Congressman Ron Paul on the Makings of a Police State
Tuesday, 18. August 2009
Daring to Speak the Unspeakable
Recently I came across this amazing speech in the House of Representatives by Congressman Ron Paul titled ‘Is America a Police State?’ I say amazing for several reasons. Obviously the title is a major reason. I wonder why? Also, the mere fact of these words beings delivered on the floor of Congress. Not only that; if you look at the date this speech was delivered, and remember the climate during that time, you’ll appreciate the amount of courage it would take to speak these words in a place where everyone…
Here are a few excerpts:
- Terror and fear are used to achieve complacency and obedience, especially when citizens are deluded into believing they are still a free people. The changes, they are assured, will be minimal, short-lived, and necessary, such as those that occur in times of a declared war. Under these conditions, most citizens believe that once the war is won, the restrictions on their liberties will be reversed. For the most part, however, after a declared war is over, the return to normalcy is never complete. In an undeclared war, without a precise enemy and therefore no precise ending, returning to normalcy can prove illusory.
…
Most police states, surprisingly, come about through the democratic process with majority support. During a crisis, the rights of individuals and the minority are more easily trampled, which is more likely to condition a nation to become a police state than a military coup. Promised benefits initially seem to exceed the cost in dollars or lost freedom. When people face terrorism or great fear- from whatever source- the tendency to demand economic and physical security over liberty and self-reliance proves irresistible. The masses are easily led to believe that security and liberty are mutually exclusive, and demand for security far exceeds that for liberty.
…
Once it’s discovered that the desire for both economic and physical security that prompted the sacrifice of liberty inevitably led to the loss of prosperity and no real safety, it’s too late. Reversing the trend from authoritarian rule toward a freer society becomes very difficult, takes a long time, and entails much suffering.
…
It may be true that the average American does not feel intimidated by the encroachment of the police state. I’m sure our citizens are more tolerant of what they see as mere nuisances because they have been deluded into believing all this government supervision is necessary and helpful- and besides they are living quite comfortably, material wise. However the reaction will be different once all this new legislation we’re passing comes into full force, and the material comforts that soften our concerns for government regulations are decreased. This attitude then will change dramatically, but the trend toward the authoritarian state will be difficult to reverse.
…Well, at least there is one outspoken representative out there who sees what we see. We don’t have to agree with every other view or stand taken by Representative Paul, but on this particular issue, the rapid erosion of our civil liberties, I don’t see anyone else out there. How do we go about getting more of them?!
Let’s hear your take on this…
Dennis Says:
No – there are two. Probably the only other person listening to that speech that got it was Dennis Kucinich. The only two people in Congress I trust any more . . .
Thanks Sibel!
Dennis
Anonymous Says:
The date for Ron Paul's statement before the House was 6/27/02. There are surely more contemporary musings from a number of sources on the topic.
Ron Paul is spot-on, but the environment is very different now, and I believe that people are more aware of the police state tendencies of the American government, especially after 8 years of Rethuglican tyranny.
Sibel Edmonds Says:
Anon: Then, I certainly hope to see them come out and shout it.
Dennis: You are right. I know Feingold voted against the Unpatriotic Act & Iraq War & NSA…But he seems to be selective.
Well, you are looking at my PhD thesis here. More or less this is what I will be working on…for the next 4 years or so (ouch…seems like a long time).
Anonymous Says:
Sorry for posting anon, Sibel…I am Styve from Bradblog and WayneMadsenReport.
Do you have any thoughts on the strange timing of Schakowsky's son-in-law's drowning, the day after your deposition?
Sibel Edmonds Says:
Anon: Hi. No I don't; I read about it under BradBlog comment section.Her husband too should be of interest…'nough said;-)Now back to our police state topic.
Anonymous Says:
I don't look on the question of civil liberties as cut-and-dried or black and white. There are a lot of gray areas. For example, Obama was just in Phoenix giving a speech at the VFW convention. The Phoenix news sources were showing photos of a bulky, black man with an assault weapon flung over his shoulder. Not a problem, said the news source, because it's not against the law. Well, maybe some people think walking around with an assault weapon is one of their civil liberties. I don't. I would very much like to see a law prohibiting their existence. On the other hand, Obama's health care bill supposedly allows the government to have access to people's bank accounts. That idea makes my blood boil. But I am a woman and am going to lose any battle requiring physical force and fire power.
Many of Ron Paul's supportors seem to be very much in favor of using force to control illegal immigration across our southern borders. Illegal immigration and abortion rights are two of the most difficult issues surrounding civil liberties that may seem far removed from government eavesdropping or the ultra-security state, but they are really not. It is very difficult for any individual to be consistent about these issues, because they inevitably pose such difficult moral questions.
don Says:
That 'great experiment' in democracy is over. As to "patriots" carrying firearms to Presidential speeches, well watch out for the black flag operation. Wouldn't be surprising for an agent provocateur to cack the Obama and then watch out for the 'martial law' declaration. The government WILL "appropriate" the firearms then. Also, that could explain the mysterious growth of the FEMA camps hither and yon. Pure speculation on my part and I admit that. But, something is up and my government just leaves me suspicious as hell.
You rock Ms. Sibel.
Zach Says:
Anon @ 7:10 – It's an AZ state law.
On the morning of September 11th 2001 I was a 17 year old with baggy jeans and a backward hat working in the music section of a local bookstore.
Someone set up a radio in the central information desk, and everyone huddled around the middle of the store and listened to the panicked voices. People were crying. It was apparently the end of the world.
I wasn't all that interested in 'current events', at least in the sense of taking a subjective worldview via the evening news.
In short, I was entirely unaware of the psychosis that subsequently gripped this nation – and I am not the only one.
It is stunning to read this speech so long after the fact, even more so considering we were just discussing whether or not the US is a police state.
Huckabee just mentioned Israel being 'unique' among ( Western? Christian?) nations in that Muslims are allowed to live there – insinuating that they are not allowed to do so in the US.
This was news to me.
Meanwhile, there are Muslim communities scattered across the country. (Delineation – Arab communities. There are 'black' Muslim communities throughout the nation, but very little has been said about these. That would require a viewpoint approaching looking people in the eye and considering the individual) At least, there were. Someone with a different background is a daily sight here at home, and no one is running to phone the DHS over the existence of someone.. different.
Although this hasn't been the case in other places I have been.
See: WWII, Japanese internment camps.
I'll give a further refined opinion of 'Yes, we are a police state, and have been for some time – a bunch of us just had no clue.'
And now that we know…
Bill Bergman Says:
One narrow reaction — there are some extraordinary laws on the books affording extraordinary executive branch authority over banking and financial markets during a 'time of war' or a 'national emergency'. A longer story, but I just note for now the possible coincidence that the first day former President George W. Bush used the triggering words in those statutes appears to have been September 4, 2001.
Bill Bergman Says:
Sorry, make that September 6, 2001.
Anonymous Says:
I'm with you. Viva Ron Paul for speaking these words. But you are still my one and only hero-brain, buauty and pure class.
Metemneurosis Says:
Interesting Bill, what triggering words and institutions should we look for to look into that?
nunya Says:
Gah. The police don't talk to each other. Still. Incompetence is no way to run a police state. Read some Wambaugh books, he 'splains it all.
Bill Bergman Says:
The Trading With the Enemy Act (1917), the asserted (questionably) authority for FDR to declare a 'bank holiday' in March 1933, Harold Relyea's work more broadly on national emergency powers, the September 4, 2001 principals meeting, and the text of a brief press appearance by GWB with the president of Mexico by his side on September 6, 2001, for starters. A bit speculative perhaps.
mcthorogood Says:
I've come to the conclusion that the media is the most important issue for the well-being of our society. Our society is akin to well tuned system that requires the media to provide the necessary control for government and businesses. The media provides timely information to the people so they can moderate the excesses of our government and corporations.
Control theory, or cybernetics, studies how information is fed back to maintain a stable system. The same theory applies for maintaining a stable society. The MSM using diversionary tactics and trivialization, corrupts the information which is fed back to society. Sibel's revelation that members of our government has been infiltrated by foreign agents should be headlines across the country, but instead we mourn the passing of a pop icon.
The power of the media came to me the other night, when I was listening to the debilitating effect of the Norwegian corporate fish farms on wild salmon in British Columbia. Many studies appearing in peer reviewed journals conclude that sea-lice from the fish farms are responsible for the precipitous decline of the wild salmon stocks. The Norwegian corporations have co-opted the local media to publish studies by ghost writers that contradict the experts. If the media doesn't publish the truth, who will? We are Anonymous.
Patrick Says:
Sibel, this was posted over at the DailyPaul.com!
See here: http://www.dailypaul.com/node/103845
Anonymous Says:
I think if you really listened to what Ron Paul says, you will find yourself in agreement on way more than just this one issue, the catch is, you have to get it from him and not a translation of what he said by someone else with their own angle. watch some of his other speeches on the house floor, watch a few clips of him in the primary and the debates. You will Love the Revolution.
- Tom
I watched the movie about you the other night, you are also a patriot like Dr. Ron Paul. Thanks for being human.
Anonymous Says:
Thank you, Sibel, you're the bravest woman, I know, from a far, but close to my inner patriotic palpitations.
Dr. Ron Paul, once he has more backing of liberty/freedom-conscious candidates, he CAN be your BEST ally, in or out of gvt.
Perhaps you can reach him directly, or via his CampaignForLiberty.com (C4L)
I am certain, C4L will accept you with open arms. They have monthly regional conferences throughout the country now. Perhaps something can be worked out, a speech at those events, or just networking with truly freedom and liberty minded patriots who ARE aware of what is going on, Atty.Fein, aside;o)
Good luck in all your endeavors, my dear Patriot Goddess.
Sibel Edmonds Says:
Tom: Welcome to the site. You won't get any argument from me. I've been following Dr.Paul closely, and I happen to respect him immensely.
You are right about 'translation' of Dr. Paul's views/statements by 'agenda-driven' entities. The MSM did just that during the campaign: marginalize the candidate who is not part of the establishment…portray him as a nut case (or try to)/racist/etc. Well, he was one chance for a real change and they didn't let that happen; instead we got 'two sides of the same coin' from them. I hope those progressives who voted for Mr. Obama can be honest and say 'I wasted my vote.'
Anonymous Says:
Sibel Edmonds has been my Goddess too. I wish she'd run for office. May God bless you Ms. Edmonds.
arealjeffersonian Says:
Thanks for bringing this speech by Ron Paul to my attention. I do also agree with him on most issues – he is one of very few in government who still expouse Jeffersonian ideals -would that there were more.
I have this marvelous vision – you and Ron Paul working together. Your fire and determination linked with his network of supporters & access in Congress. Great things could happen.
Anonymous Says:
Hello, Sibel Edmonds. I am Dr. Horton S. and I believe you are somewhat mistaken about Dr. Paul. Also, I would like to address Anon the Neocon. I apologize if I get off topic in doing so.
If Dr. Paul isn't part of the "establishment", then why did he run as a Republican? Seems like Kucinich and Paul have some honesty, but how does that jive with the reality of party "membership"? (Note to all those who wish to say that R and D are the only reality: Blindness isn't actually contagious!)
AtN: You sound like such a bleeding heart, with all of your concerns about the un-liberated peoples of the world. How is it that you maintain your tyrannical attitude around your friends, when you care so much? You are worse than the playground bully; you pretend to care and have no remorse. You pretend to do good to cover your wretchedness and you make people sick.
MedicalWhistleblower Says:
The true enemy is within. Governmental corruption is like a parasite that saps the strength of our democracy by without our outward knowledge stealing the economic nutrition of our economy and destroying our moral and ethical strength as a nation.
Anonymous Says:
What do you think of John Pilger?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXL998q7skI&feature=related
Hey, Anon the Neocon, is infiltrating a union or a civil rights group or an anti-war group the decision of mid-level intelligence/police? How about building a multi-million dollar military base in Columbia?
Bill Bergman Says:
Along Rep. Paul's lines check out Robert Higgs, and his books "Crisis and Leviathan" and "Against Leviathan."
I read the thesis in Crisis and Leviathan is that special interest groups feed on crisis, sometimes crisis of their own making or negligence, with the police state one feature of that.
soho44 Says:
Unfortunately, all that the politicians care about is money and power. 2010 and then 2012.
Sadly though, not all but many people in the States still have that we-are-superior attitude. Even if you present them endless evidence re: war crimes, corporate greed and more, what do they do? Just blissfully ignore it because all politicians are the same. So what the hell's the point of voting anyway?
Does this mean then that that's your role in life? To always worry about being fired, becoming homeless, having no health coverage. And then possibly dying as a result? But despite all that, we're still the greatest goddamn country in the world!
No we're not.
Sibel Edmonds Says:
Dr. Horton: Welcome and thank you for your comments. I don't claim to know about everything Rep. Paul stands for, but I know about his record, and that's A+; a true rarity. I share many of his views on US Foreign Policy and Civil Liberties. I respect his integrity when it comes to resisting the lobby temptation, foreign pockets, junkets…And his voting record speaks for itself.
As for 'R' or 'D': I couldn't care less. I wish he'd run as 'I.'
The US MSM served the 'real' establishment's agenda: twisting and falsely translating, and of course smearing any candidates who represented 'real change' and or threat to special interest (which is, in many cases, directly conflicts with the majority's interest.)…
Nonetheless, thank you for sharing your view here.
Edit_Mommies Says:
killers are dumb.
Anonymous Says:
Sibel Edmonds and her article "The Makings of a Police State" are mentioned in Atlantic Online, August 19, 2009, in an article called "What Constitutes a Police State?" The article is written by Wendy Kaminer, a strong advocate for free speech and civil liberties.
http://correspondents.theatlantic.com/wendy_kaminer/2009/08/what_constitutes_police_state.php
Regards,
"Tom Joad"
bh Says:
(Dr) Goddess Sibel will get my vote.
Anonymous Says:
JB here:
I am proud of you Sibel. I agree with many commentors above: you should run for office.I am still your biggest fan whether you like it or not.
Giraldi interview is great!
usualSuspect Says:
Mr. Giraldi has an article today at antiwar.com regarding the loss of civil liberties:
http://tinyurl.com/mcw9tb
Sibel Edmonds Says:
Usual Suspect: Thanks for the link.
BH: It's so very beautiful here. I've been eating lamb everyday! My excuse: 'have to check out all the Pinot Noir…seafood won't do.' My daughter loves it here: have to stop the car every few feet so that she can check out the cute lambs and say 'ba ba.'
Anonymous Says:
Anon the Neocon-
You sound like such a bleeding heart, with all of your concerns about the un-liberated peoples of the world. How is it that you maintain your tyrannical attitude around your friends, when you care so much? You are worse than the playground bully; you pretend to care and have no remorse. You pretend to do good to cover your wretchedness and you make people sick.
Answer just one question.
You have the privileged of democracy. Others don't. Why? They don't deserve it? Are they somehow not evolved enough, or haven't worked enough, or simply don't merit it? Too lazy, too brown, too well off anyway? Why can you have a privilege, and others cant?
Hey, Anon the Neocon, is infiltrating a union or a civil rights group or an anti-war group the decision of mid-level intelligence/police? How about building a multi-million dollar military base in Columbia?
Depends which country you are talking about, doesn't it? In most countries, infiltration is decision made by anyone at any level, in some, it doesn't need to be made, since civil rights groups are banned – including anti-war groups. Joining them will cost you your life.
Per military bases – the same applies. In many places, you can't even approach them – you'll get shot. Need I list them? Or do I have to list the other kind – where you can picket all you want?
Last I recall, the SOA was getting a lot of heat, and you are free to protest by its walls – and American army bases get protested in Italy, Germany, and Czechoslovakia.
G-d hates Fags. Doesn't ring a bell? Should – if you're going to ask me questions about civil rights.
Anonymous Says:
While communities are finding a growing resurgence in farmer's markets, the corporate police state has been quietly positioning itself to control even this effort. Catherine Fitts and a few others have reported on this insidious invasion, but city folks disconnected from the land have no clue what's coming. “When a plant produces seed, it won't germinate because the blocker gene won't work. Dubbed 'terminator technology', it must be sprayed with a compound sold by Monsanto to turn off the 'blocker' switch that allows the patented seeds to be fertile.” Further, “these companies will prosecute any farmer who saves and replants their patented seeds. Monsanto has already brought legal actions against hundreds of farmers for patent infringement.” The Age Of Access by Jeremy Rifkin 2000.
Simon
Anonymous Says:
Sadly the divide and conquer methods have distorted the view of the people. Case in point when Bush was in office stealing liberties the "left" was up in arms about the theft of liberties while the "right" staying silent. Now that it's Obama doing the theft the "right" is now up in arms while the "left" is giving Obama a pass. As long as it's "my" guy doing the theft it ok mentality. Keep up the good work.
Nate Says:
Excellent post Sibel. These were incredibly prescient words from the greatest defender of freedom we have in congress today. I have followed your story with awe for the past several months and was thrilled to hear of your recent deposition (where is it?!).
We truly have allowed our country to become a dangerous police state. I share the fear of other posters that with the next big catastrophe (economic, political, social, or otherwise–real or manufactured), the disturbing contingency provisions that have been put into our laws and are now being drawn up will be fully implemented and we will finally realize the crippling consequences of giving up our freedom for "security."
For me the most galling response I receive to concerns I raise with others about our alarming police state characteristics (the Patriot Act, warrantless wiretapping, data mining/communication intercepts, pending national ID legislation, proposed Cybersecurity Act of 2009, the NSA’s secretive Presidential Surveillance Program [PSP], new provisions for national control of armed forces reserves during local emergencies, our “peacetime Gestapo”-like agencies/shadow government apparatuses [esp. in geopolitical affairs], above-the-law government airport security, current State Secrets Privilege provisions, etc.) is, “I don’t have anything to hide; they can look through my files, communication, etc. if they want to. I don’t care, I’m a law-abiding citizen.” How can people be so naïve?!
My dream gov. XD: President: Ron Paul; CIA Director: Phil Giraldi; FBI Director: Sibel Edmonds; Attorney General: Judge Napolitano; SEC Chairman: Bill Bergman; Treasury Secretary: Peter Schiff
P.S. (Slightly off topic) Bill Bergman–I recently read your fascinating whistleblower story on an internet archive* of Ed Haas’ Muckracker Report (anyone know what happened to his site?). I’m curious as to your thoughts on the audit the fed bill and whether or not you think it will ever be possible to access the information you tried to examine after 9/11. Did you find the Argentina crisis explanation for the M1 spike implausible as Ed Haas did? Any thoughts on the reported financial transfers by Pakistani officials to hijackers and other suspects in July and August? I wonder if these are more “sensitive diplomatic relations” they are trying protect as in Sibel’s case. (Sorry this is off topic. Do you have a blog by chance?)
*http://web.archive.org/web/20080119024242/http://www.muckrakerreport.com/id378.html
Bill Bergman Says:
Hi Nate — thanks for your thoughts especially the company you put me in.
I haven't spoken with Ed for a bit, and I'm going to give him a call, or try to anyway, tomorrow. Ed's article was a pretty accurate/good/great description. There's another one out there more cecently, by Jim Hogue, if you google Hogue Bergman Edmonds 9/11 and "god forbid" it should show up.
And to repeat your apology, I'm sorry if this is off-topic too. Sibel talking about Ron Paul is what this is about. But it certaintly isn't off topic thinking more broadly, and in part in light of some of the topics you raised, it is still possible if not likely that Sibel's material is related to what I was asking about.
There's a downside to raising this stuff, but in light of some of hte people looking for answers to question, there just isn't much choice.
Anonymous Says:
Only if Americans had one tenth of your insight, spine and outspokenness… America would have still truly been leading the world by example instead of being the laughing stock, puppet on stick for few foreign governments.
gopey Says:
Just getting a bit of whiplash from reading these two articles in succession:
1. http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/870256.html
2. http://carlosmiller.com/2009/08/20/homeland-security-arrests-man-for-filming-fbi-building-in-nyc/
Note that the Idahoan is what wonkettes call a "paultard." It seems odd that someone (Paul) who espouses such sensible (yet nearly unique) policies as auditing the Fed attracts such whackadoodles.
Nate Says:
Bill–
Thanks for the heads up on the more recent article. It answered a number of my questions. Props to Jim Hogue for his rare type of hard-hitting, honest journalism. Ed Haas was excellent too–I wish his site was still up; it had a treasure trove of otherwise unreported information.
I think you're right about the importance of asking the unanswered questions. Thanks for doing your part to stand up and ask what needs to be asked. I think most people would be much more open to consider such issues if the MSM hadn't played upon stereotypes or demonized anyone seeking the truth. Not to mention how much it would help if they actually did their job! It's good to see their negligence and misinformation getting documented through Sibel's "Project Expose MSM."
I forgot to mention–I'm a big fan of Robert Higgs as well. His Independent Institute is one of the few honest sources of agenda free, non-partisan information out there.
Nate Says:
Sorry for the excessive commenting. But I just finished reading Dr. Paul’s speech in its entirety, and was blown away by the honesty and truth of what he wrote. To those who questioned this speech’s standing among the body of police state literature, or Dr. Paul’s place in the ranks of defenders of civil and economic liberties, I challenge you to find any other article which better (or comes close) depicts—as fully and accurately—the sad state and awful trajectory of our country. I would be genuinely pleased to see it. How rare it is to find a politician with the integrity to dare to fearlessly go against the tide and call out the entire military industrial complex and challenge our misguided ties with Israel.
Despite having read a number of other such speeches and articles by the congressman, this still had the effect of striking me upside the head with the insanity of what we’re presently doing and cut through any remaining cloudiness that remained in my mind about our current policies (his works seen to have that tendency). It clearly depicts a full picture of what is going on, refuting the lies that were fostered by demagogues and criminals yet are still accepted today. While I lament with him the state of our freedoms and the prevailing popular sentiment, the epiphany that comes from such an illumination of the truth feels empowering. Definitely will send/link it for my friends.
I was struck by these lines, as I hadn’t considered such things in the context of a police state:
“Almost all of our economic activities depend upon receiving the proper permits from the federal government. Transactions involving guns, food, medicine, smoking, drinking, hiring, firing, wages, politically correct speech, land use, fishing, hunting, buying a house, business mergers and acquisitions, selling stocks and bonds, and farming all require approval and strict regulation from our federal government. If this is not done properly and in a timely fashion, economic penalties and even imprisonment are likely consequences.”
The negative aspects of such (national) legislation is more clear when considering it from the perspective of a police state. The elimination of the 9th and 10th amendments has been crucial for developing our police state.
I was also struck by what he said about the need for the government to engender a state of fear. That way they can keep people from coming to the realization that the greater fear is that of the government and its destruction of civil liberties. Our government’s foreign policy truly is the root of our security threats!
With words like these, it’s no wonder the MSM did all they could to malign him!
To me it seems that any self-avowed defenders of freedom who question such honest truth are merely those too blind and too brainwashed with propaganda to see past the two-party façade that has been engineered by establishment mountebanks from within both parties.
The more I read and come to understand Dr. Paul’s position on foreign policy, the more I come to realize that far from being the most unrealistic, amoral, senseless position, it is the only one grounded in reality, pragmatism, morality, and common sense, and a necessary step for avoiding and retrenching our police state.
Anonymous Says:
If ron paul meant a single thing he says, he wouldn't have stood down when he was being screwed in the repug primaries.
He wouldn't caucus with the criminal cabal that has become the repug party and he wouldn't have an "r" after his name – he doesn't need it.
He serves his masters well and proclaiming he is somehow an important voice of dissent is INSANE!!!!
He is as "inside washington" as anyone and plays his roll to perfection.
Mizgîn Says:
Great video of John Pilger, Anonymous. He's great!
I remember he was one of the few to speak out about Turkey's bombing of Kurdish civilians in Northern Iraq under Operation Northern Watch–so aptly named since the US and UK just sat around watching Turkey conduct the bombing operations.
If the socialists hold a conference again on the west coast in 2010 and John Pilger is scheduled to speak, I might do whatever I have to to get there.
Greg Bacon Says:
The beginning of the end was in 1947, when President Truman signed an executive order that gave the presidency a secret army of thugs, the CIA, to carry out murderous activities around the world to help keep the American Empire intact.
The end of our democratic republic was on 9/11, a bloodless coup d'état takeover of our government.
No politicians blood was shed, just civilian, but the tyrannical laws that came forth from that day continue, with more being added and even more being contemplated.
In the Replubican presidential primaries, when Ron Paul tried to bring some truth to the forefront about why 9/11 happened, the other candidates smirked, shook their head and laughed and Mr. Paul was disinvited from future debates.
Until we get the REAL truth about 9/11 and start doing some house cleaning of the REAL SOB's behind that day, we'll continue on down the road to dictatorship.
Anonymous Says:
Hello Mrs. Edmonds. This is Jean Carbonneau again. Thank you for posting this speech by Dr. Paul. What's interesting is that he got involved in politics not thru civil liberties, but thru economic issues. He's a huge supporter of the Austrian School, which is promoted and taught by the Mises Insitute in Alabama.
I was a huge supporter of him in the presidential run.
As far as him being an "insider", this is truly laughable. He gets no PAC money whatsoever, he doesn't participate in the generous pension system, he doesn't take part in any of the Congressional junkets that are nothing but corporate bribes, and on many occasions, eats lunch by himself in during breaks in Congress.
I can understand if he had an inconsistent voting record, but in over 20 years, he has voted against high taxes and spending, restrict firearm ownership, censoring the internet etc.
Don't you know he has earned the title of "Dr. NO", and he wasn't the villian in the James Bond movie either.
Sibel, hope you're enjoying your well deserved vacation, and looking forward to any updates on your testimony in the Ohio case. Best wishes always!!!
Sibel Edmonds Says:
Jean: Thank you for the comment. These people who are repeating the false spin/info put forth by the MSM and alike are simply ignorant. Ron Paul has not accepted a dime from special interest. People considered votig for him 'waste of vote;' well, those who voted for phoney pro establishment doubletalking Obama should come forward and whine about 'wasting' their vote. Many of them are still being apologist for their candidate of so-called 'change.' They are NO progressives. No difference betwen them and the blinded proBush Republicans. Shame on them!
bh Says:
@ Sibel
"Ba ba"… aaaah… that's so cute…
Why are you eating the ba ba's mommy?
Kidding, kidding, kidding… sorry, I couldn't help myself.
I'm glad you and Ela are enjoying NZ. You deserve it. Enjoy a glass of Martinborough or Waipara West for me.
Konstantin Says:
I was always planning to comment more but hadn't had time. You provide such good references.
I do read all the articles when I can. (If people didn't know, then can subscribe to the blog with an rss reader. That way it will automatically download new articles for you when they are posted.)
I realized something recently regarding the constitution.
Although this isn't written explicitly in the constitution, I believe it is implied that a branch of the government cannot transfer any of their powers or responsibilities to an entity that is unaccountable to the people. To do so would negate the checks and balances required. I believe all powers and duties in the constitution are required to be accountable to the people and the states of the union.
Furthermore, doing so could theoretically create an entity with unlimited unaccountable power depending on the power transfered.
I believe one such entity is the unaccountable Federal Reserve System. By creating the Federal Reserve System, Congress escapes accountability for the following enumerated power:
Article 1 Section 8 states in part "The Congress shall have power … To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures;"
Imagine if the following enumerated power was transfered to an entity created by Congress but unaccountable to Congress or the people:
"To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;"
Such an entity, let's call it the "Federal War Decider", could irreparably damage the union and destroy countless lives and property without being accountable. It might even decide to just privately declare war on small defenseless nations or peoples that could go unnoticed by the general population.
There are possibly other entities created by Congress to which Congress transfered one or more of the enumerated powers solely granted to Congress and thereby escaped accountability to the people.
Possibly the Department of Homeland Security could be one such entity.
Konstantin Says:
About what Nate said: “I don’t have anything to hide; they can look through my files, communication, etc. if they want to. I don’t care, I’m a law-abiding citizen.”
Perhaps in this culture which pays attention to only the latest reality show, I suggest this reality show concept:
A group of people, say 10 or 20 people, be selected to live in a community where they are subject to unreasonable search and seizures, or any member can be arrested without charges and be tried by a military tribunal, or their alloted money accounts be frozen without explanation, etc.
I wonder what they'll think about having nothing to hide then.
ed in nj Says:
everyone should look into bob schulz
and the formation of a new Continental Congress which is happening right now-check here http://www.givemeliberty.org/ for election information including dates and candidates from each state-it`s time to really take our country back by ousting the current corrupted congress
T Says:
I don't respect Ron Paul in the sense that he doesn't have the guts to run as a Libertarian (which is what he really is). So instead, he compromises his "values" and keeps running as a "Republican" (so he doesn't lose his job).
As far as saying we're a police state in many ways, he has some vaid points. Why do millions of people who say they're concerned about this do nothing? Because not all but many settle for the status quo. I hate my job, my wife and kids drive me nuts, I wish I had a better car, etc. But, we're not homeless. So it's ok. There's a detachment from the ulgy reality that's going on.
When the MSM gives those rare "reports" on Iraq and Afghanistan, how many people pay attention? In some ways it's like back in Vietnam. Cronkite gave out the stock market results and then the casulty figures for the day. And to many they paid no attention.
Another part of the problem is many of these people refusing to see Obama as anything but perfect. He'll solve all of our problems because he's been packaged as being the Ultra Cool Perfect President.
Now reality. Name one real change that he's done since he's been elected. He hasn't done anything. He continues to believe that "bi-partisanship" will solve all of our problems. Meanwhile the neocons are still pissed off that he's President. Many want to destroy him. Other racist nutjobs want to see him get killed. Is THAT why he won't be tougher (and then risk being labeled as "uppity" by the Still Mostly White Power Elite)?
I don't listen to progressive talk radio anymore because what's the point? Is anybody else sick of hearing hosts saying how much longer are we going to put up with this? I know it's not their job to fix this. But still, there are only so many ways to say the neocons are sick and twisted, we need single payer now, etc.
Not ready to emigrate yet. But very frustrated….
JCarb Says:
In response to T, hate to burst your bubble, but Dr. Paul did run as a Libertarin in 1988 for President. He came in 3rd place.
However, he found out the hard way that the "3rd Party" doesn't work, and frankly will never work thanks to the "Washington Party". (To those, who think we have a 2 party system need to stop drinking the Left v Right Kool-Aid)
If he hadn't run for President under the GOP flag, he would not have gotten in the debates, wouldn't have gained the support of millions of Americans, and we wouldn't have had the tea parties that have taken place, including the one this past weekend in DC where anywhere from a million to 2 million people came and marched. (That isn't including the people all over the country who had their own tea parties in various cities amongst the states)
Also, we wouldn't have state chapters of "End the Fed" throughout the country.
I understand your puriest visions, because I believe in them myself, but in this instance, with Dr. Paul compromising his principles in under to get into the ring with the big boys, I'll be glad to be his cut man, and trainer.
It's all about Freedom. Freedom doesn't have a central plan. Dr Paul uses politics to gain freedom, Sibel uses this blog, and her countless work in educating the people on the abuses. I take the track of supporting liberty minded organizations, and talking to people about the moral superiority of liberty.
"Freedom's the answer, what is the freaking question". Ernest Hancock.