Guardian UK: Washington's Good Doctor
Posted March 28th, 2008 by manystrom
output
by Geoffrey Wheatcroft | 3/27/2008
The Guardian
To write off Ron Paul as a loopy reactionary ignores his courageous stand on Iraq and Israel
No presidential election for a long time has excited so much interest as this year's, outside and inside America. In personal terms, a black man, a woman and a septuagenarian war hero make most elections in most countries seem thin stuff. And yet the truth is that, while Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama slug it out in a popularity contest (or a competition in gaffes that may yet be disastrous for the Democrats), there's little to choose between them politically.
John McCain's startling success in routing his opponents means, however, that Republican debate has been ended, certainly on the great questions of war and peace. This includes the quixotic presidential bid of Dr Ron Paul, a Republican congressman from southern Texas and one of America's most fascinating political figures - who this month has again demonstrated his independence and courage in the House of Representatives, on a subject where all other Washington politicians speak with one voice.
Unlike some of our own "Dr" MPs, Paul is a real physician, serving as a US air force doctor before delivering more than 5,000 babies as an obstetrician. He is an intransigent libertarian, who believes that "rights belong to individuals, not groups; that property should be owned by people, not government; that government exists to protect liberty, not to redistribute wealth; and that the lives and actions of people are their own responsibility, not the government's".
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Beware the word Reactionary
Whenever you see a writer use the word "Reactionary" be cautious. That's Marxist language. They brand anyone who isn't into Socialism as reactionaries.
Liberty Wins
This article has condensed and expressed Paul’s ideas into excellent “talking points” that short attention spans can mull over. The ideas of Liberty are going to win.
Yea, not bad
but, as with every blog site, the neo-con/neo-lib plants disrupt the message with unfounded claims. Especially, the chick "CautiousOptimist", who clearly feels fiat money is sustainable and desirable. I wonder what investment firm she works for.
Idiots on the Comments Section
Holy crap. What idiots--uninformed, bigoted idiots--"contributing" on the Comments section. For example, these idiots cannot seem to distinguish between opposition to forcing the redistribution of wealth at the point of a gun to pay for "social programs" and the programs themselves! For example, Dr. Paul volunteered early in his career at a (Catholic?) hospital which existed through both payment for services and charity--not extortion. He has stated that everyone who came to that hospital received care--regardless of their ability to pay. Now what do we have with "managed care"? Hospitals going out of business left and right. Doctors leaving the profession in droves. Higher costs. But let's have the government do even more! Yeah, that's the ticket--despite ubiquitous evidence to the contrary!
I get so frustrated some times at the almost immeasurable stupidity of the majority under the fat part of the bell curve--here and abroad!
I know
I know this is off topic but you mentioned the word Catholic.I read yesterday that Pope Benedict is coming soon. He did not support Bush or Kerry last time because of their views on war and abortion,respectively.
For those same reasons he can't support McCain, Clinton or Obama.
Ron Paul seems to satisfy the Pope's criteria but does Benedict even know about Ron Paul - does he know Paul is still in the race?
I don't necessarily expect the Pope to endorse anyone but while reading the article I couldn't help but notice that Paul fits in with what the Pope was saying more than the others.
Excellent political
Excellent political strategy. Pauls campagn should contact the Pope's people.
I thought I read this before?
It says > Unlike some of our own "Dr" MPs, Paul is a real physician, serving as a US air force doctor before delivering more than 5,000 babies as an obstetrician.
It should 4000 babies, not 5,000 right?
Good article, ignorant comments
Everyone who posted on the comments section of that article hates Ron Paul. It looks like every comment says that he's anti-semitic, wants to restore the "loopy" gold standard and doesn't care about the Palestinians killing the Israelis. How many times do we have to debunk the same misinformation?
Nice article..respond bump
Nice article..respond bump