Ron Paul’s Appalling World View

[marmar]

from Consortium News:


Ron Paul’s Appalling World View
November 27, 2012

Exclusive: There was buzz on the Internet after libertarian Ron Paul delivered what was billed as his final address in Congress. But his near-hour-long speech sounded more like the ramblings of a right-wing crank than the coherent thoughts of the principled idealist that his fans rave about, writes Robert Parry.

By Robert Parry


Rep. Ron Paul, an icon to the libertarian Right and to some on the anti-war Left, gave a farewell address to Congress that expressed his neo-Confederate interpretation of the Constitution and his anti-historical view of the supposedly good old days of laissez-faire capitalism.

In a near-hour-long rambling speechon Nov. 14, Paul also revealed himself to be an opponent of “pure democracy” because government by the people and for the people tends to infringe on the “liberty” of businessmen who, in Paul’s ideal world, should be allowed to do pretty much whatever they want to the less privileged.

In Paul’s version of history, the United States lost its way at the advent of the Progressive Era about a century ago. “The majority of Americans and many government officials agreed that sacrificing some liberty was necessary to carry out what some claimed to be ‘progressive’ ideas,” said the 77-year-old Texas Republican. “Pure democracy became acceptable.”

Before then, everything was working just fine, in Paul’s view. But the reality was anything but wonderful for the vast majority of Americans. A century ago, women were denied the vote by law and many non-white males were denied the vote in practice. Uppity blacks were frequently lynched. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://consortiumnews.com/2012/11/27/ron-pauls-appalling-world-view/

[BridgeTheGap]

1. To me, this demonstrates the "cult of personality" paradigm that seems to

be all the rage in this country. While I certainly don't agree with most of what Paul has stood for, I do agree with his positions on how the U.S. prosecutes war/police actions and ending the drug war. That said, I wouldn't want this guy as President.

[bemildred]

2. Notice how little he cares about the "liberty" of people with no money.

Liberty for them does not include the right to a say in the halls of power, does not include the right to vote, does not include any rights in the workplace.

[Jamaal510]

3. I noticed that hypocrisy too.

For instance, isn't it strange that these people have been really quiet about all those GOP governors making it harder for people to exercise their most basic Constitutional right? And Libertarians were supposedly the people who care so deeply about the Constitution and protecting people's rights. Why weren't they siding with the Democrats and speaking out against those ID laws?

[The Magistrate]

4. The Key To Understanding This Country, Sir

Is to appreciate that it is based on successfully taking the privileges of petty aristocracy to the mass-market, so that people feel these are the proper focus of aspiration, even should they fail of their attainment for themselves.

The true rallying cry of the founding generation was 'Every man a country squire!', and this has defined the parameters ever since...

[Blue_Tires]

5. Paul is full of double-speak

I live in an area that had a lot of Paulites from the '08 primaries, and even they still can't agree on what Paul stands for, when asked for specifics...

[bemildred]

6. I agree it's a mistake to spend much time trying to analyze what he says.

But he starts babbling on about "liberty" and I forget. I used to drive myself nuts trying to figure out what these wingnuts meant when they would start talking about "freedom" and "liberty" in the context of keeping the underclasses in their proper places. The don't mean anything, they are just slinging the bullshit. Thanks for the reminder.

[toby jo]

8. George Will does the same thing

He'll go on making some good economic sense until it begins to dawn on you that he's leaving something out. It's compassion. For the sick, the impoverished, the non WASPs'.

When you calculate in the needs of these folks, you get democrat philosophy.

[jade3000]

7. Paul combines his political ideals with the bias of wealthy, powerful, aging, bitter man

His biases come from his personal history, like they do from anyone who refuses to honestly interrogate the past.