Ron Paul is good at telling people what they want to hear, not what they need to know

I'm lucky. I've been in a situation where I could watch Cspan most of the day for the past 15 years. And I have a good memory for things that interest me. I used to love to watch Ron Paul and his analysis of all things constitutional. I learned a lot from Paul. I agreed philosophically with him about many things. I appreciate the spent time he's spent in Congress. Most of us 'conservatives' used to say it ought to disqualify a guy from running for one office while trying to stay in another office at the same time. There are several besides Paul who'd be eliminated on that alone, in the 'good ol' days'.

A a few years ago, he started going in some strange directions. To name a few:

He voted for MFN for China and where he got his opinions on that I'll never know.

I kept waiting for him to address immigration with some force. Ron was famous for his 'Special orders' speeches. Don't recall ever hearing one from him on immigration. If it was recent, I may have missed it. He finally did just recently realize it's an issue that matters, like most of the candidates. That puts Paul in their same disqualification category , in my opinion.

The war isn't the only time he's sided with the admittedly socialist wing of the democrats. His white flag surrender routine started reminding me of Cynthia McKinney. By the way, has Rep. Paul ever been to Iraq? Not that I can find, in fact Paul brags here about never traveling outside the country!

One thing you may take notice of is that many of his supporters were never really interested in the border invasion in the first place, or blindly approved of it. With him being on that border from Texas, he should have been in this game a lot sooner and stronger. He had to be keeping someone happy on that. Maybe himself. Ideologically Libertarians believe in open borders. And just because they reworded their platform this year doesn't change that fact. And just because Ron Paul runs as a Republican when he's really a Libertarian, but couldn't get elected in that party, doesn't change the fact that you're getting a Libertarian if you vote for Paul. Are you really ready for that?

The other supporters who appeared to be strong on border issues that think he's the be all and end all, I don't know what to tell you. They don't want to see it. Ten years ago Paul might have been ready for prime time.

And then he earmarks millions for the Nafta super highway? WHY? Why come out and declare a day to honor the 'religion of peace', Islam? WHY? Because of the Constitution?

More than anything else, the Constitution is about balance. Extremism and pushing an idea in what one may consider a good direction can be devastating for generations when it goes too far. Paul talks a good 'Constitution' game, but he forgot about balance. Some times you have to balance policy with reality. Idealism will only get you so far.

To follow up, here is a snip from a blogger:

"Ron Paul is very good at telling people what they want to hear, not what they need to know. Ron Paul is very good at objecting in order to establish the “chance for peace”, but he has no plans for war.

Was the United States of America founded on plans for peace? No. It was forged in war. We may hate that fact, but it is one that has to be understood. Freedom is the reward for blood, sweat and tears. It is a costly goal. This is why it has been so rarely had in the history of the world, and why the U.S.A. is a shining example of what is possible if only people have the courage to act in their own defense and retain the wise leadership to take them towards a higher standard. The existence and determination of the United States is the only reason that Freedom exists on the Earth today.

So, someone like Ron Paul irritates me especially, because he proposes himself to be a conservative, but in reality he is a political spinmeister with some very liberal slants. Having a liberal agenda is not all bad — I myself have what many would describe as liberal views — but a liberal agenda when it comes to war, I can not abide."