We're presently seeing what's best described as an infatuation on the part of some Kossacks - vanishingly few, it seems to me - with the candidacy for President of a republican Congressman from Texas, one Ron Paul. I don't quite fathom the thinking that would endorse fixing the disasters inflicted on us by one right-wing Texan with the election of a different right-wing Texan; but some people think that, and God help us, they write diaries.
At the end of the day, Ron Paul is a republican Congressman from Texas. I can see that some on Daily Kos would be so giddy at the prospect of sudden flashes of common sense dawning on the other side of the aisle on the war and the "Patriot" Act that they'd give him a passing glance; but my guess would be that they're not familiar with the true bedrock of Paul's belief system, as laid out in a document he supports: the platform of the Texas republican party. Let's take a look at that.
By all means read the entire document, here (.pdf). Here are just a few of the highlights, with a translation from wingnutese to English as appropriate.
Limited Federal Powers – We support state sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment, which reserves to the states or the people all powers not specifically delegated in the Constitution to the federal government, and oppose the institution of mandates that are beyond the scope of federal authority. We further support the abolition of federal agencies involved in activities not originally intended to be delegated to the federal government under a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
In English, that translates as "Abolish the Federal Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency".
Elimination of Executive Orders – We demand the elimination of presidential authority to issue executive orders, presidential decision directives, and other administrative mandates that do not have congressional approval. Further, we demand a repeal of all previous executive orders and administrative mandates.
...such as the ones that created, among other things, the entire bevy of Executive Branch agencies. In practice, if I read the statute right, this would abolish the annual Thanksgiving holiday.
Washington D.C. - We strongly oppose all efforts to make the District of Columbia a state in the United States of America.
In English, that very basically translates to "We do not want two black U.S. Senators".
Affirmative Action – We believe every form of government discrimination based on race, color, creed, or national origin should be eliminated. We oppose affirmative action because it demotes merit to a position of bigotry by portraying those who believe in the principle of merit as being against minority advancement.
...speaks for itself.
Some highlights from the section of the platform on environmental issues:
- We believe in local stewardship of our natural resources for our children’s future freedom and use.
- We support state control of state resources and oppose nationalization and control of lands and watersheds of the United States.
...should read: "End the National Parks System".
- We oppose conservation easements on our natural resources administered by organizations unaccountable to taxpayers and voters. For example, the efforts of the Caddo Lake Institute to act as a surrogate for the UN in gaining control of water rights of Caddo Lake.
...black helicopters, begone.
- We support regulations based on proven science and support congressional oversight over administrative edicts.
- We oppose passage of any international treaty that overrides United States sovereignty, including the Kyoto Agreement and the Biodiversity Treaty.
...what global warming?
- We oppose the Endangered Species Act.
It's true, they do.
Electoral College – We support the Electoral College.
...because too much democracy is a bad thing.
Voting Rights – [...] We oppose any identification of citizens by race, origin, or creed and oppose the use of any such identification for purposes of creating voting districts.
...what history of disenfranchisement?
Ten Commandments – We understand that the Ten Commandments are the basis of our basic freedoms and the cornerstone of our Western legal tradition. We therefore oppose any governmental action to restrict, prohibit, or remove public display of the Decalogue or other religious symbols.
...what establishment clause?
American English – We support the immediate adoption of American English as the official language of Texas and of the United States of America. While encouraging fluency in additional languages by all citizens, no governmental entity shall require any agency, contractor, business, or individual to publish public documents in a language other than English.
...if English was good enough for Jesus Christ, it's good enough for me.
Marriage and Divorce - [...] We call upon the Texas Legislature to rescind no–fault divorce laws.
...somebody tell Newt.
Homosexuality - We believe that the practice of sodomy tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans.
Just for the record, we gays don't "tear at the fabric of society", though we may indeed have issues with your crappy velvet painting of Elvis. And you should thank us for that, asshats.
Pornography - We believe, as do the vast majority of Texans, that pornography is repulsive, addictive and contributes to deviant criminal behavior.
...especially if it's good porn.
We urge the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
...of course you do.
Stem Cell Research - We commend the President for banning most government funding of human embryo stem cell harvesting. We oppose any legislation that would allow for the creation and/or killing of human embryos for medical research.
...republicans, as always, support life right up until birth. After that, you're on your own, pal.
Parental Rights and Responsibilities - We believe that parental rights and responsibilities are inherent and protected by the United States Constitution. Local, state, or federal laws, regulations, or policies shall not be enacted that limit such rights in the rearing of both biological and adopted children, including: parental authority to discipline, [...] We unequivocally oppose the United States Senate ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which would transfer jurisdiction over parental rights and responsibilities to international bureaucracies.
...no black helicopters are going to get between you and your god-given right to beat the crap out of your kids.
Social Security - We support an orderly transition to a system of private pensions based on the concept of individual retirement accounts, and gradually phasing out the Social Security tax.
...because Social Security is a communist plot.
AIDS / HIV - [...] All people, no matter what disease they may contract, are worthy of deep respect as humans; however, behavior has personal and social consequences. We call upon the United States Public Health Service and all states to declare HIV a "dangerous, yet preventable, infectious, communicable disease." It should be legally reported in the same manner as any communicable disease.
In plain English, that's a demand that carriers of HIV be quarantined.
Americans with Disabilities Act - We support amendment of the Americans with Disabilities Act to exclude from its definition those persons with infectious diseases, substance addiction, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, homosexual practices and mental stress, thereby reducing abuse of the Act.
Short and sweet: Fuck you, Rain Man.
Immunizations - We believe all adult citizens should have the legally protected right to conscientiously choose which vaccines are administered to themselves or their minor children without penalty or discrimination for refusing a vaccine.
Because it's your god-given right to decide whether or not your kids get polio.
Parental Rights in Education – The right of parents to raise and educate their children is a fundamental right. Parents have the legal right to withdraw their child from a special education program or bilingual education at any time.
Ain't nobody gonna force your kids to learn no stinking furrign talk.
U.S. Department of Education – The Federal Government has no constitutional jurisdiction over education. We call for the abolition of the U. S. Department of Education and the prohibition of the transfer of any of its functions to any other federal agency.
...the idea being, I suppose, to stop pointy-headed communist bureaucrats in Washington from messing with the kiddies' fragile brains, or something.
Early Childhood Development [...] We urge Congress to repeal government-sponsored programs that deal with early childhood development, and phase them out as soon as possible.
Nobody understands just what a threat Head Start really is; nobody, that is, except the Texas republican party.
Classroom Discipline – [...] We urge the Texas Legislature, Governor, Commissioner of Education and State Board of Education to remind administrators and school boards that corporal punishment is effective and legal in Texas.
Basically, your kids' teachers can beat the crap out of your kid, but can't tell your kids that being gay is, like, normal.
Theories of Origin – We support the objective teaching and equal treatment of scientific strengths and weaknesses of scientific theories, including Intelligent Design.
...of course.
Christian Nation – America is a Christian nation, founded on Judeo-Christian principles.
...and all of you Jews, Wiccans, Buddhists, Muslims, hippie devil-worshippers, whatever, are just going to have to live with the fact that you're second-class citizens.
Permanent Tax Cuts – We urge Congress to make permanent the recent income tax reductions. We further commend Congress for extending the tax reductions.
Because the Bush tax cuts haven't, like, produced monumental deficits and hawked us into a debtor relationship with the People's Republic of China.
Minimum Wage - We believe the Minimum Wage Law should be repealed and that wages should be determined by the free market conditions prevalent in each individual market.
Because it's not really Freedom™ unless there's some exploitation involved somewhere.
Iraq – We commend President George W. Bush, his administration, and the U.S. Armed Forces in their strategy and execution of the War in Iraq.
Explain that, Ron Paul.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) – We urge Congress to stop funding the IMF and any other international financing agencies, because such agencies give American taxpayers’ money to international bankers. We believe these funding agencies should be eliminated.
Up yours, World Bank.
United Nations – We believe it is in the best interest of the citizens of the United States that we immediately rescind our membership in, as well as all financial and military contributions to, the United Nations.
Up yours, foreigners.
So that's the whole story. This is what Ron Paul supports. If you support him, this is what you're buying in to. A wingnut with a peace button is still a wingnut, people. And a self-professed libertarian who supports the crap outlined above ain't no libertarian, either.