Friday, June 8, 2012

HOT: Lew Rockwell on Rand Paul's Endorsement of Mitt Romney

MUST VIEW: Lew Rockwell calls it the way it is. The Ron Paul campaign is over. Ron Paul has touched the hearts and minds of millions. Now is the time to move on beyond politics.

28 comments:

  1. Not shocked and honestly not all that concerned. He's his own man. I like a lot of the stuff he does but at the end of the day its his call how he wants to play his political cards. Ron Paul has done more than he can ever know to the liberty movement. Far more than he could ever do if elected President. As we move into the years of the final collapse, Paul's words will resonate as almost a prophecy and have far more influence on what takes place post-economic melt down than if he were the one in office trying to prevent it (something I doubt he could do).

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  2. Lew is correct. It is time to move beyond politics.

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  3. Lew is right. There is no news here. This is just a break from the Gary Johnson bashing on this site. All Libertarians, even the dyed in the wool disgruntled ones would do well to unite right now at a time when the party actually has a real chance.

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    1. Lest anyone forget what the Libertarian Party has become, one has but to see this to remember. It is impossible for one LP candidate to be promoted without spewing vile, petty hatred for another candidate -- often based on the fact that they spent money that was donated to them (OH MY GOD!!!!). I don't need a Libertarian nanny-state-fuck any more than I need an Obomney nanny-state-fuck.

      This blog article took me right back to the Hornberger/Browne fiasco where Hornberger couldn't stand losing the nomination, so he decided to destroy the whole LP on the way out the door. Hornberger may have had some legitimate beefs, but they were so lost in all the vitriolic, petty bullshit, it's doubtful that he even cared about any real concerns.

      I was actually considering voting for Johnson and maybe even rejoining the LP. After reading the blog, I know the LP is the same as it ever was. They can go fuck themselves in their tiny pond of hatred. And if that weren't enough, Johnson has the support of Eric "Official Fucktard" Dondero. That alone makes it difficult to support Johnson. ;)

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    2. Libertarians don't need to unite behind any political action. The thing which all libertarians should be united on, is the non-aggression principle.

      That means, no tax, no monopoly government.

      The LP is just a political body without any ideological foundation, not sure why anyone takes them seriously. It's an insiders gong show. For the love of God, the party of Harry Brown nominated Bob Barr last go round...

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  4. American GhostbusterJune 8, 2012 at 7:42 PM

    It's interesting that Rand made his announcement the day after the Ron Paul email went out announcing that he was not going to win the nomination.

    Is someone coordinating all this?

    Jesse is that you behind the curtain?

    Boo!

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    1. Really? I thought that was the only logical way for Rand to announce his endorsement of Romney. Why would he endorse Romney before his father exited the race, or wait for a longer period to announce his endorsement?

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  5. It's ALWAYS the time to move beyond politics. Lew Rockwell has said so himself many, many times. He said so in this very video. He specifically condemned "politics for politics" and said the only value of politics is potential education.

    What Lew is also clearly doing here is condemning Rand Paul. He specifically praised Ron for not scratching backs. What the hell is Rand doing besides scratching backs? So, he is condemning by implication.

    And, as Lew says, Rand is NOT a libertarian, he doesn't even think he is. Hint for those who can't think this through for themselves: only libertarians are actually for individual liberty. The rest are for limited individual liberty in specific forms they approve of. Only libertarians want individual liberty.

    Lew is the ultimate bad ass. You all can praise Ron Paul all you want, Lew is the TRUE man of principle and consistency. How many people put Rockwell on their tshirts, bumper stickers, etc? That's the confusing thing...

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    1. I love Lew Rockwell and never leave the house without his LRC hat or one of his shirts on, but I'm with Lew in thinking Ron Paul might be the greatest man of our time. They are BOTH true men of principle and consistency. As are Robert Wenzel, Robert Murphy, Tom Woods, Walter Block, Joe Salerno, Doug French, Tom Dilorenzo, and on and on.

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    2. But as Lew himself says over and over, who is the guy who has drawn people to his website? Who is the one who inspired Lew Rockwell to do what he did?

      That is why RP is the Godfather of the modern day libertarian political movement in America. Lew is certainly the intellectual framework, but there would be millions less people Rockwell could influence were it not for Ron Paul's educational efforts.

      And yes, Rand is a huge disappointment with his endorsement, even though his voting record has been pretty decent so far.

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    3. Yup. That's why I have always had complete respect for Lew Rockwell. A man with big brass balls who has the courage of his convictions.

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    4. Look at how many magnitudes harder it is to be as principled as Ron Paul or Lew Rockwell when in federally elected office and running for President as opposed to just being a writer or thinker. I believe that is why Woods, DiLorenzo, Rockwell, the Judge, Wenzel, etc have so much damn respect for Ron Paul. He has been able to literally change tens of millions of people to the truth so far, and that should only snowball from here into greater numbers.

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  6. Lew is whitewashing Rand's sell out, not telling "as it is".

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    1. How is disagreeing with his decision whitewashing it? How is saying Rand isn't a libertarian whitewashing it? Should he have wasted time condemning Rand Paul more thoroughly instead of advocating leaving the worthless cause of politics behind? Who gives a shit about Rand Paul? He's never been someone I looked to to represent my philosophy. I don't know why anyone would waste time relying on Rand when we have so many better men and actual libertarians to get behind. I'll give Rand praise when he stands for liberty, as I do with anyone, but I'm not losing sleep over his bad decision. I only expect consistent libertarians to not be complete morons from time to time.

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    2. Yes he is telling it like it is. He plainly said that Rand Paul is NOT a libertarian. What he said about Ron Paul basically condemns Rand.

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    3. You cultists are a part of the reason Ron Paul doesn't get more mainstream support. Look at the way you talk about anyone who either disagrees with Ron Paul or acts impure in your eyes. What kind of group think condemns Rand Paul for straying from what you think he should do? Shouldn't some of you be going up to the comet soon?

      You people think Gary Johnson is a statist. What is wrong with you?

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    4. Anonymous, aren't there some boot straps you should be licking about now? You go ahead and support whatever politician you want. The rest of us will put our support behind Rothbardians who want to end the state and not join the gang of thieves writ large in DC.

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    5. "Look at the way you talk about anyone who either disagrees with Ron Paul or acts impure in your eyes."

      You are mistaking "cultists" for people who understand and apply an intellectual framework to their decisions on political issues/viewpoints. It has nothing to do with "people" but instead the framework.


      "What kind of group think condemns Rand Paul for straying from what you think he should do?"

      That would be a group of people that understand a certain intellectual framework and upset because they thought Rand Paul understood/applied it to his thinking.

      These kinds of people/groups are usually called "principled".

      Unlike most of those "getting things done" in DC.

      "You people think Gary Johnson is a statist. What is wrong with you?"

      Ahhhh....now we get to the real source of your concern, don't we?

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    6. "You cultists are a part of the reason Ron Paul doesn't get more mainstream support. Look at the way you talk about anyone who either disagrees with Ron Paul or acts impure in your eyes. What kind of group think condemns Rand Paul for straying from what you think he should do? Shouldn't some of you be going up to the comet soon?

      You people think Gary Johnson is a statist. What is wrong with you?"
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      Fuck you. It isn't "cultish" to be an uncompromising champion of liberty. Sorry that you're too stupid to understand that. You love your statism fine. Have fun destroying what little remains of our freedoms.

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  7. Ivan Jankovic, seriously, Lew Rockwell does not whitewash anything, get real, will ya?

    Not telling it as it is? Psft. As if,... ever.

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  8. Justin Amash should be getting the praise that Rand was for being the likely successor to Ron Paul in the House. Same with Massie in KY -- not Rand.

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  9. This wouldn't be so egregious if Rand Paul hadn't rode into office on his father's name. I was bombarded by email from CPL, from Ron Paul, and from anyone affiliated with them when Rand was running for Senate. Either Ron has been stabbed in the back by his own son, or Ron has sold out his message for nepotism. Either way, I want nothing to do with Rand and wish him what he deserves.

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    1. That's a good point, using the CPL to get Rand elected has damaged the CPL. Honestly, I knew what Rand was going when he was running and was simply annoyed @ the CPL spam...I actually had to put it in my junk filters as a result of Rand and I'm sure I'm not the only one that did that.

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  10. It's all becoming digusting when it comes to American politics, yet I see no alternative to what we have now. Each week I continue to hear what the most important thing is about this year's elections and that's how much money each candidate has raised. I guess it's all about money and not substance.

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  11. That is an excellent point about the CPL and Rand. I think Rockwell and Wenzel down play politics because it is a reality check. Paul's low vote totals indicate the lack of acceptance of libertarian thought here in US. Rockwell can prattle on about taking the fight pass politics but the fact is that liberty isn't a popular idea. And any recent increase in its popularity is basically due to Paul and his political campaigns. I understand Rockwell and Wenzel talking their book but thats all it is.

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  12. Could a seed of liberty grow BETTER at some point when states, counties, cities, and citizens start giving the middle finger to the federal leviathon and stand firm in saying "no longer"?

    What strikes me as one of the best results to Ron Paul's message is that the Ron Paul movement has fostered a good amount of local state legislator candidates to run for office. Much of Liberty's message also touts local control, fidelity to the constitution and anti-leviathon positions.

    What I have questioned for the last year is why does Ron Paul run for President rather than making an influence in his local Texas legislature to nullify unconstitional federal law, regulation, and taxes. Texas could be ripe for a strong leader in liberty. Same for Rand in Kentucky.

    When RP runs for the national office he certainly gives larger scale credence to the liberty movement with a great megaphone. He's succeeded in many ways and has my admiration. The concentrated scale of liberty in Ron Paul, and the hope for Rand Paul, may be misguided. The attractiveness to centralized, political statism may have taken root with Rand - although it's yet to be seen that there may be some good and positive agreement behind the scenes to advance a libertarian ideal.

    When local candidates, and local office holders start nullifying unconstutional encroachment, the message comes clear and local - possibly making a great positive impact to the individual liberty.

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  13. You all have missed the point. Rand can't be Romney's vice president if he doesn't support the man. Even if it is only tongue and cheek. This could well pave the way for father or son to be in the White House after the melt down. And get some real leadership going. So what if Rand isn't totally with his father on everything, it's still a far cry from the crap we have now!

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