Ron Paul is a fine candidate. However, he in not the only candidate that stands for limited government. A case for Fred Thompson can be made that he would be more suited because he has the legal insight on how to accomplish a return to federalism.
We must decentralize the federal government. Issues such as abortion, school choice, gay marriage, and so many others have no place at the federal level.
A return to federalism will limit government involvement in the lives of Americans at the level it was originally intended to be involved in. The question then is who is the better leader in this quest. Ron Paul could be a great grassroots leader in this but certainly Fred Thompson would know how to orient the entire government in this, because in the end it’s the lawyers that need to be tweaked. Once they are onboard, all the rest follows suit.
Ron Paul is a great messenger for basic reform and will need to rely on the American people to help overcome resistance inside the beltway. Fred Thompson is a great communicator who can command respect inside the beltway while simultaneously getting the support of the American people.
I think Ron Paul and Fred Thompson share many of the same goals. Both are appealing.
I do think Ron Paul would create an environment for reform of the Tax Code and of the Federal Reserve system and its relationship with the Unites States whereas Fred Thompson would likely focus only on the Tax Code initially. This is what I like about Ron Paul. He realizes the Federal Reserve and the Income Tax are two heads of the same beast. You can’t slay the beast without cutting off both its heads.
In my view, the United States should federalize the Federal Reserve so that all its members are federal employees. And the United States should never pay interest on federal notes that it creates. This action coupled with elimination of the IRS and repeal of the 16th Amendment would be a central focus under Ron Paul. But as President would he be able to put together a coalition to accomplish these things?
Fred Thompson surely could put together such a coalition to eliminiate the IRS and repeal the 16th. He would likely listen to arguments for federalizing the Federal Reserve.
Here’s a lineup I see:
Fred Thompson, President
Newt Gingrich, Vice President
John McCain, Secretary of State
Ron Paul, Secretary of the Treasury
Duncan Hunter, Secretary of the Interior
......(Homeland Security and Interior consolidated)
David Petraeus, Secretary of Defense
Mark Levin, Department of Justice
Christopher Cox, Secretary of American Affairs
......(Commerce-Labor once again united and consolidated with Energy,
.......Transportation, Agriculture, Health & Human Services and Housing &
.......Urban Development)
William G. Boykin, Department of Veteran Affairs
Vacant, Department of Education (to be abolished)
Vacant, Department of Homeland Security (Consolidated with the Interior)
Vacant, Department of Labor (Consolidated with American Affairs)
Vacant, Department of Energy (Consolidated with American Affairs)
Vacant, Department of Transportation (Consolidated with American Affairs)
Vacant, Department of Agricuture (Consolidated with American Affairs)
Vacant, Department of Health and Human Services (Consolidated with American Affairs)
Vacant, Department of Housing and Urban Development (Consolidated with American Affairs)
14 Cabinets rolled into 6; consolidation and decentralization, elimination of the IRS and federalization of the Federal Reserve under the Department of Treasury.
Fred and Ron have their work cut out for them.