Libertarians for Ron Paul

Stephen Chapman looks at McCain, Clinton and Obama, and finds that they are unprepared to deal with the economic meltdown of America that President Bush has left us: http://reason.com/news/show/125522.html  

Congressman Ron Paul said - It has been said that “he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.” And in the case of Eliot Spitzer this couldn’t be more true. In his case it’s the political sword, as his enemies rejoice in his downfall. Most people, it seems, believe he got exactly what he deserved.The illegal tools of the state brought Spitzer down, but think of all the harm done by Spitzer in using the same tools against so many other innocent people. He practiced what could be termed “economic McCarthyism,” using illegitimate government power to build his political career on the ruined lives of others.

No matter how morally justified his comeuppance may be, his downfall demonstrates the worst of our society. The possibility of uncovering personal moral wrongdoing is never a justification for the government to spy on our every move and to participate in sting operations.

For government to entice a citizen to break a law with a sting operation – that is, engaging in activities that a private citizen is prohibited by law from doing — is unconscionable and should clearly be illegal.

Though Spitzer used the same tools to destroy individuals charged with economic crimes that ended up being used against him, gloating over his downfall should not divert our attention from the fact that the government spying on American citizens is unworthy of a country claiming respect for liberty and the fourth amendment.

Full release @ http://pressmediawire.com/article.cfm?articleID=18362

On Tuesday, March 11, the US House of Representatives voted for the version of the Intelligence Authorization Act of 2008 that banned waterboarding and other forms of torture. The measure, previously passed by Congress, was vetoed by President Bush. This vote was an attempt to override the veto. It passed 225-188, but failed to get the 2/3 requirement to override the veto.

Only five Republicans voted to support the torture ban over the veto. Here is the speech Rep. Ron Paul gave before the vote: http://www.antiwar.com/paul/index.php?articleid=12509

Rep. Jeff Flake is an outstanding champion of Free Trade. He has been a leader in efforts to end the embargo on Cuba, which has only helped to strengthen Communist control of the island. Rep. Flake talks about U.S. policy toward Cuba on Reason TV http://reason.tv/video/show/336.html

Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Az) looks at some of the worst bills passed by Congress @ http://reason.com/news/show/124973.html 

“Most local governments covet the sound of coins chinking into tax coffers. And when the possibility of more revenue comes their way, they will do just about anything to grab citizens’ wallets or their private property.”

“Therein lies the problem. When developers want cheap land on which to build, they no longer are satisfied to do it the old-fashioned way—i.e., with their own money and resources. Instead, they genuflect in front of City Hall and expect to be showered with tax-funded goodies. They rarely are disappointed.”

“The power of eminent domain has created a marriage of commercial convenience. Most confiscations of private property nowadays have nothing to do with community projects such as schools, roads, or hospitals. Instead, city governments routinely seize homes and businesses and turn them over for private profit. According to the Institute for Justice, more than 5,000 property owners across the United States had their land seized in the last 10 years for private development.”

Full column by Larry Samuels @ http://ca.lp.org/lp20080218.shtml

“When forced to answer questions regarding torture, as in the recent debate surrounding the technique known as waterboarding, administration officials dismiss such discussions as improper talk of vital national security matters; denigrate and dismiss such discussions as “silly,” as Vice President Dick Cheney did in a recent interview; or deflect criticism by adding a waffle word in front of the operative term and sliding away. The administration and its supporters rely on the unfortunate propensity of many journalists, members of Congress, and others to accept whatever explanation is proffered without probing beneath the surface.’

“Waterboarding as an interrogation technique has been employed for centuries as a tool with which to elicit information from prisoners. The fact that the technique often achieves the desired result—confessions—even as it leaves no obvious physical evidence accounts for much of its popularity by practitioners, from the time of the Spanish Inquisition to Nazi Germany. Waterboarding causes excruciating physical pain as the immobilized victim’s lungs fill with water. At the same time, the process inflicts profound psychological pain by creating the very real impression in the victim’s mind that he faces imminent death by drowning. Waterboarding is, in essence, a torturer’s best friend—easy, quick, and nonevidentiary. It had always been considered torture by civilized governments such as ours—until, of course, this administration. ”

Full column by Former Congressman Bob Barr @ http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2008/0801.barr.html

Ron Paul’s Friday announcement that his presidential campaign will soon wind down removes from the race a quixotic figure whose doomed pursuit of the White House inspired libertarians and free-market purists, including many business owners who loved his message about a nation free from regulatory fetters.

“Imagine what it would be like if we had no income tax in the country?” says Donald Huffines, co-founder of Dallas residential development company Huffines Communities and a Ron Paul donor and fundraiser. “I don’t think anyone would do more for business - small or large - than Ron Paul. He would eliminate the role of government in our business lives, and the GDP growth of the country would skyrocket as a result.”

Paul’s groundswell played out in the grassroots. His average donation size was just $102, according to his campaign, but he led the GOP field in fundraising in 2007’s last quarter, bringing in $20 million. Paul plans to continue fundraising for a succeeding organization to his campaign, one that will continue pushing “the message of human liberty,” he said in a video message posted Friday on his website.

full story @ http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/07/smbusiness/ron_paul.fsb/?postversion=2008030719

ABC News announced that Ron Paul is suspending his presidential campaign.

He issued a video to his supporters.

Ron Paul won the Republican primary for Congress in Texas CD 14, receiving more than 70% of the vote. He was challenged by Chris Peden, member of the Friendswood City Council, who attacked Congressman Paul over his opposition to the Iraq War, and charged that Ron Paul is a liberal on social issues.

No Democrat has filed to run against Congressman Paul, so he is virtually assured of re-election. Congratulations Congressman Paul!