Guest Editorial in support of Dr. Ron Paul.

Ah, I love reading the wild-eyed comments of the true believer who is still naive about the political realities of The Unitied States. These United States are no longer a voluntary association of Sovereign States -- Mr. Lincoln saw to that between 1861-1865. A cursory study of political science will show the very political language no longer supports a Federal Republic but rather one real political unit that is now know as, by what was once heresy, a democracy. I wish the Libertarians well but they are swimming against the tide and in love with a lovely dream that no longer exists -- nor could it given the education level of the mass of citizenry that are given the vote.

And we appreciate that, Cricket!

Stalemate in DC? I agree with you, I'd rather have a do nothing House of Reps than an socialist/activist one.

this is one thing I can agree with. While everyone is complaining about the lack of activity. in congress, I am very happy about it. The less they do, the less bills they pass, the less likely they are gouging us. AS for Dr. Paul's position and his believers, I am afraid I had to meet some of his followers in person. Including an aunt at a funeral who, in the middle of a conversation regarding supporting the troops, jumped in, wild eyed and bleating about Ron Paul ending the war, etc, etc, etc. Now, ending the war, not necessarily the bad thing, but she had no idea what our politics were or the discussion. Secondly, this aunt is crazy. I have known all my life she hasn't been quite right. One of those folks that believes the FBI is wire tapping her every conversation and following her around with video cameras. Which seems to me to be the flavor of Ron Paul "true believers". Which means, Dr. Paul may be only one step above Kucinich and will very likely never get my vote. Who will I vote for? I am still undecided. The major issues for me are: 1) Reduce government spending on non-essential programs. Pork is still way out of hand. Politicians are buying their constituency with my tax money in places as far away as California and Alaska. Excuse me if I have a problem with that. If any state feels they need money, let them raise it the old fashion way: taxes, bonds and lure businesses in. 2) Keep taxes low. We are walking a fine line on recession. An increase in taxes will very likely push us over the edge. We need to insure that the right incentives for businesses to open and maintain offices, manufacturing and employee base within the US remains. 3) Focus on free trade or reducing tariffs as an agreement to increase trade to other nations. The only way we keep jobs in the US is to insure there are markets for our products and services. There are hundreds of small and growing markets that we should be focused on and use as a diversification of trade, thus, a diversification of revenue stream. And diversification of security. The better trade markets, the more ties financially, the closer and stronger we are to free nations, the more free and secure we are. In the words of Mr. Franklin, gentlemen, we must all hang together or we will surely all hang together. (something like that) 4) The War. I would like us to wrap up Iraq soon, but as an end to hostilities, not a withdrawal as "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory" approach. I would like Afghanistan to get more attention. I would like Pakistan to have CIA, FBI, Spec Ops and anyone else crawling all over it (like I'm sure they are), eventually finding Osama and/or Zawahiri and taking them out. In my life time. I still want them dead. Or captured. Dead is better politically. I think now is a good time. They are riding a dead horse. 5) I would like a president who sees his job as allowing government to function without great interference (like creating grand social welfare schemes to suck more money out of our pockets), reining in their worst impulses (like spending) with the veto and ready to defend this nation with everything we have. 6) I would like a president who sees the growth in government bureaucracies and its leadership in certain employment fields as not good. They need to reduce paperwork, people and responsibilities of these bureaucracies, not increase them.

Ha!! Battle of Ridgeway, or the Pembina Raid? Cheers

Re: Jimc Hmmm, where to begin on this response? I am most certainly not ‘wild-eyed’ and having been active (more or less) in politics for almost 20 years, I do reject the accusation of being naive. I, as sadly opposed to what you seem to express, still DO believe in the promise of our Republic. Your comments lead me to believe that you have been defeated, that you have given up the good fight and let the b*stards win. I refuse to go easily or quietly into the long good night. Isn’t there an ideal, a belief, a hope, a promise or a dream worth fighting for? If not at the ballot box, then, God forbid, when and with what? The cartridge box? What did we all swear an oath to? To uphold and defend what and against which enemies? If we were willing to risk our lives, limbs and sacred honor to uphold and defend the Constitution, shouldn’t we expect our elected ‘public servants’ to at least do the same? Why are we willing to risk all and expect and settle for so much less of our elected ‘elites’? Especially so, when the vast majority of them have never even heard reveille sounded, much less heard taps played for comrades lost? A discussion of the tyrant Lincoln and his destruction of the Republic and shredding of our Constitution in the War of Northern Aggression/Southern Secession can wait for another day. However, as mentioned in my original post, political power is cyclical. We as a nation are but a babe in the woods when it comes to political history. An excellent example, though perhaps not totally applicable would be that of China. Strong central governments transforming into, strong ‘independent’ governorships. Repeat ad nauseum. It is well past time that the pendulum of power returned to its rightful place and reside with the Sovereign States and the people ourselves as was intended by the founding fathers and enshrined in the Constitution. Yes, I still DO believe in the promise and potential of our nation and my desire to see the Republic restored continues unabated. The framers of our Constitution were far, far, wiser men than I and limited the powers of the Federal government for a reason. As evidenced by the calumnies that now plague our nation, you would be hard pressed to argue against their wisdom. The chains of the Constitution that were put in place to bind the power of an over reaching Federal government were put there for a reason. Ignoring their advice and scoffing at the Constitution has led us to where we are today. Not happy. Hope, freedom and a return to our historical (and legal) Constitutional heritage is what is driving the Paul campaign. The good doctor is absolutely correct when he states, “the message is far more important than the messenger.” If nothing else, isn’t it exciting to see hordes of the younger generation once again becoming interested and active in politics and NOT on the socialist/statist side? Younger generation, gads, I’m not THAT old… *grumbles* You will hear no argument from me concerning the sad, sorry state of the largely apathetic and ignorant American electorate. And, from my experience on the school board, the blame clearly resides with….. the parents. Yes, the parents. For you see, it is OUR fault that we have let our children become what they have become. WE elected these school boards, WE tolerated the continued dumbing down of our children’s curriculum, WE looked the other way when our history and heritage was besmirched and discredited, WE foisted off OUR responsibilities unto the government and the end result of that is sadly obvious. The same principle holds true in regards to our elected officials. We have received the government we deserve. WE HAVE ALLOWED THEM to assume powers that they were never supposed to have. The electorate, you and I, the great unwashed masses, are responsible for our current ship of state. It is therefore incumbent upon us as a people, as a nation, to right the ship of state and guide it upon its proper course. To do anything less, is tantamount to national and political suicide. The bugle call has sounded the call to arms, the Republic is in mortal danger, how will YOU respond? What legacy will YOU bequeath your children and grandchildren? Will you take charge of our national destiny, for our Republic, for our Constitution, for a brighter future for your children, or will you be content to 'shovel sh*t in Louisiana?" The onus is on YOU! To even the most jaded of political cynics, when comparing candidates who have most honestly and openly adhered to their oath of office to uphold and defend the Constitution, there is only a single candidate who would pass muster. That candidate is Dr. Paul. And as this humble man has said, it is the message, not the messenger that is important. That is why I support Dr. Paul and I make no apologies to anyone for my love of Country, Constitution and the promise of the Republic that was bequeathed unto us. ”We have given you a Republic, if you can keep it.” Benjamin Franklin. The Republic is dead, long live the Republic! Que Senator Palpatine.

Giuliani has leadership qualities, and wrong ideas, like a certain Austrian who took control of Germany in 1933. The genius of Washington was that he combined leadership and virtue, and self-restraint. This used to be taught in every school in the country.

Why are there no people of few words among the Pauloons? Every time I see one of the tome-level screeds from a true believer, I cringe at the thought that these folk, who can't seem to communicate, want to run the country.

"Why are there no people of few words among the Pauloons?" Actually, I really prefer the title "Ronulans", one of the more clever snarks. Heck, even "Paulistas" ain't bad.... But to answer your question in a single paragraph. Because the issues facing this nation cannot be resolved in 30 second sound bites. Put down the channel hopper and regain that attention span. Heck, kill your TV for that matter and pick up a book. The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution is a good start. Now, you will have to excuse me, my Spambot masters are telling me it's time to again put on my tinfoil hat and begin faking another $6 million dollar money bomb. After all, there is no real support, money just appears outa thin air. Kinda like Federal Reserve notes....