Posted by: aman on: December 20, 2007
There are plenty of reasons why you should vote for Ron Paul but try talking to a Ron Paul supporter and ask them to mention 1 reason why not to vote for Ron Paul and you will be called all sorts of names. They almost appear like the Bushies (thats slang for the Bush supporters) and almost think Paul is an incarnation of Christ who can do no wrong. I find this blind allegiance scary. It is okay to question even someone you support and I would certainly vote for RP if it Kucinich and Gravel weren’t on the ballot list. He is right on a lot of things, but that doesn’t mean he is right on everything. Also, questioning some of his policies or stance, doesn’t make you any less loyal than another supporter.
So here’s my list of 5 reasons why I would not vote for Ron Paul and the RP supporters would be well advised to ask him these questions.
1. War Reparations: Ron Paul doesn’t believe in providing war reparations to the Iraqis. He just dismisses that issue with a very cavalier atttitude saying “it was a mistake”. Well, yes, it was a mistake. But what mistake did the Iraqis commit? Did they ask the US to invade them and free them? Did they ask Saddam to rule over them in a despotic manner?
This position of RP is absolutely morally reprehensible to me. I detest this whole idea that the US is better than other countries. Every nation in the past has provided War reparations and so should the US of A. Not all Germans were Nazi sympathisers nor were all Japanese imperialists and yet Germany and Japan provided war reparations and that is the first step that the US should take while asking for an apology from the Iraqis and the world. Check this video see his position on War Reparations.
2. Net Neutrality: Comcast recently blocked some torrent traffic and everyday we hear of a new corporation choosing and picking what net traffic gets preference. Net Neutrality will make sure the Net remains Neutral but Ron Paul voted against it. I understand Paul is for limited government and intervention, but who else will police these corporations? Should the corporatiosn be left to police themselves. This is another ridiculous policy position by Ron Paul.
3. Global Warming: Ron Paul is obviously out to lunch here. His positions of free market and the cavalier attitude of personal responsibility is fatally flawed. That is all we have been doing so far. Asking the corporations to own up to their responsibility and it has not worked in the least bit. His positions are almost similar to Bush. When a majority of scientists in the world are pleading for some action his attitude on global warming is very scary.
4. Abortion: Ron Paul is against government intervention in private space but he doesn`t mind intervening in a woman`s uterus. He wants people to vote on whether a woman can have an abortion or not. The fact that he wants the states to choose and decide doesn’t change anything. What about a woman’s right in this issue since he is so for life and liberty. Since he is also against welfare, who will help the woman from the poorer class to feed her child. Who is he or anyone else to pass moral judgement on what a woman can or can not do.
5. United Nations: Ron Paul wants to move out of the United Nations. It is a noble organisation and its credibility is in tatters and that is all thanks to the US. Yet he will choose to completely move out of the United Nations and never intervene anywhere except if the security of the US is threatened. That means he won’t intervene in cases such as Rwanda and Darfur. That is morally reprehensible and disgusting.
It is no different than Bush’s position of intervening everywhere for US interests, just happens to be on the opposite SELFISH extreme.
Think about it Ron Paul supporters and question Dr. Paul on some of these issues. As Albert Einstein said: Unthinking Respect for Authority is the Greatest Enemy of Truth.
There is also another list of 10 reasons why not to vote for Ron Paul. Do have a look.
You’ve made some great points and I’ve actually discussed some of these issues with a lot of my friends. I should preference this by saying that I am a Ron Paul supporter.
1. War Reperations
Ron Pauls main stance on these issues is simple: “We can’t afford it.” In order to pay war reperations we would have to borrow that money elsewhere. We are a bankrupt country. We have to stop borrowing money.
2. Net Neutrality
You have to look at the big picture here. When the governement interferes in one area then the government can continue to interfere in others. An unregulated internet is one of the reasons why Ron Paul has been able to get the attention he has. Imagine if the internet was regulated like the media is. Plus, the corporations have a right to protect their property without government interference. I say this and I download too.
3. Global Warming
Research Sun Spotting.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/07/18/wsun18.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/07/18/ixnewstop.html
Ron Paul simply believes that the global warming issue is being used to bring in a stronger global government. This is simply a philosophical view point. Do you believe in small government or large government? You can make an argument for either one. I prefer small government.
4. I agree with you. Pro-choice in my opinion represents a basic freedom that women should have and I disagree with Ron Paul on this point. I’m willing to overlook it because I agree so strongly in everything else he stands for.
5. Big government vs. small government? It’s as simple as that. You don’t have to be in the United Nations to have good relations with other countries, but if you are in the United Nations then you’re expected to follow their rules, which includes trading restrictions and international laws that can regulate what we do as individuals in our own country. I prefer small government. I want my voice to matter.
Ok, you have a point. Most people are so sick of our corrupt government and it’s politicians that when you critisize Ron Paul we get really mad. The fact is, any issue that you can come up with about Mr Paul is tiny by comparison. Look, I gave more than have of the money I had earmarked for my daughters Christmas presents because I firmly believe that the money contributed to the Paul campaign will have a positive effect on her future. Once you get your head out of that spin from Fox Noise and think critically you will come to our side. The only side. The side of the American people who believe in our Constitution.
Wow, blogger… Where is it written that Government is to be the parents, bankers, crossing guards, doctors, baby sitters and blogging watchdogs for us? IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO RAISE YOU… Actually, just move to a socialist country and quit whining.
I have no names to call you. I always question the good and bads about all the candidates I choose. There are many stances that concern me about Ron Paul. However, when it comes down to weighing him against the others; he still wins my vote hands down so far. I’m never going to find a candidate that fits all my beliefs.
Great article. I’m going to check out your other articles too now.
You’re very justified in trying to find the faults of Paul.
I know need to find the yang to all the ying I hear, I think you highlighted some key-points. The question is whether Paul is worth all these losses? Or do we want to keep some “big” government and fix them with someone like Kucinich or Gravel or Nader (if he runs)? Or is it too late to fix? These are questions I have no answer for them although I’m surprised there’s been little support for the democratic runners like Kucinich.
..and to the person who said Nader said Paul was the enema of the state, that was from a spoof site…not real news.
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@ moderate: Thank you! I support RP too and some of the zombies posting comments here would have realised it had they bothered to read the post rather than throw a hissy fit at the very mention that RP could be wrong on some issues. Personally Gravel is close to my belief system than anyone else but I would still vote for RP if it were a choice between him and the other corporate stooges. But as RP supporters I think everyone needs to question RP on some of his beliefs and understand them better or at least get RP thinking on some of his policy stances.
..and to the person who said Nader said Paul was the enema of the state, that was from a spoof site…not real news.
Zombies can’t be expected to understand subtlety or Irony. I guess that person also think TheOnion is a trusted news source.
The reason Ron Paul is not for war reparations is that he thinks you should not have to pay for something a few crazy neo-cons started.
If you want to make Bush and Cheney pay, that sounds great! You didn’t do anything wrong, I didn’t, so why should we have to pay for it?
RP’s position on abortion seems quite principled and consistent to me. He insists that the more complex/cumber the issue, the more plainly it should be dealt with at the local level. While against abortion personally (fatuous to expect a protector of newly generated life to condone dismissal of same) he respects others’ take on the subject, and does not think there should be a national umbrella policy on the issue. RPconsiders abortion an act of violence, and as such should be addressed at the local level like other act of violence.
December 20, 2007 at 12:45 am
You could just go down his website listing all of the positive points about Ron Paul and use those as reasons not to vote for him.
These aren’t secrets, nor are they issues that he is wrong about. You just disagree.
People will make better decisions when they hear both sides of a contentious issue, rather than simply claiming your opponent is wrong.