Ron Paul

[RenaissanceMan]

My apologies for waxing political but ....

Any Americans on this site planning to vote for Ron Paul next year? 

I just find it astonishing that there's actually someone worth voting for!

[RenaissanceMan]

Finally, someone who wants to reduce the size of government  , return all American troops back home, get rid of the income tax and the war on drugs, restore the constitution and most importantly of all, get rid of the Federal Reserve and return to sound money ie. gold and silver.

A tall order but very much worth it.  The only question is whether this guy can raise all of that money he needs for early next year.

[Doringo]

Well he sounds like an excellent president but the question is whether the electoral college will vote him in if those are his stated intentions; in the end of the day the people's votes don't matter because it's the electoral college who selects the president

[Mydral]

Sounds like he is going to get shot...

[RenaissanceMan]

Sounds like he is going to get shot...

Yes, if he becomes popular (that is, popular in places other than the Internet where he already is), that's a definite possibility.

Well he sounds like an excellent president but the question is whether the electoral college will vote him in if those are his stated intentions; in the end of the day the people's votes don't matter because it's the electoral college who selects the president

Yes, and even before that Dr Paul has got his work cut out for him just to win in the Primaries - his chance of gaining the Republican Nomination is slim to none.  The Republican Party practically needs to be re-built from scratch.  It's really lost it's way, I feel.
 
At the very least, however, Dr Paul will bring a lot of attention to these issues that just don't usually get discussed.

It would be great if there was someone like him worth voting for here in Australia - we have an election this year! 

[Stookie]

lol - you're in Australia and have more interest (and probably knowledge) in American politics than most Americans.

I do like Ron Paul, but like all elections, the man who really plans to change things doesn't stand a chance. Even though he has a big internet following, it means nothing if that internet buzz doesn't make it into real life. Senior citizens are a big population of voters and tend not to be very tech savvy. And what is put on the news and TV spots won't help Paul.

I try to stay politically informed, but just enough to not make me want to throw up.

[cool guy]

GO RON PAUL!!!

[Awakened_Mind]

I'm in Australia. I only came across Ron Paul's name this morning.

Watched a video on you tube 'The End of America'. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjALf12PAWc

National ID cards are really just a form of surveillance in a step toward a totalitarian society. "The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country."-Edward Bernays"          Interesting quote in social theory.

I watched a video on 'Black Water', just to get an idea of what it is, basically the government mercenaries. Anyone get anything a bit more in depth?

-AM

[Dimitis]

Yea try govt. mercenaries with no accountability...right now they are being shut down, but before all of this controversey they were let to do whatever the hell they wanted.  They work with and apart from the military...its just a militia, and a bunch of dudes who are getting paid to kill.

[SnakeDoctor]

^^^ that was random...


im voting for the ex mayor of ny...can't spell his name...

and if Clinton wins....OH SWEET CANADA!::pretends to know canadian national anthem::

[Mez]

im also in australia Ive heard alot about this Ron Paul... he seems like a good bet! Its rare these days that a politician actually wants to do what needs to be done. The Australian elections are very soon and either way we're screwed I feel... Its no wonder so many people dont vote.

[Awakened_Mind]

One issue I'd like to raise with any Americans is how they feel about Ron Paul basically saying America should take some responsibility for 9/11. He isn't saying it was completely America's fault, but he is saying that it was the product of years of provocation. He suggests America needs a change in policy with foreign relations and can't continue to 'police' the world without financial or political effects, pushing towards a return to the constitution. Main point, he is blamig the policies rather than America.

Now in my opinion the act of taking responsibility in a situation is in most situations an act of maturity. I feel there is some credence to what he is saying, but being an Australian and having no ties to anyone who was killed in the twin towers I don't feel my voice has much credibility. I can only look at the situation in terms of global politics.

How do Americans interpret this notion raised by Ron Paul?

I'm under the impression there's a lot of patriotism in America so I want to say that my argumnets/responses are nothing personal or in anyway attempting to undermine the United States. I'm trying to my hardest to tread carefuly while attempting to get my point across.

-AM

[Stookie]

Unfortunately, I don't think many American voters interpret that notion at all, because it's not a republican or democrat saying it.

Our media indirectly tells us that it's Democrat vs. Republican, and all other parties aren't taken seriously. No matter how you look at it, it's been that way as long as I've been alive and it's hard to imagine another party taking presidency. I like Ron Paul, but most Americans are afraid of radical change. I almost always vote libertarian, but at the same time I feel I could not go vote and it wouldn't be any different. My man has NEVER won.

Patriotism in America is varied - what some consider patriotic, others don't at all. Some people think Michael Moore is extremely patriotic, others say he is a dirty traitor. Some say the war is about patriotism, some say it's a disgrace to patriotism. And some people watch FOX news.

[iNNERvOYAGER]

Thanks, I'm reading up on Ron Paul now. But has he seen an UFO like Dennis Kucinich did? Hard to top that!

I watched a video on 'Black Water', just to get an idea of what it is, basically the government mercenaries. Anyone get anything a bit more in depth?

They're DOD contrators and Black Water is a civilian corporation. We need streamlined security when defending against the islamofascist.

A classic example of how successful a civilian corporation can be is Executive Outcomes,
"the mercenary firm based in Pretoria, South Africa, and has proven to be a decisive factor in the outcome of some civil wars in Africa. Involved in forcing rebels to the negotiating table in Sierra Leone." http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/executive_outcomes.htm
Read what  http://www.sierra-leone.org/heartmatter.html has to say.

After Executive Outcomes stopped the rampage, atrocities of the RUF, irresponsible journalists only interested in sensationalism, started screaming, "mercenary, mercenary".
Then the UN became embarrassed, and with the backing of Bill Clinton, Executive Outcomes was forced to suspend their security efforts.

The actions of the UN and Bill Clinton directly contributed to thousands more of civilian deaths, and resulted in the UN waisting approximately 1.5 mil/year while accomplishing nothing and standing by while the atrocities continued.

Civilian security firms can have an advantage over government military because of the benefit of a streamlined acquisition process and more agile logistics. The government has to drag a huge bureaucratic anchor to get improvements on-line.

Yea try govt. mercenaries with no accountability...right now they are being shut down, but before all of this controversy they were let to do whatever the hell they wanted.  They work with and apart from the military...its just a militia, and a bunch of dudes who are getting paid to kill.

LOL, dude you're funny!  Yeah that goes for the police too, "just a bunch of dudes who are getting paid to kill."

I have a good idea, stop waisting money on law and order,  let's just release all the hardened criminals and psychopaths from prison and let them do their thing, after all, they're just mixed up and confused, I'm sure you can reason with them.