Attn media: "Tea Party" isn't ideologically diverse; Ron Paul isn't consistent
February 23, 2010 1:23 pm ET by Jamison Foser
Washington Post reporter Ben Pershing gives the Tea Party movement and Ron Paul too much credit:
Ben Pershing: So far Ron Paul has given no indication that he wants to form a third party. If he did, it would have a pretty obvious name -- the Libertarian Party. Unlike the Tea Party groups, which combine elements from a variety of different ideologies (and also have plenty of disagreements amongst themselves), Paul has a long-developed and clear Libertarian philosophy. But he hasn't done anything to suggest he wants to form a third party rather than just try to move the GOP in his direction. Note that's what his son, Rand Paul, is doing in the Kentucky Senate primary.
First, I'm not sure how many different ideologies are actually represented by "the Tea Party groups." There's conservatism, and some libertarianism. What else? Liberalism? No, not really. (Worth keeping in mind: Tea Party folks are very, very Republican.) Socialism? Anarchism?
Second: Ron Paul's "clear Libertarian philosophy" doesn't include abortion. He opposes abortion rights. The Libertarian Party (like Ayn Rand, among other libertarian heros) says "we believe that government should be kept out of the matter." And Paul calls the Defense of Marriage Act "proper," while the Libertarian Party platform says "Consenting adults should be free to choose their own sexual practices and personal relationships. Government does not have the authority to define, license or restrict personal relationships." So, basically, Paul's "clear Libertarian philosophy" is that he opposes government intervention in people's lives -- except when he supports it.
Except when they don't.
For instance, he claims to dislike out-of-control Corporatism, but his voting record obviously shows he's shot down any and all government intervention. I have to ask myself, what WOULD he have done if he became president? Give corporations a stern talking-to?
That whole "police themselves" thing has, demonstratively, not worked out in the past. It's nice to dream that it would be all peace and love and compassion...but as humans, we're greedy, spiteful pieces of sh!t. The unregulated wet dream of libertarians is just as much a fantasy cartoon world as communism.
I think a lot of the more moderate republicans are going to be drawn in to his much more radical camp. Simply because Ron Paul doesn't peddle in the batsh!t craziness of his peers, he seems reasonable, and seems (for the most part) to stand on his principles. I admire him for that. I just think his ideas come out of some parallel dimension where humans have overcome all of their most basic flaws.
Shortly thereafter, I decided to fill the Party Affiliation as NONE.
I have mixed feelings on this, even though I can't stand recreational drugs, I am very in favor of large-scale legalization.
It is far from his only respectable quality (in the minds of his supporters), but it is a contributing factor towards his popularity, and unfortunately many younger supporters of Paul will instantly go towards that direction when in a debate.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Ron_Paul.htm
The very opening line from his speech Dr.Ron Paul states "Mr. Speaker, while I oppose federal efforts to redefine marriage as something other than a union between one man and one woman, I do not believe a constitutional amendment is either a necessary or proper way to defend marriage."
And this is from another interview: http://www.queerty.com/ron-paul-on-gay-marriage-20071210/
"John Stossel: Homosexuality. Should gays be allowed to marry?
Ron Paul: Sure.
Stossel: The State says, we will believe in this?
Paul: Sure they can do whatever they want and they can call it whatever they want , just so they don't expect to impose their relationship on somebody else. They can't make me, personally, accept what they do, but they gay couples can do whatever they want. In fact, I'd like to see all governments out of the marriage question."
You are cherry picking your facts and misrepresenting Ron Paul. On Media Matters...imagine that.
Ron Paul opposes abortion but believes it is a state issue. That's more consistent to his federalist approach. Of course, he has a billion other views that are Libertarian in every sense of the word, and has stood by it for decades of being in office, but I'm sure your reality-blotters are on tight enough for you not to see...or care.
Get a clue.
Get an attention span. And an attitude adjustment as well. It posts like these, as well as error-filled tripe like this blog, which goes to show that Media only Matters on this site when it only serves their point of view.
Eweston: Uh, yes it does, but go ahead and keep thinking it doesn't.
Man, this site is hilarious.
Ron Paul 2012
Please, google before you post information pertaining to reality.
Also, google "Liberalism" and you will find that Ron Paul is totally in the tradition of Liberalism.