Why is Ron Paul considered a nutjob?

[rakzum]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoYGAxF-zWE

Although his opinion on the Fed is borderline retarded, I still believe most of what he says does make sense. What's crazier than the gold standard is our hegemonic foreign policies which may trigger WWII (unjustified attack against Iran or Pakistan may trigger WWII).

 

[bfdd]

because people are idiots and easily influenced by the "party", whichever "party" it is they prescribe to.

 

[MotF Bane]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoYGAxF-zWE

Although his opinion on the Fed is borderline retarded, I still believe most of what he says does make sense. What's crazier than the gold standard is our hegemonic foreign policies which may trigger WWII (unjustified attack against Iran or Pakistan may trigger WWII).

WWII has already happened. Stop posting.

 

[squirrel dog]

That would be WWIII .

 

[emilyek]

Anyone who calls out Neocons by name, opposes ME-intervention and wants to dismantle the Federal Reserve is likely to be called nuts by the mainstream media.

In fact, whenever the media frames just about anyone as oh-so-crazy, you can be pretty certain of what that person's opinions towards killing muslims and banksters are.

 

[rakzum]

I was thinking about Word of Warcraft for some reason. That's why I made a huge typo.

 

[Munky]

Because the mainstream media has no logical rebuttal, thus reverts to shaming language.

 

[woolfe9999]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoYGAxF-zWE

Although his opinion on the Fed is borderline retarded, I still believe most of what he says does make sense. What's crazier than the gold standard is our hegemonic foreign policies which may trigger WWII (unjustified attack against Iran or Pakistan may trigger WWII).

Because relatively speaking, libertarianism as a political philosophy is at the extreme. I don't really like the term "nutjob" because it implies mental instability which is not fair, but the term "extremist" is entirely fair. Look at it this way. The democratic party in the US would be considered a conservative party anywhere else in the first world. The extreme anti-government ideology of libertarians like Paul is an under 5% fringe in any other developed country. It's ideological mirror is not the mixed economy that we called "welfare-capitalism." It's the most extreme form of dictatorial statism imaginable. Yet libertarians see no middle ground. If you do not agree with them at or very near 100%, you're called a statist or a communist or a fascist. An inability to perceive any sort of ideological middle ground is the hallmark of any extremist ideology.

This doesn't mean libertarianism is wrong. It's just means it is at an extreme. Maybe an extremist political philosophy really is the answer. I doubt it, but hey, you never know.

- wolf

 

[brxndxn]

I will argue with your premise. Your premise assumes that it is accepted that Ron Paul is widely considered a nutjob.

But your premise only applies to ignorant people and media pundits. Media pundits are seldom scholars and scholars do not label people 'nutjobs.' And, since you have decided his view on the Fed is 'retarded', you have also excluded yourself from people to be taken seriously. Therefore, it is more likely there are problems with your line of reasoning than Ron Paul's sanity.

 

[rakzum]

I doubt the Congress will allow him to completely abolish the TSA.

 

[Tab]

He wants to bring back the Gold Standard. How much more proof do you need?

 

[rakzum]

I will argue with your premise. Your premise assumes that it is accepted that Ron Paul is widely considered a nutjob.

But your premise only applies to ignorant people and media pundits. Media pundits are seldom scholars and scholars do not label people 'nutjobs.' And, since you have decided his view on the Fed is 'retarded', you have also excluded yourself from people to be taken seriously. Therefore, it is more likely there are problems with your line of reasoning than Ron Paul's sanity.

The problem is not the central banking system, but the irresponsible fiscal policies of the country.

 

[Ausm]

He wants to bring back the Gold Standard. How much more proof do you need?

Yeah kind of to late for that

 

[matt0611]

He wants to bring back the Gold Standard. How much more proof do you need?

No, he doesn't actually. This has been gone over many times.

 

[nageov3t]

gold standard, privatized police/fire departments? and he just kinda comes across like your crazy weird great-uncle that only gets invited over for Christmas.

 

[Capt Caveman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoYGAxF-zWE

Although his opinion on the Fed is borderline retarded, I still believe most of what he says does make sense. What's crazier than the gold standard is our hegemonic foreign policies which may trigger WWII (unjustified attack against Iran or Pakistan may trigger WWII).

I thought you were Canadian? You're a bad troll.

 

[matt0611]

gold standard, privatized police/fire departments? and he just kinda comes across like your crazy weird great-uncle that only gets invited over for Christmas.

I guess all of our founding fathers were crazy when they decided to use gold and silver for money too. Hell, I guess the whole world was up until 1971...

God, if they only knew to use paper money (like the atrocious continental dollar lol) they could have lived in paradise, they could have just printed their way into wealth (like we have), those idiots!

 

[First]

Because relatively speaking, libertarianism as a political philosophy is at the extreme. I don't really like the term "nutjob" because it implies mental instability which is not fair, but the term "extremist" is entirely fair. Look at it this way. The democratic party in the US would be considered a conservative party anywhere else in the first world. The extreme anti-government ideology of libertarians like Paul is an under 5% fringe in any other developed country. It's ideological mirror is not the mixed economy that we called "welfare-capitalism." It's the most extreme form of dictatorial statism imaginable. Yet libertarians see no middle ground. If you do not agree with them at or very near 100%, you're called a statist or a communist or a fascist. An inability to perceive any sort of ideological middle ground is the hallmark of any extremist ideology.

This doesn't mean libertarianism is wrong. It's just means it is at an extreme. Maybe an extremist political philosophy really is the answer. I doubt it, but hey, you never know.

- wolf

Very well said. I will add that, just like any extreme ideology, there's no room in some (probably most) libertarian circles for practical solutions to problems that may run counter to the ideology but which has verifiable and proven ability to improve standards of living and general quality of life for American citizens. The adherence to dogma (on any side of the political spectrum) continues to hold back this country from far greater growth and influence. Someone needs to start a movement that inspires people to seek politics for solutions to problems comprised of people who truly just don't care what side of the political spectrum the solutions come from.

 

[nageov3t]

I guess all of our founding fathers were crazy when they decided to use gold and silver for money too. Hell, I guess the whole world was up until 1971...

God, if they only knew to use paper money (like the atrocious continental dollar lol) they could have lived in paradise, they could have just printed their way into wealth, those idiots!

they also had wooden teeth and would probably think you're a witch.

times change.

 

[Moonbeam]

There is only one real reason RP is a nutjob. It's because he is dangerous. Just his stand of drugs threatens millions with the loss of billions. He's a massive threat to the police state and the scum in our society that thrive by selling security promoting fear. You are automatically insane if you threaten the establishment. But don't forget that fear of the police state is just another selling of fear. Only the focus is different. Fear is insanity itself.

 

[matt0611]

they also had wooden teeth and would probably think you're a witch.

times change.

They sure do.

But yet they knew about paper money just fine, actually.

 

[momeNt]

So loki, Tab, and Ausm, if the government suddenly offered one day to redeem all your money for the equivalent amount of gold stock controlled by the USA, and forfeited its monopoly on the currency, you'd vote against it?

 

[First]

I guess all of our founding fathers were crazy when they decided to use gold and silver for money too. Hell, I guess the whole world was up until 1971...

God, if they only knew to use paper money (like the atrocious continental dollar lol) they could have lived in paradise, they could have just printed their way into wealth (like we have), those idiots!

And Thomas Jefferson wanted all Americans to be agrarian farmers, that was his ideal. Sometimes people are wrong, even great men like the Founding Fathers. Fact is paper money is used the world over without a single exception. The U.S. actually started moving from fixed exchange rate gold in the 1930's, btw. Welcome to the 21st century.

 

[matt0611]

And Thomas Jefferson wanted all Americans to be agrarian farmers, that was his ideal. Sometimes people are wrong, even great men like the Founding Fathers. Fact is paper money is used the world over without a single exception. The U.S. actually started moving from fixed exchange rate gold in the 1930's, btw. Welcome to the 21st century.

Started moving, yes. But the world was still on a pseudo-gold standard up until 40 years ago. So in terms of the scope of human civilization its really unprecedented for the world to be on 100% paper like we are now.

And yes, the founding fathers were not perfect and had a lot of stupid ideas. (Hamilton thought the president should appoint governors and should serve for life and be immune from criticism etc) But it doesn't mean all of their ideas were bad, they got *many* things right, which is one of the reasons why we have the longest existing government in the world IMO.

 

[yllus]

In the first leadership debate this year, aside from pushing for the adoption of silver money, he did warn that building a wall on the Mexican border could not only be used to keep Mexicans out, but also Americans in... That was pretty wacky.