With the 2012 Republican presidential primaries fast approaching, the chalk graffiti on Bascom Hill suggests that one candidate has gained a lot of momentum on campus: Rep. Ron Paul, R-Tex. Paul, a 12-term congressman, has cultivated a loyal fanbase in recent years thanks to his rigid ideological consistency and libertarian values, which have attracted conservative and liberal support as well as an incredible amount of online donations.
His appeal is understandable; in an age where political honesty is virtually non-existent, Paul has held steadfast on countless issues. Despite being arguably the most conservative member of Congress, Paul has been able to collaborate with liberal politicians, including Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and former Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., on issues like marijuana legalization and auditing the Federal Reserve.
While Paul's sincerity and political overlap with his opposition are welcome, the representative's fans have endowed him with Christ-like infallibility. Those unfamiliar with Paul's full ideology need to understand his policies are dangerous and impractical.
Some conservatives advocate limited government. Paul believes in no government. He has called Social Security and Medicare ""unconstitutional"" and advocates ending those and all other ""socialist"" programs. Paul supports invoking constitutional powers to end the federal income tax and proposes an endless number of tax deductions on his campaign site, calling the power to tax ""the power to destroy.""
Paul's interest in eliminating these programs destroys his seriousness as a potential president. Ron Paul, who earns $174,000 a year from his congressional salary, may consider these programs superfluous, but the over 16 percent of Americans living in poverty need federal assistance. Many Paul supporters, and libertarians in general, consider themselves individualists and grossly romanticize the idea of fending for one's self in society. The truth is, there are no individualists in the U.S. Americans are given wildly different childhoods, financial upbringings, opportunities and skills in their lives, and the notion that it is fair to drop government assistance to those dealt a poor hand is abhorrent.
Consider some of Paul's recent statements. In the wake of Hurricane Irene, Paul caused controversy when he said the Federal Emergency Management Agency should be done away with.
""You create more hazard…when you tell people the government will always be there to take care of you,"" Paul said on CNN.
At a recent Republican presidential debate, Paul was asked if a dying man without health insurance should be given government assistance or if he should be allowed to die. Paul responded, ""That's what freedom is all about; taking your own risks.""
Paul's understanding of freedom, while no doubt sincere, fosters a set of policies that are extremely unrealistic for struggling Americans, particularly in a recession.
Paul's ultra-literal interpretation of the Constitution is also troubling. He has been an outspoken advocate of the 10th Amendment, which states that the powers not granted to the federal government are specifically granted to the states. He repeatedly has said that drug laws and social legislation should be returned to the states. Again, Paul's level of seriousness is questionable. For example, on abortion, Paul has expressed personal opposition to abortion, but says that abortion should be a ""states' rights issue.""
Merely saying ""the states decide"" is not a real position on an issue. It's unhealthy for the country to have 50 different laws on abortion, gay marriage and drug legalization. Americans would probably travel from state to state to get their abortions, same-sex marriages and smoke pot, making the laws mere inconveniences. Americans need consistent laws across the country to maintain stability and achieve some sort of consensus about appropriate governance.
Fears of a Ron Paul presidency are ultimately unfounded; though Paul ranks third and fourth in many presidential polls, his differences from the rest of the Republican Party will keep him from ever obtaining the Republican nomination. If any tangible benefits are to come from the Ron Paul movement, it's the ignition of a necessary, healthy debate on the role of government in our lives. In a time when so many Republican politicians protest the burden of government while taking obscene federal funds for their districts, Paul sticks to his guns and invites legitimate conversations about federalism and big government.
Although Ron Paul should never, ever be president, that political contribution should be appreciated by everyone.
Ryan Waal is a sophomore majoring in English. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
