The Ron Paul Beacon

I watched the CNN/Youtube debate on November 28^th with a handful of fellow members of the Boston Ron Paul Meetup Group. I was intrigued by the new format that asked questions to the candidates in a Youtube-styled format. The videos were at times as interesting to watch as the candidates answers. The videos tackled political issues in creative ways that brought an element of light-heartedness to the typical partisan contest. I can remember a few moments that stood out in my mind during this new-style political forum. One of them was when John McCain referred to Paul as an “isolationist” for not wanting to continue the Iraq War.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRQ41bKLyzU

I just want to also say that Congressman Paul, I’ve heard him now in many debates talk about bringing our troops home, and about the war in Iraq and how it’s failed. And I want to tell you that that kind of isolationism, sir, is what caused World War II. We allowed Hitler to come to power with that kind of attitude of isolationism and appeasement. And I want to tell you something, sir. I just finished having Thanksgiving with the troops, and their message to you is — the message of these brave men and women who are serving over there is, “Let us win. Let us win”

Isolationism is very different from non-interventionism. Isolationism involves both non-interventionism and protectionism. One can be a protectionist interventionist or a pro-free trade non-interventionist. Ron Paul advocates “peace and commerce with all, entangling alliances with none,” the same view as the Founding Fathers. Under a Ron Paul presidency the US economy would be anything but isolated under REAL free trade, not managed trade (a topic worthy of its own separate article.)

At a recent event a former congressman and friend of Ron Paul shared a quote of Dr. Paul’s with us: “As a libertarian I can see that there are some times when it is justifiable to go to war. But shouldn’t it be rare?” Indeed, since the Second World War, War has been anything but rare. Before then, we did not intervene abroad as often. Since then we have intervened in Korea, Vietnam, Iran, Cuba, Chile, Grenada, Panama, Kuwait, Somalia (twice), Haiti, Angola, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq (three times.) What John McCain said is much more deep and dangerous than that single debate. Since non-interventionism had been given scapegoat status for “causing World War II,” that has been used as a tool to justify ANY opportunity for foreign intervention. “You better not oppose this or else you’ll cause World War II!” These interventions for a New Age Imperialist foreign policy have cost America a lot: money to fund these interventions, lives of brave men and women and reputation. This last element, as Ron Paul and the CIA call “blowback” is key. Blowback describes the “unintended consequences” of past operations. When people are attacked or feel threatened/occupied they might strike back at some time. The CIA is required to learn about blowback. If only we had a similar standard for presidential candidates.

Ron Paul’s foreign policy, the same as that of the Founding Fathers, would be “peace and commerce with all, entangling alliances with none,” and we can expect a dramatic decline in direct attacks upon the US because of the disintegrating influence of the blowback effect. Peace prosperity and freedom…quite different from a World War, wouldn’t you say?