(Before I get to Paul, let me start with Bunning. The guy is borderline senile. Although once a fearsome presence on the mound, he has been arguably one of the weakest and most ineffectual Senators in history, except when it comes to single-handedly blocking unemployment benefits. Also, I'm pretty sure the only legislation he ever introduced had something to do with retired baseball players. In 2006, Time Magazine named Bunning one of America's five worst senators. He hasn't done much to improve his reputation since then. His retirement couldn't come soon enough, but I digress...)
Rand Paul is not a bad guy. Neither is his dad. They just have some radically impractical ideas based on a vision of how our founding fathers would have wanted America to turn out. I realize the Pauls just want to go back to simpler times, when most Americans were farmers, we basically produced everything we consumed and the federal government largely stayed out of certain affairs over which it now has influence. I can understand that. But, for better or worse, those days are gone and they aren't coming back anytime soon.
Over time, America has grown and with this growth has come experience through crisis and knowledge about how best to keep our country safe, stable and strong. At certain points along the way, our predecessors felt it necessary to give the Federal Reserve the power to regulate the financial industry, establish a federally regulated education system, limit corporate expenditures in elections and make it easier for historically oppressed minorities to enter the workforce. These things happened, and for Mr. Paul to openly criticize some and call for the abolishment of others is both impractical and insensitive but most importantly a waste of time. Don't even get me started on his use of free market principles to defend BP, a massive foreign corporation whose regulation-skirting caused one of the worst environmental disasters in history. In American waters.
What scares me most about Rand Paul is that his message strikes a chord with people, even me sometimes. Most Americans want fresh faces in Congress who won't uphold the status quo and follow the party line. We want new decision makers making new decisions. (I'm trademarking that.) But I don't think some people realize that although they agree with Paul's take on America's problems, they really aren't going to like his solutions. What we need are realistic minds representing us in Washington, not backwards idealists too wrapped up in colonial nostalgia and anti-government passion to actually be an effective lawmaker at the national level.
I have to give Rand Paul credit for sticking with his gut now that he is in the limelight instead of falling in line with the Republican establishment. But I don't think he is good for the country at a time when we need real solutions and not what-if pipe dreams. Hindsight's 20/20, Mr. Paul. Let's hear some practical ideas.
Kind of ironic that it was the idiot McConnell that forced Bunning out. I agree that Paul is an improvement. But what's best is that Kentucky republicans spit in McConnells eye by giving the landslide victory to Paul over McConnells punk Trey Grayson.
ReplyDeleteLike I've been saying, at least he's against Iraq and Afghanistan's occupations. So he can't be all bad.
"I realize the Pauls just want to go back to simpler times, when most Americans were farmers, we produced almost everything we consumed and the federal government largely stayed out of everyday life. I can understand that. But, for better or worse, those days are gone and they ain't coming back anytime soon."
ReplyDeleteSo long as individuals incessantly repeat this and then subsequently vote accordingly, this will forever remain a self fulfilling prophecy.
The problem with total libertarianism is that it's as impractical as total socialism. To paraphrase Founding Father John Adams...it's not always wise to trust the decision making process of the common man; and I should know because I (Adams) am one of them.
ReplyDeleteIf we believe that every action results in a reaction, and if people are allowed to make most decisions free of a government watchdog, what's to prevent harm to the majority from unintended consequences of someone's bad judgment?
The answer...there isn't any.
Those who engaged in communal living in the Woodstock Era were often criticized for the impracticality of their concept of life. In one sense, the New Libertarians are just putting a jacket and tie on the concept of "if it feels good, do it".
Well.....maybe OK for sex, drugs, and rock and roll....but that's another story for another comment!
Correct in that there isn't anything prohibiting an individual from harming another individual. Laws don't prohibit one individual from harming another either. However what just laws do in fact do is to provide a means of recourse when such actions occur.
ReplyDeleteIn a free society, the law is not to serve as a means of dictating man's behavior. The fact that I don't commit murder has nothing to do with the fact there is a law on the book against it. It has everything to do with the fact that as I cherish deeply my life, I too respect the right of other men to do the same.
Interesting, isn't it, that the Pauls' message seems to resonate across or outside party lines? Perhaps it has something to do with the increasing presence of the federal government in domestic areas where the primary actors have traditionally been local.
ReplyDeleteI like Rand Paul too. I mean I really, really like him. The more he says, the more I cheer. When he gets all crazied-up in his pseudo-libertarian rants, which are sort of like Republican rants by someone who uses drugs, I can't help but smile. When he gracelessly says something racist and/or homophobic, I can only chuckle. Rand Paul is pretty much the best thing in the world for the Kentucky Senate race.
ReplyDeleteOh, and one more thing. The most important reason I like Rand Paul: I'm a Democrat. Without Rand Paul, my party wouldn't have had an ice cube's chance in hell to win in 2010. Now we have a chance. God bless you, Rand Paul. Keep on talking - you know we love you. Cheers.
Good blog - keep up the good work.
Dennis Wilkins
Guest Blogger at
Public Defender Dude
http://www.publicdefenderdude.blogspot.com/