"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" (Benjamin Franklin) Go Ron Paul

Gravel kucinich paul nader perot carter [conyers?rangel?] united for truth elicit fear smear blacklist.

Honesty compassion intelligence guts.

No more extortion blackmail bribery division.
Divided we fall.

The people know too much,
democracy rising democracy now.
Rage against the machine.

Josh is on the right track. You wouldnt happen to play drums would you josh? As Josh stated it sure is nice to see someone who actually reads and understands the constitution. GW should take notes. Oh wait i might be a terrorist because I disagree and dissent with GW's policy's and labeled a "homegrown" terrorist… VOTE RON PAUL.
Down with the police state and fascist pigs. Ron is the man.

When you come start with eliminating all, you can comprimise back to a more moderate position. It only make sense to start with the words I want to eliminate all..

He says "It won't happen overnight." He says "we have to ween folks off"

He won't end it "the next day" and in the end won't have the ability to end it all…but by saying ALL, he can then have his starting point.

THANKS to Kit, Ian, Nick, Derek and others for giving your thoughts to my questions (Drugs, Govt Agencies, Military).

Speaking as a long-time conservative, I admit there ARE components of Ron Paul's message I do appreciate. And there are other components that I feel are too extreme. I'm not a political guru by any means… but if Ron Paul were to moderate his views – I think more people would fully embrace him.

If Ron were to say: I'm not for legalizing ALL drugs – but marijuana doesn't cause violence… just the munchies. I'd support that.

If Ron were to say: We need to take a serious look at how our military has been deployed. There are countries that DO NOT want us there… let's leave. Those countries which welcome our soldiers and it makes strategic sense – then we'll continue our presence there. I would agree to that.

If Ron were to say: The federal government is BLOATED and we need to begin considering State management of SOME of these things (Education, Welfare, etc) – but maintain the Security (FBI, CIA, Etc) – I would agree with it.

I do respect his wanting to follow the guidelines laid by our founding fathers. I just think the world we live today is much different – and the approach taken needs to adjust.

Dr. Paul has a great plan for immigration…

ronpaul2008.com

In fact if you read most of his points of view you'll come to the quick realization that he is a very conservative candidate on almost every issue.

The constitution demands true "conservatism." Not liberals with Republican by their names like many of the other Republican candidates. (RINOS)

Ian,

I don't believe I am "confused" on RP's positions at all.

He states very clearly on his website that he is opposed to Roe v. Wade and wants to see it appealed. Making a woman travel to another state, or even another region of the country, to get an abortion does not "expand" personal liberty, it infringes upon it.

And I completely agree that disruptive conduct — gay or straight — has no place in the military. But being able to simply be honest about who you are is NOT "disruptive conduct," and interestingly enough, most military personnel get that — when recently polled, a majority of military personnel indicated that they would have no problem with gay people serving openly. But when given the chance to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" — and thereby expanding personal liberty, which he proclaims to value, RP voted "NO."

Once again we see the typical Republican stance — "freedom" means you are free to do anything I agree with.

Finally someone worth fighting for. Ron Paul cured my apathy. It is his message which restores the Constitution and our personal liberties that will continue to resonate long after this election is decided.
Freedom, Peace and Prosperity.
Go Ron Paul!

Steven in Charleston -

I think your a little confused about Ron Paul's stance when it comes to abortion and gays.

On Abortion:
"I think we ought to return the issue to the states so that local opinions could better determine the specific regulations concerning this deeply personal issue," Paul said in an interview earlier this year. He previously argued that this is necessary to create "a pro-life culture," because federalization "has prevented the 50 states from enacting laws that more closely reflect the views of their citizens." Accepting this, he explained, means "we lost the ability to apply local community standards to ethical issues."

On gays in the military:
"If homosexual behavior disrupts the military it should be removed and if heterosexual behavior disrupts the military it too should be removed."

Sorry Tannim, my last post should have been directed toward Jon.

Tannim,

I read statements like yours quite often from other Paul supporters, "Those of us who support him have done our research and support him because of that research."

Ok – no name calling… no ad hominen attack on you… a couple of serious questions (which I think directly hurt Ron Paul's chances):

1) Tell us how legalizing drugs in this country will HELP society?

I will agree there is little hard evidence marijuana is a deadly drug, but beyond that – synthetic drugs (cocaine, heroine, crack, xtacy, etc) DO harm (death/disease), not to mention increased crime.

2) How does eliminating the FBI, CIA, Homeland Security, Dept of Education, IRS, etc… make us a safer society? Granted, certain aspects of these agencies (domestic, non-military) can be transferred to the states… but the CIA, FBI, and Homeland security?

3) Withdrawing ALL military troops from foreign soil.. and maintaining a do-not-recessitate approach to the world's grivences and ills?

It was our presence in Europe which helped bring down the Soviet Union's iron curtain (actually their economy imploded because they were trying to keep up military spending). Our allies (Israel, South Korea, etc) and presence in NATO helps keep stability in otherwise potentially unstable regions. I'm not suggesting everything we do is perfect … but the prospects of abandoning every foothold in the world doesn't bring MORE security (in my humble opinion).

Any comments you might share from your research on these topics would be great.
Posted By Jon, Sacramento ~ Ca : November 12, 2007 5:05 pm

I'll try my best to answer you questions.

1) Personally, I don't believe people doing drug, even hard drugs, in their own homes is a great threat to society. The problem is since they're illegal people who are hooked are giving their money to the truly dangerous people. If it was legal there would be more safeguards and the money would be put back into our economy, not Columbia's. Making it legal would actually decrease crime as people would be less likely to have to steal to pay street prices. Also the cops could spend their time looking after real criminals, not grandmas looking to relief their pain, and our prisons wouldn't be so overcrowded.

2) None of those agencies are big targets of his, and honestly he knows he's not going to be able to get rid of most of them. I'll admit this is a position I can't agree with him on. However I do think they would get a good house cleaning, which they need, under a Paul administration. No more torture! The information is usually inaccurate anyhow.

3) I must confess to being confused by the idea that our being over in the middle east is keeping stability in 'otherwise potentially unstable regions'. Those regions look horribly unstable to me. Let's look at Pakistan for example. Right now the people over there are pissed at their govt for taking away their rights. And since we help prop up that govt they're also pissed at us. I can't believe that it is safer to save the citizens of a country that has nuclear weapons hate us. Even if we manage to help keep the current govt in power it's just going to lead to more people blaming us and helping and joining terrorists. If we don't get caught up in local politics we don't have to fear the repercussions those local politics affecting us. In another example, do you really think most people in Iraq really believe their govt is theirs? No, they see it as a puppet govt and will never accept it until we are out of there. And look at other times we've tried to interfere over there, like when we gave money to Osama, or to Saddam. Everytime we've interfered it's come back to haunt us. Isn't it time to try to a new policy?

Just my opinions. I'll say that I don't agree with all Ron Paul's positions, but I think he's the only one looking at history and learning lessons from it. He's the only one I've noticed talking about solving the problem of the weakening dollar. He didn't get caught up in all the hype after 9/11 so much that he didn't realize that the Iraq war and the Patriot act were both bad ideas. That's the kind of judgment we need in the white house. And if he's believed to be a little too radical by a lot of the bigwigs, well personally I believe we could use a little radical. The same old isn't cutting it, it's time for a change.

Finally in my lifetime a candidate that doesn't want to take a dump on the constitution. It truly is amazing. Dr. Paul is the great hope in this election. The light at the end of that long tunnel. A tunnel that's filled with scary old politicians who sort of smell like menthol. Anyway he can deliver us back to when the constitution meant something, and Presidents weren't trampling over our personal freedoms. I'm not really sure if there ever really was a time that that wasn't happening. But you know what they say there's a first time for Fresca…. I mean everything.

RON PAUL 2008

While I appreciate the fervor of RP supporters, the reality is that with 5% of the current vote (plus or minus) he has very little chance of getting the nomination.

And while he does have some good ideas (I have always felt that social security benefits should be completely tax-free, and I am absolutely committed to getting us out of Iraq), he is still more of a right-wing ideologue than a constitutional purist.

He believes in Individual Liberty and Freedom? Very nice. I can get on board with that. Except, wait….his vision of Liberty doesn't seem to include a woman who doesn't want to be pregnant — no rights for her. And the gay person who wants his/her life partner, who happens to be a foreign citizen, to come to America — nope, no rights for them. Or the gay person who wants to serve his/her country and not have to lie about their sexual orientation? Nope — thank you for your service but shut the hell up, oh, and by the way, if we find out you're gay we'll keep our mouths closed until we're done with you then kick you out. And as for undocumented aliens, well, he is quick to say that they shouldn't receive any benefits from the Social Security system, but he doesn't seem to have a problem with letting them PAY IN to the system. I guess it's ok to steal from people who are just trying to support their families as long as they aren't American citizens.

I could go on. Anyone who claims to want to do away with the IRS and the income tax, but doesn't present a carefully thought out and fully enumerated plan for actually paying our nation's bills (cutting spending is fine, but you can't cut it to zero) isn't really interested in getting rid of taxes — they are just interested in getting elected.

For all his posturing, and for all the energy presented by his supporters, RP doesn't strike me as being any different from anyone else running — he is simply saying what he thinks will get him elected.

Jon in Sacramento…

I will attempt ot answer yoru questions.

1. Ending the war on drugs (meaning personal use, no distribution) will help this country in many ways. First of all, it will free millions of people that are guilty of victimless crimes from prison, saving us billions of dollars and allowing us to keep violent criminals in prison longer. We are freeing rapists and murderers early for "good behavior" to put marijuana users behind bars. Ending the are on drugs does not mean we not going to punish those that choose to steal or commit violent crimes to support their drug habits, it just means we aren't going to spend billions trying to control what an individual does in the privacy of their home.

2. Eliminating the Dept of education allows us to save billions a year and allow local governments and communities to control their education. Why do we take money from local communities send it to washington, then funnel a good portion off to buearocrats, then send it back to those communities to educate oru children. The local communities and states will have a better idea of how to educate individual communities than the a central government department and will be much more efficient in their spending. The IRS isn't necessary, because income tax isn't necessary. By eliminating many of these large departments and significantly decreasing our money spent on the military industrial complex, we can eliminate the income tax and the IRS. Income taxes only fund about 30 of our government budget, we can easily cut that much, or more by getting rid of many of these useless departments and ending our interventionalist foreign policy. Homeland security is another useless office. if we didn't have our interventionalist foreign policy, we wouldnt need this department. Homeland security shold be our military that shold be stationed at home, rather than in 130 different countries. Also, if we weren't in 130 different countries, we probably wouldn't have to worry about terrorist attacks at home.

3. Withdrawing our military from foreign soil will help our relationship with every country in the world. it will end the hatred of the US by Muslims who feel we have been invading their holy lands for 50 years (in the interest of oil) and it will save us billions every year. Our national debt hit 9 trillion dollars today, how much longer an we sustain our military involvement in every country in the world. Ending the military industrial complex would also allow us to better serve those at need in the US.

Ron Paul people always do their best to stink up all other candidates' sites, so I'll return the favor. Ron Paul is the only candidate worse than Hillary. Many people flock to Ron Paul because he's against the war. He'd end the war, but he'd screw up just about everything else. Seriously, listen to the man speak and THINK about what he's saying. It might be sugarcoated about "freedoms," etc., but it boils down to basically… insanity.

That's what I'm voting for Dennis Kucinich. In Democracy for America's poll of 150,000+ people, Dennis finished first place above not just the "top tier" candidates, but also Al Gore. Dennis won 42 of the 50 states. Oh, but he's short, has a young wife, and he saw something unidentified in the sky. Must be nuts.

Dennis.
Dennis.
Dennis.
Dennis.
Dennis.
Dennis.
Dennis.

Tannim,

I read statements like yours quite often from other Paul supporters, "Those of us who support him have done our research and support him because of that research."

Ok – no name calling… no ad hominen attack on you… a couple of serious questions (which I think directly hurt Ron Paul's chances):

1) Tell us how legalizing drugs in this country will HELP society?

I will agree there is little hard evidence marijuana is a deadly drug, but beyond that – synthetic drugs (cocaine, heroine, crack, xtacy, etc) DO harm (death/disease), not to mention increased crime.

2) How does eliminating the FBI, CIA, Homeland Security, Dept of Education, IRS, etc… make us a safer society? Granted, certain aspects of these agencies (domestic, non-military) can be transferred to the states… but the CIA, FBI, and Homeland security?

3) Withdrawing ALL military troops from foreign soil.. and maintaining a do-not-recessitate approach to the world's grivences and ills?

It was our presence in Europe which helped bring down the Soviet Union's iron curtain (actually their economy imploded because they were trying to keep up military spending). Our allies (Israel, South Korea, etc) and presence in NATO helps keep stability in otherwise potentially unstable regions. I'm not suggesting everything we do is perfect … but the prospects of abandoning every foothold in the world doesn't bring MORE security (in my humble opinion).

Any comments you might share from your research on these topics would be great.
Posted By Jon, Sacramento ~ Ca : November 12, 2007 5:05 pm

I'll try my best to answer you questions.

1) Personally, I don't believe people doing drug, even hard drugs, in their own homes is a great threat to society. The problem is since they're illegal people who are hooked are giving their money to the truly dangerous people. If it was legal there would be more safeguards and the money would be put back into our economy, not Columbia's. Making it legal would actually decrease crime as people would be less likely to have to steal to pay street prices. Also the cops could spend their time looking after real criminals, not grandmas looking to relief their pain, and our prisons wouldn't be so overcrowded.

2) None of those agencies are big targets of his, and honestly he knows he's not going to be able to get rid of most of them. I'll admit this is a position I can't agree with him on. However I do think they would get a good house cleaning, which they need, under a Paul administration. No more torture! The information is usually inaccurate anyhow.

3) I must confess to being confused by the idea that our being over in the middle east is keeping stability in 'otherwise potentially unstable regions'. Those regions look horribly unstable to me. Let's look at Pakistan for example. Right now the people over there are pissed at their govt for taking away their rights. And since we help prop up that govt they're also pissed at us. I can't believe that it is safer to save the citizens of a country that has nuclear weapons hate us. Even if we manage to help keep the current govt in power it's just going to lead to more people blaming us and helping and joining terrorists. If we don't get caught up in local politics we don't have to fear the repercussions those local politics affecting us. In another example, do you really think most people in Iraq really believe their govt is theirs? No, they see it as a puppet govt and will never accept it until we are out of there. And look at other times we've tried to interfere over there, like when we gave money to Osama, or to Saddam. Everytime we've interfered it's come back to haunt us. Isn't it time to try to a new policy?

Just my opinions. I'll say that I don't agree with all Ron Paul's positions, but I think he's the only one looking at history and learning lessons from it. He's the only one I've noticed talking about solving the problem of the weakening dollar. He didn't get caught up in all the hype after 9/11 so much that he didn't realize that the Iraq war and the Patriot act were both bad ideas. That's the kind of judgment we need in the white house. And if he's believed to be a little too radical by a lot of the bigwigs, well personally I believe we could use a little radical. The same old isn't cutting it, it's time for a change.

What is Ron Pauls' solution to our illegal immigration issue(for that matter anybodys) a total PLAN, all inclusuive plan to address our national security,economic, border issues. does he need to think about some more time.(like all the officials)
does he need more information, will he be practical(favoring jobs & the economy) or idealistic(send them all back). does he have an initial plan, something to start with(does anybody).
should we continue with something akin to totally open borders like we have had until recently. he's been in GOVT for some time. WHAT exactly is is starting point for a solution.
until recently. Why is sitting on the fence. Where does HE want to start the discussion & where is his plan. Wher is anyone's plan. geogie porgie has been down here in Texas for Years and should have plan ESPECIALLY when him in his crooonies have been plannig to run the WH for years, wher's the total paln proposal. oh it's not that big Yet. It's just ONE issue facing our People and nobody's got a plan or real discussion at all. not exactly the second coming of George the original is it..

The military supports him, stock market traders support him, upper class, lower class, all races, all ages, all creeds, all faiths, all political parties.

He defends the constitution, he fights for our economy, he fights for our troops, he fights for our freedom and our safety! Paul is the only candidate with integrity, he actually votes the way he speaks! Ron Paul to win!

Tannim –

I would sure like to engage in conversation with you, but CNN has made sure half of my posts get "Moderated", so I suggest you go to RonPaulForums.com and post your questions. I think people there would be more than happy to openly discuss these issues in a non-censored environment.

The questions about legalizing drugs. They come into this country regardless of if they are legal or not. Does anyone know the % of prisoners who are in for non-violent drug related charges? If you legalize you take away the incentive to smuggle and have gangs involved. Alcohol prohibition make a lot of law abiding citizens criminals when they decided they still wanted to drink. Who got rich? Criminals, smugglers, bootleggers. Who suffered? The general population, taxpayers paying for these enforcement officers. I don't do drugs, not because they are illegal, but because they are bad for your body. However I don't want government regulating what I can do with my body, its mine not theirs.

Any form of prohibition just drives people to the black market with high prices, high stakes, high crime. It just doesn't work.

In reply to Jon
1. I would not ask to legalize drugs per se. Marijuana on one hand is used for cancer patients to help them eat and that right HAS been very much beat at. They have attacked the plants that manufacture for this prescription. Now I also really have nothing against them legalizing it though I wouldn't want it. My concern is more the war on prescription drugs and the doctors prescribing them. How will it help? A lot of people are going in debt from doctors bills. If you don't think that has something to do with the fact that it takes a lot nowadays to find someone willing to help then your wrong. A lot of it is the fear of getting taken to court for trying to help.

As for the war, I think withdrawing will probably just bring them here quicker. I am not about to talk about something I know nothing about. I say they know better than us what is going on with the war. They are NOT going to tell us everything. If they think the war needs to continue then I am sure there is a really good reason for it. Eliminating the IRS has nothing to do with a safer society. It has more to do with a less poor society. Do you know how many people are having to file bankrupcy nowadays? Have you looked at the figures? Have you seen the percentages of repossessed houses and cars? That is where the IRS is killing people. 30% of your hard earned money does make for a good chunk of money that could have helped get people out of debt. I am concerned with our safety to, but there are some things that can help that are not related to the safety of the country. Although I have not decided completely who I will be supporting anyway. Ron Paul only has ONE aspect that I like. Guiliani (and I am probably not spelling that right) has more aspects than any of the runners combined that I agree with. I know I would never vote for Hillary and I am a woman. But in response to you really, we are not only worried about the safety of our country. We are worried about other things as well, whether you notice them or not. Safety is a major priority. I don't want big brother but I could really care less about them monitoring phone conversations to out of country. But I do highly not like being told no rights are taken away. There are plenty that some people don't see because they have not had to face them. And acting like they are not something to worry about because they don't necessarily effect you does not mean that they don't effect more of the population than not.

Tannim,

I read statements like yours quite often from other Paul supporters, "Those of us who support him have done our research and support him because of that research."

Ok – no name calling… no ad hominen attack on you… a couple of serious questions (which I think directly hurt Ron Paul's chances):

1) Tell us how legalizing drugs in this country will HELP society?

I will agree there is little hard evidence marijuana is a deadly drug, but beyond that – synthetic drugs (cocaine, heroine, crack, xtacy, etc) DO harm (death/disease), not to mention increased crime.

2) How does eliminating the FBI, CIA, Homeland Security, Dept of Education, IRS, etc… make us a safer society? Granted, certain aspects of these agencies (domestic, non-military) can be transferred to the states… but the CIA, FBI, and Homeland security?

3) Withdrawing ALL military troops from foreign soil.. and maintaining a do-not-recessitate approach to the world's grivences and ills?

It was our presence in Europe which helped bring down the Soviet Union's iron curtain (actually their economy imploded because they were trying to keep up military spending). Our allies (Israel, South Korea, etc) and presence in NATO helps keep stability in otherwise potentially unstable regions. I'm not suggesting everything we do is perfect … but the prospects of abandoning every foothold in the world doesn't bring MORE security (in my humble opinion).

Any comments you might share from your research on these topics would be great.

This guy is not a serious candidate…any person that would not attack the Talibian after 9-11 is naive and scared to confront evil. Paul is both.

Posted By Ryan Indianapolis : November 12, 2007 3:49 pm

You must believe in the old saying "ignorance is bliss". Ron Paul supported and still does support efforts to hunt down the Taliban. Sadly, you don't realize Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 even though it has been documentated by our own CIA. It is you Ryan that has proven to be naive and scared of a small group terrorists, thanks to your limited desire for knowledge. Ron Paul shows courage to stand up and offer real solutions to foreign policy, income taxes, fiat money, healthcare, govt. subsidies, etc.

Here's some momentum Ron Paul has gained:

He's gone from 0-1% in the polls in March to 4-6% with very little television coverage. Better known candidates like Tommy Thompson and Sam Brownback couldn't do it.

This past week, Ron Paul raised $4.9 million — nearly as much as John McCain raised in the entire third quarter. Ron Paul is now over $8 million for the fourth quarter, from over 80,000 individual donors.

Ron Paul's rally in Philadelphia on Saturday drew 5,000 supporters. What's the biggest crowd Rudy Giuliani has attracted this year, not counting reporters?

Really people, if you want to criticize Ron Paul please have some facts to back your opinion up with. Otherwise you just sound ignorant.

Speak Out and Be Heard

Quite unanimously, the only valid argument yet remaining against our troops’ immediate withdrawal from Iraq is that of America’s responsibility to rebuild that which we have destroyed.
While some would agree with the view that the withdrawal of our military would create the best and perhaps only incentive for the Iraqi people to peaceably prosper as an independent nation, many of us maintain that it is our moral duty to undo that which can still be undone. Remember though, that while we have mourned our involvement in this horrific and despicable affair over the past months and years, and while we have poised ourselves for atonement, America’s military leaders, unchecked by our supposed representatives, have devoted the troops’ efforts of late to the construction of 14 new and permanent military bases in Iraq. Remember, that while we attempt to cleanse ourselves of Iraqi blood and oil, all of our leading candidates warn us with growing conviction of both the terrorist, and the nuclear threats elsewhere in the Middle East. Be very careful that when you caste your vote to rebuild Iraq, you have not also caste it to rebuild Iran.
In the decades to come, would we as individuals like to remember ourselves in these times as loyal citizens who stood by their leader and braved orchards of his elected bad apples, or rather as citizens united in dissension to their alarmingly misinformed President? Let that be asked of every American citizen; of every American House Representative and Senator. If we as Americans are not yet completely overtaken with apathy, why is it then forgivable for some of us to be too cynical to believe in change and to fight for it?
If there were any other candidate as equipped to free both America and the world, of our astonishingly disenchanting government, I would surely include their name, but for this task, I, like so many others, can only submit the nomination of Ron Paul.
Speak out and be heard.

He voted for the President to use military force in Afghanistan, Ryan from Indianapolis, and has twice authored legislation to offer Letters of Marque and Reprisal on bin Laden (basically, a gigantic bounty). He is against destroying and then rebuilding entire nations, all using our taxpayer money, especially when said countries pose no threat to us.

And Rafi, perhaps the best middle ground is simply lower taxes? Paul would like to reduce the federal budget to the point where we don't need the income tax, but is also willing to support the "fairtax." I imagine, if Congress can't cut that much spending, he would institute the fairtax to make up the difference.

Ryan from Indianapolis,

CORRECTION: Ron Paul voted to send troops into Afghanistan. He served as an Air Force officer and Ronald Reagan was quoted as saying that Dr. Paul favors "a strong national defense." Please do your homework next time.

I am a career Naval officer who has always been politically neutral, but voting for Ron Paul is about voting for America and our Constitution, which I took an oath to preserve. I am now supporting Dr. Paul with my wallet–and my heart.

Ron Paul, I'm going to have a kid soon… please make sure they're born into a free nation, I sure would appreciate it. *I'm voting RP

Posted By Aaron K, Bondurant, IA : November 12, 2007 1:05 pm

Aaron – can you not see you are part of the problem?? You ask Ron Paul to make sure we have a free society… you drop personal responsibility.

And PLEASE for the love of god tell us all…

WHAT freedoms have you REALLY lost?

You can still get up in the morning without worrying a roadside bomb is going to kill you and your family. You can get your plump backside into your gas-hogging SUV – hit the Starbucks drive through for your $5 coffee on your way to your job. After work you can hit the KFC drive-thru, come home, and zone out to Dancing with the Stars or some other brain-dead reality TV show.

Really… WHAT liberties or freedoms have you lost other than making cell phone calls to terrorists overseas?

Posted By Kalvin Tupelo, Miss : November 12, 2007 1:19 pm

Amen, and the guy that wrote under you Kalvin doesnt know what he is talking about. People we are at WAR, I know you spineless liberals dont see that but we are. And if the worst thing you have to give up is your phone calls monitored when calling overseas , I dont think that is too bad. By the way CNN when are you going to report the Truth about IRAQ, how the Tide has turned and there is no way to deny the momentum the US has right now….WHEN CNN????? Also Cnn I love the Headline you had earlier of "BOMB KILLS Children" and then later in the story we found out once again the terrorist where using children and woman for protection. Report the truth and stop being so Bias in your reporting. It is quite amazing how well our troops and our president is doing when you factor in how the WHOLE AMERICAN PRESS is rooting against our VICTORY..makes me sick to my stomach.

This guy is not a serious candidate…any person that would not attack the Talibian after 9-11 is naive and scared to confront evil. Paul is both.

Sales tax isn't perfect. Poor people spend a much higher percentage of their income than rich people, especially those living paycheck to paycheck. That would mean poverty-stricken families would spend a higher percentage of their income on tax than wealthy families, which is the opposite effect of income tax.

So it has its pros and cons, just like income tax. Surely there's got to be a method that's better than both. Maybe a sales tax with breaks based on income?

I would put forth an argument, particularly one countering those who think outdated poll techniques actually mean something, but instead I'll just sit back and wait for the primaries.

It's going to be fun.

To Kalvin Tupelo, Miss:
Driving may be a priviledge. But it should be my RIGHT whether I want to harm myself or not. Not someone elses. I should NOT have to give up my money for something done to myself. You can think I'm crazy, but that would include a lot of other people too. It's not crazy to want to take care of yourself and not have to take care of people you don't even know without giving it yourself out of the kindness of your heart. It's not crazy to find it really annoying to lose what you call priviledges based on the few that abuse those priviledges in the world. And Rush Limbaugh was crazy and an addict. Most people aren't crazy enough to try and work on the prescriptions he took. Quite honestly any narcotic would make me completely sick if I tried to do anything other than sleep. And those are the kinds of meds he was addicted to. Oh yeah as for sounding crazy. I stay in pain because I was in a wreck with a mack truck so ya know what? I don't care that people think I am crazy because I want the right to be able to get medicine that WORKS from my own doctors. Doctors do not give out medicines because they fear the government. And that is not craziness. It is the truth. You obviously have never had to deal with a pain that will be with you for the rest of your life. Yes some things that I worry about may be priviledges to you but they are not to me and plenty others. You obviously do not care that people take your hard earned money. I honestly am just tired of people whining saying that I should give them money to take care of them. People should LEARN to take care of themselves and not rely on us. Sorry but I shouldn't have to take care of anybody but myself. Anybody else it should be my CHOICE whether I want to help.

The Amish are coming!

what a wonderful world….

Ron Paul WILL win. He is the leader of the race by far. The only thing he doesn't do so well in is polls, which are polls of 300-500 republicans who voted in the last republican primary, which was the lowest turnout in American history as there wasn't anyone against him, and only 6% of the population voted in those primaries. So if you consider 300-500 people from 6% of the nation to be scientific, then I don't know what to tell you.

Not only will Ron Paul win, he will win Reagan style.

People are waking up and are absolutely sick of tax increases, war, and government intervention in their lives. Ron Paul has a message that is spreading quickly and as the primaries near, the support for Ron Paul will be staggering! Watch out New Hampshire! Sean Hannity will just have to get mad and make a fool of himself again like he did at the S.C. debate. I used to watch Fox News, but thanks to Sean Hannity I now watch CNN!
Brian

Amazing how the Paul critics are so stupid and offer nothing of value and cannot discuss issues.

Those of us who support him have done our research and support him because of that research. We see a country doctor who's honest, brilliant on economics, consistent, a reincarnation of the spririt of the Founding Fathers, and a leader we need. Sure, he's not perfect (who is?), but he's the best of the crop, the cream that has risen above the crud.

Dr. Paul earned his MD from Duke Med, not an easy place to get one. He's a veteran. He's been married for 50 years to his first wife and is a great-grandfather, and he runs the occassional marathon and is an avod cyclist. He may be 71 but he has the physical constitution of one half his age, and is probably in better physical shape than most of the nation.

Don't let his stature fool you. Like James Madison, he may be a little slight, but within that frame lies a genius.

The political storm that is brewing: Koreas, China/Taiwan, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia overseas, the economy, mortgage collapse, dolalr collapse, ongoing middle-class recession, fuel prices, and general discontent at home–they're all the perfect storm brewing to cause us to seek a new path, and that storm is what will get Dr. Paul elected.

RP08

>RON PAUL HASN'T BROKE 5% IN ANY MAJOR POLL!!!

Mark, dude, get real. I know you love Hannity and everything he says is gold, so here's a quote from Hannity himself:

May 15, 2007 – "By the way, here's a look at the early results of our text message poll. In first place, Ron Paul"

Ooops! He went on to win that post debate poll…and ever other post debate poll.

I know, I know… they spammed the poll! Well, it turns out, it can't be done. Only one vote per phone number was allowed. Darn! I guess people really do like freedom.

Kit,

You wrote, " hate to say it but we can now not get pain medicines that work unless they are new and in lawsuits. We do have to worry about bombs. Why would we not have to worry about bombs? We are at war! I would say that is plenty of reason to worry. We are forced to do things that have to do with our own welfare rather than given a choice… like seat belt laws and pain medicines and taxes."

.

Do you hear yourself, Kit? Pain Killers, seatbelts, and taxes. THAT is how you're losing your freedom? Do you realize that 95% of America hears this and thinks you sound a little crazy?

Should pain killers be handed out like candy? Certainly those needing the assistance of medicine should have access but everyday we hear more and more the abuse of these medicines (ala Rush Limbaugh).

Seatbelts? Actually, Kit, you CAN choose not to wear yours. Granted you will get a ticket – but driving isn't a right… it's a privilege. Driving laws are passed to insure the safety of drivers (AND passengers) – you can't ride in the back of an open-air pickup, you must have a valid license, you must have paid your registration, you must obey the posted speed limits, etc.

Where folks get confused is when you think it's your some issue is your Constitutional Right … when in fact the Constitution doesn't address those issues and the Government is attempting to govern for the common good.

Again – you HAVE the freedom to digest unregulated medicine, drive without seatbelts, refuse to pay your taxes, etc. The authorities responsible for enforcing these laws will promptly fine or imprison you.

But these are ancillary issues. Have you lost your freedom of speech? Freedom of religion? Freedom of the press? Right to bear arms?

Any of these fundamental issues?

(I suggest the answer is No – you haven't lost these freedoms)

Posted By Mike Knight, Baltimore MD : November 12, 2007 1:41 pm

Mike, there are more than 300 Million Americans. Name 5 people (cite the date/incident) where anyone was jailed for the issues you mention.

Tighter controls or more regulation is not a loss of a freedom (freedom of speech exists but you can't yell "Fire" in a crowded movie theater).

Ron Paul has the looks of a Man with INTEGRITY.

Ron Paul has the voice of a man who Knows What He Is Talking About.

Ron Paul worked hard for his education, and used HIS OWN BRAIN to figure things out. He did not swallow what the news fed him. He is a very intelligent man.

Ron Paul people THINK.

All of you name callers, and people stuck on appearances should do some homework, then talk about SUBSTANCE.

Please.

BASED ON GEORGE W'S MOVIE STAR GOOD LOOKS AND SILVER TONGUE I SEE WHY HE IS IN CHARGE
JS/FL

LOL Ron Paul. Libertarians are pretty funny. But seriously, never going to happen. We tried this…I don't know…throughout the 30s.

"WHAT freedoms have you REALLY lost?

You can still get up in the morning without worrying a roadside bomb is going to kill you and your family. You can get your plump backside into your gas-hogging SUV – hit the Starbucks drive through for your $5 coffee on your way to your job. After work you can hit the KFC drive-thru, come home, and zone out to Dancing with the Stars or some other brain-dead reality TV show."

Kalvin, first I carpool, hate Starbucks, prefer microwave dinners, and hate most all TV. Also, I've never been scared of terrorists or roadside bombs.

Here's the problem though… If need be, even as an American citizen, I can now be deemed an enemy combatant, with no rights whatsoever. My calls to a friend in the Peace Corp in Romania are now, I'm sure, monitored. My phone records, and Internet use, can now be tracked by my carrier and provider and given to government agencies without my knowledge. Those same agencies can enter my home with no warrant, destroy what they want and take what they want, and I can't do a thing about it. If I check out a book, the library will have to give a list of all my checkouts on the government's demand.

Just because I haven't done anything wrong, doesn't mean I have nothing to worry about. Just because it hasn't effected me yet, doesn't mean it can't in the future.

…

First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left
to speak up for me.

I am voting Ron Paul.

VOTE RON PAUL 2008!

Ron Paul has the looks and voice of a cartoon character. It's hard to believe that he has medical doctor's degree. And to those who don't know, the Presidential race has a beauty component to it which tracks all the way back to Ronald Reagan (former actor).

For Kalvin:

"Following are examples of freedoms which President Bush and his fellow Republicans in Congress have already expunged (as reported by the Associated Press):

* RIGHT TO LIBERTY: Americans may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them."

-Chuck Baldwin, 2005

I'm glad to see CNN and other media outlets giving Dr. Paul's message an objective second look.

http://www.ronpaulnewsroom.com

The momentum is definitely building.

to Kalvin Tupelo, Miss: I hate to break it to you, but we have lost a lot more freedoms than what you seem to be saying. I hate to say it but we can now not get pain medicines that work unless they are new and in lawsuits. We do have to worry about bombs. Why would we not have to worry about bombs? We are at war! I would say that is plenty of reason to worry. We are forced to do things that have to do with our own welfare rather than given a choice… like seat belt laws and pain medicines and taxes. Now with Ron Paul I will probably not agree with his stances on abortion, gay rights, etc. In fact the only thing I do agree with him on that I'm aware of is taxes. We are more free that a lot of countries don't get me wrong. But to say that we haven't had rights taken away is a load of bull. Maybe you haven't had to face them. But I can tell you one of the issues I haven't heard faced that I would REALLY like to hear about is the FDA and DEA and medicines. I've heard them talk about health insurance concerns. But that one really isn't my main one. My main two are taxes and the drug war. When the only pain medicine a doctor wants to give you is ibuprofen something is wrong. And it sure ain't me. Because I rarely take medicines at all, but I should be allowed to get it when I do need it.

Ron Paul, I'm going to have a kid soon… please make sure they're born into a free nation, I sure would appreciate it. *I'm voting RP

Posted By Aaron K, Bondurant, IA : November 12, 2007 1:05 pm

Aaron – can you not see you are part of the problem?? You ask Ron Paul to make sure we have a free society… you drop personal responsibility.

And PLEASE for the love of god tell us all…

WHAT freedoms have you REALLY lost?

You can still get up in the morning without worrying a roadside bomb is going to kill you and your family. You can get your plump backside into your gas-hogging SUV – hit the Starbucks drive through for your $5 coffee on your way to your job. After work you can hit the KFC drive-thru, come home, and zone out to Dancing with the Stars or some other brain-dead reality TV show.

Really… WHAT liberties or freedoms have you lost other than making cell phone calls to terrorists overseas?

The latest New Hampshire poll released yesterday has Ron Paul a clear fourth at 7%, running ahead of Mike Huckabee and far ahead of Fred Thompson. Link.

All you Ron Paul people need to get ready. It won't be long before the other candidates try to squeeze him out and ban him from these debates. You know it' coming. The main contenders are pro war- having Paul there highlights the issue even more. Republicans want to win the White House without pointing out all of Bush's failures.

Listening to the comments here can be uplifting and depressing. Maybe he really can win! Also, maybe Americans really have been dumbed down to the point that they'd rather not have the Constitution.

Actually, I bet if asked, most people would say they don't want a government of the Constitution, and that, my friends, is sad.

Ron Paul, I'm going to have a kid soon… please make sure they're born into a free nation, I sure would appreciate it. *I'm voting RP

Ron Paul wants to get rid of the income tax and replace it with NOTHING. Not with a sales tax. Oh my! Without an income tax, how ever will we pay for all our wars overseas… oh.

I'm not necessarily a Ron Paul fan, however I have yet to see YOU add any pertinant articulation or discussion to any issue on any board here. Do you need a job??

Posted By r schier norwalk,ct : November 12, 2007 12:33 pm

.
.
.
.

LOL, R-Schier. You're now the proverbial high school hall monitor?? Please forgive me, oh great one, if the totality of my contributions fail to meet your rigid standard of content. Forgive me for actually believing in Free Speech – to which you feel entitled to use and question the veracity of others. And lastly forgive my sarcasm. It must be rather difficult for you to read posts like mine when you have no sense of humor, R-Schier.

Who do you think Ron Paul is or could take votes away from?

Posted By Dan, Saint Louis, MO : November 12, 2007 12:17 pm

—

Primarily Pat Buchanan since they have identical isolationist views. I imagine Ron is also stealing votes from Ralph Nader and Dennis Kucinich.

Ron Paul's base of support comes from primarily libertarian (considering RP is a RINO) – so unless there is another libertarian running (which there is not) THAT is where his primary base of support of originating.

I love your title CNN – "Ron Paul gaining momentum". Are you a news outlet or an organization that's just freaking nuts??? RON PAUL HASN'T BROKE 5% IN ANY MAJOR POLL!!!

WatchingHillary.com

RE: kit, SC

BUT… most states already have a sales tax. So what happens then, we have to pay a state and a national sales tax? More than likely. That's not my only worry. Will the sales tax suddenly be 20% instead of the 7 and 8% I've seen.

You're on the right track. Remember, if there is no income tax, all of a sudden your paycheck grows by 27-33%. In my case, I think I can do a lot better for my family and my community with that money.

In addition to your observation about more people shopping than working, this typ of tax at the point of sale all of a sudden levies a tax on drug dealers, illegal aliens etc, etc.

Mike Huckabee also advocates a fair tax.

If you look at how the gov't punishes business, you'll see why jobs get outsourced and money moved offshore (about 32 trillion dollars currently, imagine what that could do inside of our borders!)

Ron Paul delivers, Thanks to the Internet or maybe something else.

What do you attribute Ron Paul's phenomenal success on the internet to?

http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=956

.

"Watchout – Ron Paul is steamrolling his way up to 5% nationally. At this blistering pace he should hit his stride and peak at 7%"

Great Job, Ron Paul disciples!!

Posted By James, Phoenix AZ

I'm not necessarily a Ron Paul fan, however I have yet to see YOU add any pertinant articulation or discussion to any issue on any board here. Do you need a job??

"Libertarianism and socialism are considered by most Americans to be too far out on the fringe to be taken seriously"

Posted By Terry, El Paso, TX

Your right about that cowboy (or cowgirl). MOST Americans have been brainwashed to except fascism, and take at face value
every package the corporate-military-industrial complex asks them to swallow. While Paul may not have the right answer for everything, he's LIGHT YEARS ahead of people such as yourself, forever blindly following a pre-packaged program for your unquestioning consumption….

Who do you think Ron Paul is or could take votes away from?

I've seen worse pictures of Hillary, lmao, anyone see the new issue of TIME.

Ron Paul is up to 7% in NH, one poll has him higher than Thompson.

His ideas will never fly with mainstream America .
Posted By aj huntington ny : November 12, 2007 11:02 am

That's because, as Mike Gravel says, America's gotten fatter and dumber. Too many people are reliant on government to provide for them. Witness Hurricane Katrina and the New Orleans folks, griping because no one came to evacuate them, then complaining about how the government hates them. When I lived in Florida and we saw a big hurricane coming, we bailed, plain and simple. I didn't need any government officials telling me I should leave. When my house got hammered, I fixed it and just looked back and said "Wow, that sucked!"

Most folks don't have what it takes anymore to "live free or die" without being spoon fed by BigBrother.

He'll get the Amish vote!

What a wonderful world…

Voters are learning more, so watch the candidates that are rising in the polls, like Ron Paul. The more people hear the more they will realize that his commitment to constitution and justice for all is the right answer for Republicans and Democrats. He is not trying to tell you how to live your life – live and let live. Go Ron Paul!

Watchout – Ron Paul is steamrolling his way up to 5% nationally. At this blistering pace he should hit his stride and peak at 7%.

Great Job, Ron Paul disciples!!

Terry, El Paso, TX, we already have a socialist state.

Libertarianism is an attempt to restore our Constitution and our Republic. If that's "way out," perhaps our Founding Fathers should have stayed British.

aj of huntington, ny, I guess you just don't respect the Constitution, do you?

I'm certain that you are happier with the Big Government that increasingly intrudes into your life and into your pocketbook.

He may not be a leader. And he does have views I don't agree with. But one of my biggest complaints (income tax) he seems to want to abolish. Which to me income tax should never have been created in the first place. But I have seen articles about creating a national sales tax if this happens. Well yeah National sales tax makes sense. Sounds like the best thing to replace income tax. BUT… most states already have a sales tax. So what happens then, we have to pay a state and a national sales tax? More than likely. That's not my only worry. Will the sales tax suddenly be 20% instead of the 7 and 8% I've seen. But then again they would be getting a lot more money by taxing sales than income tax anyways because more people shop than work. So maybe it wouldn't be that bad. Who Knows! I just know I definitely agree with abolishing income tax.

Ron Paul will get lots of votes from Democrats who want to end Iraq occupation. He'll get a few Repubs who want lower taxes. But he won't get the nomination, so the real fight will be between Hillary / Obama and Giuliani/ Romney.

Ron Paul – a candidate not embraced by the big media or big business. Also, he wants to end Bush's war of terror in Iraq. He is my kind of candidate.

According to most polls, Ron Paul has climbed from 4.1234523% up to 4.1234885%.

In Iowa, 4%
In NH, 4%
USA 4%

Most of his gain from 3% is probably former Brownback supporters who have no other place to go.

Libertarianism and socialism are considered by most Americans to be too far out on the fringe to be taken seriously.

This guy's a kook. He won't get serious consideration making bold proclamations such as "abolish the FBI ! " He's like the old guy at the party who sits there reminiscing about the 'good ole days'. His ideas will never fly with mainstream America .

another flattering picture of Grandpa

http://www.nysun.com/article/66303

People are flocking to him because he is the only one speaking about ANYTHING of substance.

He takes a stand…

His voting record and his words are the same.

RON PAUL 2008!

You've got my vote Dr. Paul!

For once, a Presidential candidate who takes the Constitution seriously.

For those of us who have been seeing the Bill of Rights tossed down the toilet for most of our lives, Ron Paul is a breath of fresh air.

Goofy-looking picture of Ron Paul, but the Presidency is not a beauty contest.

Save our REPUBLIC! VOTE Ron Paul!