Hello from a former neo-con

[adwads]

I thought it would be interesting for all of us former neo-cons to share how we became disillusioned with the Republican Party and hooked on Ron Paul.

The Iraq war has got to be my biggest beef. I, like many many people, thought it was a good idea (God knows why) to invade Iraq. I bought into the whole idea that "every Iraqi yearns for western style democracy and values." Now, I'm not surprised that the Iraq war has gone so badly--of course it was going to go badly because they would view us as occupiers.

Secondly, I've stopped buying into the notion of the "war on terror." I do think that we need to arrest or kill those who perpetrated 9/11 (which we haven't yet--which is insane), but I don't think that "war" is the appropriate word and I also don't think you can have a war against a tactic.

Thirdly, I think the whole "war on drugs" has been a complete failure and shouldn't even be waged. It is an egregious assault on our civil liberties to have the federal government regulate the substances we choose to put into our bodies. It is especially insane to deny medical marijuana to sick people.

Fourth, I am upset about illegal immigration. President Bush has done almost nothing to secure the border and now seems to be mad at us for not wanting to accept his anmesty.

I guess I just don't buy into the whole neo-con agenda that we need to spread our values by force around the world and exploit illegal cheap labor from Mexico into this country to keep our economy running.

Ron Paul is my first choice, but truly I would rather have almost anybody else except a neo-con in office. I would prefer a libertarian, but if it came down to it, I'd choose a paleoconservative or a liberal democrat over a neo-con anyday.

 

[BW4Paul]

Hey adwads,

We're like political twins! Regarding your points:
1) I, too, am very ashamed to say that I bought the Iraq War stuff hook, line, and sinker. I am so very sorry.

2) Far from buying into the war on terror, I now believe it to be a war on us. The Patriot Act, the Real ID, and now these mysterious concentration-camp-like things being built by the same people who brought us Guantanamo:
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55925
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,198456,00.html
Quite frankly, I'd far prefer to live free and deal with the odd terrorist attack than to live in "safety" (which is actually not safe at all) while facing these kinds of neo-fascist programs.

3) Agree with you about the War on Drugs. First of all, drugs should be regulated b the states. Second of all, MJ for sick people (in fact, MJ for anyone) is just fine.

4) Agree about amnesty. Why is he pushing this? Americans don't want it.

As for who I'll vote for if not RP, I'm just not sure. I can't see myself voting for Rudy. But at the same time, the installation of Hillary would result in the US having been controlled by only two families over a period of TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS (GHW Bush, Bill Clinton, GW Bush, Hillary Clinton). Nearly 3 decades of rule by only 2 families is *not* OK.

I thought it would be interesting for all of us former neo-cons to share how we became disillusioned with the Republican Party and hooked on Ron Paul.

The Iraq war has got to be my biggest beef. I, like many many people, thought it was a good idea (God knows why) to invade Iraq. I bought into the whole idea that "every Iraqi yearns for western style democracy and values." Now, I'm not surprised that the Iraq war has gone so badly--of course it was going to go badly because they would view us as occupiers.

Secondly, I've stopped buying into the notion of the "war on terror." I do think that we need to arrest or kill those who perpetrated 9/11 (which we haven't yet--which is insane), but I don't think that "war" is the appropriate word and I also don't think you can have a war against a tactic.

Thirdly, I think the whole "war on drugs" has been a complete failure and shouldn't even be waged. It is an egregious assault on our civil liberties to have the federal government regulate the substances we choose to put into our bodies. It is especially insane to deny medical marijuana to sick people.

Fourth, I am upset about illegal immigration. President Bush has done almost nothing to secure the border and now seems to be mad at us for not wanting to accept his anmesty.

I guess I just don't buy into the whole neo-con agenda that we need to spread our values by force around the world and exploit illegal cheap labor from Mexico into this country to keep our economy running.

Ron Paul is my first choice, but truly I would rather have almost anybody else except a neo-con in office. I would prefer a libertarian, but if it came down to it, I'd choose a paleoconservative or a liberal democrat over a neo-con anyday.

 

[ChooseLiberty]

I was always a libertarian leaning independent and never a neo-con, but strangely never knew about Ron Paul until a few months ago when I ran across some of his speeches on the net. I've always considered the war on drugs a huge waste of time which created it's own self perpetuating bureaucracy and a huge transfer of wealth to drug lords. Same with other victim-less crimes like prostitution.

The venture into Iraq has never had any rational basis in the stated reasons and preemptive war is not what the world's greatest democracy should be about. Not to mention they've stopped looking for the alleged mastermind - bin Laden.

What's really concerned me recently is the recent attack on the constitution by the current administration to "protect" us. It is too close for comfort to events of the last century like the burning of the reichstag and the subsequent enactment of emergency decrees to "protect" the citizens of a democracy.

http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/burns.htm

http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/dictator.htm

I can only hope Ron Paul will either become President or at a minimum will raise constitutional questions into national dialog enough to raise the consciousness of the American people and turn the momentum back to the vision of the founders and the constitution.

 

[lucky]

Ok

I thought it would be interesting for all of us former neo-cons to share how we became disillusioned with the Republican Party and hooked on Ron Paul.

The Iraq war has got to be my biggest beef. I, like many many people, thought it was a good idea (God knows why) to invade Iraq. I bought into the whole idea that "every Iraqi yearns for western style democracy and values." Now, I'm not surprised that the Iraq war has gone so badly--of course it was going to go badly because they would view us as occupiers.

Secondly, I've stopped buying into the notion of the "war on terror." I do think that we need to arrest or kill those who perpetrated 9/11 (which we haven't yet--which is insane), but I don't think that "war" is the appropriate word and I also don't think you can have a war against a tactic.

Thirdly, I think the whole "war on drugs" has been a complete failure and shouldn't even be waged. It is an egregious assault on our civil liberties to have the federal government regulate the substances we choose to put into our bodies. It is especially insane to deny medical marijuana to sick people.

Fourth, I am upset about illegal immigration. President Bush has done almost nothing to secure the border and now seems to be mad at us for not wanting to accept his anmesty.

I guess I just don't buy into the whole neo-con agenda that we need to spread our values by force around the world and exploit illegal cheap labor from Mexico into this country to keep our economy running.

Ron Paul is my first choice, but truly I would rather have almost anybody else except a neo-con in office. I would prefer a libertarian, but if it came down to it, I'd choose a paleoconservative or a liberal democrat over a neo-con anyday.

I am also a Conservative that grew disillusioned myself. I agree with allthe reasons and have more.

I wanted less Government and expected dismantling of agencies. Instead we have more than any Democrat would have given us.

I wanted and expected a corresponding decrease in Government spending as the Tax was decreased. Instead we got record huge government spending and it has increased the deficit to record highs.

I wanted and expected less Government intrusion in our lives and we got more than anyone can dream of and looking like the beginning of a police state in the Homeland security.


Have many more things but these will do for now.

 

[angelatc]

Hello, and welcome aboard! I never thought we should go into Iraq, but when we did I thought we should stay until we won. I believed that violent Islam was to blame for all the dissent. I believed that the 9-11 terrorists attacked us for no reason except a hatred of us being non-muslims.

I proudly spewed the party line in various forums around the internet, and my hackles rose when I heard people mentin that we should cut and run.

When Ron Paul uttered his infamous debate statements, I realized there was a significant chance I did not have a clue about the truth so I started reading.

Thank heavens I had already found these forums or I would have been homeless on the internet.

 

[adwads]

As for who I'll vote for if not RP, I'm just not sure. I can't see myself voting for Rudy. But at the same time, the installation of Hillary would result in the US having been controlled by only two families over a period of TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS (GHW Bush, Bill Clinton, GW Bush, Hillary Clinton). Nearly 3 decades of rule by only 2 families is *not* OK.

If it's between Rudy and Hillary, I probably just won't vote. Hopefully if Dr. Paul doesn't get the nomination he'll run as an independent.

 

[ronpaulitician]

Hi adwads,

I, too, bought the "We must attack Iraq" argument. I've made friends with several Iraqis (online), and it was a slow and agonizing path to the realization that we should not only never have gone into Iraq but should also get out of there asap. I still have difficulties admitting my new view to my Iraqi friends, as it feels like I'm abandoning them (though many of them do not live in Iraq at the moment). However, I truly believe that "if we go there will be trouble, but if we stay it will be double".

Hopefully, my contributions to Ron Paul's campaign will make the guilt I feel for having supporter this war (and being, at least partially, to blame for it) a bit more bearable.

 

[aravoth]

Wow. You guys are weak. just kiddin'

I Was a militant neo-con, on steroids. I was into Hannity, Rush, John Gibson, Called into conservative talk radio and bitched about "all these damn protesting liberal hippies". I did alot of other things. Lets just say I wasn't freindly, at all, to people who "didn't support the troops".

Even after the Iraq war started I refused to speak ill of our president, or the war in general. I would get red-hot and angry mad at people who did. I had always been conservative, but never like that. It wasn't until I was Arguing with my sister about it once, when she snapped at me, and told me something to the effect of "I can't believe your bullshit....yadda...yadda, you're a veteran...yadda...yadda, if anyone knows what they are going through it is you....blahh ....blahh ...peace ...flowers ...butterflies ....free love ....democrats rule."

Anyway, I thought about it for about 5 minutes, and then it hit me.....

I went from serving my nation honorably, to becoming a mouthpeice for the Neo-con elite, and I didn't even get paid. I was stupified. I wondered how on gods green earth did I ever let a bunch of fear mongering pussies get to me like that, and how in the hell did my brain shift into such an evil paridigm? I figured it out later. But here was the worst part. None of those peices of shit that spew crap on the airwaves ever even served in the military, not a single one. They tout the Flag like it's a slogan, like it's part of some sick corporate advertising scheme. They broadcast thier shows from places the troops congregate to show how gung-ho they are. They have no idea, NONE, what that flag means. It is so much more than a way to drive ratings up during wartime.

And so I turned off the radio, and something weird happened....

A few weeks later I started to notice things, like Neo-con talking points showing up in the local paper, in magazines, on every single news broadcast. On most news channels I would see the words, "Terror Threat : Elevated" Whatever the hell that means. I started to wonder how many people turn on the TV, see the news, and watch the horrors of the world unfold before their eyes, while everything that was America, falls apart, quietly, behind the scenes.

Then I did some research becuase the cost of the war skyrocketed, yet the soldiers wern't getting thier proper equipment. Thats when I learned about Haliburton, Blackwater, and various other organizations. Then I found out who some of the share-holders are or where. And I realized what was going on. Both sides of the isle were corrupted, severly. And nothing I had ever been told about America was real. It was all a bullshit scam to make someone else even more disgustingly rich than they already are. Then the Military Commisions Act came. And thats when I finally broke down. I'm a bit of a history buff, and I just couldn't help but think of how the Nazi's rose to power.

But it's ok, at least thats what Hannity would say. The brave newscasters are out in force, keeping us all informed on just how gruesome the "real world" is, pundits sit on the radio and talk of how someone else is to blame, while the Congress plays political football with the most incompetent man ever to hold the office of President. And in the meantime, thousands of American soldiers, are getting hurt, or killed. Some of whom I know. Fucking sick of it.

So that was how my jorney started. I have an Idea of where it will end. Either it will end with RP getting elected and the troops coming home to a country with no IRS or Federal Reserve, and our cival liberties back. Or it will end with me moving to Montana, and living in a cave.

 

[Bryan]

Welcome, great to have you with us. There are certainly others here who had been lead astray by the neo-cons. I was a bit politically adrift from 2000 to '04 until I figured it out (thanks to the help of Dr. Paul and others).

I now stand firmly on the side of freedom.

I just did some checking, found these in a few minutes:

I Used To Be a Neocon
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig6/oneill1.html

Confessions of a recovering neo-con
http://www.metallicamobes.blogspot.com/

Confessions of a Recovering Ivy League Neocon
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig5/siano1.html

Ron Paul brought me back to GOP
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55862

Why I Stopped Listening to Rush: Confessions of a Recovering Neocon
http://www.amazon.com/Why-Stopped-Listening-Rush-Confessions/dp/1413730191

 

[ronpaulitician]

Either it will end with RP getting elected and the troops coming home to a country with no IRS or Federal Reserve, and our cival liberties back. Or it will end with me moving to Montana, and living in a cave.

Poor cave will have to stay single.

 

[unconsious767]

Wow. You guys are weak. just kiddin'

I Was a militant neo-con, on steroids. I was into Hannity, Rush, John Gibson, Called into conservative talk radio and bitched about "all these damn protesting liberal hippies". I did alot of other things. Lets just say I wasn't freindly, at all, to people who "didn't support the troops". ...]

Dude, you should write a digg article with such content, this post is very nice. Do you mind if I quote it on another forum?

 

[TheConstitutionLives]

I'm proud of you guys! It takes alot ot admit you've been scammed. It's like admitting you're an alcoholic or something.

I too used to be a bigtime O'reilly is God and the Iraq war needed to happen for "our security". I was what I now despise.

I admit it. I was Neo-conned. No more. It's liberty or bust.

 

[lucky]

Yes

I have felt so betrayed by my party and disillusioned and have been wondering what to do for a few years now.The last elections I almost didn't want to vote and have always since I was old enough to vote done so. Both major parties I now feel are in collusion with each other. Sorry state we are in to turn this huge patriot into a feeling of helplessness.

I told my best friend last month while home that I had no more hope from our Government to ever change and was hoping now that I am 47 that I can live the rest of my life without not seeing too much damage done to the USA. I said I was glad now I never had kids so that what we were handing them seemed so damaging.

I feel guilty to my blind loyalty to my party. How can the enthusiam I had from serving under Ronald Reagan in the Army and the greatness I saw back then go so wrong? I went to see the Astros at the last game in the world series and was one of only the few that placed his hand over his heart while the Pledge was being sung. What happened to us?

 

[lucky]

Lol

I'm proud of you guys! It takes alot ot admit you've been scammed. It's like admitting you're an alcoholic or something.

I too used to be a bigtime O'reilly is God and the Iraq war needed to happen for "our security". I was what I now despise.

I admit it. I was Neo-conned. No more. It's liberty or bust.

Yes it is a hard thing to admit that we are wrong. Pass the bottle and lets all take a drink.

At least I can admit to one thing. I am one of the few here that can say that I have had the pleasure to actually vote for Ron Paul. I also never forget to send a thank you to him when he has done good for us and I am sure his staff has gotten tired of me pestering them. They are great folks over there. and nice as can be.

Forgot to add. I received my weekly congressional update on any votes and am happy to say that Ron Paul voted "NO" on every item that came up. All was spending bills of some type I believe. Dr. No still lives.

 

[amonasro]

Not so long ago, I was anti-Bush hatred, Hannitized (ack), Limbaugh mega-ditto'ed to death. After years of listening, I took what they gave me as news, and thought of myself as in some higher form of patriotic existence than those who do not "support the war" and of course all liberals were crazy, hateful, and a threat to our security. It was insane if you think about it.

I stumbled on a Ron Paul video some time after and liked his views, he seemed like a smart, upstanding guy with good ideas, despite my own neo-conservatism. This is when my turnaround started. After further research, I posted some comments on an ABC News story about RP that had some mis-information in it. They got deleted. What? Who would delete comments in a free country? More comments got deleted. Unbelievable. This was the point where I started becoming "de-Hannitized" as the spell was quickly wearing off. I learned about media bias the hard way, and it's been an easy, downward slip & slide toward the truth ever since

So really, it was Ron Paul who saved me!

 

[Craig_R]

Great stories guys

goes to show you can only feed people so much shit before they start to taste it. If you hung around in neo-con circles you probably got some neo-con buddies and I hope you give them a shake and wake them the hell up.

 

[billv]

So that was how my jorney started. I have an Idea of where it will end. Either it will end with RP getting elected and the troops coming home to a country with no IRS or Federal Reserve, and our cival liberties back. Or it will end with me moving to Montana, and living in a cave.

Mind if I move in next door?

 

[billv]

I think one of my big realizations is that if I could go, I would be very, very uncomfortable at the Republican National Convention next year. I'd see them for the shills they are trying to sell out our country. I have to thank Ron Paul for opening my eyes. I see the Republican Party, Hannity, Rush, etc., in a whole new light now.

 

[romelll]

I can say I was against going into Iraq due to the fact I thought we could empower Iran and because we sold the WMD's to Hussein. Iraq was the first step, I think the administration thought that would be the easist country to overthough, kind of a warm up before attacking the rest of the Axis of Evil. I did not like the Campaighn Finance law, the prescription drug do hickey thing, the no child left behind bill, and the general cockyness of the current administration. But I guess I was never a neo con in thefirst place. Just like George Will.

 

[DjLoTi]

I think we're all born-again Americans. I was also extremely educated by Ron Paul's debates, and from that did research which led to an amazing amount of political knowledge. I didn't even know how a political map was in any way political... until now