It’s interesting to note that the internet is like hyper word-of-mouth, and it seems Ron Paul has caught on there first. Word-of-mouth is the reason Ron Paul’s movement can and will be the most powerful!

Continue to spread the good news!

To the extent we define l-ism as Constitutionalism, I agree with it whole-heartedly. However, I am loathe to endorse l-ism b/c it is an imprecise term.

In particular, I am weirded out by the open-borders arguments many libertarians tend to make, and by the atheistic self-centered vanity of the Ayn Randites.

Again, maybe that’s unfair, as libertarianism is hard to define. I am much more comfortable with the Lew Rockwell variety than I see coming out of Reason.

So I mainly break with libertarians on issues in the extreme where their ideology breaks down: on issues of immigration / open borders and dealing with obvious social vice that appeals to the prurient interest. They are about half-right, and 90% right on economic issues and the federal government.

I think local communities ought to be able to hang those that distribute pornography, for example. A libertarian would argue, “how are you going to define what is pornography?” My response is that the person distributing the questionable material had better ask himself that question before it goes before a jury of his peers.

Links that reflect my view:

http://isteve.blogspot.com/2007/04/libertarianism-is-applied-autism.html

“We live in a world where violence — perpetrating it and preventing it — is the fundamental fact that social and political organization must deal with. Thus, all property rights come out of the barrel of a gun. Once you realize that, the reason why we prefer the welfare of our fellow citizens to that of non-citizens is (to get all reductionist): They are the ones who would fight on your side.”

http://acrossdifficultcountry.blogspot.com/2006/07/marginalia.html

Thomas Fleming, being his usual disagreeable self, summed up a good critique of some libertarians with this comment about libertarians misunderstanding of patriotism:

“Libertarians, hearing such a description, run gagging to the sink. There are no nations, no communities, no families. Only self-seeking individuals exist, and the “common good” is a term invented by fascist oppressors. This is the only answer they have for any social question, from drugs to pornography to fast food. This shopworn and counterintuitive platitude from the Enlightenment is so self-evidently stupid as to require no refutation, though David Hume supplied one in his great essay on “The Original Contract.” Nonetheless, people such as Ayn Rand and the nerds and geeks who cling to her in the naive belief that her rotten novels will turn them into supermen could never understand the fact that human beings are social animals. This is a part of human nature which no libertarian theory can eradicate, and my advice to them is to find another planet where they can all live in solitary caves, where they can snort coke and watch porn videos to their hearts content. Their ideas are irrelevant, not just to present circumstances, but to the human condition. ”

If Ron Paul is to break out into the mainstream, we’re going to have to put aside these differences and unite in common cause against the real enemy. All of these issues of disagreement are best hashed out on the local level, where those who disagree can have the true liberty of voting with their feet. All the libertarians can move to Nevada, the conservatives to East Texas, and the collectivist commies to Vermont. Ain’t federalism wonderful!

On the contrary, libertarians make the opposite assumption, which is why they oppose the concentration of power in a few hands. Libertarians understand that under liberty, irrational people reap their own rewards and cannot burden their neighbors with their own irrationality. This does encourage rationality, but certainly does not assume it.

“Autistic tendency?” Psychobabble smears like this are usually deployed when real arguments are missing. And to claim that others are supporting “ridiculous policy prescriptions” without specifying what they are is another smear in place of real argument.

Well said. Not everyone has caught onto this, but the old school Republican ideology that Ron Paul represents is ideally sited to todays current politics.

His views on civil liberties, the war and the size of government have an appeal to voters on both the right and the left. I for one am a former Democrat who has crossed parties to support Paul in the primary fight.

Best,

James

Ron Paul will help restore a proper balance of power between the Federal and State governments, as the Constitution requires. And if he can just say ‘No’ to congress’ overspending for a few years then he will have done a great service to our country.

Also here are some additional reasons to be somewhat optimistic regarding the election.

‘Scientific Polls’ at this stage only measure name recognition. Over the next six months Ron Paul will gain name recognition and people will learn about who Ron Paul is. Most people who learn about Ron Paul become major supporters.

Ron Paul has the most contributions from U.S. military personnel above all other candidates. So support the troops and vote Ron Paul!

Ron Paul places 1st or 2nd in every straw poll, debate, and active participation survey.

Ron Paul is 1st in YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Meetup, Google, etc. The old media is just too slow to realize what is happening.

Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were doing about the same in the ‘Scientific Polls’ at this stage in their elections. Ron Paul has tremendous momentum and his support is growing exponentially. The other candidates are stagnant. Only Ron Paul’s support is growing and will continue to grow!

Ron Paul is the man of integrity and courage that America needs at this time.

“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” John Quincy Adams

We are making history – Vote Ron Paul!

Visit YouTube and search Ron Paul to learn more…

http://ronpaul.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/07/correction-on-r.html