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Peace, Injustice and Ron Paul
By David Swanson
If Ron Paul had been president for the past 6 years, a million more Iraqis would be alive, and another 4 million would not be refugees. The world would be a safer place, and Americans would have lost fewer freedoms.
But more Americans would lack decent health care. More American children would lack adequate education. More families in America would struggle in poverty. Immigrant families would face increased threats and abuse. Women would have lost rights. And a growing oligarchy would further dominate American politics, making reversal of any admirable Paul policies likely.
Paul arrives at some admirable positions for some unexpected reasons. And his principles lead him to many reprehensible positions as well. He opposes occupying Iraq because it involves massive government expense and power. That, and not the million corpses, is his primary concern.
Paul is brave enough to say what he thinks and stand by it. While there are Democrats, like Dennis Kucinich and Barbara Lee, who have that same quality, the Democratic Party as a whole has an established reputation of not standing and fighting for anything, and least of all peace.
So, it's not completely surprising that a lot of opponents of the occupation of Iraq are looking to Paul as the best presidential candidate out there. Many Paul supporters really want peace and want it for the best reasons, but they detest the word "liberal" and loathe "big government." Others are not quite in that camp but consider the war such an overwhelmingly important issue that they don't much care what Paul's other positions are.
But Paul would end the occupation of Iraq and offer the Iraqi people not a dime to help rebuild the nation we've destroyed. In fact, he would cut the pittance we give in foreign aid around the world. But Paul has never, to my knowledge, said he would cut a single dollar from the biggest big government expense there is, much bigger than any war: the yearly budget of the Pentagon. And if he thinks he can keep funding that and NOT launch new wars, he hasn't thought about the workings of our government quite enough.
So, a Paul government would be stingy, extravagant, war-prone despite itself, and in debt. Would Paul solve that problem be reinstating progressive taxation for the super wealthy and corporations? No, he'd cut taxes. Of course, taxes SHOULD be cut for most people. But unless they're raised for the wealthy and corporations, we will have even more debt (which Paul says he opposes) or we will have to make massive cuts in what's left of the non-military public sector. And that's exactly what Paul would like to see: "wasteful agencies" and "governments collecting foreign aid" are among his targets. Rather than increasing funding for public schools, his solution for education would be to cut more taxes (the thinking being that this would allow parents to teach their children at home). That works for parents who want to do that and don't have to work. But most parents don't want to do that and do have to work. And with a president Paul allowing the minimum wage to plummet, opposing living wage standards, and doing nothing to restore the right to unionize, parents' work hours would not be shrinking.
Of course parents who don't work, or don't work jobs with good benefits, tend to lack health insurance. Paul would offer these tens of millions of Americans and the even greater number with inadequate health insurance nothing more than a middle finger. Paul believes the greatest crisis in our health care is the imposition of vaccinations. Everything always comes back to his notion of personal "freedom," even if it's the freedom to die of a curable disease. The only solution that has been found to provide everyone decent health care – in fact it works in almost every industrialized nation in the world – would mean private medicine, allowing everyone to choose their own doctor, but would also mean replacing the health insurance companies with the government. This is the last thing Paul would ever stand for. Better that people suffer and die than that the government be involved in helping them.
Women who value the right to abortion would lose it under a Paul Administration. This is not speculation. He openly says he wants to overturn Roe v. Wade. That's his principle and he stands by it courageously and honestly, but most Americans disagree with him.
Life would change dramatically for all Americans under this sort of right-wing rule, but much more so for immigrants. Paul would allow fewer legal immigrants, while denying any illegal immigrants a path to become citizens. An immigrant woman here without papers who was raped would be denied the right to an abortion. Her child, born in America, would be denied citizenship. Her family would be denied welfare, as well as health care, and education, not to mention any investment in public transportation. Undocumented workers would gain no workplace rights under a Paul government, and so the rights of all of us would continue to erode. In fact, immigrants would be scapegoated and associated with 9-11, and Paul's priority would be "securing borders."
Under a Paul administration there would be fewer immigrants for a good reason: he opposes the trade policies that destroy the economies of the nations they flee to come here. But Paul opposes those policies because they are international, not because they empower corporations and hurt workers. That's none of his concern. He's a "property rights" man, even if it's at the expense of those without property. He opposes NAFTA for the same reason he opposes the United Nations. He would erode international law far more swiftly than Bush, thereby endangering us all in the long run. International law is what works against wars of aggression. The UN told Bush not to invade Iraq. Bush illegally invaded anyway.
But if Paul is as major an opponent of justice as I suggest, why then are so many advocates of peace and justice flocking to him? It depends in each case. Many passionately oppose the occupation of Iraq, but they don't call it an occupation. They call it a war. And their chief concern is not the million Iraqis dead, but the nearly four thousand Americans. And (this is key) they don't like the Democrats.
Paul is a man with principles, bizarre and twisted principles, but principles. Beside him, most of the Republicans look like charlatans, and the Democrats who are allowed on television and in the New York Times look like spineless cowards. They look like spineless cowards not because they favor peace (they don't), but because they refuse to stand up to Bush and Cheney. Paul stands up to Bush and Cheney. NOTHING is more powerful than that in today's politics, and he does it. Standing up to Bush and Cheney is what propelled Howard Dean's campaign so rapidly, and few paid close attention to what his positions were either.
Of course, there is a candidate in the 2008 presidential race who stands consistently and courageously on principle for both peace AND justice. And if we had the courage of our convictions we would put everything we have into backing him. Not only might he win, but our backing him now might force the Democrats in Congress to act like they believe in something, and force other candidates to improve their positions. His name is Dennis Kucinich. Paul doesn't want people to give their money to Washington. Give it to http://www.kucinich.us
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Dennis is the only candidate who has consistently (please note the word "consistently") voted against all legislation that erodes our constitutional freedoms.
He is the only one who has the courage and fortitude to state that democracy, security and prosperity are NOT brought about by wars of aggression.
He has a plan for healthcare---funded by what we are already paying for, but just not getting.
Do you hear about the "long lines" of medical care in Canada? Nothing but propaganda from our corporate health care! Ask a Canadian for the truth!
You want more of what we already have---then go ahead and support a candidate who already has the mainstream media behind them. You will deserve the corporate-based government you already have.
Perhaps you work in an industry that is not affected by outsourcing?? Good for you and your family!! But think outside of yourself----what about the other Americans whose jobs have been outsourced? Does your job provide healthcare? Good for you and your family! But what about ones who are working---but not making enough to purchase health insurance! Perhaps you are not worried about the fact that more families than ever before cannot keep up with the cost of living--even though we have more CHEAP goods than ever from China---TOXIC CHEAP goods, literally and figuratively.
I support Dennis because his stand supports my conviction of bringing back the focus to the American workers and families, supports my conviction of returning our nation to be a nation of laws, supports my conviction that basic medical care should not be limited to the rich, and supports my conviction that diplomacy, respect and intelligence will bring about security, peace and prosperity.
Do not let the mainstream media narrow your choices or your awareness----get to know Dennis!!!!
Carole J Gilbert
Sanford, FL
I agree with the author that Kucinich is the best candidate overall, and I hope to vote for him. But I don't think this is a fair take on Ron Paul. I disagree that a Ron Paul administration would lead to increased poverty, and power of the corporations. Ron Paul has criticized what he calls "crony capitalism" which is what allows the power of corporations today. Also, Ron Paul is a lot more than tax cuts. He hopes to abolish the Federal Reserve, and the IRS, return to hard assets, and develop a sustainable economic policy. Ron Paul is serious about freedom, which is something most people lack today. Indeed, there has even been talk of Kucinich and Paul running together, or at least of one having a place for the other in his administration. Instead of attacking potential ally we should be working together to bring change to Washington.
http://disinter.wordpress.com/2007/08/22/101-reasons-to-vote-for-ron-pau...
All these things you are raggin' on Paul for are misleading. Paul is against Government using money taken from tax payers (forced from taxpayers mind you! Volunteered taxes/payments are a different matter) to do things the Government thinks it should do. Whether that is an Iraqi Occupation, Welfare, or health care. He is against forcing someone to help someone else. What he is for is empowering the individuals and the states to do what American's have always done well, be generous.
We pull out of Iraq and rather than using tax money to pay Iraqi's, we reduce taxes by the amount the war is causing and allow people to assist in Iraq's reconstruction. Donate to the red cross and donate to other companies who want to help rebuild.
Your view on abortion is also completely misguiding. He wants to overturn the federal Roe vs Wade and allow States to mandate abortion themselves. No where in our legitimate laws does it allow for the Federal government to mandate abortion or no abortion. It is supposed to be up to the States. So what you'd have is my state, Washington, a pro-abortion state. and Texas would probably be anti-abortion. Overturning roe v Wade is not about stopping women's choices but returning what is rightfully the states, back to the states. Same with Foreign Aid, same with welfare, same with health care. If you want it, you had better fight for it in your state. It's about returning responsibility back to you. Do you think you can handle that?
oh and "So, a Paul government would be stingy, extravagant, war-prone despite itself, and in debt." should be "A Paul government would be frugal, fiscally responsible, peaceful unless attacked (to which we would then return fire to ONLY those responsible), with a surplus in money."
It would not be stingy, but frugal, there is a difference.
It would not be war-prone as Paul is one of the few politicians who have been against all unjust Clinton and Bush wars from the start (Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and if it comes to it, Iran).
It would be paying off debt. He is one of the few candidates who does not vote for budgets that are not balanced, that increase debt and government. A Paul administration would greatly reduce spending on unnecessary programs and eventually eliminate them (once the entrepreneurs pick up the slack, which they are quite good at). Greatly reduce our military-industrial complex to reasonable defense (instead of offense) levels, begin to pay off our debts, save for our entitlements and still reduce taxes (which allows us to increase our wealth which in turn increases the taxes we pay but at a lower percentage).
Anywhoo, it appears that you seem to think that Paul, while doing everything 180 degrees from from Bush, would in fact only propagate Bush's horribly deficient policies. Somehow that little bit of logic doesn't seem right.
Kucinich understands that profit can drive companies to abuse the people...so the recipe for tyranny in the usa is:
1. companies only driving for profit
2. government interceding with good intent
3. government overtaken by lobbyists which use governments involvement
to push for abuses beyond what they could safely do on their own
besides, with all the prowar democrats (whom dennis kucinich has pledged to support without question) shouldn't you be cleaning the much dirtier, much more prowar dems than focusing on a true peace candidate like Ron Paul ?
i volunteered and contributed thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours to kucinich last election...but his no questions asked support of John Kerry was a betrayal and he will not get my support again
Peace,
-tony
As those who read Flyby News over the years, or check out our Campaigns for reclaiming a lost USA democracy [ www.flybynews.com/cgi-local/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1096139627,51253,m ]
you would be aware of my history with Dennis Kucinich, which began years before he was a 2004 presidential candidate. With goodsister, we launched one of the most active yahoogroups at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kucinich4president/
What brought Kucinich and I together was from Flyby News first campaign after the 1999 high-risk Cassini earth flyby, which was to attempt to stop an expansion of the arms race, to prevent the weaponization of outer space. Congressman Kucinich introduced "Preservation of Space Treaties" and tried to win a lawsuit when Bush unilaterally terminated the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. For more than a year before his announcement to run for President, we encouraged him to enter the campaign, and did all we could in support of his nomination in 2004. I met with Congressman Kucinich about 8 times when he was in the northeast US. However, disappointment came from his management of his campaign especially in NH. He had the platform that could have done much better than the 1% of votes he received in the Primary. Each individual has their weaknesses, and his campaign staff under his leadership failed to communicate why he should become the next President. He supported John Kerry for President, but Kucinich and John Kerry did not support the people of the US when the second national election theft in a row happened. The first time in Florida; the second time in Kucinich's state of Ohio. They were silent, and mostly silent, too, about the unanswered questions from the attacks of September 11, 2001. Does Kucinich even question why WTC-7 fell at free fall speeds, with no precedent of such an event occurring in all history?
He says he will conduct a narrow investigation, but is he playing a game, or silenced by threats against him and his family. The author of the following critical article on Ron Paul, David Swanson, is also mainly silent regarding the crimes of September 11. Some may be silent because of mind control, and concern of being attacked if they questioned the official version. Kucinich may be silent from threats that could really harm his family. Whatever the reason, he is not running for the US President to win in my opinion, but to make good points for some future time or administration. This is why Flyby News is not endorsing his campaign. The critique of Ron Paul and similar overview is also why FN is not endorsing Ron Paul. The only possible candidate we would trust to endorse is Cindy Sheehan if she won the nomination at www.unity08.org as an independent candidate, since she, as a protective mother uncompromising spirit, who had lost her son in an illegal war, has the strength to stand up to threats. Her realization or suspicions expressed about the false flag attacks of September 11, in my opinion, is an act of independence and truth. A criminal element is running this country, who established themselves especially after WWII and recruited NAZIs for (sic) intelligence agencies that justified the 'national security' threat as a reason to overlook the principles to honor our rights and freedoms expressed in the US Constitution. This group has gone mad, and killed John F. Kennedy and maintain a control over the media, Congress and now the voting systems of a pseudo democracy that is actually run by totalitarian group of thugs and murderers, brainwashing themselves to believe they are acting to safeguard us all. Yet their actions are suicidal for all life, and Kucinich and Ron Paul will not stand up to the power structure of corruption and deceit.
Those who are working to really expose the crimes of 9/11 have the best chance in stopping the criminals from destroying our country and world. David Swanson does a good job if he was in a just society and not perpetuating the denial that buildings do not fall from the sky for no reason. Truth is sometimes difficult to face; yet we as independent people need to keep waking up our neighbors and friends, which is happening, ever slowly, but that is the path for peace and justice is in confronting a reality beyond the empty words and innuendos of a peace movement with no spine.
Jonathan Mark
Publisher
Flyby News - www.flybynews.com
that 9-11 nonsense either as far as i know
Great article pointing out moral bankruptcy of Ron Paul's policies, but awareness of the US government's involvement in 9-11 isn't "nonsense".
Agreeing with the corporate media that the twin towers were the first steel-reinforced concrete buildings in history to collapse from a fire is nonsense. Agreeing that they just happened to collapse at a free-fall speed, onto their own bases is nonsense.
Jet fuel couldn't have produced molten metal weeks after the buildings' collapse. Thermite, used in demolition could. Dozens of people at the scene reported numerous violent explosions in the hour before the buildings' collapse. And jet fuel doesn't even begin to explain why Building 7 fell in the same way, without even being hit by a plane.
The fact that Building 7 contained the evidence of many Justice Department investigations (such as Enron) provides additional motivation for this inside job.
There is overwhelming evidence that the 9-11 attacks were staged by the criminal element in control of the US Government, to further their grab for power.
See the video, In Plane Site: http://youtube.com/results?search_query=in+plane+site&search=Search
Also see Part Two of the three-part video: www.zeitgeistmovie.com.
(Parts One and Three are also interesting, but unrelated to 9-11).
Jonathan,Glad to know someone has put Paul's views/policies into a realistic perspective.
My attraction to Congressman Paul are in a few of areas:
He would Restore our Constitution
He would want to"abolishing" the Federal Income Tax (I placed it in quotation marks because there is NO Federal income tax to abolish!)
He is willing to regulate the Federal Reserve so as to have them, basically, clearing checks instead of having a banking cartel run our money supply and credit and, indeed, our government...if not the planet!
However, with the possible exception of restoring our Constitution, Paul would not be able to pass ANY of his other "pet projects" without legislators in Congress who would want to go along. So, much of his talk may end up being just that!
In an "ideal world", sure, many of his proposals conform with what our Founding Fathers intended and I wish we could have a country like they intended for us to have and one Ron Paul is fighting for... I admire and respect him for that.
Things, however, have come a long way and his "medicine" for the illnesses of our nation may be too hard for most Americans to swallow all at once.
Worst yet, he would wants for us to, fairly quickly, stop taking the medicines which have been shoved down our throats without considering the horrible "side affects" they may cause from, all of the sudden, withdrawing such medicines, as ineffective as they have been.
Ron Paul's solution would be like ordering someone on strong antidepressants, for instance, to, all of the sudden, stop taking them. The sudden withdrawal symptoms can and are often more dangerous and DEADLY than the antidepressants themselves!...So it would be for most Americans with Dr. Paul's "prescription" to cure our illnesses.
At least, we have been able to function, though it is in a world of illusions - a reality that has been created for us to accept and live in.
Kucinich would not fare much different with Congress even though his remedies are more compatible with what Americans can handle. This is why our South Florida Kucinich Meetup Group has come up with a bold Grassroots effort in support of Kucinich - for not only becoming president, but also to try to secure a "Progressive" legislative body which he could work with.
See links to a brochure that has been put together to these ends. If links do nor activate, go to our "FILES" at our Kucinich Meetup web page: http://denniskucinich.meetup.com/363/
Jack Topel
IMPORTANT NOTE:
To read the pages better, bring your computer mouse curser towards the bottom right of the pages in the brochure links below and pause it in place, for about a second, for the "enlargement" feature to appear and just click on it.
Jack
FRONT PAGE of South Florida Kucinich Meetup brochure
INSIDE LEFT PAGE of South Florida Kucinich Meetup brochure
INSIDE RIGHT PAGE of South Florida Kucinich Meetup brochure
BACK PAGE of South Florida Kucinich Meetup brochure
The ignorance of the electorate, resulting in the ignorance of the elected has resulted in the untenable situation which we find ourselves in today.
One- or two-issue candidates cannot begin to deal with the underlying problems that have brought this country to the edge of the abyss because they DO NOT KNOW what these underlying issues/problems ARE.
There is going to be pain either way, but returning to Constitutional government is short-term pain as opposed to a future of enslavement to the NWO (beginning with the NAU and going downhill from there) and their plans for us and ultimately the world.
Education has failed at least the last two generations, resulting in a government elected on sound-bites, empty promises and a downward spiral that MUST be reversed or else. Fuzzy, feel-good ads for the candidates with the most money appeal to the ignorant and uninformed. While Dennis is not one of those, he does not have the background of knowledge needed to be president.
You can't stay uninformed and free. Get informed!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5232639329002339531&total=100&st...
Wow, what a complete distortion of Ron Paul's views. Does CENTCOM actually pay you guys for writing these crappy hit pieces, or are you just mentally deranged.
Ron Paul want nothing more than dismantling the Federal Juggernaut and re instituting the Constitutional Government our country once flourished under.
Stop hating on freedom!
Dennis Kucinich for USA President for WE THE PEOPLE (not for 'free markets').
And YOU know it! Dr. Paul has expressed the utmost concern for the Iraqi people in MULTIPLE speeches! Kucinich wants to extend the occupation INDEFINITELY by replacing U.S. troops with an "international coalition". Kucinich also seems interested in going to war with Sudan over Darfur. Kucinich wrongly claimed that "If Darfur had oil, Bush would be occupying it". Darfur HAS OIL!
You liberals are just as good at slinging the bull shit as Bush, Rove and Cheney!
This blog by David Swanson is utter nonsense, you should be ashamed of yourself!
I am saick and tired of you socialist-communist liberals prattling on about conservatives not carrying about the needs of people. Of course we care the only difference is in how we want to solve problems. More and more government is not the answer, in too many cases government is not the answer to our problems, government is the problem!
This idea that if a libertarian is elected president then drugs will be sold on every street corner especially to school children, there will be a brothel on every block, starvation will run rampant, our heqalth care system will collapse, the education system will grind to a hault; All bull shit nonsense!
The most obvious reason non of this will happen is the president is only one man, he can not pass one law not one spending bill, where will congress be when all these disasters are happening?
I have been a conservative all my life and I can assure you George Bush does not represent anything I believe in. I give more money to charity each year than I pay in taxes. I have no doubt that I give more to charity each year as a percent of my net worth than the average liberal. You see liberals are real good at giving others peoples money to charity, not so good at giving there own!
Another thing that pisses me off about this blog is that there are no perfect candidates, every one of them, including big governemnt, tax and spend socialist liberals like Kucinich are flawed human beings. I have donated to Kucinich campaign because he is anti war and for impeachment, and I would vote for him, but there are plenty of things I dislike about him. None of these men are perfect, not even Ron Paul. All I ask is for you to cut out the bull shit and stick to the facts. Even implyijng that Ron Paul does not care about the million Iraqi's that have died is absurd!
David Swanson when you write this kind of bull shit you really compromise your credibility and expose yourself as just another political lie monger!
Let me pose a question to you At 802: Why should any of we, who follow this web site closely and contribute regularly, pay any attention to someone who hides behind a meaningless pseudonym which gives us absolutely no idea as to who you are and what your agenda really is?
Until you reveal these aspects about yourself, you are really nothing more than a parrot for the propaganda of the oligarchical power elite with zero credibility.
Really, just who is BULL SHITTING WHOM?
Dont attack the message attack the messenger!
at802 , you are a piece of work! :-D
at802 is right
Mr.Schaedler:
But in case you don't recall:
http://www.smallgov.org/?p=376
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/6796#comment-33363
I would take exception to "at802"'s insults.
But I'm largely in agreement with his complaints.
He is absolutely right that liberals commonly make the flying logical leap from their avowed good intentions to license to hold their means above reproach and beyond scrutiny.
And to smear opponents as having no concern for people's welfare.
This line of argumentation is tiresome and counter-productive.
The fact of the matter is the government by it's nature, has a very narrow range of practical applications.
A free and prosperous society, as can be plainly seen, is one which default setting is mutually voluntary cooperation.
All of the problems liberals complain about can be traced historically to the inappropriate application of the coercive power of government.
Yet it is the expansion of the reach of government that is invariably proposed as the solution.
A dynamic much akin in it's structure to a drug addiction.
---The Bikemessnger
He is going to make healthcare for 'free markets' instead of for the PEOPLE, with his "Medical Savings Accounts" ( the government IS supposed to BE for the people by the way):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjuEdJ0DAGc
I can barely have a NORMAL savings account, is Ron Paul in Fantasy Land or WHAT???
i'm not sure where all that stuff about brothels and drugs and perfect candidates came from. i definitely sound like somebody i disagree with :-)
David:
What he's alluding to the the usual argument we Libertarians get when we propose the lifting of restrictions on personal behavior.
They run along the lines of "if we legalize drugs, everyone will become a drug addict, and society will collapse."
You might not be familiar, as it's the crap we get from right-wing nuts!
We have to be ambidextrous, you see.
---The Bikemessenger
Yank:
Just what do you mean by "for 'free markets' instead of..." just who is it that you envision as the beneficiary here?
As Dr. Paul points out, what we have now is a corporate run system, to the benefit of corporate interests.
This is an unavoidable consequence of the centralization of power.
It doesn't matter how you structure the bureaucracy; the incentive and the means to control the authority towards their own ends will always fall into the hands of the few.
The only solution is a decentralized system based on mutually voluntary exchange.
Why do you have a problem with the a system that puts power in the hands of the private individual?
Dr. Paul touches on the phenomena of medical tourism, on which I have elaborated extensively in the past:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/22122#comment-93679
Medical tourists, as I have pointed out invariably move from more heavily regulated medical industries to the less heavily regulated. (From Canada to the US; from the US to Mexico and Asia, for example.)
If increased government involvement is the solution, why is that?
Additionally, Dr. Paul does not propose an aburpt end to the current system, leaving it's dependents without medical care, but rather an orderly transition, financed by an end to wasteful overseas spending.
In Dr. Paul's system, the individual controls his own fate.
The current system exemplifies the results of the reduction of the individual to a helpless ward of the state.
Socialized medicine is not a radical change from the status quo. It is merely more of the same.
---The Bikemessenger
The unwillingness of the Democrats in Congress to do the will of their constituents is in large part fueling Ron Paul's grassroots campaign.
The GOP is doing everything in it's power to make Ron Paul invisible and it's questionable that he'll get the nomination.
If he doesn't, I fully expect him to run as an independent so he will be able to serve the anti war Democrats who have been ignored by their elected officials.
Hit pieces such as this, from both sides of the political aisle, will only make Ron Paul's supporters more determined.
not millions and millions of Americans, especially those labelled with disability. Yes I actually WATCHED the whole sordid thing. Why didn't Ron Paul just tell everyone , sick, disabled, guardians whatever "I'm a "free marketer" and I want your money, not your excuses."
HELPLESS WARD OF THE STATE??? Do you know how many American families completely fall apart due to disability? That's what my dependant and me as a guardian are to you? Do you know what it takes to try to live and get entitlements for your dependant in America, do you even have one clue? Do you know how much we put back into society going to school, me working , shopping and buying services and putting his "entitlements" back into the economy , and us going to several organizations seeking and giving help to each other of similar disability? I get an Earned Income Credit from IRS due to being head of household with an adult dependant , and was able to pay off my home this way. That makes me and him totally independant FINALLY from mortgage worries. We guardians collectively are even creating another bureaucracy locally (your nightmare, I'm sure) to help place his particular disability in the work-place with a support system and work coach.
Me and my dependant views society as a whole, and we want TO BE PART of society as a whole, not as "independant" homeless persons with disability, as YOU apparently would prefer him to be.
I WANT more of the same as in Medicaid and Medicare, and cut out the corporate system of stockholders ALTOGETHER, as Dennis Kucinich would. Ron Paul would not cut out for-profit insurance companies! He wants a "TRICKLE DOWN SYSTEM OF HEALTHCARE" that would be worse than anything Ronald Reagan imagined for his Voo-Doo Economy.
Dennis Kucinich has a plan for SINGLE-PAYER Universal Health Insurance with choices of medical insurance from NOT-FOR-PROFIT companies (in other words, insurance companies that are NOT on the stock exchange ... this cuts out medical insurance being beholden to stockholders rather than the patients). This is a similar plan that Federal Employees already have, and you don't see Congresspeople complaining about it, now do you? Kucinich would merely cut out the FOR-PROFIT insurance companies.
I NEED and WANT a system of Universal Healthcare, I canNOT afford to control my own fate and that of my dependant adult with disability. I live in the REAL WORLD , Robert. I do not TRUST Dr Ron Paul's "orderly transition" away from safety nets that we already have!!! He wants to get rid of disabled and their guardians safety nets, now how sick is that! He wants to get rid of his Medicaid (which pays all his meds), SSI, Foodstamps, Voc Rehab pays for his one college class (and books). I found out all these "entitlements" gradually FOR HIM, as he would never have been able to find them for himself, and nobody gave me a handbook of "Entitlements", I can assure you. I found out about them hit and miss, as most disabled and guardians of disababled do. This might make you sick to your stomach that my dependant gets these "entitlements" , but it makes me sick to my stomach to the point of devastating worry that this so-called doctor would cut my dependant off! What are guardians supposed to do then? Stick them away in institutions again like the old days?
If Ron Paul keeps snake-oiling his "VOO-DOO Medical Insurance Accounts" (which sure sounds the hell like Bush's privatization of Social Security retirement) , millions of sick, disabled , guardians and just plain Americans will be HITTING THE STREETS!!!
DOWN with Ron Paul, UP with Dennis Kucinich by , for , and of WE THE PEOPLE. Otherwise, me and my dependant are moving to UK where they really do care about THE PEOPLE !!!
Ron Paul can shove his "free markets" up his ass. I want to be a free people, and so do the MAJORITY OF AMERICANS!
See his issues at
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/
&
The Video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZh0IdXSiPk&mode=related&search=
I'm voting for him, kucinich is nothing but a joke.
Withdrawal from every Organizations, including the UN.
Thank God I'm a Libertarian Populist.
"free marketers" Ron Paul knows where he can put his Bushie-type "Voo-Doo Medical Savings Accounts" .
Dennis Kucinich on his Universal Healthcare Plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOB0f3I1AXk
Unless you socialists never understand.
and ron paul would never do away the constitution.
See this fantasic Video at.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwe-bQtUTic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBmZW9R5Wss
"Dennis Kucinich is the only Presidential Candidate with a plan for a Universal Single Payer, NOT FOR PROFIT Healthcare system.
MEDICARE FOR ALL
The plan in embodied in HR 676 the Conyers-Kucinich bill, written by Dennis Kucinich & John Conyers
The plan covers all healthcare needs, including dental care, mental care, vision care, prescription drugs, and long-term care - at NO extra cost!
Kucinich's plan, HR 676, is supported by 78 Members of Congress, 250 Union Locals, and 14,000 physicians and is endorsed by the New Hampshire Democratic Party."
Ron Paul and the Libertarian philosophy is right wing and fascist to the core!
They believe like fascists all over the world that only the strong should survive and the weak, sick and poor, deserve to die because they are not strong and cannot compete!
They dismiss the idea as "socialist,".. that people can become a victim of circumstances that are beyond their control!... Their response to this kind of a victim is, "Tough! You made your bed so sleep in it!"...The libertarians have absolutely no compassion!...They do not believe in providing a safety net for people that fall on hard times! They believe in "Social Darwinism!" The survival of the fittest or the richest,... and every one else does not deserve to live!
They hate governments that spend tax money to help people in need!...The only thing government should become involved in according to Libertarians is in the fighting of wars! and policing the citizenry! If the wars cost too much money, than Libertarians become isolationists!
The Libertarian think tanks are very powerful within the Republican party, and their influence is very strong in the popular media!
Their battle cry is that "SELFISHNESS IS GOOD!"
In my opinion the two biggest flaws in America is the financial situation of spending more then we have and the Isolation of the individual. I do believe society needs safety nets but don't think that should be Government and only government.
Government regulating health care and subsidizing it will only make it more expensive and more limiting. If we create a national program we will create a status quo system that will stagnate and feed the national deficits while still denying treatment options considered too costly for their benefits.
Back to the safety nets. Our friends, family, churches, and neighbors ("community") should be providing the safety nets. It is the attitude of Americans to only think about themselves and have no interests in their community to create the need for government to step in. Even if a national health care system comes about, a dramatic improvement isn't going to take place in our Health. What is needed, is for Americans to show some financial responsibility and return to valuing community. These are the real crises we have as a nation. I have hope that limiting government's role will bring change to both my concerns but even if it doesn't it will at least reduce deficits and us as Americans should look at other ways of reviving our communities and attitude that each member is critical and has responsibilities to the community.
My last comments is that one man, especially the President is not going to be able to make all these changes or all his ideas happen in one term. Whoever we elect we are not talking about a dramatic change in lifestyle but small changes and maybe if we are lucky a shift in attitude.
Libertarians have nothing to do with fascism! You might as well claim that librarians (as in library) are Nazis. It makes as much sense!
You say this about libertarians, "They hate governments that spend tax money to help people in need!" If government did not steal people's money in the first place, they would probably not be in need! And if they were, private charity would help get them back on their feet, not sentence them to a lifetime of government dependency!
What is more "selfish" than promoting and enabling dependency?
Yankhadenuf:
As a contributor of your entitlement, I say you are welcome. Please don't take that personally, however, you are severely uneducated about Dr. Paul. I understand you support Kusinich and that is fine and your right, but if you want to bash other candidates at least get your facts straight. You want universal health care because that best suits your personal needs, but might not be best for the country as a whole. The UK sounds like a perfect fit for you, because as you know, the country faces billions in entitlment payments that this bankrupted country simply can't afford. Get out now so you can continue to receive your freebe's.
Yes, if you drive on any of my interstate highways without paying tolls, you are welcome. But you better get out of my country while you can, because my bridges on interstate highways are falling apart . I wouldn't want you to find yourself suddenly and permanently with disability. Anonymous, you are a liability , so either don't drive on my bridge or move across the border. I have to fix the bridge , I can't fix you too . Get out while you can. Please don't take this personally, but you haven't the foggiest clue how Americans with disability and their guardians get by in the only Western industrialized nation on earth without universal healthcare. Dennis Kucinich does and has a plan with not-for-profit companies to be for the constituents not for stockholders. So before Libertarians go bashing Kucinich and people who pay for your free ride, you might think "There, but for the grace of God, go I"
Do you know the kind of trouble this country is in? We are spending our children, and grandchildren futures right now. If we keep it up we will be spending our great grand children's future. Ron Paul has stated, he wouldn't get rid of these programs, just give the younger generation a way to opt out. We could only afford to do this if we change our foreign policies, and stop spending a trillion dollars a year over budget to support our empire and illegal wars. You don't need to fear about losing your benefits under a Ron Paul Administration but the moral dilemma is always there, we are stealing from the future right now, and until we get the government spending back in line. And the only way to do that is smaller government.
The hypocrisy of Libertarianism is so obvious. Dear, if you were a true Libertarian, my state would benefit more than any other in the Union. You see, my state is the entire world's number one destination for tourism. If there were a Libertarian in office, I would make sure he were not a "cafeteria" Libertarian that picked and choosed which federal things to de-centralize. NASA would become FASA, and only my state would profit from free markets tourism on space shuttles. My state would have the best roads , because we would no longer be on the Interstate Hwy system. We could tax tourists in my state higher and live off no IRS, we do that now with no state income tax. We could demand that the FAA split 50 ways as then the new FAA (the Florida Aviation Authority) could pick and choose which flights came in that were only profitable to my state's free markets economy. We could have the Florida Port Authority, and we could then choose the lowest bidder to build and guard my state's ports , including foreigners, because that would help my state's economy best. We would charge tariffs on imports into my state's ports that would only benefit my state. We could have a more aggressive laws on drug dealers who come into my state and confiscate cars and cash from people who travel into my state that have less than an ounce of pot, that would REALLY boost my state's economy tremendously. The other 49, well , you'll have to figure out your own ways to deal with no IRS , my state will make out great, and that's all that matters to a TRUE Libertarian. The younger generation in my state needs a way to opt out of being bogged down by the lack of free markets economy in the other 49.
support@informamerica.net
As a person who has suffered numerous disabilities and slowly but increasingly realized that so much of my food and water is poisoned with additives, msg, etc.,I might be on a slow recovery process, and I understand where you are coming from, Yankhadenuf.
When a person wants to work, is willing to work, even a person who is disabled, and one trip to a so-called medical doctor wipes out such person's nest egg for rent, bus fare, or gasoline & auto insurance money, it leaves one so helplessly and completely distraught and abandoned, that it is a crime in itself for caregivers, pharmacies, and hospitals to charge the exorbitant fees they charge.
If some kind of equity between what wage earners earn and what caregivers charge, cannot be arrived at, then what chance does our nation's majority of citizens have to survive?
Although no single person or candidate has all the answers, it will take a person who addresses healthcare problems, realistically, and practically, in order to even begin to point America in the right direction.
I was never a communist, nor a nazi, yet even if I believe in free enterprise, some of the medical fees are outrageous. What if a carpenter or plumber decides to charge the doctor and his wife and family $ 1,000.00 plus for coming out and installing a new doorknob, or gasket for the kitchen or bath faucet??!! It wouldn't be any fairer than what doctors, AMA, ADA, etc. are doing to us, but it would get some attention.
If the various professions, trades and crafts decide their product is more worthy than anyone else's it will breed even more massive hyperinflation.
In the event no legislation is created to prohibit the massive dumping of Monosodium Glutamate and other harmful additives into our foods,and flourides into our water, why the hell should doctors and dentists be allowed to charge ANYTHING for allowing the people to fall ill?
If you also have to care for another who is disabled, in addition to caring for yourself, I admire your courage. thanks, j.m. www.informamerica.net
For being the first person on this thread to cause my eyes to dampen ;-D Yes, a lot of "free market" mercury pollution from a "free market" paper mill caused my dependants' disability, from birth. I tire of the medical profession and health insurance companies profitting from mercury pollution too, from my emptying pocket and non-existent savings account. There's always credit cards, though! Thank you for seeing the whole picture. And I wish you well always and pray for your long-term good health on your recovery process .
Peace and love, yank :o)
How is a "Free Market" not for the people???
So you want a free ride paid for by me?
You are simply a parasite and from what I read, you are representative of the Kucinic supporters.
Dave Libori
We small L libertarians like Ron Paul. We don't think anything good is going to come from socialized medicine no matter who runs it, Obama, Hillary, or even Nader.
(The libertarians would say 2 of the real problems in our market, that prevent it from functioning correctly are the Federal Reserve, and the income tax.) Under no capitalism is fairness or justice automatic, only possible. It requires someone to work for the greater good in all cases. (That's just what were trying to do here on this forum.)
For an introduction to libertarian philosophy, read "Why government doesn't work," Harry Browne. And for an introduction to the economics, please read "America's great depression," Murray N Rothbard. Also, "Masters of Deciet," J Edgar Hoover is an interesting read, though it's anti-communist, not libertarian, but it goes to show how divide and conqueror (along with mass-agitation) can work anywhere, I mention it only because it would seem to be a blueprint for politicians who want to play the fear card.
I happen to agree with most of the progressives I know anything about. I think a true revolution of values is necessary, I don't think any state should have the power to make values compulsory, that's not the same thing.
I think all we have in common here is our understanding that Bush / Cheney must be impeached. And that the oligarchy has to be stopped. We should be united on that front. We can't let corporations, or oil, or Israel, or any other damn special interest have this sort of undue influence on any policy.
Admittedly, everyone I know has thought of Bush as a FAKE conservative for as long as he's been in office. Philosophically, Paul and Kucinich are the most interesting candidates we have. Far too many of the âmainstreamâ candidates are just rubber stamps, they are molded by their paymasters, who then have the entire MSM at their disposal to advertise for their favorite jellybean. No doubt, we are being undermined even as we argue over Ron Paul.
You liberals are just as good at slinging the bull shit as Bush, Rove and Cheney!
This blog by David Swanson is utter nonsense, you should be ashamed of yourself!
I am saick and tired of you socialist-communist liberals prattling on about conservatives not carrying about the needs of people. Of course we care the only difference is in how we want to solve problems. More and more government is not the answer, in too many cases government is not the answer to our problems, government is the problem!
This idea that if a libertarian is elected president then drugs will be sold on every street corner especially to school children, there will be a brothel on every block, starvation will run rampant, our heqalth care system will collapse, the education system will grind to a hault; All bull shit nonsense!
The most obvious reason non of this will happen is the president is only one man, he can not pass one law not one spending bill, where will congress be when all these disasters are happening?
I have been a conservative all my life and I can assure you George Bush does not represent anything I believe in. I give more money to charity each year than I pay in taxes. I have no doubt that I give more to charity each year as a percent of my net worth than the average liberal. You see liberals are real good at giving others peoples money to charity, not so good at giving there own!
Another thing that pisses me off about this blog is that there are no perfect candidates, every one of them, including big governemnt, tax and spend socialist liberals like Kucinich are flawed human beings. I have donated to Kucinich campaign because he is anti war and for impeachment, and I would vote for him, but there are plenty of things I dislike about him. None of these men are perfect, not even Ron Paul. All I ask is for you to cut out the bull shit and stick to the facts. Even implyijng that Ron Paul does not care about the million Iraqi's that have died is absurd!
David Swanson when you write this kind of bull shit you really compromise your credibility and expose yourself as just another political lie monger!
You speak the truth here, in fact I'm sick of both liberals and conseratives, can we just be human beings.
NOW ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!
All you care about is money, money, money for corporations that already have money! Libertarianism has NOTHING to do with liberating "WE THE PEOPLE". Libertarians are ignorant because they are buying into an un-Constitutional program that would only de-regulate corporations with "less government for free markets".
David Rockefeller is probably evil laughing about all Libertarians!
I will never buy into that bullshit again... I did once in the early nineties until I found out that libertarianism is all about "free markets" , NOT a free me!
Charity? Did that work in the Great Depression . Herbert Hoover-style "charity"? What a joke! FDR saved THE PEOPLE of this country, Bush "private retirement savings accounts" and Paul's joke of "medical savings accounts" would destroy us.
We true Libertarians just as much as respect our freedoms as the rest of you.
See this video at.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M5GK9Na8KU
Stan Jones is a real patriot.
America has been sold out big time.
Ron Paul talks about "Medical Savings Accounts'! He sounds EXACTLY like George W Bush who wanted to destroy Social Security retirement with "Retirement Savings Accounts". Where , pray tell , where will I get all this wonderful money to "save" to replace my dependant's Medicaid, and my future Social Security and Medicare? WHERE?
SHOW ME THE MONEY! WHERE?
Yank:
Here's one place:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/26365#comment-155996
bush had no interest in "destroy(ing) Social Security retirement..." to the contrary, he just wanted to convert it from a failed socialist mess to a fascist gravy train for his corporate cronies.
You're getting good at hurling epithets lately. But calling me a "liar" and a "corporate whore" does little to overturn my arguments, I expect.
On what basis do you doubt our sincerity or honesty? We have no need to "fool" or "brainwash" as you suggest.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/26365#comment-156069
Our greatest hurtle is to have our heretical and radical ideas be given rational, dispassionate consideration.
Libertarians just want to live in peace with our fellows.
There's more to peace than just our government not sending military forces overseas on unjustifiable missions.
http://www.smallgov.org/?p=415#more-415
It entails allowing each individual his due autonomy.
If you and your friends and associates wish to engage in suicidal socialist boondoggles such as universal health care, a free market system would offer you no discouragement or inhibitions, as I've explained to you at length previously:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/22122#comment-93679
The only limitation is that you may not employ the cooperation of those who would not give it of their own free will.
At this point in the discussion, you need to explain how that one and only limitation is unjust or unreasonable.
Or, you could just continue to mindlessly ignore our arguments and throw rotten tomatoes.
---The Bikemessenger.
Please explain why Libertarians throw the rotten tomatoes first then, Robert, at society's most vulnerable ? God help us if someone defends themselves from the epithets by "peaceful" Libertarians. Some of the most hateful lies come from the lips of Libertarians. Dennis Kucinich has been lied about by Libertarians on ADS page with "gun-grabber" "free-luncher" "communist" and worse. Libertarians seem to be in an exclusive oligarchy club who never ate humble pie, in my book. No wonder Ron Paul never joined CFR, he has joined its kissing cousin Libertarianism!
There is no free lunch, everyone knows taxes will pay for Single-payer Universal Healthcare for ALL Americans , and eliminate corporate premiums, co-pays , deductibles, and don't forget the doctors fine print of charging above the insurance company's standard fee for a particular service . So ALL Americans will have health coverage. Why the hell does that bother Libertarians so? Never do I hear that anything is for ALL Americans by Libertarians. Libertarians consider education, healthcare, and welfare for the needy/disabled/old as "free lunch". I do not believe in a theocratic nation, but as a nation that was founded under God, the total self-centeredness and meanness of Libertarianism rubs me completely the wrong way, and I find it totally offensive that you would label me and my adult disabled dependant as "helpless wards of the state". We have been HELPED by the state, but I assure you, both he and I are strong and have faced many challenges, bullies, prejudices and ignorant remarks in real life, that seem to come solely from Libertarians on this ADS board .
Libertarians apparently never heard the saying "if I walked in your shoes". I don't wish ill on anyone , but apparently Libertarians have never experienced low income or disability, or both, just a childish selfishness that they never outgrew. Believe me, in my experience dealing with my dependant's particular disorder I have come across many others, including more than one or two humbled conservatives quite willing to apply for "entitlements" for their dependants. But I have yet to run across someone who claims to be Libertarian who is a guardian or disabled. So Libertarianism must be adopted exclusively by the healthy and well-off and self-centered who would not keep their dependant disabled family members to live with them anyways.
I don't need to read any links, I watch Ron Paul on Youtubes, and I have drawn my conclusions from the man himself.
I wish you well Robert, but leave my dependant's "entitlements" alone. This is how we have some semblance of a quality, productive life, otherwise , I really don't like my alternatives, if any. Not that you Libertarians give a rat's ass.
Yank, you really are a complete idiot. You say in another post that the only way you and your dependent could pay off your home was with the 'earned income credit' from the IRS. Ron Paul doesn't want you to have to pay those taxes IN to the system in the first place, so you get to KEEP them instead of giving them to Govt and having to beg for it back just to make it. How do you not understand the additional freedom and economic power that will give you as an individual? YOU GET THE MONEY BY KEEPING WHAT YOU EARN and not paying it to the IRS.
Under Ron Paul's plan, your dependent who is already reliant on the Medicare/Medicaid system will be taken care of through continuation of the existing system. NO ONE WILL BE THROWN OUT IN THE STREET. If you are not close to retirement already you will HAVE THE OPTION of investing the money you WOULD HAVE PAID IN to Medicare and Social Security in your OWN retirement and medical insurance.
If you're saying you're not earning enough in the first place (BEFORE the Income Tax and Social Security & Medicare taxes), then improve your skills and get a better job - labor has to compete in the market as much as business does, you know. This I have learned in 25 years in the workforce. If you refuse to take responsibility for yourself you are effectively a ward of the state and someone else's burden, so to be quite blunt, IMHO you shouldn't be allowed to vote yourself more of the dole at everyone else's expense.
It never ceases to amaze me how ignorant bullies/Libertarians believe that the harm they bring their fellow Americans with disabilities will never befall upon themselves.
Just a note: I know a family that took part in a pilot program for medical savings accounts. When I compared my company-provided medical insurance with their medical savings/medical insurance, it was clear that they had more flexibility, more control, much lower expenses, and a fast growing medical account that could be used for other things like their children's education.
The current U.S. medical insurance system is ridiculous. It is extraordinarily expensive with relatively poor delivery. By giving individuals control over their own money (the money your employer spends on your medical insurance is still part of your compensation, you just don't see it today) you can now buy relatively cheap "high deductible" insurance, have money in the bank for the deductible, and still have money left over. No more fighting with an insurance company over meds or office visits or approved doctors. Just pay the bill with the money you have saved, have "catastrophic" insurance for the really bad stuff, and bank the savings.
Dr. Paul is right to promote getting us off the insurance company/government agency merry-go-round and instead help people help themselves.
At scool I was taught that WE THE PEOPLE ARE THE GOVERNMENT. It seems now, WE THE PEOPLE and the GOVERNMENT are separate entities. We have lost sight of the purpose of what GOVERNMENT truly is. Essentially there is no Truth in the world anymore, WE THE PEOPLE are trapped in a wasteland of lies, wandering around in total confusion, going every which way trying to find a way out of this mess.
It is said "The Truth hurts"; it takes great courage to face the Truth, but only Truth will save us.