Ron Paul on the Daily Show TONIGHT!

[SmoothHeavy]

A little late but hey....

[Dionysos]

As usual, he sounds like a man who makes a lot of sense. People will shy away from him when they hear the specifics of his domestic agenda, but I think he's still got an outside shot as as VP candidate.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Dionysos

As usual, he sounds like a man who makes a lot of sense. People will shy away from him when they hear the specifics of his domestic agenda, but I think he's still got an outside shot as as VP candidate.

his foreign policy comments made him look like a fool at the last debate - no candidate would want him - the GOP's position is an aggressive foreign policy

his problem is that he's no Republican he's a libertarian - which is an odd thing to be right now in the GOP

anyway - enough of that - I am really curious about his domestic policy positions because he could be useful in pushing that aspect of the party platform - care to share?

[Dionysos]

Originally Posted by xian

his foreign policy comments made him look like a fool at the last debate - no candidate would want him - the GOP's position is an aggressive foreign policy

Except that he's generating a ton of buzz with little or no campaign money right now. You think the comments made him look like a fool, but a lot of people are agreeing with him. Those comments have started a snowball and his numbers on the increase. Did his comments make him an attractive GOP candidate? It depends on how far the GOP nominee wants to distance himself from the current admin.

Originally Posted by xian

his problem is that he's no Republican he's a libertarian - which is an odd thing to be right now in the GOP

anyway - enough of that - I am really curious about his domestic policy positions because he could be useful in pushing that aspect of the party platform - care to share?

He's been a Republican in name only for at least a decade now. As he pointed out on the show, he's Libertarian but he's in his 10th term in the Senate and every term has been as a Republican. His constituents love him too, nobody can get within 10 points of him in any election.

The short version of his position domestically are what you would expect from a Libertarian: protect the Constitution, cut federal spending, open up areas(he named 1st class mail, amongst other things) to corporate competition, etc. He's a pretty dyed-in-the-wool Libertarian, so you should have a general idea what he stands for.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Dionysos

Except that he's generating a ton of buzz with little or no campaign money right now. You think the comments made him look like a fool, but a lot of people are agreeing with him. Those comments have started a snowball and his numbers on the increase. Did his comments make him an attractive GOP candidate? It depends on how far the GOP nominee wants to distance himself from the current admin.

Fair enough but I don't think you'll see much movement from other candidates toward Paul on this issue. But, we'll see.

Originally Posted by Dionysos

He's been a Republican in name only for at least a decade now. As he pointed out on the show, he's Libertarian but he's in his 10th term in the Senate and every term has been as a Republican. His constituents love him too, nobody can get within 10 points of him in any election.

say what?

Originally Posted by Dionysos

The short version of his position domestically are what you would expect from a Libertarian: protect the Constitution, cut federal spending, open up areas(he named 1st class mail, amongst other things) to corporate competition, etc. He's a pretty dyed-in-the-wool Libertarian, so you should have a general idea what he stands for.

and you know I believe that the GOP needs a libertarian boot up its spend thrift ass

here's my take... the neo cons (who most people incorrectly indentify as simply eager to use our military) are idelaists.... you know my opinion of that shit too. Its nice and all but back in the real world. Not only are they idealists but they are generally converts from liberalism.... and there is no more zealous advocate than the convert. As liberals they saw the government as the machine to effect positive change. Well, they still do - the only difference now is what goals they view as positive changes. And that - is the real reason to be pissed at them imo. End rant.

[Dionysos]

Originally Posted by xian

say what?

State senate, not US Senate.

Originally Posted by xian

and you know I believe that the GOP needs a libertarian boot up its spend thrift ass

here's my take... the neo cons (who most people incorrectly indentify as simply eager to use our military) are idelaists.... you know my opinion of that shit too. Its nice and all but back in the real world. Not only are they idealists but they are generally converts from liberalism.... and there is no more zealous advocate than the convert. As liberals they saw the government as the machine to effect positive change. Well, they still do - the only difference now is what goals they view as positive changes. And that - is the real reason to be pissed at them imo. End rant.

Fair point, though my opinion is that the neocon is not a former liberal but a conservative corrupted by power. They were all for limited gov't when the Dems controlled Congress for an eternity, but once they took over and realized what they could do with the power, suddenly the gov't became their friend and expansion of gov't seemed only logical to them.

[matt]

i thought he was awesome! :swoon:

[Nyteshade]

Originally Posted by Dionysos

open up areas(he named 1st class mail, amongst other things) to corporate competition, etc

I don't like this idea at all. Almost every time something has been de-regulated (coughTexasPowercough) prices have skyrocketed. Besides, mail already has competition. Just check how much it costs to send a letter via UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.

[SmoothHeavy]

Originally Posted by Nyteshade

I don't like this idea at all. Almost every time something has been de-regulated (coughTexasPowercough) prices have skyrocketed. Besides, mail already has competition. Just check how much it costs to send a letter via UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.

I like the idea of free markets, companies will actually have to compete for our dollars. This usually ends up being a good thing for the customer.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Dionysos

Fair point, though my opinion is that the neocon is not a former liberal but a conservative corrupted by power. They were all for limited gov't when the Dems controlled Congress for an eternity, but once they took over and realized what they could do with the power, suddenly the gov't became their friend and expansion of gov't seemed only logical to them.

While the power mad point is true it is also true that the weight of neocon ideology is a convert ideology. They are the big government conservatives. Now, they had lots of help from a GOP Congress an an Executive who forgot he has a veto stamp but they were a primary driving force in this mess... which I'm sure you have no problem agreeing with

[Dionysos]

Originally Posted by Nyteshade

I don't like this idea at all. Almost every time something has been de-regulated (coughTexasPowercough) prices have skyrocketed. Besides, mail already has competition. Just check how much it costs to send a letter via UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.

Well, what he was mentioning to open up was first class mail fwiw, he didn't really address stuff like overnight, 2 day, etc. Regular first class is actually a bit slower than your standard UPS Ground, so who knows how much cheaper it would be(if at all).

Originally Posted by xian

While the power mad point is true it is also true that the weight of neocon ideology is a convert ideology. They are the big government conservatives. Now, they had lots of help from a GOP Congress an an Executive who forgot he has a veto stamp but they were a primary driving force in this mess... which I'm sure you have no problem agreeing with

I'll agree that it's an ideology, sure. That's about the only way one could keep convincing themselves Iraq is the right war 4 years after the fact, because simple reason lends otherwise.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Dionysos

I'll agree that it's an ideology, sure. That's about the only way one could keep convincing themselves Iraq is the right war 4 years after the fact, because simple reason lends otherwise.

Dammit.... it's a big gov't lib convert to con ideology. It is utopian in its goal and utilizes governmental power as its method.

[Keith P]

Libertarians aren't republicans?

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Keith P

Libertarians aren't republicans?

Well, they can belong to the party but they generally call themselves Libertarians to distinguish themselves from republicans keith

And, given the state of the GOP - wouldn't you?