Ron Paul and the Lodestar of Liberty

Ron Paul is not a nut. He is honorable and intelligent. I have talked with Congressman Paul about politics and policies. He is consistent and principled. Much of what he says is true. The Constitution is routinely ignored by politicians of both political parties. Government spending, particularly entitlements, is wildly out of control. The crucial constitutional concepts of federalism and limited government are tacitly denied and this denial is the crux of many of our social and political problems.

But Ron Paul holds the vain hope that American government would return to constitutional law anytime soon, even if he did win the presidency. Congress, the judiciary, legal education, and tradition have imparted momentum to the living constitution school of thought. Bring about an actual return to the Constitution requires more than a snap of the president's fingers. Federal courts routinely "interpret" the Constitution in ways directly in conflict with the plain language of the document. At best, a president can only appoint judges the Senate will confirm and wait for natural turnover.

A lot of persuasion is necessary before Americans (including our elites and their institutions) change their way thinking. We in fact still need a crusade to change hearts and minds more than a candidacy.

And if we are going to return to first principles, remember that the Constitution is not the foundational document of our American experiment in individual liberty. It was preceded by the Articles of Confederation. Prior to the Articles of Confederation, which were adopted after independence, the Continental Congress acted as the original government of the United States and successfully waged a war against the great superpower on the planet with very little real authority. The fundamental principles of American government were established long the Constitution was adopted.

What does matter is the Declaration of Independence. The divine endowment of all people with liberty comes directly out of this document of 1776 and it is to this document that serious friends of liberty should look for inspiration and restoration. And what was the Declaration of Independence? It was, in effect, a declaration of war against the British Empire.

It was not an isolationist document but a universalist document. It speaks, pointedly, to the rest of the world. It talks about the reasons that governments are formed (not just our government.) It was bold, sweeping, and international. And it was seen by the rest of the world as just that: A revolutionary document for all peoples, even if it applied specifically only to thirteen embattled colonies in North American.

Ron Paul wants to return us to the Constitution, as if it were a sacred document which granted us freedom. Our spiritual lodestar should be the Declaration of Independence, which remains a much more dangerous, much more powerful, and much more relevant document to our times.

Some policies Paul proposes are admirable. Why do we still have armies in Germany and in Korea, when both are rich, modern industrialized nations? Why does government have to do so much and why does "government" more and more mean centralized government in Washington? Why have a tax code which punishes productivity and which requires contortionist behavior from business?

But other parts of Paul's policies simply do not fit our age. The notion that we should disengage from the Middle East, for example, suggests that Israel is "just another nation," like, say, North Korea or Syria. The foundation of the Jewish state was based upon the undeniable facts of history continuing, dreadfully, through the Holocaust, that Jews are not "just another people," but are rather a persecuted people who were not welcome when escaping Nazified Europe. Ignoring that is ignoring salient history.

Likewise, the stark contrast between Israel and its neighbors (except, until the last three decades, the successful state of Lebanon) cannot be ignored, and the murderous intent of neighbors who seriously read in large numbers Mein Kampf and the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion is also a grim, absolute fact of the modern world. The notion that, on paper, Israel can make peace with these neighbors is not just pure theory, but it is theory which has failed the test of experience.

Paul also seems to doubt that people wish to do America harm because it is America, and that nuclear weapons change everything. Ever since H.G. Wells first used the term "atomic bomb" in his science fiction stories more than a century ago, it has become almost inevitable that true, horrific global war power was inevitable. Happily, America acquired fission weapons and then fusion weapons first. Happily also, America has had leaders willing to use that power to protect our nation and allies who would otherwise be unprotected.

And, as we learned from the Japanese in the Second World War and from radical Moslems today, the calculus of economic benefits and political rights which works very well in moderating and balancing the behavior of most people, simply does not work with everyone. Does anyone doubt that the Japanese would have used the atomic bomb on American cities or that radical Moslems will use thermonuclear bombs on America, if they can, even if it means massive casualties in our retaliation?

Liberty can no longer stand safely behind two vast oceans and decent men can no longer ignore their human brethren after Hitler, Stalin and Mao. As Lincoln today might have said "This world cannot long endure half slave and half free." This was also perhaps the greatest victory of the greatest conservative leader of our age: Ronald Reagan. Congressman Paul might recall the Gipper's Cold War strategy: "How about this: We win; they lose?"

Ronald Reagan, like Abraham Lincoln, understood the supra-constitutional importance of liberty in the fulfillment of America, and liberty to them meant more than just the liberty of American citizens. If the ideal which is America is to survive the totalitarian impulse which we see not only in North Korea and the Taliban, but among the Leftists in our own nation, then we need to recapture the fortitude of Washington, the vision of Lincoln and the clarity of Reagan. If we can do this and preserve the vestiges of the Constitution, fine.

But the vision of America is much more than the Constitution. It is much more than Congressman Paul sees. What Ron Paul proposes is not bad or dishonest. It is simply no longer enough for liberty and decency to survive in America or in the world.

Some of Paul sponsored and co sponsored liberal legislation.

In 1987, he wrote that the United States should not have a national immigration policy and “should welcome everyone who wants to come here and work.”

H.CON.RES.160 : Recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of Congress that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and solving the challenges of the future. Sponsor: Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] (introduced 5/19/2005) Cosponsors (69)

H.RES.233 : Recognizing the important relationship between the United States and Mexico. Cosponsors (5) Latest Major Action: 9/5/2001

H.R.189 : To repeal the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
Sponsor: Rep Stump, Bob [AZ-3] (introduced 1/3/2001) Cosponsors (22)

H.R.415 : To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage new school construction through the creation of a new class of bond. Sponsor: Rep Sanchez, Loretta [CA-46] (introduced 2/6/2001) Cosponsors (23)

6. H.RES.12 : Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should issue a postage stamp commemorating Juan Nepomuceno Seguin.
( WHO?) : Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] (introduced 1/7/2003) Cosponsors (8)

H.RES.208 : Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the systematic human rights violations in Cuba committed by the Castro regime and calling for the immediate removal of Cuba from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Sponsor: Rep Foley, Mark [FL-16] (introduced 4/30/2003) Cosponsors (24)(He wouldn’t vote for the same against Iran!)

H.RES.315 : Congratulating Rafael Palmeiro of the Texas Rangers for hitting 500 major league home runs and thanking him for being a role model for the Cuban American community, as well as for all Americans.
Sponsor: Rep Sessions, Pete [TX-32] (introduced 7/9/2003) Cosponsors (14)

H.R.217 : To ensure that a Federal employee who takes leave without pay in order to perform service as a member of the uniformed services or member of the National Guard shall continue to receive pay in an amount which, when taken together with the pay and allowances such individual is receiving for such service, will be no less than the basic pay such individual would then be receiving if no interruption in employment had occurred. Sponsor: Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] (introduced 1/7/2003) Cosponsors (97) (Only federal employees deserve this bonus????)

H.R.731 : To render all enrolled members of the Tohono O’odham Nation citizens of the United States as of the date of their enrollment and to recognize the valid membership credential of the Tohono O’odham Nation as the legal equivalent of a certificate of citizenship or a State-issued birth certificate for all Federal purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] (introduced 2/12/2003) Cosponsors (119)(this is how some tribes offer citizenship to illegal aliens!)

H.RES.730 : Recognizing the efforts and contributions of The Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future.
Sponsor: Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice [TX-30] (introduced 3/16/2006) Cosponsors (16)

H.RES.760 : Supporting the goals and ideals of National Clean Beaches Week and recognizing the considerable value of American beaches and their role in American culture.
Sponsor: Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6] (introduced 4/4/2006) Cosponsors (59)

H.RES.1049 : Recognizing Ann Richards’ extraordinary contributions to Texas and American public life and offering condolences on her passing. (Fan of Ann Richards????)
Sponsor: Rep Ortiz, Solomon P. [TX-27] (introduced 9/27/2006) Cosponsors (12)

66. H.R.437 : To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 500 West Eisenhower Street in Rio Grande City, Texas, as the “Lino Perez, Jr. Post Office”. (Who? The Hispanic caucus wants it, so it must be okay!)
Sponsor: Rep Cuellar, Henry [TX-28] (introduced 1/12/2007) Cosponsors (31)

83. H.R.643 : To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for collegiate housing and infrastructure grants.
Sponsor: Rep Jones, Stephanie Tubbs [OH-11] (introduced 1/23/2007) Cosponsors (168)(That will reduce the cost of government! lol)

H.CON.RES.206 : Recognizing the important relationship between the United States and Mexico.
Sponsor: Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] (introduced 7/31/2001) Cosponsors (8)
Committees: House International Relations
H. CON. RES. 206
Recognizing the important relationship between the United States and Mexico.

H. CON. RES. 277

Recognizing the important contributions of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 19, 2001

Mr. PAUL submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Recognizing the important contributions of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Whereas the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the United States has had a significant impact [snip]

http://towncriernews.blogspot.com/search?q=Ron+Paul+co+spon

“When and if China wants to retake Formesa, it will do so and we will not be able to stop it”.

>>>>Perhaps, or perhaps like the soviets sitting poised to take western Europe they’ll think twice if we have a presence.

“Moreover, a war against China, short of nuclear in that region would be a disaster for us.”

>>>>Exactly, so by staying in the region we prevent disaster and perhaps even nuclear war. It would be a disaster for the entire world, but that never stopped people like Hitler before and it won’t stop madmen in the future. Sticking your head in the sand won’t change that.

“As for South Korea and the Philippines and human rights-come on now, you are kidding right?”

>>>>>I lived in South Korea for a year. While it made me immensely thankful for our country, it doesn’t hold a candle to China’s. North Koreans are starving to death so that their soldiers can eat and ill leader can keep his large army poised to strike should the occasion warrant.

“The South Koreans think we are the problem and want to reconcile with North.”

>>>>>Uh-huh...only it’s ALOT more complex than that...if they reconciled, what govt would take hold? As long as the U.S. is there, it sure won’t be communist. On the other hand communist China wouldn’t exactly care to have another Formosa/Japan/Phillipines on it’s doorstep in (North) Korea to inflame it’s own population with how miserable a faiulure communism is, with the latest example being Korea. Besides, I’ve heard this before with Germany. Germany reconciled and well lookie there, they’re a free people now, and we weren’t the problem after all! IN FACT once Rumsfeld offered to pull U.S. troops out of Germany and move them to a more grateful area like Poland the Germans had a fit and demanded we STAY!

“Besides it is China that is funding our WOT by buying our bonds”.

>>>>>Oh I get it, now YOU are kidding right?

PaleoPaulie and the paleowhatevers ARE moonbats, surrender monkeys and traitors.

My parents were Nixon Republicans. They believed in smaller government (which Nixon didn't give them), lower taxes (ditto), the outlaw of abortion (which was beyond Nixon's authority), the preservation of individual rights and liberties (including the Second Amendment), and the securing of our borders (not a big issue during that time, but Mom and Dad would have been for closed borders). They applauded when Ford pardoned Nixon, while the rest of the country (and all of the Walter Cronkite-style establishment media) ranted and cursed.

I am the son of Nixon Republicans both in my genes and my ideas, but it appears that the party has little time for me. You see, Elk, there are a few reasonable people out there (like me) who supported Ron Paul because it looked like he might be a candidate who was actually willing to do something about the size of government and its encroachment on personal liberty, willing to close the borders and let the rest of the world bear its fair share of the responsibility for leading itself.

Whatever you think of Paul, these ideas are not bad ones. They're certainly subject to debate, but that never happens on FR any more, particularly in threads where Paul's name occurs. Be that as it may, if the Republican Party would actually put those ideas on the agenda instead of just taking the conservative issues voter for granted, Ron Paul and his ilk would never have come up, would never have been a problem, would never have stepped onto the national stage.

No doubt this post of mine will cue another round of name-calling. I hope not, but I expect no better.

Go ahead and dismiss Paul. But if we can't discuss candidates, let's discuss ideas. Remember back in '94 when Gingrich & Company were going to dismantle the Deparment of Education? That was a good idea. Republicans have had the power to do that now for almost two full terms, and yet it hasn't even been on the table.

What would it take to get that idea on the table?

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