Rep. Ron Paul: I advocate the same foreign policy the Founding Fathers would

Union Leader ^ | October 8, 2007 | Ron Paul

[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.

[Pharmboy]

The Brown Bess was a pretty dependable musket.

[SJackson]

Do any believe were at that time really entangled by an alliance with France? Unfortunate deception! they have been duped, by a virtuous credulity, in the incautious moments of intemperate passion, to give up their felicity to serve a nation wanting both the will and the power to protect us, and aiming at the destruction both of the mother country and the provinces. In the plainness of common sense, for I pretend to no casuistry, did the pretended treaty with the Court of Versailles, amount to more than an overture to America? Certainly not, because no authority had been given by the people to conclude it, nor to this very hour have they authorized its ratification. The articles of confederation remain still unsigned.

Interesting, Arnold is arguing the Treaty of Alliance was un-Continental Congress-al. Sounds familiar. Fortunately the Constitution allows for abrogration of treaties.

[lormand]

"The dudes signing at the bottom, Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, Arthur Lee, they're amongst the Founding Fathers, aren't they? Or were they neocons."

"Maybe Ron can warm up the time machine, go back and ask."

SLMAO (still laughing my ass off)

[lormand]

"Interesting that one theme with OBL regarding his reasons for wanting to bring down the "Great Satan" (the U.S.) is the fact that the American Infidel has placed boots on the ground in their most holiest of countries (Saudi Arabi, Iraq, etc). So, according to Run Paul, we are to be allowed to visit any place on the Earth and we will trade freely with anyone who wished to trade with us, irrespective of what barbaric practices they have engaged in that violates the basic tenents of human rights. And this will, of course, make us safer against terrorism around the globe. How in hell does such a simple minded fool get elected to Congress? And, repeatedly too?"

Worth repeating, and excellent point

May God protect and bless your son. Please thank him for us here at Freerepublic (yes...I think I can speak for everyone)

[WildcatClan]

Excellent post, I hadn’t thought about WWI in those terms and you make an excellent point. I think another technology they couldn’t have envisioned are the multiple forms of instant communication that is available to nearly the entire country.

[StarCMC]

Good point.

[Cheburashka]

Here’s information about the Battle of Yorktown. Note that the 7,000 French troops make up almost half of the 16,000 man Franch-American army commanded by Washington and Rochambeau. Without the French troops and factoring in the superior quality of British troops over American during the Revolutionary War and you have the makings of a draw instead of a joint French-American victory.

http://www.americanrevolution.com/BattleofYorktown.htm

The French Navy under the Comte De Grasse (for once) defeats the British Navy off Chesapeake Bay. Now you know why an American Spruance Class destroyer(DD-974) was named after a French nobleman.

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1320.html

If the French had not kept the British Navy out of Chesapeake Bay the Cornwallis would not have had to surrender at Yorktown. At worst the British would have simply evacuated their army by sea and the Revolutionary War would have continued indefinitely.

Here are the Articles of Capitulation that Cornwallis signed. Note right after George Washington’s name are mentioned the general commanding the French troops, Rochambeau, and the commander of the French Fleet, Comte De Grasse.

http://battleofyorktown.com/

Spanish participation in the Revolutionary War:

http://www.patriotresource.com/history/westfla/overview.html

Cheer up. You now know a little about Spanish and French contributions to the American victory in the Revolutionary War. This is probably a lot more than Ron Paul knows.

But after this visit a library and learn something about American history by your own efforts. Don’t expect others to spoon-feed you.

[StarCMC]

Ron Paul was asked if there are any other country, right now, that do a better job of protecting liberties and maintaining a small government than the United States. Dr. Paul replied there are more and more countries that are encroaching on the US's reputation for protecting liberties, but Switzerland is the one he thought does a better job than the US. He said it would be neat to be President of Switzerland, then joked that no one in the audience probably knew who the President of Switzerland is . The video is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCM_wQy4YVg and the part where Switzerland is mentioned starts at around 17:50 and lasts about 45 seconds.

Linky

[StarCMC]

I spotted that one too and laughed out loud at work. Had to apologize to my co-worker! :-)

[WildcatClan]

Just for the Hollywood crowd, mostly. They like to rub elbows with Castro and Chia Head on short notice and perhaps feel restricted.

[Allegra]

Yes, I’d like to know who added that keyword, so I could shake his/her hand. ;-)

[Eric Blair 2084]

These are nothing but lies and false history given to you in your American textbooks by evil anti war moonbats like Cindy Sheehan, Harry Reid and the cursed Nancy Pelosi. Our glorious founding fathers like John Hancock, may his name be praised, did not need neo-con Imperialist Spanish help to defeat the Redcoats. George Washington, allah praise his name, could have beaten the Hessian with one hand tucked into his vest. There was no need for foreign interventionism or French meddling from the Marquis de Lafayette or the Marquis de Sade.

[Eric Blair 2084]

Seriously, see SJackson’s post upthread.

I was trying to encourage a meaningful discussion about what the Founding Fathers would do after 9/11 vis a vis Iraq, as opposed to the usual namecalling and personal insults.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Ah the obligatory, knee-jerk 3rd grade Paul photoshopped pic, when you can’t debate the facts.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

This is th only big issue I disagree with Rep Paul on, but it is a biggie.

Paul would defend this country, Hydroshock if it were attacked. Don't listen to the spin. He is not a pacifist. You're talking about a guy who supported all of Reagan's defense budgets and weapons systems, and advocated to have war formally declared shortly after 9/11 (and also to have war fought like a war instead of this PC can't-be-mean-to-the-Muslims garbage).

Paul has always stood tall for our veterans, and didn't run like a coward when his draft number was called, unlike Rudy & Romney.

[reagan_fanatic]

True, it’s not a very good pic - as a matter of fact, on a scale of 1 to 100, I’d rate it at around a 3 - which is about the same as Ron Paul’s chances of becoming the Republican nominee.

[George W. Bush]

Seen elsewhere:

Ron Paul says other people in Congress come up to him and ask "How do you get people to put up signs for you all over the place?"
Ron Paul's response: "I don't know, they just do."

Dry. Very dry.

[traviskicks]

Hey, have you seen these, LOL!

http://www.redstate.com/blogs/paconservative/2007/oct/08/little_known_ron_paul_facts

1. Ron Paul doesn’t go the gym. He stays fit by exercising his civil rights.

2. Ron Paul delivers babies without his hands. He simply reads them the Bill of Rights and they crawl out in anticipation of freedom.

3. Ron Paul doesn’t cut taxes. He kills them with his bare hands.

4. Jesus wears a wrist band that says “What Would Ron Paul Do?”

5. When Ron Paul takes a shower, he doesn’t get wet...the water gets Ron Paul.

6. Ron Paul could lead a horse to water AND convince it to drink, but he doesn’t believe the government has the right to so he refuses.

7. Ron Paul’s midi-chlorian level is off the chart.

8. When Chuck Norris gets scared, he goes to Ron Paul.

9. Studies by the World Health Organization show that Ron Paul is the leading cause of freedom among men.

10. Ron Paul makes the U.S. dollar want to be a better currency.

[tacticalogic]

He doesn't qualify his opposition to embargoes in any way.

So you say. I'll wait until I see the documentation to back that up, thank you.

[SJackson]

Ron Paul says other people in Congress come up to him and ask "How do you get people to put up signs for you all over the place?"...Ron Paul's response: "I don't know, they just do."...

Dry. Very dry.

See my post above (or below), suggestion 15 for the title.

They do it by openly breaking the law. They're the patriots as you know. Illegal, who cares, the Tea Party wasn't legal either.

Dry? What do you expect Paul to say, they litter, they vandalize, you can do it too.

15-Paul Supporters Promote Civil Disobedience on Paint the Town Ron Day

t is my understanding that these paint the town Ron events are illegal.

Civil Disobedience?

Some laws need to be broken to show the unfairness of those laws.

Rosa Parks, MLK, Lysander Spooner, Boston Tea Party

=================

yep.. even dr. paul suggested *peaceful* civil disobedience..

Paul Backers "Paint The Town Ron" [9-29 National paint the town Ron day]

Supporters of presidential candidate Ron Paul take banners to I-95

You know many people consider the job highway personel do, which includes cleaning up Ron Paul litter, to be a tad dangerous.