Ron Paul's take on the 2012 election

[GeorgeCook]

I know Ron Paul is hated on this forum, but I think the ideas he espouses is very much what this country needs, especially now. I ask you before you chime in with comments about the failed presidential campaigns and so on, to please consider just what he is saying here. The overwhelming majority of you went down another path this election, your candidate lost too. The quick easy answer is to look at the profile of the voters who voted for Obama, but I think there is more to it than that; that's a topic for another day.

The source of these comments is Ron Paul's comments on his Facebook page.

Thank you for your consideration!
George

Ron Paul's remarks:
11/9/2012
"America is over $16 trillion in debt. The "official" unemployment rate still hovers around 8%.

 Our federal government claims the right to spy on American citizens, indefinitely detain them, and even assassinate them without trial.

 Domestic drones fly over the country for civilian surveillance.

 Twelve million fewer Americans voted in 2012 than in 2008, yet political pundits scratch their heads.

 It's not hard to see why, though.

 To go along with endorsing a never-ending policy of bailouts, "stimulus packages," and foreign military adventurism, the establishment of neither major party questions the assaults on Americans' liberties I’ve named above.

 As my campaign showed, the American people are fed up. Many realized heading into Tuesday that regardless of who won the presidential election, the status quo would be the real victor.

 GOP leadership is now questioning why they didn't perform better.

 They're looking at demographic changes in the United States and implying minorities can only be brought into the party by loudly advocating for abandoning what little remains of their limited government platform and endorsing more statist policies.

 My presidential campaign proved that standing for freedom brings people together.

 Liberty is popular – regardless of race, religion, or creed.

 As long as the GOP establishment continues to not only reject the liberty message, but actively drive away the young, diverse coalition that supports those principles, it will see results similar to Tuesday’s outcome.

 A renewed respect for liberty is the only way forward for the Republican Party and for our country.

 I urge all my Republican colleagues to join the liberty movement in fighting for a brighter future."

[Jrlobo]

Okay, so how many people voted for the Libertarian Party? Of those who did, what was their ethnic make-up? How many Libertarians were elected to federal positions in this election? Who did Rand Paul support in this election? Why does Ron Paul caucus with the Republicans? Is there a Libertarian caucus in Congress? Can you name me one Libertarian in the State of Maryland who holds an elected state level office? Congressman Paul states a lot of facts about the state of the nation...duh, as if we weren't aware. If Ron Paul and others like him are the answer to our problems, why are they treated like ghosts in this country? I could ask questions all night, but I don't think either you or Ron Paul could answer. It's not just a matter of us getting to know him and his party. We already do and choose to go with those who have the best chance of winning, even though we may not agree with all of their policies. Ron's done.

[GeorgeCook]

Okay, so how many people voted for the Libertarian Party? Of those who did, what was their ethnic make-up? How many Libertarians were elected to federal positions in this election? Who did Rand Paul support in this election? Why does Ron Paul caucus with the Republicans? Is there a Libertarian caucus in Congress? Can you name me one Libertarian in the State of Maryland who holds an elected state level office? Congressman Paul states a lot of facts about the state of the nation...duh, as if we weren't aware. If Ron Paul and others like him are the answer to our problems, why are they treated like ghosts in this country? I could ask questions all night, but I don't think either you or Ron Paul could answer. It's not just a matter of us getting to know him and his party. We already do and choose to go with those who have the best chance of winning, even though we may not agree with all of their policies. Ron's done.

A few answers: I don't care about MD politics. Tom may have been right, you might want to move from that state; call it a strategic withdrawal.
Yep, Rand Paul has egg on his face. I knew that was a mistake when he endorsed Romney. I think he did it to keep himself in the good graces of the GOP Senate leadership.
Ron Paul caucused with Republicans, just my guess, because he knew the voters in his district still match people to their beliefs by party, not by the ideas they hold.


As I look at the scoreboard, I see several things. The most obvious is going with "the best chance to win" strategy netted us nothing in 2008 and 2012.

The point of the post is this: If conservatives and libertarians keep going along with the GOP establishment, we are going to keep getting the results we have from 2008 and 2012. It's that simple.

Lobo, it's the ideas that matter, not the party nor a person.

When we learn to separate ourselves from the party labels and stand on the ideas, I think conservative/libertarian principles will gain favor. I talk to alot of people below the age of 30 and they are really not that crazy about either political party. The labels really don't mean much to them from my experience. But when you start talking about individual freedom and rights, plus the opportunity to make your mark in this world without government interference they start listening.

But don't listen to me. Keep doing what you have been doing and I am confident you will keep getting the same results. And if you keep doing that, then I would say you like what you are getting.

[JdePietro]

Thank you GC for the post.

Ron Paul was the only candidate that actually laid out his plans on the table for everyone to see. His books were not filled with the stories of his youth and what his grandpa taught him. The man was an honest and upstanding politician who never once voted for something that clearly betrayed the Constitution or that would spend from the national treasury.

He is again absolutely right about why the GOP took a beating. Talking about abortion, religion and a new war is not catching anybodies fancy. Not mentioning key issues that actually meant something to the American people would have changed the tides dramatically.

 

the American people are fed up. Many realized heading into Tuesday that regardless of who won the presidential election, the status quo would be the real victor.

You're damn right. That is why 3 million people sat on their hands. Most of the nation is not a seething bunch of hypocrites seeking religious domination over all life with endless wars to seek out and destroy the competition.

I wish his son was more like him, I think in many respects the apple fell a little far from the tree.