Posted on 10/08/2007 10:16:52 AM PDT by Eric Blair 2084
Any response to this paper's Friday editorial on my foreign policy position must rest on two fundamental assertions: first, that the Founding Fathers were not isolationists; and second, that their political philosophy -- the wisdom of the Constitution, the Declaration, and our Revolution itself -- is not just a primitive cultural relic.
If I understand the editors' concerns, I have not been accused of deviating from the Founders' logic; if anything I have been accused of adhering to it too strictly. The question, therefore, before readers -- and soon voters -- is the same question I have asked for almost 20 years in Congress: by what superior wisdom have we now declared Jefferson, Washington, and Madison to be "unrealistic and dangerous"? Why do we insist on throwing away their most considered warnings?
A non-interventionist foreign policy is not an isolationist foreign policy. It is quite the opposite. Under a Paul administration, the United States would trade freely with any nation that seeks to engage with us. American citizens would be encouraged to visit other countries and interact with other peoples rather than be told by their own government that certain countries are off limits to them.
Rep. RON PAUL (BOB LAPREE) American citizens would be allowed to spend their hard-earned money wherever they wish across the globe, not told that certain countries are under embargo and thus off limits. An American trade policy would encourage private American businesses to seek partners overseas and engage them in trade. The hostility toward American citizens overseas in the wake of our current foreign policy has actually made it difficult if not dangerous for Americans to travel abroad. Is this not an isolationist consequence from a policy of aggressive foreign interventionism?
It is not we non-interventionists who are isolationsists. The real isolationists are those who impose sanctions and embargoes on countries and peoples across the globe because they disagree with the internal and foreign policies of their leaders. The real isolationists are those who choose to use force overseas to promote democracy, rather than seek change through diplomacy, engagement, and by setting a positive example.
I do not believe that ideas have an expiration date, or that their value can be gauged by their novelty. The test for new and old is that of wisdom and experience, or as the editors wrote "historical reality," which argues passionately now against the course of anti-Constitutional interventionism.
A Paul administration would see Americans engaged overseas like never before, in business and cultural activities. But a Paul administration would never attempt to export democracy or other values at the barrel of a gun, as we have seen over and over again that this is a counterproductive approach that actually leads the United States to be resented and more isolated in the world.
10. Ron Paul is a member of al Qaeda CIA sources say 9. Ron Paul spotted with Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton snorting cocaine and drinking booze at a trendy LA nightspot 8. Ron Paul to be indicted for the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman 7. Larry Craig Confession: Ron Paul was my gay lover 6. Ron Paul (aka Juan Valdez) Is an Illegal Mexican immigrant, ICE documents claim 5. AMA accuses Dr. Ron Paul of infecting his patients with HIV during his private practice 4. Congressman Ron Paul arrested for DWI; weapons cache and dead body found in trunk 3. Nude pictures of Ron Paul surface on the internet 2. Ron Paul indicted on federal dog fighting charges 1. Congressman Ron Paul vehemently denies membership in the 8 Tre Gangsta Crip street gang despite mounting evidence
Take your pick.
So the Barbary pirates would have been left alone?
thought crime ping!
Anyone have a photo of Ron Paul with a tinfoil tricorn hat?
I hate to point this ou, but the world has change in the past 200+ years. I wish it were not what it is, but we have to have a strong military presence on the world stage. This is th only big issue I disagree with Rep Paul on, but it is a biggie.
We should’ve bought off their protection as European sissies did.
Let’s say that Ron Paul pulls off a miracle and actually TRIPLES his current standing in the polls and garners 9% support in the Republican Primaries. My question is still: WHO CARES?
Let's see.
American citizens would be allowed to spend their hard-earned money wherever they wish across the globe, not told that certain countries are under embargo and thus off limits.
Hmm.
I think it would be safe to describe Thomas Jefferson, the main author of the Declaration of Independence and James Madison, the main author of the Constitution, as Founding Fathers.
Yet Presidents Jefferson and Madison both signed Embargo Acts into law.
More Ron Paul lies.
Ron Paul says America deserved Barbary Pirate attacks, urges surrender.
Please don't say anything intelligent like this ever again on a Ron Paul thread. It makes my head hurt to have to think. Just stick to the carefully worded talking points by calling him a poopyface.
I still prefer my #10
10. Ron Paul is a member of al Qaeda CIA sources say
Appeasement always works....
Do I really need the sarc tag for this one?
I agree with you tagline 100%.
“TOP 10 PARANTHETICAL HEADLINE SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY’S ADMIN MODERATOR”
I prefer “Rep. Ron Paul: I advocate the same foreign policy the Founding Fathers would. (Ron Paul channels Founding Fathers.)
The quip wasn’t far from the truth with George Galloway.
He was on the take, paid by Saddam.
GMTA. First thing I thought, too.
It is, of course, of no particular concern why the did it, only that they did.
Noninterventionism, or just good old neutrality as I prefer to call it, made a heck of a lot of sense when your a little third world nation and the big boys are duking it out. It’s better to stay clear and stay neutral.
However when you are the biggest guy on the block and therefor the one everyone would like to take down a peg, well you can’t quite be nuetral in that one.
“stick to the carefully worded talking points by calling him a poopyface”
LOL! The best comedy is based in truth.
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