Ron Paul for President

[SiliconJon]

a 30 second clip - the contest winner

[SiliconJon]

Quote:

December 3, 2007


Want to know a secret? There were two moments I especially enjoyed at the CNN/YouTube debate -- despite my frustration at some of the questions, and the maldistribution of time.

First, I was pleased at John McCain's attack, which he clearly had planned. Not because that sort of stream-of-consciousness nonsense about Hitler and WWII -- when the neocons openly want what they call WW IV! Are we to forget that the first war crime charged at Nuremberg was waging aggressive war?

I mean this: mainstream politicians NEVER attack an opponent they think is far behind. The McCain campaign, we've heard, is worried sick about New Hampshire, and they thought a slam at me would help. Ha! Of course,
it only strengthened our forces.

Then, after the debate, Rudy Giuliani walked up to me and said, "Oooh, you sure have a LOT of supporters." It's only the beginning, I told him.

Indeed, he could have told that by the crowd outside after the debate. Mitt Romney had a few people, but no one else did. We, on the other hand, had about 500 enthusiastic revolutionaries, plus a boat, a trolley, and two planes towing lighted signs. As I looked out at the crowd, I thought: the establishment has no idea of what they are facing. We have an army of freedom, prosperity, and peace. As the LA Times political blog noted the other day, the
British also thought they had no problem with the Americans--until Yorktown.

But we have an astoundingly short time before the first contests. The Iowa caucuses are on January 3, the New Hampshire primary is on January 8, and Nevada and South Carolina are both on January 19. We have only
30 days to stake our claim to the nomination, and to the new America that restores the ideals of the founders, and leads the world through free enterprise, a sound dollar, the rule of law, and peaceful example. Not through
inflation and bombs.

Help me surprise the neocons and all the establishment with our success. Help me build the foundation for the America we all want. Send your most generous contribution: https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate. The military-industrial complex, the biased media, the big banks, the Fed, the waterboarders, and the IRS don't like what we're doing. But every good American is applauding us, and daring to hope for a better future.

Please, help me give it to them, to us, to all Americans to come. Keep this revolution growing and winning:
https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate.

Sincerely,

Ron

[The Real Bingo]

Too many Ron Paul supporters = canceled straw poll in San Francisco...

[Smidley]

This rebuttal letter to the editor of a college paper blew me away.

Quote:

Ron Paul fights corporate greed
Trey Ray
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: Opinions

This letter is in response to Daniel Potter's article entitled "Ron Paul unusual, unfavorable" [Nov. 19]. Potter has tapped into the dreadfully hip trend of smearing Dr. Paul, to which many pseudo-journalistic pundits have taken a liking. As usual, it is filled with all the trite "truthiness" of the Colbert Report, minus the humor. I'll stick to the most pertinent facts.

It is unfortunately accurate to say that Ron Paul is unusual, because it has been quite some time since a politician has had the moral soundness to be honest with the people. Likewise, it is a sad state of affairs to suggest that someone who fulfills their oath of office by strictly adhering to the Constitution that they were sworn to uphold, is unfavorable.

Granted, the Constitution is an imperfect document, but I think most would agree that it is the best mankind has produced as of yet, especially in terms of listing the inalienable rights bestowed unto humanity, in spite of their government.

Therefore, as Dr. Paul points out, if you choose to ignore certain parts of the Constitution without amending it, ultimately you nullify the document entirely. Ron has stated numerous times that he regrettably votes down bills he would otherwise support, simply because he does not have the constitutional authority to do so.

Speaking of limited authority, Ron Paul is the only candidate who seems to understand the role of the President of the United States. It may be surprising to some, but the executive branch is not equivalent to an unbridled dictatorship. However, the PATRIOT Act, along with some other tasty little nuggets - i.e. Military Commissions Act, Real ID Act, etc. has literally legalized just such a situation. Right now, HR 1955, a bill lovingly entitled "The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007" has passed the House of Representatives, and is on its way to the Senate. This bill vaguely states that any person who "acts, or promotes action against the U.S. Government" is a terrorist.

Essentially, this is a 'thought crime' bill, aimed at squashing the healthy, patriotic dissent that we have enjoyed since 1776. Of course some will argue, "This could never happen here; that sounds like something Hitler would do".

Hitler did these things. Even he didn't have the balls to put it down on paper, and any lawyer will tell you that the government doesn't pass laws that they don't expect to enforce at some point.

Back to 2007 from 1984, the President actually has very limited power under the Constitution. The President is Commander in Chief of the military - not the people, and as such has the authority to bring the troops home as soon as militarily possible, and drastically alter our aggressive foreign policy.

According to almost every nationwide poll, this is something that 70 percent of the American people want, and therefore sounds quite favorable to me. As for the vast number of government departments and benefits that Ron Paul would supposedly make magically vanish, he will be the first to tell you that he has no authority to single-handedly do this.

Congress, through the will of the people would be responsible for changing or completely doing away with these programs and departments. The President's job is to inform and educate the American people, and to influence Congress to do the people's bidding. However, the President does have the authority to write an executive order, which would reverse previous executive orders that have obliterated the Bill of Rights, and would restore our Constitutional freedoms.

On the subject of free markets and the economy, Dr. Paul has some very interesting ideas that may seem "radical" at first glance. But upon a closer, more open-minded examination, these ideas not only make perfect sense, but they are in line with the Constitutional role of government. Yet again, these changes would not happen with a mere flick of a switch from President Paul; this could only come about through an informed public demanding that Congress change the laws.

I must point out some obvious facts that are often overlooked regarding government involvement in the economy. Firstly, a free market system is not some willy-nilly free-for-all to let corporate interests run amok. There are still laws, and under this system corporate malfeasance would be punished, instead of rewarded through government subsidies via the taxpayers.

The Halliburtons and Enrons of the world can only exist in a system in which there is collusion between corporate interests and the state, and I think we all have seen just how well the government has protected the people from such calamity under the current system.

It is also interesting, and frightening to note that the term "Corporatism" was the preferred way to describe this joining of businesses and the state according to Benito Mussolini. He suggested that this was the more proper way to refer to another term he is famous for coining, "Fascism". In Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, the state took control of the corporations. In present day America, through the tireless efforts of lobbyists we see the same trend occurring in reverse, but with the same effect.

In closing, it is not my wish to belittle Potter personally, as he is merely misinformed, as myself and many others have been before. Instead, I think of it as a quantum leap of sorts, trying to make right what once went wrong. I applaud him, however for simply describing us as "rabid" instead of suggesting that we are domestic terrorists, for whom the military should be deployed to control, as Glen Beck recently implied. It is true that we are passionate, but this passion comes from the fact that we are aware of what is at stake in the coming election.

Overall, the Ron Paul supporters that I have met are the most informed, and diverse group of people you could possibly imagine. There are a few people in the movement who might be described as "on the fringe" by those intent on maintaining the status quo, but the unifying factor that brings us all together is the love of our individual liberty. Even those "crazy conspiracy theorists" can detect when someone is telling them the truth, and that is something any patriotic American would find refreshing from a politician.

If upon further investigation, Potter decides to join us, he would be welcomed with no hard feelings. Until then, though it is certainly difficult to define, the substitution of trivialized disinformation for facts is definitely not Rock n' Roll.

[Smidley]

My previous post was directed mostly to TOAD6147.

[SiliconJon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Real Bingo

Too many Ron Paul supporters = canceled straw poll in San Francisco...

Disgustipating

[SiliconJon]

Presidential Candidate Ron Paul Bears Empty Pot For Americans
December 6, 2007
Carl Fiser
(Smithtown, N.Y.)

Many contend that Ron Paul, although an honest, plain-talking man, comes to the 2008 presidential campaign podium without a lot of achievement. While in office, he hasn't steer-headed proposed legislation into law, or galvanized broad-based support for this national agenda or that, or even been on board with most post-911 bills and actions. For almost twenty years, he's been a dedicated representative for his Texas District and has not a potpourri of achievements about which to boast on the presidential campaign trail. Is this exactly true? How could someone serve for so long, and have so little to show for it?

At this time, I should share a story I heard from two entertainers at my son's grade school. The entertainers were turning books from different parts of the world into short, little plays, in order to spark the children's interest in reading.

The following story took place centuries ago in the Far East.

The wise, old emperor was keenly aware that he was getting along in years, and he worried about finding a suitable replacement to lead the people. One day, he solicited the young people of his kingdom to gather, and he shocked them by telling them that he would be stepping down and that he would choose one of them to be his successor. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today, a very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!"

One young man named Ling, a son of a farmer, was there that day, and he was certain that he could cultivate that seed better than anyone else. He got a pot, filled it with rich soil and watered it carefully. Day after day, he checked the pot. Weeks passed by, then months, and still nothing had grown. Other youths from the kingdom began to talk about their plants and flowers and trees, but Ling said nothing. He was sure that he somehow had killed the seed.

After a year had passed, all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling's first inclination was not to attend, but he showed up that day, sick to his stomach. He was amazed at the plants that the others had brought. They were of all different varieties and all so beautiful. Some of the others made fun of Ling's empty pot and others felt pity for him. Ling stood toward the back of the crowd.
The emperor looked over the vast array and seemed pleased. Then, he spotted Ling standing at the back of the room with his empty pot, and he ordered his guards to bring the young man to the front. Ling was led grudgingly, fearful that he may be punished for his utter failure. The emperor asked his name. "My name is Ling," he replied. Now, all the youths were laughing and making fun. The emperor then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!"

The emperor continued,
One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow. The rest of you substituted your own seeds for the one I gave you, but Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be your new emperor!

Ron Paul, like Ling, is a great truth-teller. His voting record is one of the most consistent this writer has ever seen. No flip-flops are to be found. As well, he is a courageous and wise man, and a heck of an economist. Just ask the Wall Streeters. However, he bears to his fellow countrymen (and countrywomen), an empty pot. He can't claim to have brought you wars or higher taxes, which we now have. He never brought you an unbalanced budget, which is a perennial joke. He never voted himself a wage increase and, to this day, gives back part of his salary every year. He has always voted to preserve the Constitution, cut government spending, lower healthcare costs, end the war on drugs, secure our borders with immigration reform and protect our civil liberties. Sorrowfully, he was outvoted or shot down on all measures.

The Constitution has been chiseled down, government spending is through the roof, healthcare costs are out of control, the war on drugs keeps getting less effective, immigration issues remain unresolved and our civil liberties have been crimped for our own safety. I'll just throw in that Ron Paul opposes regulation of the internet, which has been a revolution in the exchange of ideas, this article being a case in point.

The eye-popping reality of the situation is this. No longer can it be said that Ron Paul is running for President. Amazingly enough, his candidacy has been hijacked, and it appears now that the people are running for President. . . through Ron Paul! That's the true revolution about which your neighbors are speaking.

So, do you want the plants and flowers that your other government representatives have cultivated for you year after year, or do you want an open and honest effort at change, not for the powerful interests, but for you and for members of your family yet to arrive. If you want to see an unprecedented effort at change - starting with the only man on the campaign trail who is not afraid to tell you the truth - your action must start now. Get informed. Get angry. Get talking to your neighbors. Then, get to the voting booths!

** Go Ron Paul! Join Us! **
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/

Please join us this December 16th 2007 for the largest one-day political donation event in history. Our goal is to bring together 100,000 people to donate $100 each, creating a one day donation total of $10,000,000.

http://www.teaparty07.com/

[The Real Bingo]

Good story. As it alluded to, sometimes the law not proposed or passed is the best law of all.

[Smidley]

I just read that yesterday as well, Jon. I thought it was a hit piece at first.

[SiliconJon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smidley

I just read that yesterday as well, Jon. I thought it was a hit piece at first.

Same here. The title had me ready for criticism.