Just my 2 cents — Sen. Rand Paul is a Republican with a capiol “R”, and a libertarian with a lowercase “L”.
You are assuming because he is “hanging onto counterculture and permissive views” that he isn’t a supporter of the U.S.Constitution?
The founders had views on morality that made today's average American look licentious (obviously) yet they managed to keep the Constitution focused on the proper & very limited role of government. If Paul can avoid getting wrapped around the MSM's axle & stay focused on the appropriate role of the federal government leaving the rest to the localities we'll have solved most of our problems.
Abolishing the Dept of Education so DC no longer can push its pro gay on the states is a good example.
” - - - Sen. Rand Paul is a Republican with a capiol “R”, and a libertarian with a lowercase “L”. - - - “
YES! That is the way I see Rand Paul. He, like many of us have many opinions, some of which will alienate other blocks of voters.
For example, he and Senator Cruz are the two Senators who, by word and deed, support the US Constitution the best of anyone in the US Senate.
I remain to be convinced that most Conservatives in the Republican, Democrat or Independent voter segments find much Constitutional support for the ideas of Permissive Libertarianism on drugs, border law violators, and marriage.
Hence, the conflict for Rand Paul: Strong support of the US Constitution on Governmental topics, and moderate support for Permissive expansion of the US Constitution on social matters.
IMHO, there are plenty of laws on the books for violators of border laws and drug laws. The main problem is that the US Federal Government refuses to enforce them to the limit of the respective laws.
Social issues are probably better handled at a moral level, with local laws instituted, if needed.
Those who embrace Social Issues in politics are embracing the proverbial Greek Hydra.
Ron Paul never figured it out, and lost significant support for his Constitutional ideas.
Rand Paul has the opportunity to avoid the Hydra of Social Issues by assigning Social topics to the sphere of Morality, and focus on the topics found in the US Constitution.
When asked by the Liberal Agenda Media to embrace the Social Issues Hydra, he need only reply: “ These are Social Issues that are best resolved at the Church or local level, unless mentioned in the US Constitution.”