Thursday, November 08, 2007

Paul Follow-Up

Several readers have charged me with misunderstanding or misconstruing Paul's position on some or another area, usually citing some op-ed or other piece Paul has written. Now these may be Paul's positions; however, I really only know what is on his campaign website and his statement on the issues posted there. I have not followed Paul's career and writings.

I find it curious, though, that his campaign website doesn't make Paul's best case. Several readers have indicated that Paul is all about free trade, not protectionism; so why doesn't he say this on his campaign website? He focuses there only on international agreements and how they undermine our sovereignty. Why doesn't he say, Social Security is unconstitutional and we should work to replace it. Instead he focuses there on keeping our promises to our seniors.

This may just be campaign rhetoric, but then where is the great principled defender of liberty? He hides his most important liberty views on his official campaign website statement of the issues. How odd.

2 comments:

Tom Hanna said...

Every one of his issues pages has this statement:
"As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dr. Paul tirelessly works for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies. "

Some of that is a matter of unwinding two centuries of moving the opposite direction. Some of it can be done by executive order, but much of it can't.

And on a few of the issues, he's wrong, notably immigration. But compared against the rest of the GOP field, it's amazing to see so much "principled" opposition. Almost enough to prove the KoolAid drinkers are right about a conspiracy.

Shawn Klein said...

1) Yes he says he works for these, but part of my issue is his understanding of what these goals mean.

2) Yes, by comparison to the field Paul is more consistent and more liberty orientated. But I see that as somewhat irrelevant in terms of giving him my support. I do draw a distinction between supporting and voting. It's one thing to vote for a candidate because he or she seems to be the best available alternative other than abstaining. It's quite another to campaign for that individual, donate money or time, try to persuade others to vote in the same way.