Does anyone else wonder why in 30 years there's only been one Ron Paul (like) Congressman?

[LibertyMage]

Because libertarians would rather sit in the comfort of non-challenging actions than politically organize.

 

[pcosmar]

Free them. It's hard to be "shallow" when you are responsible for yourself and rely on the voluntary good nature of others. That was the founders' great experiment, and it's true today.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_McDonald <---- This man should be remembered.

Yup, And there are several others. There are folks that left public office after coming face to face with corruption.
John Decamp for instance. He still fights but as an attorney.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_DeCamp
Georgia Senator Nancy Schaefer, She was killed.

There have been others who in some way have opposed corruption and paid a price. Whether they were libertarian or Constitutionalists or not. They hit the wall.

 

[acptulsa]

Who else besides a powermongering psychopath or a simple attention whore wants to live in a fishbowl? Do you?

Give up your privacy to protect everyone else's, whether they appreciate you for it or not. Such a deal.

 

[cindy25]

there is only one Ron Paul; he was in the right district at the right time (Texas switching from Dem to Rep); but there were good congressmen, Terry Sanford was considered Libertarian when in the house; Walter Jones has become quite good; Paul Bruan is ok, as is Jeff Flake. Mike Gravel was a good senator, and Charles Whalen who died today seemed like a good congressman. Eugene McCarthy brought down LBJ, Gerry Ford brought back the right to own gold. not perfect but more good than they were bad.

 

[Watch]

I have faith in the people that we can change the system. The system is in and of itself the people, for it reflects back at them. Attitude reflects leadership.

 

[hazek]

To the OP:

Simple as pie. You have to have a spotless record and be morally super sound and get unbelievably lucky if you stand up to the establishment and their media propaganda trying to get elected. It's almost virtually impossible.

 

[BarryDonegan]

Because most politicians have skeletons in their closet, and any time they take a good position some special interest pays to dig up the dirt and blast it in the media. Ron Paul is immune to this stuff because he doesn't ever do anything morally questionable.

 

[Mattsa]

I know power corrupts, but shouldn't the Congressional liberty hopeful statistics be slightly better than .001% in 30 years? Just some food for thought while trying to see things from a broader perspective.

My goodness!

You are SOOOOO lucky to have Ron Paul

In the UK, we don't have anyone with his influence and certainly nobody who can motivate people in such an amazing way

 

[acptulsa]

My goodness!

You are SOOOOO lucky to have Ron Paul

In the UK, we don't have anyone with his influence and certainly nobody who can motivate people in such an amazing way

Thanks for the kind words. But, in fact, this was a long time coming, and looks more extensive on the 'net than it does on the ground. Simply put, we're trying to reclaim what once we had. The kids don't know it, or find it out when they join up with us older hands. But it's true.

Try being a voice calling in your own wilderness for a while--say twenty or thirty years. It just might amaze you in the end.

 

[eproxy100]

Who else besides a powermongering psychopath or a simple attention whore wants to live in a fishbowl? Do you?

Give up your privacy to protect everyone else's, whether they appreciate you for it or not. Such a deal.

I highlighted a keyword there. People are sheeps. They have always been. It's written all over history. Psychopaths have the specific traits that are advantageous in controlling the sheeps. Psychopaths are also the ones who are motivated to take these positions of power for their own advantage.

That's why I was surprised nobody cared about this thread discussing psychopaths: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?298827-Psychopaths-make-the-perfect-politicians!

BTW, in that thread the word "psychopath" is used in its clinical definition.

 

[anaconda]

Hardly anyone mentions John "Jimmy" Duncan (R from TN). He was against the wars, against the Patriot Act, against all the bailouts, is very fiscally conservative, and has had one of the most Ron Paul like voting record for well over a decade. You will be hard pressed to find another politician (other than Dr. Paul) that has had a solid voting record with the consensus of this board over the past 20 years that is for sure! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Duncan_(U.S._politician)

Had not heard of Representative Duncan. Paul/Duncan 2012!

 

[anaconda]

My goodness!

You are SOOOOO lucky to have Ron Paul

In the UK, we don't have anyone with his influence and certainly nobody who can motivate people in such an amazing way

What about Daniel Hannan?

 

[anaconda]

I'm more shocked that the number isn't zero. Ron is a statistical improbability.

When I first found out about Ron Paul in 2007 I was flabbergasted that someone with his platform actually existed and actually got elected to the Congress.

 

[PaulConventionWV]

Perhaps because the others were killed or run out of office.

A few names come to mind.

But then that begs the question, why did Ron Paul survive? Maybe he has a secret band of ninjas...

 

[PaulConventionWV]

I think this all goes to show you, Ron Paul is a diamond in the rough. Why people don't realize this and just vote for the guy, is beyond me. He would make HISTORY! What's more, he's one of the most unlikely people you would expect... he can do politics with the best of them, but he looks like just a clumsy old man. The man truly amazes me, and has been very inspirational in both of his runs. I've learned a lot over the years.

 

[acptulsa]

You answered your own question. He survived because the psychopaths didn't think they had anything to fear from the clumsy old man. Which is good in one way--they tried to paint us as a 'cult of personality', but anyone can see you don't build those around the Ron Pauls of the world. So, we were able to make their slurs look goofy once again.

And his band of ninjas isn't all that secret, brother ninja.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

To add to the list: Robert Taft, Jesse Helms...

It's hard being an extreme minority, it's even harder when the person in question doesn't like being a politician.

These people have existed and served, usually one or two at a time from all over the nation in turns.

I have more hope today that ever before, because for the first time this philosophy is sparking up all over the place at the same time.

Instead of one guy from Arizona who serves until he is burned out, to be replaced by one guy in NC who serves until he is burned out, to be replpaced by one guy in Texas who serves until he is burned out, we finally have the pieces in place for a lot of guys from all over the place to serve at the same time.