Ron Paul Politico’d

by Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr.

As an establishment site, the warmongering Politico has always hated and feared Ron Paul. Here is their latest attack, within the context of a broader article. First, they associate Ron with traditional libertarianism, which they describe as "pro-pot, pro-porn, pro-pacifist." Needless to say, Ron has never used pot nor porn, but he does believe in the individual’s right to decide what goes into his mind and into his body. The state seeks control over both, of course.

Nor is Ron a pacifist – an ancient charge against those who oppose constant war. He believes in the right to self-defense, but he does not believe in the initiation of violence, whether by private criminals or the state. The state has recently taken more than a million lives in its imperialist anti-Muslim wars. Ron Paul has opposed them with all his heart and soul. He is a man of peace and the golden rule, in his private life and his policy.

Next, Politico tells us that "Ron Paul epitomized to a swath of voters the caricature of a goofy grandpa who invests in gold, stockpiles guns, sees black helicopters whirling overhead and quotes Friedrich Hayek."

Of course, Ron Paul is the most ungoofy guy you could know. He is thoughtful, careful, serious, well read, eloquent, an important public intellectual. It’s true he’s patiently invested in gold over many years, and made a good deal of money. Hurrah for him!

Ron does not "stockpile guns," unlike the government, though he supports gun rights for private citizens. And if they want to collect guns, that’s their business. He doesn’t see black helicopters, though he does deplore the drones that spy on us for the police state, and which can kill us, too, on presidential whim. And yes, he quotes the great Austrian economist Hayek, and Mises, Rothbard, Sennholz, and the others, too. He has also read the works of these men.

However, I do like this quote: Ron "recounted Richard Nixon’s infamous declaration as president that ‘we’re all Keynesians now’" – “’We’re all Austrians now,’ Paul pronounced with a sense of looming triumph, a reference to the school of economics that most values the free market."

Then Politico refers to Ron’s "ride into the sunset." They wish! Ron can barely keep up with the flood of speaking invitations from universities and financial groups. He is hot. And he has just announced the extraordinary Ron Paul Homeschool Curriculum, to educate children K-12 in real economics, real history, and everything else they need, including public speaking, writing for publication, and social media. Talk about building for the future! He also has a new homeschool manifesto coming out to join his list of bestsellers, and he has other books in the works.

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