Ron Paul in Saturday’s Republican Debate (Video)

By on December 12, 2011 in News 68

Ron Paul Highlights from Des Moines. He’s got my vote. Does he have yours? (How is this man not ranked number one in the polls yet?)

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  • Altbeck

    because he actually wants to really change things so the mainstream media only mentions him long enough to call him unelectable?

  • Jin (仁)

    because another republican, no matter how ‘libertarian’ in name (only), is going to promote systemic change away from eco-cide and oppression.

  • conrad

    Good evening. Excuse me, I’m from Italy and I don’t undertand that Ron Paul says in this video. I know that he is often a courageous politician, but he’s also an exstremist of the free trade. I think that this “libertarian”-capitalist option is not a good way.
    I hope that you will understand my orrible inglish :-)

  • conrad

    Good evening. Excuse me, I’m from Italy and I don’t undertand that Ron Paul says in this video. I know that he is often a courageous politician, but he’s also an exstremist of the free trade. I think that this “libertarian”-capitalist option is not a good way.
    I hope that you will understand my orrible inglish :-)

  • Anonymous

    I know Ron Paul sometimes gets rolling eyes around here; its a mixed reaction and that’s pretty fair considering some of his views but when you listen to what he says, there is no other candidate in the past decade (except Nader) who is even in the ballpark of Mr. Paul.

    Say what you will about the old man, but when all is said and done, I will remember Mr. Paul as a voice of truth and reason in a sea of lies and insanity….

    If I thought voting on electronic machines mattered anymore, I’d vote for Paul

  • Anonymous

    I know Ron Paul sometimes gets rolling eyes around here; its a mixed reaction and that’s pretty fair considering some of his views but when you listen to what he says, there is no other candidate in the past decade (except Nader) who is even in the ballpark of Mr. Paul.

    Say what you will about the old man, but when all is said and done, I will remember Mr. Paul as a voice of truth and reason in a sea of lies and insanity….

    If I thought voting on electronic machines mattered anymore, I’d vote for Paul

  • conrad

    ec: “english”, not “inglish” :-)

  • conrad

    ec: “english”, not “inglish” :-)

  • conrad

    ec: “english”, not “inglish” :-)

  • Hadrian999

    some people see what the logical outcome of his version if libertarianism is. his version of libertarianism would be removing all barriers to corporate domination of all facets of life

  • Hadrian999

    some people see what the logical outcome of his version if libertarianism is. his version of libertarianism would be removing all barriers to corporate domination of all facets of life

  • Hadrian999

    some people see what the logical outcome of his version if libertarianism is. his version of libertarianism would be removing all barriers to corporate domination of all facets of life

  • Anarchy Pony

    Yes, he subscribes to what we call anarcho-capitalism(which isn’t really anarchism at all) or rightist libertarianism. And these views are very unfavorable to myself and many others. He gains a lot of favorability from  some “progressives” and “liberals” because he is against foreign wars and in favor of legalizing drugs and ending the drug war. 

  • Anarchy Pony

    Well he really only clings to the party name in order to stay on the map.
    It is probably fair to say he is energy illiterate (as the peak oilers like to say) and completely ignorant of ecology.

  • Jin (仁)

    i totally agree, but the supposition is that he is “radical” or his agenda is, but that’s really like pretending a diet menu at mcdicks is radically different from the general criticism of factory food. the truth is, if you need a major party to stay relevant, how relevantly radical could you possibly be?

  • Jin (仁)

    i hope most people do, but i totally agree…

  • Anonymous

    EDIT: This is in reply to @Hadrian999

    I understand your viewpoint; but there is also an alternative view.

    The government, historically, has done little to limit the power of corporations without pressure from the people. At this point there exists no difference between public/private due to the revolving door, lobbying, and massive military contracting that amounts to virtually State enterprises (Lockheed or Boeing come to mind).

    I myself am a committed socialist, little s, and am fully opposed to the majority of radical free market solutions, at this point however….a reduction in government should reasonably be expected to actually free the people to confront the capitalists head on. Currently we have the EPA, FCC, FTC and other “regulators” that are full of industry insiders regulating themselves at the behest of corporate interests and corporate funded congressmen writing the laws. These institutions actually stifle people by giving a false sense of security….

    If Nixon didnt create the EPA, at the time he did, the environmental movement would be far more active right now. For the record..I am in favor of regulation…but under this system it amounts to fraud

  • Jin (仁)

    great response.

  • Happypedro

    Most of what Paul says here is great.  But he’s got dangerous whacky ideas mixed in with all this good stuff.  Too much Ayn Rand-ian and pro-corporate stuff.  

  • Happypedro

    Most of what Paul says here is great.  But he’s got dangerous whacky ideas mixed in with all this good stuff.  Too much Ayn Rand-ian and pro-corporate stuff.  

  • Anon

    Isn’t Dennis Kucinich pretty much Ron Paul without the shit we have to worry about ?!

  • Camron Wiltshire

    eco cide?  What eco cide are you referring to?  Is this “eco cide” due to Republicans and Libertarians strictly?  But please first explain your concept of “ecocide”.

  • Camron Wiltshire

    ?? What ??  Please clarify.  How can you substantiate your position?  

  • Anonymous

    Catch the brand new reality series, America’s Next President!  With hosts Wolf Blitzer and some blond bimbo from Faux News, join us in a charade of candidates that pretend to care about citizens and laws in general.

    Go back to bed, America.  Everything is fine. 

  • Camron Wiltshire

    So you think a third party at this point in neo fascist America has a chance?  Perhaps it’s because in order to get on the ballots on most states for a third party is a damn near insurmountable hurdle to maintain the duopoly of the current parties.  Paul is a true conservative and is having an impact on the mindset of “Republicans” overall. Notice Newt has to pretend that he too cares about auditing the Fed or “firing Bernanke” just to sound relevant.  Without Dr. Paul’s influence such adjustments in speech would not be occurring.  Remember sadly , most American’s don’t realize how the FED actually works. Let alone are willing to cut the budget by one trillion dollars immediately upon taking office, End the Middle East wars and the bullshit war on drugs.
    IS THAT NOT RADICAL ENOUGH FOR YOU??  Do you have anyone else in mind that will do anything near this Radical?  I’d love to hear who you think that might be.  

  • Cowboy

    Not really but they are friends and it’d be great to see a RP DK ticket.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py8cXlLyX18

  • Zycerin

    I will be voting for the good Doctor in the primaries, and I can’t see why anyone else wouldn’t. IF the vote does in fact count, I guess I’ll see.

    There isn’t really any option better than him, even though I don’t totally agree w/him on everything, there is simply no other choice and we have got to get our country away from the fucking wars, coups monopolys and world policing!

    Not to mention he absolutely believes in keeping big brother out of my house!!! And if you have been paying attention to the bills HR1540 and S. 1867 you should realize how important it is to have someone, ANYONE in a position of power to want to protect our rights, ’cause they are flying out the damn window quickly.

    Obama has been such a disappointment…wow, I can’t even begin to fully describe how much I have lost hope after seeing his presidency unfold,(No pun intended), so I am voting R.Paul. If he doesn’t make it to the finals though, I fear I won’t vote period.

    I am curious to who on here that is anti Paul, and I know there are several, would vote for? No one can seriously still be an Obama supporter, unless they just want to keep a Dem in office, which is completely mindless to me. Most in my fam for instance vote Rep-Dem no matter who is running and they don’t give a shit about primaries. In a convenient honest world that would be okay I guess but we are certainly not in that kind of world.

  • Anarchy Pony

    Still believes in bullshit nonsense like growth and capitalism for one.

  • Anarchy Pony

    Eco-cide is a term for the overall destruction of the globe’s various ecosystems at the hands of industrialism and capitalism. It is essentially the destruction of the last wild and free places and those places ability to maintain a diverse population of various species. 
    Republicans in general are always pro exploitation of any and all lands and any and all resources. Rightist libertarians with their absolute property rights are usually of the opinion that if someone wants to exploit the land they “own” then it is their right to do so.

  • Anarchy Pony

    Eco-cide is a term for the overall destruction of the globe’s various ecosystems at the hands of industrialism and capitalism. It is essentially the destruction of the last wild and free places and those places ability to maintain a diverse population of various species. 
    Republicans in general are always pro exploitation of any and all lands and any and all resources. Rightist libertarians with their absolute property rights are usually of the opinion that if someone wants to exploit the land they “own” then it is their right to do so.

  • Anarchy Pony

    No it isn’t radical enough for me. I’m an actual anarchist.
    Probably not for Jin either. It will likely be impossible to effect change from within the system even if that was someone’s goal, and apart from a very few things, I don’t share Paul’s goals. Even if he got elected, it is very likely he couldn’t change much.

  • Zycerin

    Why? B/c he doesn’t believe the Gov should OWN most of the land in a country under the pretenses of “protecting” it?!

    That has to do w/keeping an upper hand to the Gov.. Communism tactics dictate that the Gov should control as much land as possible to keep the people totally dependent. He does believe in regulations on waste and regarding corporations but wants them handled at a lower level. That forces people to be more active and in turn would get the people’s voices really heard.  If you only cared enough about electing a good leader to research them before you ever had an opinion we would all be a lot better off. And that statement goes for everyone, not just you personally.

    The fact is R.Paul is quite complex, and that’s one thing I really like about him. If you really want to know what he stands for and you research his positions, you unwillingly get a history lesson. And you learn how lazy we are as citizens. Limiting Gov gives us more power and rights, it sounds scary at first until you confront how shitty of a job the Gov is doing at all the things we are scared to lose.

  • Anonymous

    Why is Paul not ranked #1 in the polls?  Because he just puts a friendly face on libertarianism, and libertarianism just puts a friendly face on feudalism.  He’s the Lyndon Larouche clone who was ready for prime time television.  But he’ll legalize weed, and that’s what’s important, right?  When polluters don’t even have to bribe their way past the EPA because the agency has ceased to exist, at least we’ll be able to toke up!

  • Anarchy Pony

    Be dependent on private institutions you have even less control over then. You’re just exchanging your dependence, not gaining independence. 

  • Anarchy Pony

    “Because he just puts a friendly face on libertarianism, and libertarianism just puts a friendly face on feudalism.”That’s the general anarchist perspective. But we call it rightist libertarianism to be more specific.

  • Zycerin

    (private institution) an educational institution controlled by a private
    individual(s) or by a nongovernmental agency, usually supported
    primarily by other than public funds, and operated by other than
    publicly elected or appointed officials

    So your telling me that a person has less say over what a private school teaches vs. a public one? Or that a local , oh let’s say, a steel mill will be less likely to listen to the wants and needs of the local citizens than a Gov regulated one? I don’t think so.

    And you know if things were handled at a state level than we would all have a better chance of making a stand. As it is we are fighting giant corporation lobbying power in Washington, and most of us will never be able to be there to defend ourselves in the flesh. DC has little to no incentive to protect people that aren’t in their own backyard, hence of why we have so little protection as it is. And even if you want to think that DC is on your side, we are all still very small voices compared to the overwhelming power of big interest groups that keep our elected officials busy as hell.

  • Anarchy Pony

    You don’t know shit about what I think. You are completely off course now. You are trying to argue with what you think I am and it is getting you nowhere. 

  • Anarchy Pony

    You don’t know shit about what I think. You are completely off course now. You are trying to argue with what you think I am and it is getting you nowhere. 

  • Rbirch

    I don’t agree with him on every issue but at least you know where he honestly stands on an issue. You can tell he isn’t just telling people what they want to hear and that is refreshing in the current political landscape.

  • Zycerin

    I never assumed to know what you think you fucking cunt, that’s why I was ASKING, not assuming. Hence the question marks in my comment. And  I wasn’t even being confrontational with you at all.

    And to think I was just telling myself that this was a nice conversation…pfft

  • Anarchy Pony

    You were using an overall condescending tone and implying that I am some sort of big government stooge.

    You want to learn something? Go here: Infoshop.org. Read the Anarchist Faq. Primarlily section F, concerning anarcho capitalism.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_BY6K4DLG4FCJTDIXFHCUCTAP2U NukL

    Ron Paul on the Issues:

    Total free market capitalism.
    Free market health care.
    Repeal Roe v. Wade.
    Eliminate capital gains and estate taxes.
    Eliminate the EPA.
    Repeal ban on assault weapons.
    Undermine UN arms control efforts.

    Go to his website and read it for yourself:

    http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/

  • DeepCough

    In all fairness to Mr. Paul, you simply cannot ignore him, and that’s because he gives answers to questions, not talking points. But you can’t rely entirely on his way of doing things to fix every problem. A lot of what he thinks needs to be done really, really should be done, but you need people like Kucinich and Sanders who give a damn about people to check and balance out his libertarian perspective, otherwise, it will just lead to another clusterfuck administration.

  • Zycerin

    “You were using an overall condescending tone and implying that I am some sort of big government stooge.”

    No, I was not. You are apparently too sensitive to have a normal conversation.

    “You want to learn something? Go here: Infoshop.org. Read the Anarchist Faq. Primarlily section F, concerning anarcho capitalism. ”

    What’s the point of your link? Now your judging me I believe; by thinking I am unaware of where you stand, due to your username I could kinda tell where you stood, and considering I am not oblivious to the science of politics or it’s meanings and systems, I can tell you have just wasted your time.
    ~~~~~
    I personally believe we all need to be involved in deep discussion over the problems in our country in order to actually SOLVE some of this crazy bs going on.

    But how is that going to happen if we keep picking up “tones” through completely non emotional texts?

    I suppose this conversation ends here. You might as well be some fuckhead like Bill O’, your not open to anyone else’s ideas since your head is obviously too far up your own ass.

  • DeepCough

    Now that is the only sure thing to vote for, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

  • DeepCough

    The sad, sad irony to that is Teddy Roosevelt, who was a Republican, was a staunch conservationist, because he simply loved animals, especially the ones he hanged on the wall of his den.

  • JMS

    It is not difficult to imagine what the US would look like if Federal regulations didn’t exist.  During the Industrial revolution London had more air pollution than it does now, even though industry and population were a fraction of modern levels.  In the US children regularly worked 60 hours a week in factories.  Striking workers were literally machine gunned.  The current system of hack government regulators is very flawed and requires constant vigilance and activism by the populace to have any meaningful effect, but it is absurd to think that things would better if there were no Federal regulation.  Ron Paul is honest about his beliefs and he is the only anti-war candidate who registers in the main stream media, but he would make a terrible president.

  • freedomfighter

    Even if he got elected, it is very likely he couldn’t change much

    I think Zycerin is right….you are a cunt…

    Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful.

    I suppose you could do better?

  • freedomfighter

    Even if he got elected, it is very likely he couldn’t change much

    I think Zycerin is right….you are a cunt…

    Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful.

    I suppose you could do better?

  • Simiantongue

    Are progressives and liberals against war these days? Certainly not their core constituency and leadership. I’ve had some interesting rows with liberal friends of late about that. I’ve been re-examining that assumption in the last couple of decades.

  • http://hormeticminds.blogspot.com/ Chaorder Gradient

    Not to say blood isn’t an option, but the US government system was designed to mediate revolutions without bloodshed as its prime directive. Ron Paul is constitutionalist, and he follows this rule himself).

    The caveat to this system, is that it takes time; lots of time. More time than even one president could get done(least in 1 term). In this, I trust that all that is needed is the right direction, and when that is established, then we can unlock the safe that has the throttle.

    I know as an anarchist, feudalism may be one of your darkest enemies, but if you really want anarchy(personally it seems nice, but not entirely feasible, especially in the US), our current society must crumble back into feudalism before you can fight your real fight for anarchy. Anarchy will never come out of legislation.(given, i’d probably have to read your anarchy info to have a strong enough claim to this)

    In any case, the point i’m trying to make is, While I don’t necessarily agree with your end goal, your immediate aim aligns with Ron.

    (Ignore the eye in the pyramid on the dollar bill  for a while, and start pondering the eagle)

  • Anonymous

    If you look into his platform you’ll see he will not be closing down the EPA or FDA, just reducing their funding and making it more efficient.
    The amount of inane regulations stifles business and doesn’t do much for the environment; the raw milk issue RP talks about is a good example- if people want to consume a natural product they should have the right to do so.

    He also believes the US shouldn’t be so dependent on welfare, but will not cut any money from the social programs. The cuts made elsewhere like in military spending will be used to secure those social programs and pay off our debt.

    So now that your ecological and social worries are more at ease, will you be voting for Ron Paul? These are from his words and his platform.. and you know he is consistent and honest.

    Let’s stop pretending that RP is going to close down any and all departments or agencies that have to do with the environment as soon as he is president.

  • 5by5

    He doesn’t even remotely have my vote. 

    We agree on the Fed, legalizing pot, ending the Patriot Act, and not starting idiotic wars when we aren’t actually being threatened by the country in question, but after that, he loses me with bullshit like being willing to let people die rather than get them universal medical coverage, or privatizing everything under the sun from the Post Office to the Department of Education.

    What I’m saying is I could probably work with him on some issues unlike most Republitards, but that it still doesn’t mean I want him anywhere near 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

  • Ceausescu

    It’s not pro-corporate. It’s pro-classical approach of economics. He believes in the ideas of Adam Smith: free market, reduced government intervention in the market.

     In my opinion, in order to apply the classical theory in our current society, you’d have to redistribute all the wealth currently owned mostly by corporations, so that many small businesses can again emerge, compete, and distribute wealth more equally.

     Ron Paul emphasizes on the “liquidation of the debt, which would spur economic growth”. However, he doesn’t go into details, and does not specify how he would “liquidate the debt”. This kinda makes him less credible, but maybe he has a plan and didn’t want to spoil it :D

    It’d be awesome if he got elected and actually make revolutionary changes ( positive ones :P ), but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d put on his troll face mask after becoming president and say “HAHA FOOLZ ! IRAN, HERE WE COME !”. Politicians have proven capable of saying anything in order to get elected. INCLUDING LIES o_O

  • Anonymous

    You will not agree with every position that a candidate may have, EVER.

    When did he say he would allow people to die? Just like when people say he will outright legalize all drugs, there just putting words into his mouth.
    Healthcare cost did not get so ridiculous until the government got involved and created HMO’s.

    RP is a doctor and knows about medical care. As a doctor he would work out deals with those who could not afford his services.. now with the government so involved our doctors hands are tied.
    If government tries to take care of everyone,
    no one gets care, or any decent care. The hospitals don’t have to deal
    with the patients and work out payment methods, so they just bilk the
    government for as much as they possibly can.

    By getting involved the government has only made it worse..
    Let’s get back to having 2 parties involved, the patients and their doctor, and the prices will drop to sane levels again. Price levels that can be handled by family members, charities and churches of the patients who are too poor to afford it.

    Once taxes are lowered and unconstitutional programs cut, we will have the money to help our fellow man… No more pretending that bureaucrats are looking out for the interests of the poor and sick.

  • Tyler Durden

    There are no more factories in the U.S. for children to work 60 hours a week at, so your fears are unfounded.

  • LegitNot2Claim

    HE JUST MIGHT BE AN ANGEL

  • ToLegit_ToLegit2Claim

    Millions upon millions of people are very happy in America, and don’t need any change.

  • Reef982

    That’s why you, as the voter, should look at his record.  He is consistent across the board, and in my opinion, unwavering in his beliefs and actions.  It is never possible to say with 100% surety that he will do all that he says, but if he were to attack Iran or do something that I believe is contradictory to his nature, there is absolutely no hope for this country, and we might as well put the shackles on now.

  • TheDreamerIsStillAsleep

    I am planning to register as an Independent so that I can vote for Paul. Would LOVE to see him debate Obummer! Paul could call out O on all of his hypocrisy (including but not limited to his war crimes abroad as well as those right here in the states via the “war” on drugs) and O could then point out some of the flawed premises behind Paul’s idealistic yet ultimately naive economic policies (in other words, Ron, those regulations are there for a reason and taxes actually help everyone so long as they are appropriately distributed :-)

  • Hadrian999

    ron paul will not have the authority to do most of what he wants that i agree with but will have plenty of backing for his religious wing nut side from the republican party

  • Camron Wiltshire

    The EPA is a farce, just like the FDA, the DEA and every other faux oversight and protection organization that does not protect our rights unless it serves as a PR boost for the current administration.  Remember Christine Todd Whitman (Yes you can breathe the dust from WTC, don’t worry about the hellacious future that awaits, you, trust the government)  Yeah that Christine Todd Whitman (CTW, WTC)  See I have no issue with getting rid of Corrupt government agencies that do nothing to help mankind while siphoning immense resources away from affecting real change.  Case in point our educational system is not designed to create the best and brightest, it is modeled after Prussian style education systems which serve to create docile corporate slaves for industry.  Just as JP Morgan and Rockefeller what their desires are and were and you have the blueprint for the NEA.  Again you may be fine with paying for your own slavery (mental and otherwise) but I’m not and it is entirely Radical, and Revolutionary, and Fitting within the original intentions of the founder of this country that people seek Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness without undue constraint from Government.

    I would take free market healthcare over Obama’s gift to insurance agencies who lead to more deaths than they prevent.  I would take free market captialism over crony capitalism which is destroying our infrastructure and outsourcing our manufacturing base to 2nd and 3rd world countries as to erode the political influence of the middle class.  All in the name of serving the bankers, the Fed and whomever else the political whores of the status quo service on a regular basis.

    I DON’T think the UN has any business telling the US what to do or for that matter most any other sovereign nation.

    So it looks like Ron Paul makes again much more sense than anyone else.  As for Abortions, it’s a Women’s right to choose, but having friends who have gone through abortions, had they felt there were other options available to them rather than this practice which can be mentally, physically and spiritually scarring, perhaps they would have liked to have someone like Dr. Paul advising them and supporting them with other options.  I am agnostic on this position as I am a male and cannot get pregnant.  I don’t see anything here where Dr. Paul would restrict a woman’s right to choose but rather would not demand taxpayer money to pay for this option.

  • Camron Wiltshire

    Please stop spreading Lies. 

    Ron Paul has never, repeat NEVER, advocated that anyone would DIE rather than get universal medical coverage.  This is an outright lie. If the audience has a reaction to what Dr. Paul actually says and it is spun out as something to discredit him and you repeat it than you are effectively perpetuating a destructive myth.   (I’ve seen the spin but it’s manipulated, if you want I can track down the actual full segment rather than the chopped up garbage)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foXQbmZxWYY  No one is perfect but the alternatives are more of the same, endless war, destruction of our economy through full capitulation to the FED, destruction of our civil liberties through S. 1867 and the Patriot Act etc.If you expect that any candidate is going to be perfect you are deluding yourself and you are advocating for more of the same.

  • Camron Wiltshire

    No, this is fallacious logic.  

  • Camron Wiltshire

    You are just throwing out random guilt by association proclamations that have no factual basis.  Please show me where Dr. Paul’s policies are designed to enable “Ecocide”.  This is ridiculous.

  • Monkey See Monkey Do

    which many people agree with because their social darwinists.

  • ChrisP

    Very insightful comment

  • guest

    im voting for vermin surpreme. would be ron paul if he was a little more regualtory, the corporations would take advantage of his policies it wouldnt end well. At least with vermin we get ponies!