http://www.easternecho.com As easy as it is for liberals — at least the liberals who haven’t swooned by his libertarian seduction — to write off Congressman Ron Paul’s (R-TX) as a crackpot, they should be cautious. en-us Gryphon 2.3.1-dsw (pewabic)/Foundry5 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:04:05 -0500 webmaster@easternecho.com http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3187 Ron Paul 2012! Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:44:08 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3187 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3188 As a graduate with a political science degree, I agree that Ron Paul shouldn’t be written off (by Obama or the voters). The problem for Obama isn’t just that his economic policies (like his foreign policy) lack a clear direction or coherent guiding principles, despite whatever successes he has pulled out of either of them. The problem is that this makes his successes harder to contextualize for the American people. When Ron Paul can show videos of him predicting the collapse of the housing market in 2002-3, he can easily demonstrate that not only does he have a clear set of guiding principles, but those principles have led him to understand what happened to our economy and why, which makes his claim that he understands what’s necessary to fix it sound far more credible. If Paul were in Obama’s shoes, with an economy that had remained stagnant for an entire term and the bills designed to stimulate the economy having had little noticeable impact, he would be able to make a credible claim that things would “suck worse” without him. Obama, having not seen the crisis coming, and having done little to address the root causes (corruption in the banking industry, the SEC and other regulatory agencies regulating selectively, and government policies that encouraged malinvestment, among other things), has far less ground to stand on when making that claim. And while I may be a bit biased as a libertarian and Paul supporter since his 2008 bid, the fact that he accurately predicted the crisis, and that at least some of his policies strike at the root causes of the housing crash (the partial audit of the Fed that he was able to get passed revealed trillions of dollars of 0 interest loans given to the banks, for example), give him significantly more ammunition than Obama in a debate on the economy. If he gets the nomination (a prospect that’s becoming more likely every day), Obama’s toast. Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:09:44 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3188 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3195 What if Obama was criticized for passing the NDAA bill or the S1867 law, you know, the one that gives him the right to illegally detain American civilians forever or even murder them without due process or informing their relatives? Orrrrr maybe BLATANTLY protecting the criminal banksters and financial terrorists from prosecution after CLEAR evidence of treason? Or protecting his criminal attorney general from conspiracy charges of arms-trafficking resulting in capital murder of a US border agent (also treason)? Or the Solyndra, Lightsquared, Solarcom scandals (or whatever it’s called today)? Maybe Obama would be hard-pressed to explain how he “averted disaster” then? Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:20:10 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3195 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3197 Ron Paul! Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:32:24 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3197 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3202 He’s going to win Iowa and very possibly New Hampshire. RON PAUL 2012 Clear. Consistent. Honest. Responsible. http://www.whatthehellbook.com/the-book/ Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:20:07 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3202 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3204 When Ron Paul reaches a 12% support level in the voting population, he will snowball and become the nominee. At least that is his prediction; and he’s had some luck with his predictions lately. Progressives that are awake realize he is taking the youth vote from Obama. Newt has no character and their is no enthusiasm for Romney. Paul is garnering more support from Independents then either of them in IA. He is even getting some disaffected Democrats willing to hold their nose and register Republican to vote for Paul. Polls show the nation is sick of wars and tired of the spin on the Hill. Paul’s entire campaign relies on Iowa, a state he never really left after the 2008 election. His ground game is far superior to his rivals. A win in IA and a close 2nd in NH sets the stage for a long fight through super Tuesday. But as you say, no one knows the future. If Paul wins the nomination the POTUS will need an economic miracle to beat him in the general election. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:43:49 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3204 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3205 Ron Paul as the republican nominee would have the interesting effect of making obama argue in favor of endless wars vs. Dr Pauls non-interventionism. I thinkthats a tough arguement for Obama to make given the base that voted for him in08 One thing is for sure, Ron Paul is the only candidate who would end th wars Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:59:32 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3205 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3206 Sing a song of freedom on 1/12/12! http://musicbomb2012.weebly.com/ Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:46:51 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3206 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3207 No. Democrats should not write off Ron Paul. Ron Paul is the only candidate since I have been paying attention to politics to successfully communicate an ethos of political and economic philosophy. Like it or not, ideas have power. President Obama has not presented any ideas. He has used emotion to back up his policy decisions (hope, change, and inspirational words like that). Our president has yet to communicate a vision. He hasn’t proposed a philosophical anthropology, that is an understanding of the nature of human beings, or a social philosophy, or an economic philosophy. If Ron Paul wins the nomination, the race for the presidency will become a philosophical battle for the future of America and the president will have to prove that he can compete in the marketplace of ideas — and not just slogans. If Ron Paul looses, the force of his ideas will still impact politics for some time to come. When an idea starts reproducing itself, it can became a powerful thing. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:18:10 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3207 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3208 Just more MSM crap about how he can’t win. quack quack quack Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:22:34 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3208 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3209 journalists seem to like making predictions. i didn’t realize a journalism degree came with a crystal ball. but, since predictions are all the rave, here’s mine. 2012 will be a year of awakening. those duped by bama will see recourse in Dr. Paul. those who are sick of the continuous stupidity will do the same. in 2012, America will realize it has been getting boned by the “establishment” and Ron Paul will win the GOP nomination and he will win the general election by a landslide. I also read palms if anyone is interested. RON PAUL 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:54:42 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3209 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3210 Please Obama supporters don’t continue to blindly support him anymore. He pushed to people to lock US citizens in Gitmo using the military. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/15/americans-face-guantanamo-detention-obama Everything people wanted from Obama was just lies. Ron Paul 2012 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:57:50 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3210 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3211 Please Obama supporters don’t continue to blindly support him anymore. He pushed to people to lock US citizens in Gitmo using the military. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/15/americans-face-guantanamo-detention-obama Everything people wanted from Obama was just lies. Ron Paul 2012 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:57:59 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3211 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3214 If I could get a Dollar for every instance I have seen in an article from the MSM saying RP is unelectable, unlikely/doubtful to get the nomination, is a long-shot, etc, I would be a rich man. It almost seems the media is part of a single consciousness like the Borg in Star Trek. They cannot ever write an article without making sure they tell us within the first 2 paragraphs how unlikely RP is to get the GOP nomination. Yet they don’t do this with the other candidates who poll less than Dr Paul. How sad that media objectivity and simple reporting of just the facts minus spin has now been lost in America. The only journalist I have followed who reports honestly is Ben Swann from WXIX. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:31:34 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3214 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3221 Dear Friends, You are obviously (as some have said) Ron Paul supporters, and that is okay, but to portray him as the savior of the republican party is a bit overstated. None of you mentioned in your criticisms of President Obama’s economic policy, that Mr. Paul’s philosophy of returning to the gold standard, is pure nonsense. His claim that one could exist without the Federal Reserve system, begs further discussion, if it is not already dead on arrival. In foreign policy, President Obama has a clear strategy to remove America from both Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact, the last troops are leaving Iraq right now. He also wants our allies to take greater responsibility in the use of military force, as evidenced in the bombings of Libya. Sounds coherent to me. Lastly, do we really want seventy year olds to be in charge? The historical record of their health issues is not good. Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:50:23 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3221 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3222 Kenneth, Don’t repeat the same tired lines from the establishment. It drags the whole seriousness of the discussion down. Oh and as for this comment: “do we really want seventy year olds to be in charge? The historical record of their health issues is not good.” It’s that kind of ignorance that makes me think we’re all screwed. If voters out there really focus on such trivial nonsense then yeah, the older generations really have failed us. Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:13:09 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3222 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3223 Dear David, Your reply to me is why you can’t have serious discussions with republicans. Any time one challenges their positions it’s tired lines, or talking points, or whatever. Mr. Paul is the one that supports a position of returning to the gold standard, and doing away with the Federal Reserve. So, I am just telling you what you obviously don’t want to hear, or think is some democratic lie about your candidate. Let me just mention two presidents whose age had something to do with their ability to do the job. William Henry Harrison, caught a cold on inauguration day, turned into pneumonia and he died a month later. Age 76. Ronald Regan, last term in office was afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Age, in his 80’s. It is not trivial to argue age as a factor, when it comes to such responsibility. Sat, 17 Dec 2011 09:44:49 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3223 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3224 Kenneth, You’re wrong. I’m not a Republican. I’m just a guy who believes that freedom to live shouldn’t be dictated by some stupid political party. And you obviously do not understand how the Federal Reserve works because if you did you would understand that they have been behind every depression and recession since they were created. A few things about the Fed: 1. They are not a part of the government, they are a private central bank that is owned by allllll of the big banks that got bailed out. Yes, the same banks that are using dirty tactics to force people out of their homes. 2. You may not think a gold standard is a good idea, but you do know that our currency used to be receipts that were redeemable for gold or silver right? It used to have value because it was backed by something with real world value. Now our currency is worth nothing. It is now based on our faith in politicians, and they see fit to keep spending away. For example, the government just passed a Trillion dollar budget for next year. Where do you think that money comes from? The government doesn’t have it sitting in a bank somewhere. No, they have to have the Fed print it up, and then they lend it to the treasury. Inflating the currency in such a manner is a tax on the people because inflation makes our money worth less, and then it takes more of it to buy things. Also, what about people who worked their whole lives to save money to live off of? Those people did the right thing and planned for the future, and now the government is hurting their purchasing power by inflating the currency and impacting their quality of life. Government should not have the power to destroy the value of our currency, but that is exactly what they are doing. Do you really think it’s morally ok for our elected officials to ruin our currency? If hyperinflation happens, it won’t matter what party you are in (obviously a social liberal) because we will be poor as hell. At least with a gold standard we wouldnt have to face a situation where it costs $30 dollars or more to buy loaf of bread from Aunt Millie’s. What say you? Sat, 17 Dec 2011 12:41:46 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3224 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3225 Oh, and as for age. We have better medicine than William Henry Harrison and Ronald Regan had. You just want to find any excuse you can to not have to admit that Obama turned his back on all of his supporters who got him into office. I don’t blame you, that is how the media operates, they tell people how to think. And it works too. Sat, 17 Dec 2011 12:46:38 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3225 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3226 Dear David, I certainly cannot speak for all of the people that supported President Obama last time around, but I will be supporting him this time as well. The only media that tells people how to vote is Fox news, and people like Rush Limbaugh, and all his brain dead followers. Your comments about the Federal Reserve are way off base. It is under the control of the federal government, and it was created to deal with flucuations that our currency undergoes. It can remove money from circulation, as well as add money to circulation. All one needs is confidence in their currency to know that it is worth, not something like gold or silver to back it up. When you go to purchase anything, do you worry whether you will be able to buy it because there is no gold behind it? We cannot return to the gold standard anyway, because there is not enough gold in the world to back what currency we have in circulation. So, it’s a pretty moot point. Lastly, most republicans always claim they are independent, so at least come out of the closet, and be truthful of who you are. Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:13:06 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3226 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3227 No, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC, CBS all pushes propaganda on the people. If you haven’t noticed that maybe it’s time to look at it differently. I’m not a republican. I certainly am not registered for either party. And the Fed is not under control of the government. Not when the Fed has been bailing out foreign banks all over the world with our MONEY! The Fed and the government tried to keep the bailouts of the foreign banks a secret, but luckily it was exposed to the people. You’re ok with the American people bailing out idiot politicians and their central bank buddies all over the world? Wow that’s REALLY American isn’t it? I like how you didn’t address inflation or the loss of consumer purchasing power. Our people in government are smarter than the market is huh? Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:40:13 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3227 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3228 Dear David, Let’s answer your last question first. There is no inflation. I don’t know where you have been lately, but the inflation rate for the last several years has been miniscule. My purchasing power has gone down because the republicans have given tax breaks to the wealthy, who in turn demand that the working people of America have to make consessions to the business owners just to keep their jobs. Somebody better wake-up and smell the coffee…. I think David is his name. All the television networks that you mention have a liberal vent, however, they at least differ with or criticise the liberals every so often when they believe they’re wrong. Something you never see or hear on Fox or Rush Limbaugh. If, you have never voted for a democrat you are a republican. Saying one is independent, but never voting for the other side is not independent. Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:34:52 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3228 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3229 Good lord. The price of Gas is up, the price of coffee is up, the price of food is up. But it has nothing to do with inflation or the FED. “Your reason for the rise in prices: My purchasing power has gone down because the republicans have given tax breaks to the wealthy, who in turn demand that the working people of America have to make consessions to the business owners just to keep their jobs.” Wow. I don’t know what to say. Obviously you love government economics, not real world economics. One last thing, in his classic book, The Economic Consequences of the Peace (1920), John Maynard Keynes (whom Democrats and Republicans both love) observed: “Lenin (the founder of the former communist Soviet Union) was certainly right. There is no subtler, no surer means of overturning the existing basis of society than to debauch the currency. The process engages all the hidden forces of economic law on the side of destruction, and does it in a manner which not one man in a million is able to diagnose”. Sat, 17 Dec 2011 18:34:41 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3229 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3230 Dear David, You do not address the issues I bring up in this discussion/argument. You bring up arguments or points that have nothing to do, for the most part, with what I have challenged you. If Inflation is rampant as you suggest, why is the housing market not reflecting that? What else did Lenin find out, after he took over in Russia? That without a world wide revolution, he would have to have a currency to use in the Soviet Union, and it was not based on the gold standard. It didn’t matter what other artificial controls he may have used in putting out a currency, he knew it was necessary, to regain the people’s trust. Like I said before, people do not go to the store to purchase anything, and sit there and worry whether or not the money they are about to use has any value. Your gold standard holds no water. Sun, 18 Dec 2011 09:55:42 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3230 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3231 I didn’t inflation was rampant yet, but only a fool would not be able to notice how inflation has impacted the price of consumer goods. You have no basic understanding of monetary economics, I suggest you enroll at EMU again to learn about how money works in the real world. History has already shown us that central bank currencies can be destroyed by governments when they refuse to rein in spending and printing of currency. People don’t worry about their currency having value because the average person is completely ignorant to how an economy works. And as for the housing market, if your precious Federal Reserve were so noble and intelligent, tell me why the completely missed the housing bubble. If the Fed is supposed to be staffed with the best academic minds from the best private universities, why did they miss the housing bubble when some people correctly predicted it before it crashed? Were they incompetent, or did they ignore it? Because either way the Fed told people not to worry about the housing market and them BOOM millions of Americans got screwed over by the non governmental FED. THE FED IS NOT A PART OF THE GOVERNMENT. THEY ARE A PRIVATE CENTRAL BANK OWNED BY THE LARGEST BANKS IN THE US! They are not concerned with what matters to the American people, they only care about what’s good for their share holders, yet the govt. gives them power to control interest rates and print currency. Oh and they bail out foreign banks on the US taxpayer’s dime. But trust the FED right? Because Obama and Romney say so? Good gravy man. Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:35:50 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3231 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3232 Dear David, The Federal Reserve today is made up of a board of governors, who are appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate. They serve 14 year terms. Other members come from the 12 federal reserve districts. Its monetary policies do not have to be approved by the president, but is subject to congressional oversight. Just with that much information about the Federal Reserve, I fail to understand your insistance that they are not part of the government. As far as the average ‘Joe’ here in America not understanding how the economy works….. they don’t have to. As I said before, all you have to have is confidence that the currency you are using has value… and it does. I’m sorry that you have been brain-washed into thinking this (Federal Reserve) or other parts of our government cannot be trusted. I have faith that the government is not some evil instrument out to destroy America. Sun, 18 Dec 2011 17:58:28 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3232 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3233 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsNgJVD8KgY&feature=relmfu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01KIOjTe2CM&feature=relmfu Kenneth, the above links will help you become up to date on inflation statistics. I find alot of hypocrisy in your comments and they mirror the behavior of the conservatives’ blindly believing what is spoon fed to you. Some of what you say is true but to not see the current administration for what it is, a complete failure, will not allow us to move forward in this country. “If you’ve never voted democrat, then you are a republican.” Really? This is the type of attitude that keeps us mired in crap politicians. Get it out of your head that this is some kind of team sport and YOU are going to win or lose next November. Just to be clear, I supported Obama. I have also payed attention to his actions since he has been in office and it certainly does not match up with his words. Until people quit voting for the lesser of 2 evils, we will always have evil in office. Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:35:00 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3233 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3234 Dear Next, Where is the hypocrisy? You need to be specific. The fact that nothing of any consequence economically, has been accomplished, is because of the republicans refusing to go along with any proposal by President Obama or the democrats in congress. When the leader of the republicans in the senate has continually said, “Our job is to make President Obama a one term president”, meaning they will do nothing to help get the country back on track, and you are telling me President Obama is a failure? The statement of only voting for republicans is absolutely true. How can you say you are independent, but only vote for republicans? Again, give me some examples of President Obama’s actions not matching his words? I truly feel sorry for you and David, who believe there is only evil to deal with in our candidates. Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:01:52 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3234 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3235 Hey Ken, Newsflash Obama doesn’t care about you. He proved it by not vetoing the NDAA. He thinks it’s totally ok to forgo a trial and just label people as terrorists so our military can throw them in GITMO. Yes, the same Obama who ran for Pres as the solution to civil liberties hating Bush. That’s uh, well, hypocritical of him. Why don’t you pay attention just because you’re a DEM doesnt mean Obama gives a crap you. If you’re so gullible that you think it’s ok or even safe to get rid of due process then you’re beyond anyone’s help. Neither party cares about us, both of them want endless war so they can make billions sending our kids to death and killing millions of middle easterners in the process. Ron Paul is an anomaly, people with his beliefs cannot exist in the horrible world we live in, yet there he is. He predicted all of the major issues that are now front and center in this presidential race. You do know that they’ve been lying to us to get us to go to war since Vietnam right? The gulf of tonkin incident where they lied and said we were attacked so they could get us into Nam. Let’s go back further with operation northwoods. They were going to arm cuban friendlies with weapons and have them attack gitmo so that we could go to war with Cuba, Kennedy nixed that idea, but it’s ADMITTED to have been passed around in the halls of power. You are falling for it all again with Obama and it’s sick. One man running for pres, Ron Paul wants to end all of the wars and killing and you think he’s a nut. You’re too trusting, you need to unplug from the matrix guy. turn off the TV man. Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:31:21 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3235 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3236 David Gomez and Kenneth Barna – stop arguing over the internet like fools and if you want to continue with this frivolous spat then choose another forum other than on this articles page. Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:04:05 -0500 http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/comment/view/3236