That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

[Czechs Mex]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

So you'd support him if he were an independent. Okay, that's a start. The thing is, we've seen how well independents fare in presidential elections. Unfortunately for us, if you're not in one of the major parties, your visibility is crap. The media just doesn't give you exposure, and it's tough to win an election if nobody knows who you are.

In fact, Ron Paul DID run as the libertarian candidate in 1988. He is now a member of the republican party, but "republican party" is just a name.

So you say you'd back him if he were independent. But isn't it more important to vote for someone based on their ability to lead the nation, not on which party they come from?

edit: EXACTLY, lil das.

[lil_das]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

Then again just because somebody is say, a republican does not mean that they have to feel exactly the same as every other one... views are divided within every group and it is the same as organized religion, picking between two parties is just the easy way out

[Red Dragon]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

EDIT: I'm not putting my foot in my mouth in serious discussions.


The only good thing about him being Republican is that the Senate and HoR have a democrat majority.

Besides, Colbert said he has no balls, that's somthing right there.

[Czechs Mex]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

One of the reasons we are in the situation we are in today is because of the party system.

I'd agree. But you have to think, how do you break out of the cycle of a two-party system? You can either vote for an independent, or you can vote for someone who happens to be in a major party, but doesn't necessarily follow their conventions. It's been said before that Ron Paul is a libertarian in republican's clothing. His entire platform is backing the government out of your life.

[Denmo]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

Yeah, the "Don't Taze Me Bro" seemed a bit mis-used. Police brutality? Gimme a break. If you watch the whole encounter, the dude was interrupting a proceeding, attacking the speaker's opinions, and resisting the police who were just trying to escort him out. They tazed him because he wouldn't stop resisting.

[Red Dragon]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

He was bad mouthing the government.


AND THAT'S COOL MIRITE?!

[Czechs Mex]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

Yeah, the "Don't Taze Me Bro" seemed a bit mis-used. Police brutality? Gimme a break. If you watch the whole encounter, the dude was interrupting a proceeding, attacking the speaker's opinions, and resisting the police who were just trying to escort him out. They tazed him because he wouldn't stop resisting.

Yeah, the guy was definitely a douchebag, and that was a major factor in the whole incident. But still, he was being arrested because he asked a controversial question to John Kerry (in a douche-baggy fashion) that John Kerry was actually willing to answer, and then overreacted when police pulled him away from the stand. You can hear Kerry trying to answer it as the kid is getting tazed.

But that whole discussion is for a different topic. Whether or not it made sense to put it in the video is questionable, but I still like the video because it's a good intro to Ron Paul's positions, and it shows that he's garnering more media attention. If it gets people interested, the Ron Paul Google discussion is really where it's at.

[Manji]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

i really enjoy what i hear from ron paul more and more as time goes by.

[IRC]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

So you say you'd back him if he were independent. But isn't it more important to vote for someone based on their ability to lead the nation, not on which party they come from?

I'm not supporting Red Dragon's point, but one downside to him running as an republican is that if elected he would have to deal with their attempts to have him push the party agenda. I'm not saying he would become their puppet, just that it would be an unnecessary distraction. I could see Paul having to fight Congress just to get the simplest thing done.

[altoecko]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

[Czechs Mex]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

I'm not supporting Red Dragon's point, but one downside to him running as an republican is that if elected he would have to deal with their attempts to have him push the party agenda. I'm not saying he would become their puppet, just that it would be an unnecessary distraction. I could see Paul having to fight Congress just to get the simplest thing done.

Well, there's two things about that. First, Ron Paul has a 20-year consistent voting record to back what he says. He does not vote according to party lines, he votes according to what is permitted by the constitution. Nobody will question his consistency on that. So like you said, you don't have to worry about him becoming a puppet of the Republican party.

Second, sure, he'd have to fight Congress to get things done. But if you agree with what he stands for (individual liberty, anti-war, etc.), it makes more sense to vote for Ron Paul, who will actually fight for these causes, than to elect someone who will give Congress a smooth ride in the wrong direction. If one of the current poll leaders is ends up winning the election, an attack on Iran is pretty much happening. Look up the other candidates' positions on Iran (including Obama's).

Besides, if members of Congress aren't representing public opinion, they'll face pressure to actually listen or get voted out. Look at what happened last election, when Republicans got destroyed for perceived corruption and for failure to listen to the people. The problem is that many citizens are either apathetic or don't have confidence in either alternative. But if Paul were president, the visibility of his message could really sway public opinion and get people voting for candidates with similar stances.

Plus, some of the younger Americans hearing his message now are going to be our politicians in 15-20 years.

[ChaosKnightXD]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

I agree Denethor. The two I'd like to see facing each other in 08 would be Ron Paul on the Republican side and Obama on the Democrat side. I can rest easy then.

Hmm since I'm voting this time around, if that is the case during the elections it would be a hard decision for me, I'd have to do some extensive research on both before coming to my decision, though right now I'm in favor of Ron Paul, he's just a nice old man who is steadfast in his opinions. Despite any pressure made by his opponents he is unwavering and thats what I want in a president.

[IRC]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

The thing about Iran is that I'm not really so sure that an attack on Iran wouldn't be such a bad thing. Now another occupation it an entirely different matter. Now from that once clip that Czechs posted before I think Ron Paul's plane for foreign policy is the correct way to go. Just tell the rest of the world that they're called your problems because they're your problems.

And while I think that Paul could have trouble working with a Congress that is made up of politicians who just follows the status quo, I also agree that it seems like Paul has the conviction and down right testicular fortitude to get things done. The tough part for him is going to be getting into the white house. His campaign really needs to try to get the youth vote. It's going to be tough because of Obama but I think he's the first candidate that could really get it.

Of course the real person I wish would run is Al Gore.

[Sampson]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

Of course the real person I wish would run is Al Gore.

I thought he would run, but now I just think he's in it to stack his g's.

[Bon]

Re: That's it, I'm rooting Ron Paul.

The thing about Iran is that I'm not really so sure that an attack on Iran wouldn't be such a bad thing. Now another occupation it an entirely different matter. Now from that once clip that Czechs posted before I think Ron Paul's plane for foreign policy is the correct way to go. Just tell the rest of the world that they're called your problems because they're your problems.

And while I think that Paul could have trouble working with a Congress that is made up of politicians who just follows the status quo, I also agree that it seems like Paul has the conviction and down right testicular fortitude to get things done. The tough part for him is going to be getting into the white house. His campaign really needs to try to get the youth vote. It's going to be tough because of Obama but I think he's the first candidate that could really get it.

Of course the real person I wish would run is Al Gore.

He wouldn't have to run if the Florida ballots weren't ****ing rigged!