Sorry, Mr. Franklin, "We're All Democrats Now"

US House of Representatives ^ | January 29, 2003 | Rep Ron Paul, R-Texas

[freeeee]

"By the end of the 20th century, majority opinion had become the determining factor in all that government does. The rule of law was cast aside, leaving the Constitution a shell of what it once was..."

"Today the concepts of rights and property ownership are completely arbitrary. Congress, the courts, presidents and bureaucrats arbitrarily "legislate" on a daily basis, seeking only the endorsement of the majority. Although the republic was designed to protect the minority against the dictates of the majority, today we find the reverse. The republic is no longer recognizable."

"Once it becomes acceptable to change the rules by majority vote, there are no longer any limits on the power of the government. When the Constitution can be subverted by mere legislative votes, executive orders or judicial decrees, constitutional restraints on the government are eliminated. This process was rare in the early years of our history, but now it is routine."

"Once a nation becomes a democracy, the whole purpose of government changes. Instead of the government's goal being that of guaranteeing liberty, equal justice, private property, and voluntary exchange, the government embarks on the impossible task of achieving economic equality, micromanaging the economy, and protecting citizens from themselves and all their activities. The destruction of the wealth-building process, which is inherent in a free society, is never anticipated. Once it's realized that it has been undermined, it is too late to easily reverse the attacks against limited government and personal liberty."

"Do we hear the pundits talk of constitutional restraints on the Congress and the administration? No, all we ever hear are reassurances that the majority supports the President; therefore it must be all right."

"...the goals of pure democracy and that of a constitutional republic are incompatible."

freeee writes: small-d democrats, for your enlightenment, I introduce to you a small-r republican.

[freeeee]

Voice of sanity bump

[aught-6]

Ron Paul Bump!

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

Can one imagine what it might be like if a true worldwide democracy existed and the United Nations were controlled by a worldwide, one man/one vote philosophy? The masses of China and India could vote themselves whatever they needed from the more prosperous western countries. How long would a world system last based on this absurdity? Yet this is the principle that we’re working so hard to impose on ourselves and others around the world.

He's spot on with this.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[mrsmith]

He should have gone more into the effects of the 17th amnement since the appointment of Senators was considered by Madison and others as a great bulwark against democracy- it also was a limit on foreign adventuring.

"Since World War II, we have failed to follow the Constitution in taking this country to war"
Sadly, this is just a lie- the only significant example of this is the Korea War.
"Even the most serious decision, such as going to war, is done while ignoring the Constitution and without a vote of the people's representatives in the Congress. "
Another bald faced lie.
I don't understand why he goes to such a length to lie- is it an irresistable imperative in every politician?

But on the 'big picture' Ron Paul is right.

'Overall kudos' to him!
I wish we heard many of his points from other politicians.

[weikel]

Megabump.

[freeeee]

Another bald faced lie.

I think it's not a lie, rather it is a disagreement between you and Ron Paul as to what constitutes proper congressional action concerning wars. I believe Ron Paul means that a formal Congressional Declararation of War has been absent, while votes for 'use of force' have taken its place.

Regardless of this hair splitting, I appreciate your comments and support for Ron Paul's speech as a whole.

[mrsmith]

"a disagreement between you and Ron Paul "
The 'disagreement' is solely between him and our Founders on this issue as is proven by history that he can be expected to be aware of.

I'm in the habit of calling those who assert that the Constitution means something other than what it meant to our Founders liars. Perhaps it is an unpleasant habit but I've never found it counterproductive.

I really do like Paul's 'take' on governance.
He compares favorably to our first Senator William MacClay .

[BureaucratusMaximus]

WOW...thanks for posting this.

[GhostofWCooper]

I'm surprised Mr. Paul is surviving in the congress. The long knives must surely come after him at some point. Noone can speak "truth to power" and get away with it forever. He must be running a squeaky clean office as well as a personal life. All in all, a helluva guy!
Thanks for posting this, it is very refreshing just reading the truth for a change!

[freeeee]

The long knives must surely come after him at some point.

From Letter From Congressman Ron Paul

"I've been targeted nationally for defeat. The Democrats, the AFL-CIO, the teachers union, big business PACs, the trial lawyers, the big bankers, the foreign-aid .lobbyists, the big media, and the establishment Republicans want to dance on my political grave. The Fed, the Education Department, and the UN are anxious to join in. They can't stand even one person telling the truth. And they're terrified when that truth gains the people's support."

"Right now, four well-funded Democrats are competing to try to beat me, and a Republican is rumored to have been offered money at a secret meeting in Mexico(!) if he would try to knock me off in a primary."

[GhostofWCooper]

Well, in that case I hope as many of us (Freedom loving Americans) as have the means send him some financial support and maybe a letter of encouragement. I will do so.

We could use 535 'Ron Pauls'...

Just dreamin'.

[Ohioan]

We could use 535 'Ron Pauls'...

Amen to that. For my thoughts on the idiocy of our trying to promote "Democracy" in the Third World, and the absolute cruelty of the experiment, see Democracy In The "Third World"--The Second Most Destructive Egalitarian Myth.

As for "Democracy," at home? I could not agree more strongly with Madison and Paul.

William Flax

[ForOurFuture]

Worth noting that that letter is 3+ years old and Dr. Paul has been since twice re-elected, thank goodness. President, as many wish, is a wee far fetched, but it is a whimsical dream of mine that he might one day occupy one of Texas' two US Senate seats. He ran for the GOP nomination in 1988, and there is no need to mention the amount of monetary support he would now gain from Freepers, like internet activists, and pro-liberty groups. I suppose though, that any such effort would pose no comparison to the $1,000,000's required to win a TX Senate seat. And, of course, there is also no need to mention the fact that very little of that would come from corporations and the typical interest groups.

As for the speech, I saw it delivered yesterday. How large a boon for liberty would it be if Rep. Paul were as much blessed with any sort of oratorical skill as he is with the neccessary courage to defend liberty and the Constitution in Congress?

[libertyman]

Dr./ Rep. RON PAUL is a class act all the way. A statesman indeed....I heard that he refuses to accept $ into his federal pension due to it being an unconstitutional use of taxpayer's funds (is this correct? Does anybody know???).

Now if only we could find more people like him across the country, elect them into the House, & give Mr. PAUL the support from his colleagues that he so desperately needs--doing so would cause big government to disappear in a heartbeat! We could get our Republic back!! I'm sure there are a mere 218 more people like him, each within their own Congressional districts, aren't there?

[ForOurFuture]

Now if only we could find more people like him across the country, elect them into the House, & give Mr. PAUL the support from his colleagues that he so desperately needs--doing so would cause big government to disappear in a heartbeat!

This certainly represents a start to that end

[GhostofWCooper]

I like the way you think. Optimism, blessed optimism.

Cheers!

[GhostofWCooper]

Will do, I saved it for later...

[philman_36]

Eloquent, but too late to do any good.