Offtopic: Freedom politics for free software junkies.
 

"Freedom is not defined by safety. Freedom is defined by the ability of citizens to live without government interference. Government cannot create a world without risks, nor would we really wish to live in such a fictional place. Only a totalitarian society would even claim absolute safety as a worthy ideal, because it would require total state control over its citizens’ lives. Liberty has meaning only if we still believe in it when terrible things happen and a false government security blanket beckons."

- The Hon. Rep. Dr. Ron Paul


We have to make this man president! :D

http://ronpaul2008.com
http://ronpaultv.com
http://ronpaulaudio.com
http://paulonpaper.com
http://ronpaulforums.com

Re: Offtopic: Freedom politics for free software junkies.
 

Amen. It appears the spirit of the Founding Fathers hasn't been killed off completely yet.

Re: Offtopic: Freedom politics for free software junkies.
 

If you want someone with ties to the Aryan Nations, I suppose so...

Ron Paul seems to be one of those libertarians that is influenced in passing by the militia-inspired obsessions that the federal government is evil because it'll never be white enough.

Re: Offtopic: Freedom politics for free software junkies.
 

Well... I wanted to get behind Ron Paul, too, until I found out he's not consistently libertarian. His views on religion, abortion and other topics are out of kilter with the quote above. I'm leery of someone suffering that sort of cognitive dissonance.

Re: Offtopic: Freedom politics for free software junkies.
 

I'm for the kind of big government that created the Internet and supports libraries and highway systems today, and I hope it brings about cheaper and more inclusive health care than the current system does.

Re: Offtopic: Freedom politics for free software junkies.
 

He is consistent: Against death penalty as well as against abortion and euthanasia. His statement: "I am pro-life".

In my mind, that's more libertarian than people who are against captal punishment, but have no problems with killing the unborn and the elderly.

Re: Offtopic: Freedom politics for free software junkies.
 

Idiot......

Re: Offtopic: Freedom politics for free software junkies.
 

No, it isn't consistent. I won't go into abortion per se but the libertarian stance would be that the government has no right to interfere with the woman's right to have one as guaranteed by the Supreme Court.

By the same token, the State interfering with activities such as suicide and willful euthanasia (I'm being purely objective on the subjects here) is also anathema to libertarianism.

In addition, I find Paul's support for tax money diverted to faith-based initiatives as well as some of his other statements vis-a-vis religion to be seriously at odds with a true libertarian credo. I don't fault him for his beliefs; just the application.

I really wanted to like Ron Paul when he initially hit my radar, but the more I learn of his fatal inconsistencies the less I'm able. His speeches on liberty are nice-- they just don't jibe 100% with his voting record and other expressions. I won't talk anyone out of their own opinions, though. Just expressing mine. :D

Re: Offtopic: Freedom politics for free software junkies.
 

I myself had not heard much about Ron Paul until the recent republican debate. I still do not know much about Ron Paul, but if any of the maroons on that stage were going to be president, from what I heard, he is the most sensible.

Ron Paul was the only candidate on that stage that said he would not use nuclear weapons to make a pre-emptive strike on Iran to keep them from becomming a nuclear power.

The rest of the ID10T's on the stage were like Hell yeah, I'll bomb them, no problem.

I myself am looking forward to another 8 years of the Clintons.


GO HILLARY!!!!!!!!!!!!


Abortion, I am completely against abortion. However I am pro-choice. I believe I should try to talk you out of it, and help counsel you. Not judge you, and condenm you. I was given free choice, why should I take away your right to choose. Whats worse killing a baby before its born, or having it grow up in an abused home?

Death Penalty, For cases in which there is no doubt, ie video, overwhelming evidence in heinous cases, go for it. Just don't kill people like Scott Peterson where there is no physical evidence he commited the crime. Child molestors should be put down. Some people can't be or do not deserve to be reformed.

Euthanasia, personally I believe we should have options for people who are suffering and want to end their life. (obviously rules and regulations would apply)

Thats just my opinions, and I am sure I will hear yours shortly!!

Re: Offtopic: Freedom politics for free software junkies.
 

I'll avoid going off on my preferred rant on the death penalty (I changed my position to be against it years ago after thinking it through for a good while), but just a note regarding "overwhelming evidence": video is not. In fact the possibility of tampering is one of my many arguments against the death penalty.