Ron Paul – the Good and the Bad

by rex on January 3, 2012

in election 2012

So far, I haven’t really weighed in on the GOP nomination candidates. Since 2012 is here, and the presidential race is drawing closer and closer, I figure I may as well start with Ron Paul.

I’m going to cover a few of the major issues here. To be clear, I am not confident that Ron Paul could defeat Barack Obama. We need to remember the voting base of Barack. However, many of the independents who voted against McCain in 2008 may go for Ron Paul. There is a CLEAR difference in stances between Ron Paul and everyone else.

The Bad – Muslim Stance

The is the one place where Ron has it wrong. His position is basically that Muslims who attack us do so because we are “invading” their land. The United States has bombed them so Muslims are annoyed.

Granted, that is part of the problem. However, Islam is NOT the religion of peace. One of the foundations of Islam is the war and violence that Muhammad himself waged.

Quran 9:123 “O you who believe, fight those of the unbelievers near you and let them see how harsh you can be. Know that Allah is with the righteous.”

Keep in mind that the above verse takes place around 630 after a battle confronting the Byzantine Christians. It was a Muslim Crusade centuries before any of the Christian Crusades.

Now, one can argue that not all present-day Muslims are violent, but one cannot argue the history and context of the prophet Muhammad himself. That history and context is one of violence to non-believers.

Where Ron Paul has it wrong – Muslims would attack us anyway at some point. The “invading their lands” rhetoric is just a red herring. Anyone remember the Barbary Pirates?

The Bad – Newsletters

Actually, I don’t really care about the content of the newsletters themselves. I’m sure there is some content that I would actually agree. My concern is Ron Paul’s complete dismissal of them.

The facts are simple:

  • They ran for around 10 years.
  • Ron Paul’s name was the headliner.
  • Ron Paul profited from them.
He should have a much better response than basically saying “I didn’t know anything about them for 10 years.” That just sounds weak and stupid. Ron Paul should have handled that better.

The Good

Federal Debt

Trimming $1 Trillion the first year? He’s got my vote. No more needs to be said.

Iran and Nukes

Most “conservatives” that I know let the hairs on their neck stand on end at the thought of Iran and nuclear capabilities. While I agree that it would be a more dangerous world with a nuclear-armed Iran, nobody on the right (or the left) seems to have a clear answer for one simple question:

What EXACTLY do we do to stop Iran? Are we supposed to bomb them? Invade them? Assassinate their leaders?

Everyone seems hell-bent on the Iran and no nukes drumbeat; however, sanctions are not going to cut it. Neither is saying “pretty please” and neither is putting them in the Axis of Evil.

My stance is that Iran is a sovereign nation. As unpalatable as it may be, as true conservatives we should not stop them and cannot. Let Israel do it.

Foreign Aid

Ron advocates stopping all foreign aid. Sounds good to me.

Legalizing Drugs

I’ve come to realize that, yes, the entire War on Drugs is a big expensive effort in futility. One of the side effects is the massive expansion in police powers and federal powers that undermine our liberties.

Ron has a very valid stance on civil liberties. Would I personally start using heroine if it were legal? No, and I bet the majority of people would not either.

Prohibition did not work and served as a microcosm of what is going on now. Back then it gave rise to mob. Now we have the drug cartels and the Police State.

The Federal Reserve

Should be stopped completely. Easy enough.

Abortion

He’s against abortion. So am I.

Tagged as: federal reserve, iran, ron paul

  • Jim

    He does have a valid point that we are spending ourselves out of existence with foreign adventures. We do have to protect ourselves, and I think that is his point – protect ourselves. The reason I liked George W. when he first ran was because he promised no nation building, totally put Gore down on that issue in the debates. I don’t think RP is as far out on foreign affairs as everyone thinks he is.

  • Cbrandonb9428

    As always, very valid points.

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  • Anonymous

    I thought you were headed for a fear-based attack on Paul’s foreign policy.  For the record, let me point out that Ron has never stated that he believes Islam is a religion of peace.  
    Even though you have avoided any scare tactics, let me point out for any readers who are concerned that he wold drop the ball on the War on Terror, that having our troops here, rather than there actually makes us safer. Not only is Iran a sovereign nation, they have no capability of hurling any kind of nuke into our midst.  It is a MUCH tougher proposition than simply making one.  You can all be sure President Paul would NOT be guilty of giving it to them, via foreign aid, as was done with the Soviets, so with our troops on our borders and what with the visa management activities in D.C. being one of the few legitimate activities of government, Paul’s narrowing of focus can be counted on to throw out any lurking suicide bombers here on expired visas.  Their staffs are really overpowered these days, since the current and recent administrations have funneled money everywhere it’s not supposed to go, but that will stop.
    It’s really Orwellian.  Whatever has been worded any certain way usually means exactly the opposite.  If you don’t know what Orwellian means, it’s like Opposite Day in middle school.  You just say the opposite of whatever you mean.  Think about any unconstitutional government mandate or department and the true goal or actual effect is always the opposite of the name.

  • Hark

    Only problem i have with ron paul is he does not think about the case if a rape victim needing abortion. If a woman is pregnant from rape, she NEEDS to abort it.

    • Anonymous

      No – she doesn’t “need” to abort anything. You want to explain why she “needs” to abort?

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