[quote]rainjack wrote:
Nominal Prospect wrote:
The implications of his policy changes are simply enormous, staggering.
Don’t you agree, in a hypothetical sense, that if a libertarian were to become President, this country, and the entire world, would never be the same?
Ron Paul wants to dismantle the very financial structure that powers the modern, global economy. That’s not hyperbole, that’s as accurate a description of his policy suggestions as you can get. Isn’t that as radical an undertaking as anyone could possibly hope to accomplish?
By the very nature of his proposals, those who understand and agree with them are radicals almost by necessity.
Things would be so different under a gold standard, under a truly free market economy. What we have now is a product of a century’s worth of statism.
The standard of living could be raised to new heights. Death and disease could be overcome with technological advances. Humanity could enter a new age of prosperity. All of this could result from capitalism, if we let it.
I understand that his ideas are radical.
You gave me another orgasm.
Specifically, why are those of you that - for the last 4 years - are decidedly liberal, big government program supporters now supporting a guy that wants to strip the size of government down to a bare minimum?
It don’t add up. [/quote]
Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I can’t answer the question from a personal point of view because I’ve always been a conservative. But I, too, do not fully understand why so many liberals are digging Ron Paul.
The best explanation I have is that campaign politics are all show and very little substance. I really don’t think the majority of his supporters (especially the recent converts) are aware of his academic positions on the more formal issues.
That’s just the way it works. You’re never going to have a popular movement centered around an academic issue such as the gold standard or fractional reserve banking.
Ron Paul’s outward appearance is that of a steadfast, principled conservative in the old tradition. His integrity and candor is what’s responsible for drawing people from all over the political spectrum. I know for a fact that lots of people were stunned to hear a Republican candidate voice a non-interventionist view in the debates. Obviously, these individuals are entirely unaware of the libertarian/paleo-conservative faction of the right.
If you think that all Republicans are and always have been neocons, then I can see why Ron Paul would be a shock to your system.
I’d love to hear him speak about economics more often, but I know that’s not going to happen so long as he’s running a grassroots campaign. It was quite telling to hear him start off his speech at Ames on the issue of abortion. He does adjust his message to the audience he’s giving it to. For example, listen to the speech he gave at Google HQ. Definitely left-leaning.