As we begin to edge closer to the midterm elections this fall, an obvious pattern is beginning to develop. Anti-incumbent sentiment is at an all-time high, and rightfully so. Unfortunately, it seems that when the people of our nation are dissatisfied with the party holding power, they tend to go to extremes in the other direction (see Barack Obama). The recent success of Ron Paul in Republican polling has me, at a minimum, raising an eyebrow.
Many of my fellow, alleged conservatives, have jumped on his bandwagon and I pray it is not the beginning of a trend. I know, I know, Ron Paul is the popular choice these days, but I cannot lend my support for many reasons. First and foremost would be the obvious…he is not a conservative. Ron Paul is a Libertarian and he can run under the guise of any party he wishes, his beliefs are still Libertarian. Don’t get me wrong, I am firmly on board with many Libertarian beliefs and these days the line seems to be getting blurred between conservatism and libertarianism. I wrote an article earlier this year noting my concerns over this growing trend.
Concerning Strange Bedfellows
Quite simply, we cannot allow Ron Paul to be President for one huge reason. Ron Paul is an isolationist, as are many libertarians. As much as the majority of Americans want less government intrusion into their daily lives, we must not accomplish it by neglecting the safety and defense of our nation. Too many nations detest our way of life and would like nothing more than to bring it to a conclusion. Ron Paul does not believe in getting involved in the world’s conflicts. It’s an easy stand to take, and no doubt garners present day support from many Americans who have not the stomach for the ongoing “war on terrorismâ€. However, the easy decision is not always the correct decision. It would be easy to withdraw our troops back home and stay out of these affairs. Unfortunately, if this foreign policy were adopted it would be but a matter of time before this hatred for our nation hits us within our borders again.
It’s actually quite amazing how short-term our memories are when it comes to our safety. After 9/11 everyone supported the strengthening of our defenses, the beefing up of our border security, and the war on terror. It took less than two years for the anti-war lobby to regain the voice of naivety they have been for the last forty years. Do we need to be involved in every conflict which takes place on this globe? No, but isolationism is a foolish recipe for disaster. We must protect our interests at home and abroad. The failure to accomplish this weakens our nation and emboldens our enemy; who, unlike our cowardly administration, I have no problem stating is Islam.
Al Qaeda and all of it’s other radical muslim splinter groups have been quite vocal that their strategy involves ongoing, debilitating attacks. They proudly claim that they know Americans do not have the stomach to see such a conflict through, and so far they are correct. We, as a nation, having once again achieved a general feeling of security within our borders and have immediately gone back to our ways of taking it for granted.
In the book Endless War by Ralph Peters he described our conflict with radical muslims by claiming, “we’re playing checkers, they’re playing chess.†If you dig deeply into world history and the current exploding population of Islam throughout Europe you will see that this is not a time in our history that we can support isolationism. It would simply be suicide for our nation. As much as nobody likes the idea of it, war is often necessary to defend the freedoms which this great nation provides. That, quite simply, is why we must not abandon conservatism for libertarianism.
Take a trip to Arlington National Cemetary and you will see rows upon rows of men and women who knew that if we are to maintain liberty, war is an unfortunate requirement from time to time. This will always be true as long as there is evil in our world. Those who refuse to accept these cold hard facts had better be prepared to kneel on a cold hard floor. I, for one, prefer to die on my feet than live on my knees.
Ronald Williams maintains a political blog at www.silentnomoremajority.blogspot.com
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57 users commented in " Why Ron Paul Cannot Be President "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThe neoconservative mindset is truly astounding. War, war and more war is the battle cry.
There will always be dangerous factions in the world, but how can chasing these all over the globe be beneficial to us, here in the US, leaving our own nation insufficiently protected, all the while helping the cause of terrorism by providing a most-efficient recruiting tool… our ever-present threat and occupation.
This is a recipe for perpetual war and our founders warned us why foreign meddling only causes mischief and leads to war and resentment abroad.
Perhaps you should study the ‘principles’ that this great country was founded on. Your lack of understanding of these principles is what leads men and nations into turmoil.
Vote Ron Paul 2012. In every election, you only hear about two candidates because both candidates are sponsored by big industries like the banks and oil industries. By voting for them, you aren’t helping yourself, you are helping the rich become richer. Where else would their millions and millions of dollars come from to advertise so much? Their wallets? Why do you think Obama sent 40,000 more troops into Iraq after saying we would get us out of Iraq? You cannot trust them!
So islam is the enemy?
Do you rally want to take a stance you will lose?
The truth is your government has been ordering the mass killing of people in Iraq, afghanistan. and supporting terrorist apartheid regiimes like Israel.
This is why we hate you. We hate you because what you are doing to us, not because of how you live your daily life. we dont give a shit how you live your daily life, your not that special.
“they hate us because of our freedom” is the biggest bullshit line i have ever heard, and someone should smack that shit right out of your ignorant thick skull.
I dare you to openly declare war on islam.
You and your 500,000 troops would come back to you in coffins so fast, you wouldn’t know what hit you, you slimy piece of shit.
Well, then, we’ll just keep going the way we are until the money runs out, which won’t be long now. Then what?
If you are for perpetual and undeclared “wars” then you are not a conservative, Mr. Ronald Williams.
Conservatives used to believe that nation-building was an unconstitutional use of our military, and when Clinton was doing it, it was a horrible thing. Rush used to say that the purpose of the armed forces was to “kill people and break things.” It wasn’t until that socialist Bush flipped the script and started his terror war which he declared forcefully, and then proceeded to run like every other liberal government operation (read: impotent and overpriced) that “Republicans” decided to jettison any pretense of believing in small government or the rule of law. Now these same liberal Republicans are crying that Obama is using the government that they supersized to do “socialist” things. Um, no shit Shirlock.
You should love Obama. He is continuing the Bush/Clinton/Bush administration in word and deed. It looks like you got exactly the government that you sat back and let GW and co. build.
He will run
http://www.TheRonPaulTeaParty.com
He will win
Islam isn’t the enemy and have you noticed we have been engaged in some sort of conflict since WW1?? You know how much our popularity around the world would grow as we allowed the world to operate without our interference?? Our Founders were Libertarians. They fought off invasion and went back to living peacefully. Could you imagine if the founders would have pulled a Bush and invaded England back in the 1700’s?? Dumbest idea ever. Lets bring our troops home, have them protect our borders, protect our skies and get government out of peoples lives. Ever read the reasons for terrorist attack?? cause we meddle in Middle East affairs. We put the Shaw into power in Iran in the 50’s, We supported both sides of the Iraq-Iran Conflict, we trained and radicalized Bin Laden and the Afghanies to fight the Soviets. And we have been bombing Iraq for 10 years prior to 9/11. Do you think that there would be no consequences for those actions??? Come on wake up and smell reality. Our government is the reason why terrorist attack us, not our way of life. When we try and force our way of life on them do you expect them not to fight back?? How would you like it if China came in and built 40 military bases on US soil and one right outside Washington D.C.??? How would you like it if China came in and said you had to change your way of life?? Ron Paul wouldn’t isolate us from the world he would open up talks and trade with the world. The US government protects brutal dictators all over the world when they play on our side. We were best friends with Saddam until a few weeks before the first Gulf war. Government Propaganda only works on the weak minded and illinformed. The Gov just hopes not too many people wake up or else their police the world game is over.
“they hate us because of our freedom”
Jim,
where did you quote that line from…also you have a very professional vocabulary. Aren’t you too busy beating women, making suicide bombs, and screwing goats to comment on articles?
Sorry Ronald, you are absolutely right, I should not have misquoted you, that was wrong.
You did write that
“Too many nations detest our way of life”
I would disagree.
Too many nations detest your foreign policy. Your government meddles in the affairs of foreign nations far too often.
As per this article on the front page of the newyorktimes.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/world/25military.html?hpw
As other commenters hav noted, your government has also attacked and killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Iraq, Afghanistan. You have committed operations that have killed people in Somalia, Syria and Iran. Your government has Implemented a divide and conquer strategy in the middle east.
Your government is also hypocritical in the fact that it says it promotes democracy, while at the same time supporting the worst dictators in the Middle east. As well as supporting apartheid terrorist regimes like Israel.
This is why we hate your government. We hate your government because it destroys. We hate your government because it is the cause of bloodshed in the middle east. We hate your government because it is the reason our people are under the yolk of dictators.
Actually, we muslims have exercised extreme restraint in the face of such disgusting and evil policies of your government.
I do not think you have come to the realization of the profound effect your wars have caused in our region. Do you know what it feels like to have your neighbourhood destroyed? Do you know what it feels like to have your livelihood destroyed by a cruise missile? Do you know what it feels like to live under an occupation where the occupation forces have raped your family members?
Our dictators do not represent us, they represent your government, and its agenda. Had that not been the case our armies that are sitting and rusting in our deserts and forests would have mounted some sort of defense.
Ron Paul cannot be your president because your nation has become a militant society based on war.
I am compelled to teach you something about your country. Your country spends more on its military than on all of your education system combined.
Your country spends more on its military than on the healthcare system of the nation.
1 trillion dollars annually. This is the ‘Combined’ military budget of the USA.
I, however must apologize that I have personally attacked you. It was uncivil and unwarranted.
However I do think that before you write a blog you must do your homework, go to the primary sources. And get these sources from a variety of places, especially if they do not conform to your governments view.
Democracy is only a facade.
You really believe you have a choice in leadership? Look again.
Ron Paul cant be president because Ron Paul wasn’t chosen to be president.
McCain couldn’t be president because he wasn’t chosen to be the president. You the people, are irrelevant in this choice.
Why anyone would quote a charlatan like Ralph Peters is beyond me. Plus we were told by these fine folks (the now-discredited neoCons) that if fight the terrorists “over there”, we won’t have to fight them “over here”. Well guess what, we may have to fight them over here anyway, as the recent Times Square incident demonstrated.
“your government has also attacked and killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Iraq, Afghanistan. You have committed operations that have killed people in Somalia, Syria and Iran. Your government has Implemented a divide and conquer strategy in the middle east.”
Our nation has made it’s share of bad foreign policy decisions, but not to the dramatic degree that you believe. We have not killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people as you stated above. It is not our nation which seeks to “divide and conquer” that is what the muslims seek to do. Your own Koran tells followers that non-believers must be converted or killed, how’s that for divide and conquer
“As well as supporting apartheid terrorist regimes like Israel.”
Absolutely!! I support Israel!! They are not an apartheid regime. They have been more patient than any nation in our history at showing restraint under constant terrorist bombardment by islamic terrorists on all borders. All they want is for the jihadists to stop blowing themselves up in their crowded streets and stop launching rockets into their country. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
“Your country spends more on its military than on all of your education system combined.”
“Your country spends more on its military than on the healthcare system of the nation.”
First, you are comparing apples and oranges. Second, California itself has proven that more money spent on education most assuredly does not result in a better education. Finally, we still have the best education system in the world. People come to our country to study from around the world. Even many of your future islamic terrorists came to our country to be educated. We also have the greatest healthcare system in the world (for now). People from all corners of the world that can afford to fly here to have life-saving surgeries performed. So compare how much we spend in different areas all you like. No matter how the dollars fall, we seem to have the best education system, healthcare system, and military in the world. By the way what country are you from?
you are a neo-con, ronald williams.
The “Ron Paul is an isolationist” line is so tiresome. He believes, as I do, and as Thomas Jefferson and many of the founders did, that our foreign policy should be free trade with all, entangling alliances with none, and follow the requirements of the constitution when it comes to using the military which require a congressional declaration of war!
I read no further than that one line. While it seemed well written, it is utter nonsense and should be take worth a grain of salt.
In fact, Ron Paul tells us exactly what the president should do here:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul647.html
You are incorrect when call Ron Paul and isolationist. That is false. Like the founders of this country and like the great conservatives of the 20th century, Dr Paul is a non interventionist. Ron Paul supports bilateral trade agreements, student exchange programs, international agreements on human rights, such as the Geneva Conventions, etc. etc. etc. So as a true conservative Ron Paul believes in actively engaging with other nations to promote peace, prosperity, freedom, and human rights.
The author of this article is not a conservative. To be a conservative one must believe the good qualities of our way of life should be preserved and treated with careful reverence. This nation has never been about conducting aggressive invasions of foreign countries. The US cannot spread its goodness by force of arms. To suggest that is can and should is not conservative but foolhardy and counterproductive.
I’m happy to say I recognize and awakening among the people of the US. The old lies being pushed by the politicos and the author of this amateurish blag rant are being rejected. I just hope time doesn’t run out.
Lol, the Pentagon and US Military Industrial Complex are playing checkers and the cavemen in Afghanistan are playing chess? Osama couldn’t ask for better propaganda. The neo-cons are the most pro-terrorist faction in the world.
They killed 3000 of us, we killed directly or indirectly 1 million plus of them.
Those like you who favor using our military so non-chalantly to push our way around the World, killing many innocents as we proceed, just so some hypocrit like you can feel safe driving his Lexus to church on Sunday to pray to his “conveniently twisted version of Jesus” for forgivenness and more blessings is not only obsurd, it’s immoral! People like you make me sick! Don’t you have the same compassion for “those people” as you do for your neighbors here at home! God does!
You are the ugly American that so many people around the world despise…although in you arrogance you could care less I’m sure! After all, God’s already forgiven you for your sinswe ! If that’s the case, might as well keep on bombing!
If you support killing, you are an accompliss of the killer! You can go on fooling your self-rightous ego all you want…but God knows who you are…and you won’t fool him!
I’m praying for the people like you brcause you are the ones who, with your so called “good intentions”, are what’s wrong with our country and our world!
I’m glad to see more and more are waking up to our horrible neocon foreign policy (and now neolib since Obammy is in and continuing Bush’s policies) and not buying the MSM lies anymore about “spreading democracy” around the globe.
Rand Paul 2010
Ron Paul 2012
“The US cannot spread its goodness by force of arms.”
“Those like you who favor using our military so non-chalantly to push our way around the World”
I never stated this was my view on using the military, please don’t misunderstand or mis-state my views. I am not a war-monger, nor do I believe we should use our military to force goodness on people. At no point in time did I say we should spread democracy around the world by military might. Please do not twist my words just because I, in my personal opinion, do not support Ron Paul.
I support a strong national defense. If you choose to stick your heads in the sand and say that if we just leave the terrorists alone they’ll leave us alone, you are very naive. Radical Islam is not going away. We tried the ignore it and it’ll go away policy under Clinton. It does not work.
Oh, and “beamer”, I do not drive a Lexus…kind of humorous coming from a guy with the user name “beamer”
So I don’t support Ron Paul, I don’t know why everyone has to start all the name calling and profanity laced tirades towards me. Is this how Ron Paul supporters represent themselves? If so, you all are just creating another propaganda machine that will soon corrupt itself like the other two parties have, and the people will still not be properly represented.
I believe we should all think independently and study all issues to develop our opinion. Anyone who blindly supports and agrees with one party or one candidate on all issues probably isn’t thinking independently.
So much wrong with the article, almost spent time explaining it. Then decided it’d take too much time to educate the man, and I’ve other things to attend to and he’d probably just dig in his heels like the other warfare/wellfare statists.
And have never heard of him, so… movin on…
But just to give a clue, each of these quotes require more than a few paragraphs explaining what’s wrong with the poster’s position:
“Ron Paul is an isolationist”
“majority of Americans want less government intrusion into their daily lives”
“accomplish it by neglecting the safety and defense of our nation”
“nations detest our way of life”
“It’s an easy stand to take”
“ongoing “war on terrorism””
“the easy decision is not always the correct decision”
“It would be easy to withdraw our troops back home and stay out of these affairs.”
“if this foreign policy were adopted it would be but a matter of time before this hatred for our nation hits us within our borders again”
That’s just a couple paragraphs, and each quote I’d would take in context with your intent… not trying to “score points” or any junk like that, just rational facts.
But again, it’d take too long and would fall on deaf ears, so… *leaves*
Excellent read Mr Williams. Keep up the good work.
I’ve got one word for Mr. Williams…”Moron”
Thanks chatstu…
I knew I would take a beating from the Ron Paul worshippers…they are starting to place him on a deity type pedestal like the Obama worshippers do…disturbing.
The fact that the proven liar George W. Bush was still supported by 25% of the TORY-esque neo-con sheeple tells you all you need to know about who the real hero worshippers are. Ron Paul has 30 years of principled service behind him. The chickenhawk politicians are mostly criminals, particularly those that sold us the wars.
I constantly try to explain this truism to pro-Iraq war Republicans:
If George W. Bush cared about defending the US from terrorism, he would have closed our open borders.
George W. Bush did not defend our borders.
Therefore George W Bush does not care about defending the US from terrorism.
P->Q
~Q
Therefore ~P
Basic, irrefutable logic.
Don’t be a shmuck and get all worked up over something your President couldn’t care less about. I recognize that real terrorism is a threat, but I also recognize that the invasion of Iraq and the occupation of Afghanistan have nothing to do with terrorism.
I hope neo-cons like you never realize how foolish these tired old arguments are because each time you fall back on them you encourage intelligent rebuttal, and in doing so open the eyes of those who’ve fallen for them in the past.
Your time is over.
Accept it.
Never ceases to amaze me how blind these people are when it comes to these wars. We’re not there to fight terrorism. We’re not there to bring democracy. We’re there to protect oil and drugs, keep the region unstable, and make big money for banks and the military industrial complex.
How can anyone in their right mind think that killing 1 million Iraqis and occupying Iraq and Afghanistan makes us safer from terrorism?
Additionally, Ron Paul is NOT an isolationist. He believes in free trade and building allies. We don’t need to spend 1 trillion dollars each year on 2-3 wars and 140 bases around the world. We can control our borders and protect our air and seas by having a strong national defense
“Is this how Ron Paul supporters represent themselves?”
It most certainly is, in fact, this group is tame! Just stop replying to them because they only hear what they want in between spouting their continual nonsense.
If you say “Ron paul is wrong on foreign policy”, the typical response is “Why do you want to enslave the world and kill tens of millions” THey have no graduation in their response. THeir world is apparently black and white.
The Ron Paul hive is agitated so come out swinging!
Ronald,
– According to the CIA, our aggressive foreign policy “over there” incites hatred and motivates terrorists to attack us. So how can Ron Paul’s idea of bringing the troops home be construed as weak on terror?
– Know your history. We were rich, free, and more Christian just a few decades ago, and they did not try to terrorize us then. But they did get kinda upset when we started toppling leaders, setting up puppet regimes, and building military bases.
– Also, bankrupting your country by fighting wars all over the globe is definitely a great way to weaken…er…destroy our military!
– And what do you make of Ronald Reagan’s statement, that “the soul of conservativism is liberterianism?”
Sir
in reply to your article let me introduce you to this great anti-war speech titled: War is a Racket –
http://www.libertypoet.com/endthewars/warisaracket/
Rep. Paul is a Republican.If a person believes in liberty he is a libertarian, small “l”.He runs as a Republican and will run as a Republican hopefully in 2012.He ran as a Libertarian in 1988 and realized the opposition to third parties.He is not an isolationist,he is a non-interventionist.Big difference.He believes in free trade and friendship with other nations.That doesn’t mean he’d be weak on national defense.Thomas Jefferson had the same position with other nations.Ron Paul believes in commerce and ideas instead of bombs and invasion.Our interventionist attitude is working well with our safety so far.Try going through an airport and see how safe they act now that wer’e all over the globe spreading democracy.Please run Ron,honesty is the best cleanser.
LOL – I told you your arrogance would get in the way of your heart! I rest my case!
And, FYI – your comment about my handle being associated with a car, shows just how narrow-minded you truly are! Sad that you don’t have the depth of imagination to think outside of the box! Hang in there though, I’m sure someone will broadcast some talking point to you sooner or later so you will have a good comeback on this one too! Just stay glued to that mainstream news outlet!
In truth, my handle is actually based on my middle name, therefore, your assumption was false, just as your reasoning given here in your article…and for two important reasons!
One, you seem to be very good at regurgatating the same old hawkish rhetoric so tirelessly droned out by the establishment controlled news media. You have been well programmed to not think for yourself! The scary thing to me is that you actually have a blog!
Hey…I have a suggestion for you. This Sunday, take your rifle with you to church, kneel down at the altar and ask your pastor where you can go sign up to kill more evil Muslims! That should get your congregation dancing in the aisles!
Two, again, your assumption that all “Ron Paul supporters” are putting him on a pedestal, is again, false! IT”S THE MESSAGE that has become popular…he is simply the first person in modern history to resurrect, in public, what the true principles of this country for which it was founded upon!
If you understood your history, not the version you get from the History Channel regarding UFO’s and Sasquach, but that of our Constitution and Bill of Rights and even more importantly, that from the personal writings of people like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Thomas Paine and others, who founded it, you might get a better understanding of what they’re reasoning was behind what they did in the first. Perhap then you might also understand why the message that Ron Paul delivers is so popular now! We have simply gone and done the reading and research for ourselves and found out that he is right with his message! He’s just repeating what you would have heard from Thomas Jefferson, or Ben Franklin or any of the others from that day!
I’m sure that means little to you however! Afterall, that was 300 plus years ago! How could the principles of freedom and liberty be relevent in today’s modern era!
Please let me also suggest to you, that you look into this for yourself! Spend one week of your life going to sites other than yours and those who only support your views…but those where you can learn other opposing point of views for yourself.
Besides, if anything, even if you still don’t get it, at least you might acquire some good ammunition to aid you in your quest to present a more educated argument against “Ron Paul supporters”! Otherwise, you will continue to attack well-educated people about something you simply don’t have the facts about! Frankly, to this point, you just come off looking braindead and silly!
Maybe I’m wrong about you, It may be that the axe you have to grind is not against his supporters, but with Ron Paul himself! I could actually respect you more if it was! It almost appears in your article that your personal disdain for him personally, has clouded you ability to be fair, open minded and level-headed! LOL, in fact – I would suggest that you are possibly the real person who is obsessed with Ron Paul, the difference being in a negative sense! I say this because if you actually believed in the founding principles of which this country was founded upon, your argument, just like your blog, would be pointless!
I’am “beaming” at you right now!
Beamer, thank you. You and I are friends in freedom. What you wrote is meaningful to me. The reason why I know these wars are based on lies and why I know they don’t hate us for our “way of life” is exactly what you wrote. I don’t know who you are personally but I would never attack you because your writing tells me you’re a principled person. These wars are based on lies. When the US wasn’t involved in propping up dictators, conducting invasions, and massive bombing attacks we were never attacked by anyone in the Middle East. To suggest that Islam is the enemy of the US is to misunderstand what the Constitution is all about. They’re our brothers and they deserve the same respect and rights all men are endowed by their creator with. This blog is the product of a fool. Thank you again. Peace through strength, freedom, prosperity, and NON INTERVENTIONISM. Just like the founders advised us.
Ronald,
How can you call the Clinton years a period of “ignore it and it’ll go away” policy. Clinton was an ardent interventionist. Have you forgotten the estimated 500 thousand Iraqi children killed as a result of the Clinton Administration supported UN sanctions against Iraq, deaths which Madeline Albright said were “worth it?” Have you forgotten the years upon years of bombing campaigns against Iraq under Clinton? His unquestioning, uncritical financial and moral support for anything the Israeli government and military decided to do? His continued support for stationing on US troops on Saudi Arabian soil considered sacred by Muslims? And the many other interventions in the Middle East and Africa too numerous to mention?
What planet have you been living on?
Ronald Williams, you will bankrupt this country with your philosophy. There will be no country left to defend because it will be financially ruined. Sustenance farmers are not a threat to the national security of the United States of America.
Ronald Williams = Traitor to the constitutional Republic of the US
End the welfare/warfare state
End the FED
Ronald Williams is about as un-conservative as it comes when it comes to realistic budgeting.
Ronald Williams. I want to to consider very carefully what you write in the future. I want you to consider the fact that spouting off stupid nonsense like this article is tantamount to treason in the minds of true conservatives. Anyone who has done his/her research knows full well the difference between a foreign policy of non-intervention, and isolationism. Isolationism is akin to what was practiced by 17th century japan when they wanted nothing to do with the west. No trade, no technology sharing, no cultural exchange. NOTHING! What Ron Paul suggests is a policy that allows sovereign nations to be exactly that. Sovereign. But of course, neocons such as yourself simply wouldn’t feel comfortable in your own skin without 700 military bases spread amongst 130 different countries in the world. I suggest to you Mr. Ronald Williams, that such an arrangement makes the United States an Empiracal Hyper-Power, and not the Republic of Soverign States that we all know our Constitution tells us we are. I have looked all through my copy of the Constitution Mr. Williams, and I cannot find the part where the Federal Government is tasked with creating a state of perpetual warfare and declaring the entire planet as it’s battlefield. Truly, Mr. Williams, I suggest you reconsider what is, and what is not conservative. Because you don’t speak for me.
Ronald,
You seem like an intelligent chap… so I find it a bit perplexing that you confuse two very distinct and separate political ideologies with regard to foreign policy. You call Ron Paul (and Libertarians in general) “isolationist”, when in fact, the correct terminology is “non-interventionist”.
Here, let me help you with this. An isolationist desires and wishes to enforce a policy of no contact, or as little contact as possible, with nations outside a specific sphere.. or, in the most extreme cases, no contact outside their own boarders. A non-interventionist is one who has no problem with all kinds of external contacts and exchanges (diplomats, negotiations on common interests, free trade, open travel, etc) but they draw the line at using force (or the threat there of) towards any nation concerning the internal affairs of that nation, or with taking sides in disputes between other nations.
Does that make sense Ronald? If so, then perhaps you should print a retraction. If you still stand by your ignorance, then defend it in light of the above. We look forward to it.
Mr. Williams…it’s warmongering NeoCon spokesholes like you that help kill our military sons and daughters in overseas, senseless wars.
I wonder if you’re BRAVE ENOUGH to face war yourself…
Ronald,
I just read the rest of your article.
I wish to retract my earlier comment above.. “you seem like an intelligent chap”.
You may still be intelligent, but you are certainly either misinformed, or profoundly dishonest with yourself. Neither of these possibilities bodes well for your intelligence.
There are two mistakes that people often make with regard to “Radical Islam” and our poorly titled “War on Terror”
1) They misunderstand Islam as a worldview.
2) They completely disregard the effects our foreign policy has had on making us prime targets of Islamic fervor.
A bit of recent history Mr. Williams. Isn’t it interesting that throughout the 1980’s, the Allotola Komeni in Iran was calling for a Jihad against the U.S. due to our “way of life”, and basically NOTHING significant happened. And isn’t it amazingly coincidental that bin Laden’s call to Jihad is almost exclusively justified to Muslims (through interviews, videos and the internet) as a defensive Jihad designed to expel infidel invaders and free Muslim populations from Western control (control he defines as either direct, or indirect through proxy dictators and undue financial influence and bribery), and that our experiences with direct terrorist attacks began AFTER we stationed troops on Saudi soil and began directly attacking a Muslim nation. Is all this timing just dumb luck. Please, spare me!
You are absurd.
Ronald Williams said, “Take a trip to Arlington National Cemetary and you will see rows upon rows of men and women…”
Well Ronald, let us hope they did not die in vain, and that their untimely deaths contribute to society’s understanding of the folly of aggressive warfare.
Think about it.
Wishful Thinking~American Style
http://www.liberty-news.com/cartoons/WishfulThinkingAmericanStyle.gif
Sir, you are no conservative and before bashing Ron Paul you should actually do some research because your article is flawed with an incorrect summation of Ron Paul.
Hey Mr. Conservative,
My dad came back from Nam with PTSD and nearly ruined everyone in my family. It is easy to take the stand you take as you like to say about noninterventionists because your cowardly attributes won’t have to take up a rifle yourself and get paid $30,000 a year to get shot at. With strong national defense they won’t get in this country. We have Mexicans crossing our borders everyday, are you telling me we are keeping extremists out? If they wanted in, they would be here, and if they wanted to blow stuff up, it would be happening everyday. The war on terror is a war on freedom for this country, I would rather be free than have my rights taken away. What you seem to be in favor of is a strong national offense, and that makes you part of the problem. We are here to take our country back, neocons can either change their ways or get kicked out of office. Good luck with your so called conservatism.
Neocons don’t know that they are neocons, and not true conservatives, so here is the wiki definition:
Neoconservatism is a right-wing political philosophy that emerged in the United States of America, and which supports using American economic and military power to bring liberalism, democracy, and human rights to other countries.[1][2][3] Consequently the term is chiefly applicable to certain Americans and their strong supporters. In economics, unlike paleoconservatives and libertarians, neoconservatives are generally comfortable with a welfare state; and, while rhetorically supportive of free markets, they are willing to interfere for overriding social purposes.
Bush brought us No Child Left Behind, Medicare Prescription Drug Bill and a big government foreign policy. He was a true neocon, yet people think he was a conservative.
Years ago I read a book called “The Law” by
Fredrick Bastiat. That was the day I became a
Conservative. Ron Paul is the Only true Conservative in Washington.
I suggest you read this book.
You will see many more so called Conservatives
leaving the neocon mindset, because they are
waking up, doing research, and finding out the
truth.
@tog2476
Mr. Williams is an active duty marine. I suggest you retract your accusations against him. One of the things we can learn when debating is not to attack the person but the idea. The idea of endless foreign wars is a bad one. The person presenting those views is most likely not a villain but a normal human like the rest of us. Mr. Williams I apologize on behalf of the treatment you’ve received in these comments. I still think you’re paper is a horrible idea though!! But best of luck and my your journeys lead you to a greater understanding of freedom.
Seems like Mr. Williams is apart of the hawkish and demoniacal neoconservatives, who dream of a world hell bent on domination. To be sure, Mr. Williams implies a constant warfare engagement in order to protect our interest home and abroad. Which assumes we have some interests abroad in need of protection—presumably our colonies. However this does not seem to bother Mr. Williams and his fantasy of limited government—while fighting against imaginary enemies, forever!
“Ron Paul does not believe in getting involved in the world’s conflicts.” From this we must scream in horror! It’s almost blasphemous! No, instead we must drain our resources in order to root out all the evil—none caused by our government of course—to show our domination.
“Unfortunately, if this foreign policy were adopted it would be but a matter of time before this hatred for our nation hits us within our borders again.” An interesting and very predictable take, yet flawed. For we will—and have, very recently I might add—be attacked if we continue the slaughterous policy supported by Mr. Williams.
“Paul is an isolationist.” Of course this is an outright lie, but maybe Mr. Williams doesn’t understand the distinction between isolationist and non-interventionist. Ron Paul is very must interested in the world—through trade, peace, and justice towards all nations. He just doesn’t believe in the need to plunder and intervene in the internal affairs of other nations—much like we wouldn’t want France to dictate our terms.
Mr. Williams implies a perpetual warfare state; and of course a preventive warfare state.
As Dwight D. Eisenhower explained: “When people speak to you about a preventive war, you tell them to go and fight it. After my experience, I have come to hate war. War settles nothing.”
“Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. Frankly, I would not even listen to anyone seriously that came and talked about such a thing.”
Mr. Williams,
The problem with your brand of so called “conservatism” is that it is profoundly self contradictory at almost every turn.
Neo-cons (I use to be one, by the way) pay lip service to the founders and the Constitution… then turn clean around and support things that violate the Constitution and would make Madison and Jefferson hurl: The Patriot Act, Undeclared War with Prolonged Military Invasions and Occupations, etc.
Neo-cons speak long winded about the dangers of centralized power, then turn clean around and support things that lead directly to an increase in centralized power: Greater Authority for the Executive Branch, Massive Deficit Spending, Warrant-less Wire Tapping, etc.
Neo-cons will claim they don’t trust Big Brother when it comes to any number of domestic issues, then turn clean around and believe whatever Big Brother has to say about our supposed enemies overseas: “Those der Arabs got dem a nucleer actor… let’s get em.”
The only conclusion I can draw from this is that neo-cons think big government can’t do anything right at home, but can’t do anything wrong overseas.
What a Hoot!
Ronald, you have the terms isolationist confused with non-interventionist. Please know the difference. Ron Paul had more support in his 2008 campaign for president from retired and active duty military than all the other candidates put together..something to think about. He believes in a strong national defense and protecting our borders is a strong advocate for better care for our veterans. There are four marines in my family spanning two generations and they all support a non-interventionist foreign policy.
“It is not we non-interventionists who are isolationists. The real isolationists are those that impose sanctions on countries and peoples across the globe and who choose force overseas to promote democracy…a counterproductive approach that actually leaves the US to be more resented and more isolated in the world” ~Ron Paul
I do hope you will re-examine what it truly means to be conservative. I suggest to turn off the TV and read.
A Foreign Policy of Freedom by Ron Paul
War is a Rackett by General Smedley Butler
Peace.
The author is absolutely incorrect. Ron Paul is most definitely NOT an isolationist, Dr. Paul is a non-interventionist. There is a VERY BIG DIFFERENCE between the two. It is extremely disingenuous of the author to perpetuate this incorrect information. The only way this author could still call Dr. Paul an isolationist would be due to being uninformed. RP has explained this position time and time again. His position has been clarified especially over the past few years since entering the political limelight. On this point, the author of this article needs to do better research.
This is what Ron Paul’s position boils down to: “Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.” As stated by Thomas Jefferson.
About needing to maintain a worldwide military empire in order to be “safe,” I think you’re deluding yourself. We create more enemies every time our military kills and especially when our military kills innocent bystanders. The world does not hate us because of our freedoms or our wealth, they hate us because of what we do to them.
Bringing our military home, even from the non warzone areas, would make us way more safe. For example, instead of protecting Iraq’s borders our military could be used to protect our own from the drug gangs of Mexico. Why is it that our political leaders are willing to use our military to protect the people of another nation, South Korea, but not willing to protect the people of the southern most areas of our southern States?
If our military was brought home, any nation even attempting to attack the U.S. would still be met with obliteration in response. Bringing our military home make us more safe, not less safe.
Regarding “war” and all those who have died fighting in wars for our nation, does it even upset you a tiny little bit that the last time our Congress declared war was against Japan during WWII? Why should we be filling cemeteries with thousands of our countrymen/women when our own Congress is UNWILLING to properly declare war?
The positions taken by the author of this article are old and will soon be a part of history. The U.S. that we ended up with is not quite what our founders intended for and is nowhere near as great as our nation can be. The People’s political r3volution is getting stronger every day. We will overcome, we will make things right and so much better than the mess that our current political leaders are leaving us with.
Ronald, Here are a few more books I recommend
reading-from top foreign policy experts:
Blowback~by Chalmers Johnson.
Dying to Win~by Robert A. Page
Imperial Hubris~by Michael Scheuer
The 9-11 Commission Report~by National Commission on Terrorist Attacks
This is a terrible article. All the talk about hating us because of our “way of life” and all this other nonsense is nothing but Bush-era propaganda. It’s not gonna fly anymore. All the real conservatives are waking up to the fact that the “war on terrorism” is a big lie and that our corrupt “government” runs both sides of the aisle with their pre-approved candidates. Barack Obama = George Bush Jr. = George Bush = John McCain and the list goes on. These people are hand-picked and chosen to keep the war machine going. Ron Paul is a REAL conservative, despite what you believe.
And by the way, Ron Paul is not an isolationist, he is a non-interventionist. He has stated his position numerous times and it’s not the one you purport that he holds.
Sorry, Mr. Williams, but your position is quickly becoming nothing more than neo-conservative history. You will not have the support for your views come this fall, and even in the next election. Go Ron Paul!
What this fool, and many like him, fail to realize is that when 25% of US homeowners are underwater (headed towards 50% sooner than later!) they aren’t as keen on $200mil missile shields for Israel.
Let China handle North Korea, time for Asia to manage it’s own affairs. How can you ask a dead broke populace to keep policing the world, when it’s part of the reason they are dead broke. American “superiority” and “fair mindedness” that was so exported these last 50 years is DOA under a defunct, morally bankrupt financial industry and Government.
You pay for Korea and Israel clown, I am buying Silver bullion and heading for the hills until Paul is President and I can come out again. Get a life loser!
You can’t vote for Ron Paul because you are addicted to your satanic murderous wars? Wow!
The trillion dollar wars to nowhere make you a conservative? Not hardly.
I think Obama shows that Ron Paul can be elected. He ran as an outsider, anti-war, employing the internet tactics that worked for Paul and Howard Dean. No one thought Obama had a chance. The big difference is that the 2-party big government worshipers (like the guy who wrote this trash) will use the media to destroy him…because unlike Obama….he has principles and will not waiver.
Go Ron Go!!!
Or, go ahead and let the morons on talk radio tell you that Bush is a conservative.
$20 trillion unfunded drug benefit? wide open borders? a foreign policy that can be summed up as Woodrow Wilson in a cowboy hat?
You aren’t conservative. You are a confused blob of jello.
Dear Mr Williams:
As a highly traveled and deployed military veteran and someone whose family was directed affected by 9-11 (my brother in law was on the first plane), I think that I may offer some additional insight into your poorly thought out comments.
I normally do not share such opinions, however, I was engaged (or enraged) so much by yours that I felt compelled to opine.
You sir, are the naive one. Our foreign policy should be based on ideals, example, and trust in relationships. Our current method of garnering trust at the end of the gun, only results in more distrust, hate, and contention in that region. The role of government is only one–don’t make matters worse than they currently are. Dr. Paul’s assertion that the ability to declare war is reserved to the Congress is correct–both constitutionally and geo-politically for many reasons. It is a basic premise of the Constitution itself.
It was designed that way for a reason, to protect the people, with a firm understanding of balance of power, recognizing that a single self annointed autocrat, cannot risk the fortunes and lives of Americans overseas without proper authorization from the American people.
Protect our way of life? Who is to say our way of life is in jeopardy? It stands on its own, it is much bigger than any one man’s opinion or religions, and unfortunately “our way of life” can be misconstrued, twisted, and propogandized by those in power whose aim is not for the good of the American people, but for their own short sighted goals.
The Bush idiocracy also stands on its own and the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result.
While I do not agree with Dr. Paul’s stance on some issues, I find myself aligning with him on many others, but in particular, I find myself able to actually BELIEVE and TRUST him, and that is a tenet that is hard to come by with any politician.
We need consistency of purpose, Constitutional ideals that is aligned with the oath of office, and I feel that Dr. Paul is the only person that when the stand there and take that oath, that it is indeed solemn.
While I respect your opinions, I would encourage you to take these words into account in your further writings from your self created bully pulpit, and promote the end of lunacy, instead of its continuation.
“Ronald Williams = Traitor to the constitutional Republic of the US”
“I wonder if you’re BRAVE ENOUGH to face war yourself”
“It is easy to take the stand you take as you like to say about noninterventionists because your cowardly attributes won’t have to take up a rifle yourself and get paid $30,000 a year to get shot at.”
Wow!!! And you Paul supporters tell me to check my facts…you obviously do not investigate your statements and/or accusations.
To those who disagreed with my opinions, but did it respectfully, I thank you for your opinions and input. I do read quite a bit these days, and will take your recommendations into account, but will not entertain any Alex Jones, NWO, 9/11 Truther crap, because let’s face it, if that conspiracy tin foil hat wearing logic were true, and Ron Paul were not part of it, do you think he would be allowed to be in any kind of office??
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