If he cares - why is he a Republican? 

by Mike Mischak (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments) on Sunday, Jul 8, 2007 at 8:12:35 AM

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"Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance."

-- Albert Einstein

A simple place to begin your investigation: 

History of the United States Republican Party

The Republican party was created in 1854 in opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act that would have allowed the expansion of slavery into Kansas. The Republican activists denounced the act as proof of the power of the Slave Power—the powerful class of slaveholders who were conspiring to control the federal government and to spread slavery nationwide. The name "Republican" gained such favor in 1854 because "republicanism" was the paramount political value the new party meant to uphold. The name also echoed the former Jeffersonian party of the First Party System. The party founders adopted the name "Republican" to indicate it was the carrier of "republican" beliefs about civic virtue, and opposition to aristocracy and corruption.

Besides opposition to slavery, the new party put forward a progressive vision—emphasizing higher education, banking, railroads, industry and cities, while promising free homesteads to farmers. They vigorously argued that free-market labor was superior to slavery and the very foundation of civic virtue and true American values—this is the "Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Men" ideology explored by historian Eric Foner.

by Co6aka (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 68 comments) on Monday, Jul 9, 2007 at 10:28:56 AM

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Ron Paul may have captured the hearts of some of the anti war movement, but they have not researched his views in other areas that real progressives will find themselves to be in total disagreement.  Ron Paul believes America should be a Christian country and does not believe in separation of church and state, Ron Paul is anti labor and would do even more to take away the rights of workers to organize the workplace, Ron Paul's views on racial diversity are archaic and close to racist. 

 So before progressives start jumping on the Ron Paul bandwagon do some research first.

by Dave Peter (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 26 comments) on Sunday, Jul 8, 2007 at 8:22:20 AM

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But even progressives who have researched him support him anyway.  Many progressives realize the folly of foreign intervention and in implementing blanket social policies from Washington instead of through state and local governments. 

The more centralized the social program, the more money that is siphoned away by bureaucracy, and the less money that actually makes it to the intended beneficiaries. 

For a great article on why local is better than central, check out the Time article entitlted "Who Needs Washington?".  The article goes into many social programs that have and will be enacted by Schwarzenegger in CA and Bloomberg in NYC. 

While I don't support most of their public programs, I applaud their initiative in taking action at the state and local level instead of working to force 300,000,000 other Americans by working through Washington.  Forcing programs on millions of people who may not want them is not very liberal. 

Localism allows us to avoid that contradiction.  Localism is what Ron Paul supports.  Communities would be allowed to take more progressive stances on issues or less progressive stances.  That is not a new idea - such is how the constitution was supposed to work in the beginning.  

Ron Paul is not a progressive, but progressives can logically support him nonetheless. 

by Garry Cobb (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 11 comments) on Sunday, Jul 8, 2007 at 8:53:44 AM

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For the record, here are Dr. Paul's own words on racism and diversity:

"Racism is simply an ugly form of collectivism, the mindset that views humans strictly as members of groups rather than individuals. Racists believe that all individuals who share superficial physical characteristics are alike: as collectivists, racists think only in terms of groups. By encouraging Americans to adopt a group mentality, the advocates of so-called "diversity" actually perpetuate racism. Their obsession with racial group identity is inherently racist.

The true antidote to racism is liberty. Liberty means having a limited, constitutional government devoted to the protection of individual rights rather than group claims. Liberty means free-market capitalism, which rewards individual achievement and competence, not skin color, gender, or ethnicity. 

                                              - Dr. Ron Paul

by blauvelt (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Sunday, Jul 8, 2007 at 6:13:04 PM

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Mr. Peter's comment reads like a political smear ad. A study of Congressman Paul's political career uncovers exactly the opposite. Perhaps Mr. Peter can present the basis of his claims with extensive references to fact and historical record.

As far as "progressive" is concerned...

pro·gres·sive
adj.
1. Moving forward; advancing.
2. Proceeding in steps; continuing steadily by increments: progressive change.
3. Promoting or favoring progress toward better conditions or new policies, ideas, or methods: a progressive politician; progressive business leadership.
n.
1. A person who actively favors or strives for progress toward better conditions, as in society or government.

by Co6aka (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 68 comments) on Monday, Jul 9, 2007 at 10:51:19 AM

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I find it amazing that someone thinks Paul is for a mandated Christian state, a racist, and anti labor.  For the record, Ron Paul is a Constitutionalist.  Citizens have the responsibility to maintain their own lives and the governments main purpose is to protect our rights to live free and independent lives as per our founding documents. The 1st admendment states that Congress shall make no law concerning religion or prohibiting its free expression.   Thus, his position is to allow the free exercise of religion; when ever and by who ever.  I've studied Paul for several years and every statement he makes about public policy is derived from the Constitution and grounded in historical lessons.  "All people are created equal" and then further emphasis on the 13th admendment re-enforces his stance on the rights of humans.  He stated the same message in the 3rd debate.  I would suggest all Americans get a copy of the Constitution, read it, and then use it as a template to filter politicians.  I've never heard him make a comment on Labor Unions, but my guess would be that the 1st, 9th, and 10th admendments would give firm justification for enabling Union formation.  Please do more research before do a hit job post.

by Bruce Summers (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments) on Sunday, Jul 8, 2007 at 9:15:37 AM

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I'm with you all the way in my feelings about Ron Paul. He truly is our last hope. But I truly doubt the powers in the Republican Party will allow Ron Paul to be on the 08 ticket for their party. Both parties have to much to lose with him as president. Not to mention what the corporations will lose. It's going to take a miracle to get him on the 08 ballet. Mark my words. Ron Paul is enough of a threat to meet with an accident or set up to be shot. They will not let him take office!!!!

by Mitch LaRoche (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 22 comments) on Sunday, Jul 8, 2007 at 9:27:34 PM

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