Ron Paul is saying that envy and intolerance are the source of our problems, combined with legislating morality.
I just dont see that he has demonstrated these points...is he really saying that most of the US voters and politicians are envious and intolerant, and that is the source of our problem? No doubt some element of the population feels this way, but I have never sensed this in my entire life of living in the US, most folks tend to be relatively benevolent....imo, most folks just want some free property by means of govt policies...ie, free money and services, as Mr. De Toqueville has pointed out, this is the source of the downfall of democracy. A proper govt will protect life, liberty, and property...a democracy will take the property, and in so doing will destroy the rights to life and liberty....none of this is discussed in Ron Pauls speech.
The comment about legislating morality is also not really on the mark...one cannot criticize voters for voting to implement their morality, after all, their values are the foundation of their life, and they will want to preserve these values in a social setting. Even those who support liberty are voting for their morality, ie, they believe that freedom is necessary in order for them to obtain their other values, their life and their well-being.
I could never understand how he could keep getting elected to office..and it seems a key part was that he has been appealing to religion, in terms of the golden rule, and this is perhaps striking a chord with the voters from his district....if his premise is that we can reform our govt if only we can convince folks that compassion should be limited to private charity, even tho compassion is perhaps the fundamental virtue, i dont think that will ever happen. But this does not seem to be his premise, either, as he is saying that govt implementation of compassion is only a small piece of the problem, while envy and intolerance are the big issues.....and yet, I dont see any evidence that these are the big issues.
rp |
