- 24,553
- Frankfort, KY
- GTP_FoolKiller
- FoolKiller1979
After hearing his interviews and thinking on this a bit here is my conclusion. Rand Paul has gone a step further than Ron Paul in working within the system to forward the liberty movement. Ron Paul gave up hoping to achieve change as a Libertarian candidate after rules were designed to try to prevent another Ross Perot. Those rules essentially made it so that a third party has to be a success before they get all the benefits the two main parties get. So, Ron Paul began running as a Republican. He even occasionally endorsed House Republican candidates that agreed with him on key issues and didn't pose hard opposition on others. He also never endorsed a challenger over an incumbent. When he completely disagreed he just didn't give endorsements. Only in presidential elections did he support a third party candidate, and only after it became clear that the two main candidates were promising to overstep their authority. He stubbornly stood by principals before playing heavily in party politics. He did just enough to be disliked but not officially challenged for his office by the party, as the Democrats did to Lieberman.
Rand Paul went a step further. He will endorse the party candidate at all times. He promised to do it if he lost his primary and he promised to do it here months ago, if his father didn't win. He will endorse the party, despite disagreement on key principled issues, like NDAA. This gives him the ability to run in primaries without being accused of passively aiding Obama and not bring a true Republican.
So far, his vote has not been compromised. He has not changed his stances when creating, debating, or voting on policy. As I have countered every disgusting, mud tossing accusation made toward Ron Paul by challenging the accusers to find a single vote of his to back it up, I would be a hypocrite to not judge Rand Paul the same way. So long as his vote is note compromised I will still vote for him as my senator.
But, when I stood next to him on our state capital's steps, walked with him to a speech at Republican headquarters, met him at a local restaurant, wore campaign shirts every time I went out in large crowds and/or public places, put signs in my yard, stickers on my car, and donated my money, it was for a candidate who stood on principle first, no matter the cost. I was willing to lose if it meant that it was done with head held high in pride. But now, I cannot meet him in person without asking him flatly how you can endorse a man that supports many things like drones, NDAA, TSA, and The Patriot Act without giving a at least silent approval of those things, or how you can campaign with and stand behind a man at events where he discusses security, knowing he means even executing American citizens without due process, without somehow standing behind those ideas. When these things become seen as the horrible acts of government gone awry that they are, there will one day be a campaign ad with video of a Romney speech supporting these programs, and highlighted in the background will be an applauding Rand Paul. He can say he is not endorsing those positions, but history and his own silence will say otherwise.
Or as his father put it:
“Let it not be said that no one cared, that no one objected once it’s realized that our liberties and wealth are in jeopardy.”
― Ron Paul
Rand Paul is refusing to object while on the campaign trail. Could this give the liberty movement more power, ultimately? Yes. But just because we agree on the end result does not mean we agree on the methods.
So, when it comes to being a citizen of Kentucky my voting activity will be determined by his voting activity. My campaigning activity will be determined by his campaigning activity.
Rand Paul has so far not betrayed or sold anyone out. He has not been compromised as a legislator. He is not a traitor. But he is paying a hefty price in order to keep himself and our movement in a powerful position. Fortunately, the only thing he is selling is his own soul/conscience/whatever you want to call it. Mine is not for sale.
EDIT: My position on a Rand as VP role is that VP does not make policy. That would actually reduce his influence in Congress and would only be beneficial if Mitt were to die. I will not vote on the hope of a death. I spend every day waiting for the right person to die and that is a weight that is very heavy on my soul. No, Rand Paul as VP will not get my vote.
EDIT2: Carol Paul (Ron's wife) discussing Rand's endorsement on Ron Paul Radio. In short, he didn't talk to them, or at least her, beforehand and some people believe they can create change from inside the system. Rand has had much more success than Ron has at it, so that is the path he is taking.
Rand Paul went a step further. He will endorse the party candidate at all times. He promised to do it if he lost his primary and he promised to do it here months ago, if his father didn't win. He will endorse the party, despite disagreement on key principled issues, like NDAA. This gives him the ability to run in primaries without being accused of passively aiding Obama and not bring a true Republican.
So far, his vote has not been compromised. He has not changed his stances when creating, debating, or voting on policy. As I have countered every disgusting, mud tossing accusation made toward Ron Paul by challenging the accusers to find a single vote of his to back it up, I would be a hypocrite to not judge Rand Paul the same way. So long as his vote is note compromised I will still vote for him as my senator.
But, when I stood next to him on our state capital's steps, walked with him to a speech at Republican headquarters, met him at a local restaurant, wore campaign shirts every time I went out in large crowds and/or public places, put signs in my yard, stickers on my car, and donated my money, it was for a candidate who stood on principle first, no matter the cost. I was willing to lose if it meant that it was done with head held high in pride. But now, I cannot meet him in person without asking him flatly how you can endorse a man that supports many things like drones, NDAA, TSA, and The Patriot Act without giving a at least silent approval of those things, or how you can campaign with and stand behind a man at events where he discusses security, knowing he means even executing American citizens without due process, without somehow standing behind those ideas. When these things become seen as the horrible acts of government gone awry that they are, there will one day be a campaign ad with video of a Romney speech supporting these programs, and highlighted in the background will be an applauding Rand Paul. He can say he is not endorsing those positions, but history and his own silence will say otherwise.
Or as his father put it:
“Let it not be said that no one cared, that no one objected once it’s realized that our liberties and wealth are in jeopardy.”
― Ron Paul
Rand Paul is refusing to object while on the campaign trail. Could this give the liberty movement more power, ultimately? Yes. But just because we agree on the end result does not mean we agree on the methods.
So, when it comes to being a citizen of Kentucky my voting activity will be determined by his voting activity. My campaigning activity will be determined by his campaigning activity.
Rand Paul has so far not betrayed or sold anyone out. He has not been compromised as a legislator. He is not a traitor. But he is paying a hefty price in order to keep himself and our movement in a powerful position. Fortunately, the only thing he is selling is his own soul/conscience/whatever you want to call it. Mine is not for sale.
EDIT: My position on a Rand as VP role is that VP does not make policy. That would actually reduce his influence in Congress and would only be beneficial if Mitt were to die. I will not vote on the hope of a death. I spend every day waiting for the right person to die and that is a weight that is very heavy on my soul. No, Rand Paul as VP will not get my vote.
EDIT2: Carol Paul (Ron's wife) discussing Rand's endorsement on Ron Paul Radio. In short, he didn't talk to them, or at least her, beforehand and some people believe they can create change from inside the system. Rand has had much more success than Ron has at it, so that is the path he is taking.
Last edited:
hehe
