest, take a look at this:

      “”The fundamental source of all your errors, sophisms, and false reasonings, is a total ignorance of the natural rights of mankind. Were you once to become acquainted with these, you could never entertain a thought, that all men are not, by nature, entitled to a parity of privileges. You would be convinced, that natural liberty is a gift of the beneficent Creator, to the whole human race; and that civil liberty is founded in that; and cannot be wrested from any people, without the most manifest violation of justice. Civil liberty is only natural liberty, modified and secured by the sanctions of civil society. It is not a thing, in its own nature, precarious and dependent on human will and caprice; but it is conformable to the constitution of man, as well as necessary to the well-being of society.” ~Alexander Hamilton, THE FARMER REFUTED (1775). The Revolutionary Writings of Alexander Hamilton [2008]

      BTW: I am not federal oppression, any more than I am for anarchy.
      Hope it helps a bit.
      God bless
      S

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      Sapient  
    • West Coast Patriot
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 10:57pm

      Sapient, It figures you would use Alexander Hamilton as your source. Thomas Jefferson opposed him and I would put my faith in Jefferson over Hamilton with my individual liberty. Hamilton was all for a Central Bank and was responsible for creating the first Central Bank with the “First Bank of the United States” which was abolished by Jefferson later. “Historians regard Hamilton as the Founding Father who advocated for the principles of a strong centralized federal government and loose interpretation of the Constitution’s various provisions… Although he was a devoted husband and father, Hamilton was politically tainted by entrapment in a sexual scandal. Throughout his meteoric political career, he both suffered and dispensed vitriolic abuse, ultimately leading to his death in a duel at the hands of his long-time political nemesis, Vice President Aaron Burr, in Weehawken, New Jersey, in 1804.”
      “Thomas Jefferson was known as a powerful advocate of liberty. Jefferson gradually assumed leadership of the Republicans, who sympathized with the revolutionary cause in France. Attacking Federalist policies, he opposed a strong centralized Government and championed the rights of states.

      Ron Paul has been likened to Thomas Jefferson on many occasions as “The modern day Thomas Jefferson.” Like I said before, you like more government control and less individual freedom, just like your other posts you have put up. You sir, are what we refer to as a Neoconservative.

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      West Coast Patriot  
    • resme
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:10pm

      “Alexander Hamilton”

      Another Statist for a “strong” central government. Left from a king wanting another king….

      ” thanks for being honest about your allegiance to what is NOT the founding principles of our nation. ”

      What founding principle? The “founders” weren’t perfect… Adams put a congressman in JAIL for making fun of his fat belly.. Hammy wanted a central bank and fiat currency.

      My loyalty lies with my family and god.

      “Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. …The nation which indulges toward another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest”. George Washington – Farewell Address, September 17, 1797

      See i can “nitpick” quotes also.

      “I have always given it as my decided opinion that no nation had a right to inter-meddle in the internal concerns of another; and that, if this country could, consistent with its engagements, maintain a strict neutrality and thereby preserve peace”. George Washington – Letter to James Monroe, August 25, 1796

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      resme  
    • West Coast Patriot
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:10pm

      Sapient, Instead of Neocon, I would say Croni-Capitalist would suit you better.

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      West Coast Patriot  
    • resme
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:16pm

      ” And now, friends and countrymen, if the wise and learned philosophers of the elder world, the first observers of nutation and aberration, the discoverers of maddening ether and invisible planets, the inventors of Congreve rockets and Shrapnel shells, should find their hearts disposed to enquire what has America done for the benefit of mankind?

      Let our answer be this: America, with the same voice which spoke herself into existence as a nation, proclaimed to mankind the inextinguishable rights of human nature, and the only lawful foundations of government. America, in the assembly of nations, since her admission among them, has invariably, though often fruitlessly, held forth to them the hand of honest friendship, of equal freedom, of generous reciprocity.

      She has uniformly spoken among them, though often to heedless and often to disdainful ears, the language of equal liberty, of equal justice, and of equal rights.

      She has, in the lapse of nearly half a century, without a single exception, respected the independence of other nations while asserting and maintaining her own.

      She has abstained from interference in the concerns of others, even when conflict has been for principles to which she clings, as to the last vital drop that visits the heart.

      She has seen that probably for centuries to come, all the contests of that Aceldama the European world, will be contests of inveterate power, and emerging right.

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      resme  
    • resme
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:17pm

      Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be.

      But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy.

      She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.

      She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.

      She will commend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example.

      She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extrication, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of freedom.

      The fundamental maxims of her policy would insensibly change from liberty to force….

      She might become the dictatress of the world. She would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit….

      [America's] glory is not dominion, but liberty. Her march is the march of the mind. She has a spear and a shield: but the motto upon her shield is, Freedom, Independence, Peace. This has been her Declaration: this has been, as far as her necessary intercourse with the rest of mankind would permit, her practice.

      ~John Quincy Adams served as U. S. Secretary of State, he delivered this speech to the U.S. House of Representatives on July 4, 1821, in celebration of American Independence Day.

      ISOLATIONIST!!!!!!!!!!

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      resme  
    • West Coast Patriot
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:17pm

      Sapient, Rather than Neocon, I should have used the term Croni-Capitalist.

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      West Coast Patriot  
    • resme
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:19pm

      “Indulging no passions which trespass on the rights or the repose of other nations, it has been the true glory of the United States to cultivate peace by observing justice, and to entitle themselves to the respect of the nations at war by fulfilling their neutral obligations with the most scrupulous impartiality”. James Madison (1751-1836) First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1809″

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      resme  
    • West Coast Patriot
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:23pm

      Resme, Nice Posts!!

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      West Coast Patriot  
    • MadAsHeII
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:34pm

      First, I want to say that I have been away as West Coast Patriot for a while, and coming back today, I was able to get some posts through, until somebody saw I was posting. Then, my posts start to not appear, and I believe they will appear hours later, like they always do, in the order they should have been. This is an unacceptable practice of The Blaze and it happens all the time.

      Sapient, I should not have called you a Neocon, but a Croni-Capitalist, although you might be both.

      Resme, Nice Posts!!!

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      MadAsHeII  
    • MadAsHeII
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:43pm

      You see!!! My post as MADASHEII came right through as I am not red flagged by somebody on here. The truth lives here???? I think not. I post as West Coast Patriot and my posts are obliterated or take hours to appear after it is apparent that nobody will see them because of the 10 post limit on your handle page. This should let everyone know that The Blaze is not what it says it is, but a reporter for the Establishment. I suppose that now, MADASHEII will be flagged as well.. Wake up people.

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      MadAsHeII  
    • MadAsHeII
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 12:18am

      Just so everyone knows, my last post as West Coast Patriot on this story I was able to get through before being flagged was my response to Sapient on him using Alexander Hamilton and talking about Thomas Jefferson. My next two posts that were flagged I put in my first post as MADASHEII telling Sapient that he was a Croni instead of a Neocon and the other telling Resme nice posts. Why were those flagged? Because they saw WCP posting, that is why.

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      MadAsHeII  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 12:26am

      West Coast Patriot
      Sorry it took a bit to get back to you.
      God bless
      S

      “Democracy will soon degenerate into an anarchy, such an anarchy that every man will do what is right in his own eyes and no man’s life or property or reputation or liberty will be secure, and every one of these will soon mould itself into a system of subordination of all the moral virtues and intellectual abilities, all the powers of wealth, beauty, wit and science, to the wanton pleasures, the capricious will, and the execrable cruelty of one or a very few.” ~John Adams, An Essay on Man’s Lust for Power, August 29, 1763

      BTW: the point of the observation is not simply about democracy degenerating into anarchy, but also the course of anarchy. Dare ya to find one that didn’t.

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      Sapient  
    • MadAsHeII
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 12:43am

      Sapient, I knew you would show your ignorance. I am West Coast Patriot, but since my posts are now being flagged again, I am on as MADASHEII. Nice try, but you, like all Croni’s, cut out the whole and spin what you want:
      “A republic is the highest form of government devised by man, but it also requires the greatest amount of human care and maintenance. If neglected, it can deteriorate into a variety of lesser forms, including a democracy (a government conducted by popular feeling); anarchy (a system in which each person determines his own rules and standards); oligarchy (a government run by a small council or a group of elite individuals): or dictatorship (a government run by a single individual).

      As John Adams explained:

      [D]emocracy will soon degenerate into an anarchy; such an anarchy that every man will do what is right in his own eyes and no man’s life or property or reputation or liberty will be secure, and every one of these will soon mould itself into a system of subordination of all the moral virtues and intellectual abilities, all the powers of wealth, beauty, wit, and science, to the wanton pleasures, the capricious will, and the execrable [abominable] cruelty of one or a very few.20

      Understanding the foundation of the American republic is a vital key toward protecting it.” – David Barton 01/2001

      You see, Adams was talking about how bad a Democracy is, but we have always been a Republic, and we are in danger of losing it totally.

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      MadAsHeII  
    • MadAsHeII
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 12:54am

      Sapient, here is an informative video so you can understand the difference between a Republic, Democracy, Monarchy, Anarchy and Oligarchy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4j_ao89X0M&feature=player_embedded

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      MadAsHeII  
    • MadAsHeII
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 1:13am

      Sapient, I should have added that this is why, we should have elected Ron Paul back when he was running on the Libertarian ticket, but, the powers at large will not let that happen, as we have become a Democracy to a point that Oligarchy is in full swing. This is why to this point, we have had two families in power positions for over four generations, the Bushes and the Clintons. GHW Bush, CIA Director; mid seventies, VP 80-88, POTUS 88-92. Bill Clinton POTUS, 92-2000, GW Bush, POTUS 200-2008, Hillary Clinton, Sec of State, 2008-Present. Now we are talking about Jeb for 2016?? Give me a break. The powers at large have us at their beck and call through the establishment media, and most of us just follow along like sheep. Sad, Sad Days.

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      MadAsHeII  
    • MadAsHeII
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 1:42am

      Sapient? Sapient? Sapient? What happened, cat got your tongue?

      Report this comment

      MadAsHeII  
    • MadAsHeII
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 1:42am

      Goodnight, I will check back in the morning.

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      MadAsHeII  
    • MadAsHeII
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 12:25pm

      Yep, here it is the next morning, 10-12 hours later, and my West Coast Patriot posts have made it on. They are the 4th, 5th and 6th posts on this page of WCP. ????????

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      MadAsHeII  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 6:09pm

      Madashell

      Re: cats and tongues

      Not to worry…I don’t have the luxury of being on line 24/7…besides, didn’t see your particular post.

      You may rest assured that I know the difference between “Republic, Democracy, Monarchy, Anarchy and Oligarchy” and the sine qua non assumptions that differentiate them.

      Fact is, some of those are valid and some are not because of a constant–human nature. A Republican form of government, particularly as refined here in the US by our Founders, is the best known solution.

      Unfortunately, that is NOT what RP proposed, far from it.
      Odd that in his farewell address he laid them out, but just never could give examples of where they had been implemented and worked.

      Show me.

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      Sapient  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 6:13pm

      West Coast / Resme

      Re: “Sapient, It figures you would use Alexander Hamilton as your source. Thomas Jefferson opposed him and I would put my faith in Jefferson over Hamilton with my individual liberty.”

      You will need to explain what Jefferson actually said about the principles of our nation and where to find them:

      “As to the general principles of liberty and the rights of man in nature and in society, the doctrines of Locke, in his ‘Essay concerning the true original extent and end of civil government’, and of Sidney in his ‘Discourses on government’, may be considered as those generally approved by our fellow-citizens of this, and the US. And that on the distinctive principles of the government of our state, and of that of the United States, the best guides are to be found in 1. the Declaration of Independence, as the fundamental act of union of these states. 2. the book known by the title of ‘The Federalist’, being an authority to which appeal is habitually made by all, and rarely declined or denied by any evidence of the general opinion of those who framed, and of those who accepted the Constitution of the US. On questions as to its genuine meaning. 3. the Resolutions of the General assembly of Virginia in 1799 on the subject of the Alien and Sedition laws, which appeared to accord with the predominant sense of the people of the United States. 4. the Valedictory address of President Washington, as conveying political lessons of peculiar value

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      Sapient  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 6:34pm

      Madashell / West Coast

      Re: Sapient, I knew you would show your ignorance. I am West Coast Patriot, but since my posts are now being flagged again, I am on as MADASHEII

      It shows my ignorance for taking you at face value?

      Good quotes…the problem is that is not what RP has advocated….he offers a false delimma…and advocates voluntaryism…right in his farewell speech:

      “Both are authoritarians. Neither endorses voluntarism. Both views ought to be rejected.”

      Funny, no one is willing to say what all that is supposed to look like if you got what you wanted. Please do, and dare to be honest about it, not like the folks over on Mises that plainly say they have to deceive so they can do what would never be approved. Elitist if you ask me…as described by one of you own, Thomas Sowell.

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      Sapient  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 7:03pm

      Madashell

      Re: Sapient, I should not have called you a Neocon, but a Croni-Capitalist, although you might be both.

      Funny, quote the Founders, apply their principles, show how they differ from RP and that makes me a croni-capitalist or a neo con.

      Awesome…if that’s the definition I accept.

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      Sapient  
    • MadAsHeII
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 7:29pm

      Sapient, What I see in you, is a guy that likes big government ruling on how everyone needs to live their lives. You sound as though you like the Democracy that we are now in. We are at the same place that Rome was in before their system crashed and they became an Oligarchy. It is coming, unless you have some wisdom about how we will avoid it. With the way you talk, you make it sound as if you do not believe we are in this troublesome situation, or you are thinking we are still what our founders put in place. I say we have strayed from their Republic form of government, and now are ready to lose it all. I also believe you do not understand Ron Paul and put him in with Libertarians that believe in an Anarchist form of society. I believe that you do not listen to what he truly is about because you are bias toward any Libertarian views. That is my take on you.

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      MadAsHeII  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 7:31pm

      Madashell

      Re: You see, Adams was talking about how bad a Democracy is, but we have always been a Republic, and we are in danger of losing it totally.

      Of course we are a republic…but that does not negate what he said about anarchy and the course of it he described should be a warning to those who hear it advocated.

      God bless
      S

      “There is a natural and necessary progression from the extreme of anarchy to the extreme of tyranny; and that arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of Liberty abused to licentiousness.” ~ George Washington Maxims, Circular to the States, June 8, 1783.

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      Sapient  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 7:35pm

      West Coast Patriot

      Re: Ron Paul has been likened to Thomas Jefferson on many occasions as “The modern day Thomas Jefferson.”

      Sorry, couldn’t let that one go by.

      The only reason someone could make such a statement is that they know nothing of Jefferson….something like Obama having the gall to use Lincoln’s Bible to be sworn into office.

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      Sapient  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 7:53pm

      Resme

      Thanks for the quotes…
      FWIW: there is a difference between “cherry picking” and presenting a succinct statement of principle that will fit in a forum.
      For example:

      “But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.” –James Madison, Federalist 51

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      Sapient  
    • MadAsHeII
      Posted on November 18, 2012 at 12:08am

      Sapient, You are just not well schooled i think. I studied Law, the Constitution and business in college, and I just do not get you. Like I said, you are a big government guy and I am thinking you probably voted for Obama. Enough said.

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      MadAsHeII  
  • schroeder123
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:08pm

    The Only Guy who had the Ba((s to to fix the USA.

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    schroeder123  
  • soybomb315_II
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:57pm

    “The number one responsibility for each of us is to change ourselves with hope that others will follow….I have come to one firm conviction after these many years of trying to figure out the plain truth of things. The best chance for achieving peace and prosperity, for the maximum number of people worldwide, is to pursue the cause of liberty. If you find this to be a worthwhile message, spread it throughout the land.”
    -Ron Paul in his farewell speech

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    soybomb315_II  
    • louise
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:59pm

      I remember him saying once that Gandhi was someone he looked up to.
      He truly was the Champion of the Constitution.

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      louise  
  • Budrow
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:57pm

    Good riddance spoiler.

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    Budrow  
    • Brother Winston Smith
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:43pm

      I think you’re a bit confused… no, ROMNEY was the spoiler. The RINGER. ELEVATED TO THROW THE FIGHT, same as McCain was in 08.

      The gop REELECTED OBAMA, by cheat-nominating Romney.

      Report this comment

      Brother Winston Smith  
  • Dscriptboy
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:50pm

    My post was #17… now we’re at 15 posts…. what gives?

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    Dscriptboy  
  • HonorsGuard2
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:48pm

    Please delete these two comments; they do not have any value for taking up space.

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    HonorsGuard2  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:02pm

      Actually they seem to have a lot of value for taking up space? I mean, they take up space, and if that’s the value they represent, they’re doing a fine job of it!

      Report this comment

      GhostOfJefferson  
  • JustPeachy
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:32pm

    Sigh. Like many people I liked some of Paul’s ideas – others, not so much.

    But I finally just decided he was just another politician – like most of them appear to be. They all seem to be “in it” for themselves and certainly NOT for our country. And I think we have very few – if ANY – true representatives of the people anymore.

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    JustPeachy  
    • Kupo
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:09pm

      Had Ron Paul really been in it just for himself he could have helped himself by compromising on his principles. That he never did so is testament to the fact that he was not in it for himself.

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      Kupo  
  • Paool
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:32pm

    I live in Ron Paul’s former district (14th cong. dist of Tx. whoohoo!) and have seen him several times and spoke with him once (he gave my brother his endorsement when applying to the Naval Academy, all applicants need one from a congressman/senator etc.) He was a good man with a big heart. I did not agree with him on all points, but no one agrees 100% with anybody. I believe he did good for my district as well as for all of Texas. Above everything else I’ll miss his honesty the most. He was a breath of fresh air with his straight forward approach. You always knew where Mr. Paul stood on an issue. Thank you for your service Ron Paul, you will be missed.

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    Paool  
    • justangry
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:08pm

      Yeah, I’ve never known a politician that was honest before. Well one, but he was horrible and his compassion sent him down a dark path.

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      justangry  
  • isobamamadd
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:26pm

    It is not the States who have chosen to secede but the Govt who left the constitution and sided with the International Bankers. They are the one’s who have become corrupt and ignore the rule of law only to Write laws that enslave and regulate for their profit. How can you secede from a Govt that no longer exists,? Like Jesus did Kick the money changers out of the Temple!!!!

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    isobamamadd  
  • grimmster
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:24pm

    Yep, the old bastards gone, and for those who supported him, you do know, he was a career politician,who made more money as a politician than he could have as a doctor,and he did nothing spectacular for this nation. So now his son has taken up the gauntlet to promote legalizing drugs and…..pathetic,but he was a so called libertarian, whatever the hell that means.Good riddance.

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    grimmster  
  • HonorsGuard2
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:23pm

    Farewell to Ron Paul, a Hero for the Liberty Movement. Since the first time I heard about him from Glenn Beck and Herman Cain, on a Youtube video, Ron Paul has been one of my heroes. From there I looked up videos on the Statesman. I watched as he gave his speeches in the Iowa Polls last August; I was so proud of him that he came in a virtual tie with Michele Bachman, by 9/10th of a percent (if memory serves). I was also appalled that the media chose to shut him out, including Fox: “We have a new top tier”: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-august-15-2011/indecision-2012—corn-polled-edition—ron-paul—the-top-tier . To say the least, I was angered. Yet, that was the process for how all of the media treated Paul throughout the campaign season, including TheBlaze. All one has to do is type in Ron Paul into the TheBlaze video archives to see how he was treated on this network. Glenn, did you ever look into who Benn Swan is and the guy who had the byline name on one of those newsletters…He works for Bill Kristol now…. However, I know that Glenn Beck and his staff are good people at heart, who are doing a lot of good for America; we all have our biases, unintentional and intentional (notice I put unintentional first).

    But, that is all in the past, I ended up voting for Romney in the general election. I know that Obama is an evil man. Romney, while for bigger government, is not an evil man; there still could have been a chance that God would have corrected Romney.-C

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    HonorsGuard2  
    • HonorsGuard2
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:43pm

      –Cont. If this election cycle did not have an evil man as one of two choices, I would have either voted third party or wrote Ron Paul in. However, I knew that if I did that this election, Obama would have had a better chance of winning (I am not a liberal; therefore, my vote would never have been to vote for Obama). I would also like to say that not all of Ron Paul’s supporters are rabid followers ready to tar and feather the neoconservatives…. I do not agree that they are a majority. The problem is that a lot of passion can blur the lines between politically active youngsters and the zealots: creating the impression that they are all zealots….. I deplore and reject the actions of those who are fellow Ron Paul supporters for acting with bad manners and poor taste.

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      HonorsGuard2  
    • Brother Winston Smith
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:51pm

      A few corrections.

      1. Beck is a complete fraud. A REPUBLICAN. Nothing more. I feared this years ago, and those fears were confirmed with Beck’s Debra Medina ALINSKY ATTACK, that deep-sixed her campaign, OVER NIGHT, for LEFTIST Rick Perry.

      2. Ron Paul slam dunked Iowa, if not for FAKE-TEA Bachmann’s CHEATING and BRIBING VOTES with “free” Randy Travis tix. AND STILL BARELY WON!!!!!!!

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      Brother Winston Smith  
  • THX-1138
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:17pm

    Finally.

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    THX-1138  
    • Libertarian Anarchist
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:07pm

      @Honorsguard: It’s time to strike. There is no chance, absolutely none, to reform this government. And there hasn’t been for a very long time now. Get over it. The USA should decentralize into a million little pieces immediately before your government kills, imprisons, or intimidates more people for victimless crimes. (Yes, I said “your” government because, for myself, I don’t recognize legitimacy. I have no government.)

      @the Paul haters. You should lick the ground he walks on. Do a good deed today and thank a libertarian for every liberty you have. Without libertarians, you would have nothing. Peace.

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      Libertarian Anarchist  
    • Sapient
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:24pm

      Libertarian Anarchist

      Ah…but your respect for the rights of others who disagree with you is showing. Such is the way of anarchist for the history of mankind.

      Just never turns into the paradise they imagine and it ends in tyranny.
      The way it works.

      And of course it can be fixed.
      God bless
      S

      “There is a natural and necessary progression from the extreme of anarchy to the extreme of tyranny; and that arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of Liberty abused to licentiousness.” ~ George Washington Maxims, Circular to the States, June 8, 1783.

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      Sapient  
  • AzThunder
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:10pm

    Rot in HELL Ron Paul you communist idiot…!!!!

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    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:29pm

      Oh you poor hate filled man.

      RP is clearly more fiscally conservative than most anybody else on the GOP. Do you even know what communism is, or do you simply rail with the words given to you by your grandfather, as if they are some kind of totem ward to silence your opponents?

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      GhostOfJefferson  
    • circleDwagons
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:32pm

      Bless you Az, what a tolerant person you are. Yup Dr. Paul another whitey going yo hell

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      circleDwagons  
    • Paool
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:40pm

      Misplaced hate. Focus that passion somewhere more constructive sir. You’ll better yourself and possibly the world around you.

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      Paool  
    • AzThunder
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:58pm

      not hate filled as you think. i respected paul to some degree. it wasn’t fair that the republicans changed the rules on him the last minute either….. but when ron didn’t have the republican nomination and still would not support his party to unseat obama that’s when i lost all respect for him.

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    • Johnny Cocheroo
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:51pm

      Azthunder – just called the person who doesn’t support the government holding you indefinitely – a communist. As usual, I feel like I’m in the twilight zone.

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      Johnny Cocheroo  
    • Paool
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:16pm

      rot in hell you communist idiot is not hate filled? your either back peddling due to peoples response to your original post or you don’t put any value into your words which makes anything you say next to pointless. In either case, watch what you say. People will take you at your word.

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      Paool  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:45pm

      Ron Paul did not endorse McCain in 2008….In fact, Ron Paul endorsed a 3rd party in 2008

      Be thankful Ron Paul didnt endorse a 3rd party candidate in 2012

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • justangry
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:49pm

      AZTHUNDER, There was no way in hell I was going to vote for Mitt Romney regardless of whether Ron Paul endorsed him or not. Ron Paul had nothing to do with Romney getting spanked.

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      justangry  
    • KC1
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:04pm

      AZThunder is no Arizonan, considering his reaction to Dr.Paul Im guessing he just crossed the Colorado.
      Change your name fool, id hate to think that people will form the impression all Arizonans are boot lickers such as yourself.

      Report this comment

      KC1  
    • AzThunder
      Posted on November 17, 2012 at 5:26pm

      @KC1 –

      talk about ***** licker, you sound like a obama supporter.

      Report this comment

       
  • TheCalvinistPastor
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:05pm

    God bless you Ron Paul!!!! I voted for you in 2012 on principle

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    TheCalvinistPastor  
  • libertarian34
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:01pm

    What a great man. The last of his kind.

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    libertarian34  
  • Libertarian Anarchist
    Posted on November 16, 2012 at 10:36am

    Ron Paul was my only representative. Now I have none. I do not consent. Sign the secessionist petitions, now!

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    Libertarian Anarchist  
    • HonorsGuard2
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:50pm

      No!…. All you will be doing is hassening the gov’t crackdown on America! We need as much time as we can get to not have that happen…. Those pettitions will bring bad things down on us, not to also mention those who signed them…

      Report this comment

      HonorsGuard2  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:17pm

      i wouldnt jump in the foxhole with these progressives until they come to

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
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