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Thursday, March 31, 2011

What the hell does that mean?

I saw a quote from Ron Paul this morning and it struck me as almost incoherent. I have heard him say the same thing in various forms over the past few years, but as I parsed the statement this morning, I felt like I was trying to do Chinese arithmatic.

"I am just absolutely convinced that the best formula for giving us peace and preserving the American way of life is freedom, limited government and minding our own business overseas."

Does anybody else think these generalizations are as vague and impossible to achieve as "world peace." I know the intent was to fire up a Libertarian base, but gimme a break.

We already have more freedoms than any other people on the planet, so I ask Mr. Paul to be just a little more specific in his definition of freedom. Felons want freedom too.

I agree that we shouldn't be involved in bombing Libya and ought to be loading up to leave Iraq and all the "stans" in the world, but we do have a global economy and our presence does stablize and comfort. I'm not a globalist, but I'd rather be the big dog on the block than the smartass in the shadows. He might say he's not an isolationist, but if he expects to trade freely around the world, he should expect that those we trade with would expect some protection if they need it.

I think I know what limited government means, but I'd like to hear real answers and not sound bites. Realism needs to be part of his world. To believe he could eliminate the Department of Education is not being honest with the people for one thing. I'd like to see it too, but I think it would be easier to change the direction it's heading than dissolving the behemoth.

I just don't believe Ron Paul really believes he has a chance to be more than he is.