The Problem With Rand Paul's Convictions

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Great sharing this.

cheap mbt shoes of AL 11:21PM July 18, 2010

You sir, are obviously the product of the public education system...

Mike of MI 1:06PM June 18, 2010

Schlesinger... You're an idiot.

Mike of MI 1:02PM June 18, 2010

"Imagine the emergence of a new bigger political (but private) power class - and the elected government would be obliged to stand back and make sure that the citizenry in society would not infringe on the elites ability to accumulate riches, even if our lives and livelyhoods were all put in danger. "

This is the status quo NOW, what on earth are you talking about? To accumulate wealth in a free market you must please your customers, the populace! Through government imposed monopolies, regulations, protectionism, and cronyism certain people/corporations can now accumulate wealth at our expense, but only with the governments help.

Deet of LA 1:45PM June 04, 2010

Says Schlesinger: "His problem isn't that he doesn't realize he's in the fringe, it's that he does."

If by "fringe" he means promoting more personal and economic liberty while at the same time reducing the breadth and scope of federal authority, then count me in with the fringe. Even libertarians acknowledge the primary role of government as a protector of life and property. It's when the government tries new ways of protecting you from yourself that many libertarians will begin to have issues. The federal government has more power than was intended.

Hal Meeks of NC 3:59PM June 01, 2010

Many people, including myself, feel attracted to libertarianism ideology at least once in their lifetimes, mainly because it promotes the concept of self-empowerment. We all want to feel like grown ups that don't need mommy and daddy and it sounds great to hear someone articulate that it can be done if only we believe it - and point out the mistakes of governing bodies. Take Ayn Rand and Rand Paul .......... However it is my sincere opinion that the vast majority of these libertarian sympathizers eventually decide that the actual ramifications of these ideals, if rigidly imposed, are actually quite ugly and occasionally frightening. The results would be chaotic and include some big winners and many really big losers. Imagine the emergence of a new bigger political (but private) power class - and the elected government would be obliged to stand back and make sure that the citizenry in society would not infringe on the elites ability to accumulate riches, even if our lives and livelyhoods were all put in danger.

This is the lesson that Rand Paul is providing the american people in a crash course. Republicans have been able to sidestep the pure ideology by changing the subject and being politically flexible. The tea party can not sidestep it because they have embraced it fully. For this reason I think Rand Paul is the beginning of the end for the tea party movement.

Scott of PA 2:02PM May 26, 2010

How about Women's Organizations? Cultural clubs? The Libertarian philosophy can be off-putting, since it is also rigorous; but this is one reason I like it. The question is how can a Libertarian get elected when so many voters prefer a blend of unoffensive principles that need to pass the 'PC' test, and doesn't ruffle any feathers. I would like a government that only does it's Constitutional duties, and no more, but it will be a tough sell.

Then again, a few more years of Obama and a Democrat(ic) controlled Congress may make sales job a lot easier.

ImRighter of CA 8:48PM May 25, 2010

All this talk about subverting the Constitution. Obama and his clan have done it with great success. States rights, yeah, we need more of them or just let us have back what we had 40 years ago. I don't mean that we need to recend the civil rights act, it takes away the roadblocks to success which is a good thing. I'm sorry but the answer is NOT an all powerful central government!

John R of AL 8:54PM May 24, 2010

the interesting thing about rand paul is the more he postulates his beliefs his lack of sagacity stands out.he;s not ready for prime time.

bruce b of NV 8:37PM May 24, 2010

i hear ron paul is a texas congressman. i read also that he is in favor of weakening the constitution. how did he get to run for office. why dont we just elect adolph

patrick ciochetto of AZ 4:46PM May 24, 2010

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Robert Schlesinger

Robert Schlesinger

Robert Schlesinger is managing editor for opinion at U.S. News and World Report, overseeing all opinion editorial content. He is the author of "White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters." E-mail him at rschlesinger@usnews.com. Follow him on Twitter: @rschles.

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