GOP Renegade?
Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 05:08:26 AM PDT
Every now and again, I run across an essay or speech by Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) and I ask myself, "Why hasn't Bush sent this guy to Guantanomo?"
On March 30, Rep. Paul gave a speech before the House, in which he said:
The obvious shortcomings of our regime change and occupation of Afghanistan are now readily apparent. The Taliban was ousted from power, but they have regrouped and threaten the delicate stability that now exists in that country. Opium drug production is once again a major operation, with drugs lords controlling a huge area of the country outside Kabul. And now the real nature of the government we created has been revealed in the case of Abdul Rahman, the Muslim who faced a possible death sentence from the Karzai administration for converting to Christianity.
Until I read this, I hadn't noticed that hardly anyone is using "Karzai administration" when they speak of the threat to Abdul Rahman's life.
But Paul minces no words when calling out the Bush administration for the colossal disaster it calls foreign policy. He also recognizes that the American people shoulder some of the blame:
The Muslim world is not fooled by our talk about spreading democracy and values. The evidence is too overwhelming that we do not hesitate to support dictators and install puppet governments when it serves our interests. When democratic elections result in the elevation of a leader or party not to our liking, we do not hesitate for a minute to undermine that government. This hypocrisy is rarely recognized by the American people. It's much more comfortable to believe in slogans, to believe that we're defending our goodness and spreading true liberty. We accept this and believe strongly in the cause, strongly enough to sacrifice many of our sons and daughters, and stupendous amounts of money, to spread our ideals through force.
Pointing out the lack of success is taboo. It seems of little concern to many members of Congress that we lack both the moral right and constitutional authority to impose our will on other nations.
Neither is Paul jumping on a bandwagon as public opinion turns against the Iraq War. In 2003, he gave a speech whose name says it all -- "Neo-CONNED!" -- and Paul voted against both the Iraq War resolution and the original Patriot Act.
Don't get me wrong; Ron Paul is no progressive. (Visit his House website for more of his views.) But he does seem to be that breed of politician seldom seen in the GOP, or politics generally: someone who stands on principle.
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