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Ron Paul, A Republican Democrats Could Love?
just like Dennis Kucinich stood out in MoveOn's poll in 2004-- only to be ignored and rejected by the MSM every day after that, Ron Paul-- another politician with a lot of common sense, seems to have won the MSNBC poll.
To me, he's almost like the "Democrat's Democrat."
and let me know what you think!
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Well, he's more properly Libertarian. But I'm glad to hear that he's gaining attention and good will from other constituencies as a result of the debate. Honestly, while I can't dispute that he's made more political headway in the GOP than in the LP, I think he's hit his glass cieling. The Republicans are now the Big Government party, so Ron Paul no more has a chance at a national nomination than James Dobson has of running for President on the Dems' ticket.
If you like what you're hearing from Ron Paul, perhaps you should consider finding out more about the Libertarian Party. At some point I'd love to get people like Paul and libertarian-leaning Democrats together to forge a way through the two party mess that we have right now. My contention is that a huge majority of the public is unhappy with the options presented by the two-party system, but needs a strong impetus toward change because the status quo is so self-reinforcing. Perhaps a ticket of somebody like Ron Paul - Jon Tester would appeal to a majority of Americans, but we'll never know because the two-party system keeps them each marginalized in their respective parties.
Of course the two parties love the mess that we have right now if it keeps them in control.
May 5, 2007 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
yeah, everyone tells me i'm a libertarian... ;-) thanks for such a nice response!
I suppose that I lean democrat over republican since the democrats supposedly have a bigger tent.
May 5, 2007 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I certainly don't blame anyone who succumbs to the "wasted vote problem" and votes Democratic. Around 2000 I used to have this sort of conversation with a friend:
Obviously the ensuing six years of kakistocracy couldn't have done more to blow away my fundamental assumption that big party candidates can't govern "too well" or "too poorly." I now have an immense appreciation for just how bad a candidate can be nominated by a major party!
Then again, I've had the "luxury" of moving from one state where my vote for national office didn't mean much (Massachusetts) to another (Alabama). So I feel more at ease supporting minor candidates. IMO more of us in safe states should feel this way, all the while being understanding of our colleagues in swing states who feel compelled to vote for big parties.
Regardless, I'd encourage you to learn more about the LP. The LP is often dysfunctional and probably not up to getting anyone of consequence elected. But it's also a good vehicle for discussion among like-minded people. And there's no reason why you can't support grass-roots Libertarian candidates or issue elections (e.g. referenda) and still vote Democratic on the national scale.
Another good, growing resource is the Lib discussion site Liberty for America. I'm going to link this post there in fact.
I'm a believer that change happens bottom-up anyway.
May 5, 2007 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink