Ron Paul- What do you make of him?

Some people think he is a kook. Other people think he's on the fringe. I think he is on the right track. I supported Mike Huckabee as many of you know during the primaries, however, I was intrigued by Ron Paul's commitment to fiscal conservatism and strict constitutionalists thinking. Of course Paul has things I don't agree with, like pulling out of the war immediately - without analyzing the costs (IE Cambodia with Vietnam). It is just such a touchy issue- the war. Some support it, others are appalled by it and then they are those of us in the middle. If you look at history and took the same approach, would we have saved a country like Australia during World War II if we took a isolationist and protectionist approach to our foreign policy? What about the French and other European countries?. What about Kuwait in the first Gulf War?

Here is where I agree with Ron Paul. We have gotten a little too involved in nation building. We are spread too thin, and if we can't defend our own border and our country is in deep debt; then what good are we to the world. Balance this with the fact that I feel quite safe on US soil- that is something I didn't believe would hold true after 911. We are fighting the enemy abroad and haven't had an attack on local soil- that is a very good thing. How can we strike a balance?

Ron Paul is probably more of a Libertarian than a Republican. I don't believe anyone would deny that, but definitions tend to change over time. I wouldn't call most of our republicans- conservatives these days. They spend lots of money we don't have. They get involved with creating new government programs and initiatives instead of fewer programs. They don't stand up for our constitutional freedoms. Ron Paul and many Libertarians are also pro life due to the issue of life and justice in our founding documents.

For much better discussions of Ron Paul's effect on the political landscape I recommend reading Doug Wead's blog or Eric Schansberg's blog.