Authoritarians for Ron Paul?
It is well known that the 18 – 24 year old demographic is strongly behind the Ron Paul candidacy. Usually this group is associated with radicalism, socialism and anarchy. As usual most of these youngsters see themselves on the vanguard of a revolution; however their beliefs differ from the young radicals of the past.
One of the first words you will hear from the lips of any of the young Ron Paul Revolutionaries is “the Constitution,” and it’s not just in terms that the constitution was seen as useful in the past, i.e. only free speech, no searches with out a warrant, etc. The revolutionaries of today see the constitution as the Founding Fathers saw it, as laws set in stone that bind the government in chains.
Anarchism Is Out– At least anarchy in our leadership.
Many of today’s youth believe that the problems plaguing us today are due to the political anarchy running rampant in our government. Whether it is unconstitutionally going into debt funding dictatorships around the world with weapons and tax money (as seen with Saddam Hussein and the Taliban), or invading with these same dictators when they turn on us with out a declaration of war.
Justin, a 20 year old University of Missouri student said. “Bush never received a declaration of war from congress. It was just an authorization to use force.” He continued, “That’s like me buying a car from a friend but not registering it with the state and making up my own registration. A police officer would give me a ticket. If I have to obey the law to the letter why do congress and our president get a free pass?”
As funny as it sounds, Justin and others in his meet up group see Bush, Clinton, and even Rudy Giuliani as anarchists. Whether it’s the unconstitutionality (unlawfulness) of the patriot act, nation building, corporate welfare, or Washington DC’s bullying in local affairs, these revolutionaries want our officials held accountable, and Ron Paul stands out as their man.
Comment by anarchist on 6 December 2007:
Oh please. You don’t know what anarchism is. Giuliani runs a mercenary operation. Anarchists are anti-authority, and most are pacifists. Even so-called anarcho-capitalists (who leftist anarchists disown) wouldn’t say Bush, Clinton, or Giuliani are “anarchists.” They’re typical politicians who seek to enlarge their own power, and try to dodge the laws that are supposed to restrict their power. Bush, is particularly vile, and is a crony capitalist. He’s offensive that most libertarian capitalists don’t like him. Giuliani is more of the same. BTW – Ron Paul can’t win. Most people like social welfare.
Comment by Starchild on 6 December 2007:
Anarchist – I think you’re missing the author’s point. He/she’s saying it’s *ironic* that youth are seeing Bush, Clinton, etc., as anarchic, because in fact they are just the opposite. They are for powerful government, and the definition of anarchy is no government. (Incidentally, many so-called left anarchists aren’t really anarchists, because they envision anarchy as being without free markets — or at least without people being able to become wealthy, which amounts to the same thing. The only way you can effectively stop free markets from occurring is by imposing some kind of government). Ron Paul can win. In fact he is the only candidate in either establishment party with wide appeal across the political spectrum among Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and independents. Among people who are paying attention to the 2008 election, he is doing disproportionately well. He has won more Internet polls, and more straw polls where actual candidates show up, than any other top-tier candidate of either establishment party. If you haven’t been following this, you can visit http://www.RonPaul2008.com and click on the straw poll link to see what I’m talking about.