Melissa
Member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2007
- Messages
- 1,943
these are his first set and will put the 2nd part in next
Dr. Paul understands that the war on drugs is a futile and costly effort that the Federal government has engaged in for over a generation. If there is one thing alcohol prohibition proved, it was that criminals profited when the Federal government prohibited and the same scenario rings true with drugs. Government can not stop drug use by prohibiting it, criminalizing it, or warring with drug cartels over it. For every dealer narcotics officers catch, five more take his place because criminals have turned it into an extremely profitable underground business. The only successful tool known to curb recreational drug use from overtaking society is education. Understanding the REAL side-effects of drug abuse and educating the populace about the consequences of irresponsibility taking recreational or unprescribed medications has proven far more effective than any form of punishment. Trust me, I get it. So, my first question to Dr. Paul involves how he is going to address this issue. Specifically, how does he plan on getting Congress to relinquish its commitment to the war on drugs and how does he envision a realistic implementation?
Dr. Paul insists on auditing the Federal Reserve and proposes abolishing it. On the surface, auditing the Federal Reserve may sound like a perfectly justified and sound solution. The problem is, if imbalances are found and made public, the ramifications are devastating. Loss of the world’s reserve currency would change America in ways most people can not fathom. The ensuing credit downgrades and dramatic hyperinflation would paralyze and already weak economy. Eliminating the Federal Reserve would require an act of Congress and a complete loss of the U.S. dollar as a fiat currency. What Dr. Paul seems to suggest is a currency reset that will make the U.S. dollar worthless, bringing about an economic Armageddon. How does Ron Paul plan to handle replacing our fiat currency? Who will produce it and what will it be?
Dr. Paul has stated that Iran is not a serious threat to the United States and this concerns me greatly. Iran wants to close the Strait of Hormuz and cut off a major oil pathway to and from Saudi Arabia. If 40% of the world’s oil suddenly stops flowing on the world market, the economic consequences will echo around the world as every product that contain oil derivatives sky-rocket in price and demand. Will Dr. Paul attempt to ignore Iran as they start a global energy war and if not, how does he plan on handling the situation as Commander-In-Chief?
Dr. Paul suggests that Israel can and should take care of itself and, in some ways, he is correct. Israel has the firepower to decimate a good part of the Middle East and, against an enemy that seeks its wanton destruction, they stand little to lose by using every resource available to ensure their survival. In the past, we have helped Israel defend itself by supplying them with superior technology, firepower, and the threat of United States intervention should things escalate beyond their capacity to defend themselves. Considering that America would still be a British territory without the aid of France in the Revolutionary War, will Dr. Paul ignore Israel should things escalate?
Dr. Paul wants to shrink the U.S. troop presence from around the world. So does President Barack Obama, but he has found out, the hard way, that he can not reason with Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Putin, or Mao. They laugh at him, call him a clown president, and are increasingly emboldened by his lack of concern. The President of the United States MUST recognize that America has enemies, be able to identify them, and appear strong when confronting them. How does Dr. Paul realistically plan on withdrawing U.S. military presence without emboldening our enemies who seem to have no reservations about spreading their own influences around the world?
Dr. Paul needs the support of Congress to progress more than half of the issues he wants resolved. As Paul constantly reminds us, the President of the United States is not a dictator or kingship, but part of a check and balance system of government. Knowing ahead of time that Ron Paul will remain partisan with Democrats and Republicans on a number of issues that he is unyielding about is not very reassuring. How does Dr. Paul plan on getting Congress to work with himand what will he consider compromising on?
