An inspiring quote that made me smile

Ron Paul Supporters Attacked!

Ron Paul: My vote for President

November, 1988 was an important month in my family – and to me. Early on the morning of the 18^th I was the first child to be born to my parents. The day and month continue to be remembered and celebrated each year as my birthday passes by. This year I find another reason to look back. Just ten days before I was born there was the presidential election of 1988. Many will look on that election and remember it as a race between G.W. Bush Sr. and Michael Dukakis, the candidates for the Republican and Democratic parties respectively. But the first person I think of in that race was not a Republican or a Democrat. Our system is dominated by those two parties, yet every year there are those who are brave enough to defy such dichotomy and run under a third, or fourth party. Running for the Libertarian party was Congressman Ron Paul. Sometimes it's easy to forget these not-so-popular candidates – but Ron Paul was, and still remains, a man to be remembered. Though he did not gain a popular vote at the time (barely securing .5% of American votes), November of 1988 was just the beginning.

Now, I know what most of you are thinking: oh great, a political post. True. But before you stop reading, let me tell you that I myself have never been too pleased with politics either. Until four or five years ago I completely ignored it, and when I finally started paying attention I found our system to be a mess. So many meaningless arguments being thrown around Washington, and the meaningful issues are left unaddressed – or worse, addressed the wrong way. But whatever you might think about politics, I hope that you will find encouragement (as I did) in Ron Paul. Congressman Paul is so different, and if you give him a chance perhaps you will realize that there is hope for America after all.

If you've been following the 2008 Presidential race you know that Congressman Ron Paul is running once again – this time under the Republican Party. But don't let that bias you against him. No other republican since Barry Goldwater (and perhaps Reagan) has said what he is saying, and amazingly, he doesn't just say it: he lives it. I think this is such an important fact when looking at Ron Paul. So many politicians today say all the right things… but that's only until they get elected. Where do their promises and principles go then? But unlike the majority of politicians Ron Paul has strong principles, and he never compromises them. His views have been consistent, and his voting record reflects a man who has true character. He has come under attack for his views at various times, but he knows what is true and refuses to play the political games.

I don't know about you, but shortly before I turned 18 I began thinking about my duty as a citizen to vote. I looked at various topics, and various candidates for California and the nation. And honestly, I was disappointed. I felt as though any vote I cast would be a vote in favor of the lesser of two evils. A lot of people I've talked to feel this way as well – they vote for the person that they think would be the least damaging. But the lesser of two evils is still evil. And only in Ron Paul have I found a man that I truly want to vote for.  

So why is Ron Paul so awesome? In short, he believes and stands for freedom. A simple enough concept, right? The United States was founded upon the idea that we as human beings are endowed with the right to life, to liberty, and to property. And Ron Paul understands and respects what each of those rights really means. He believes that the government should not have a huge role in our personal lives. Government actions should be limited, and only enacted if someone's life, liberty or property is in danger. Ron Paul knows that we are smart enough to make our own decisions – the government is not our parent. Our income is our own (that's right, he wants to get rid of the income tax and the IRS), our lives are our own (no military drafts, and no personal controls). Congressman Paul understands that government money does not belong to the government, but to the citizens, and advocates a huge decrease in frivolous spending and taxes.

Not only does he say and advocate all these things (and so much more), but he has always acted according to his beliefs. As I said before, his voting record reflects his principles, and so does his current campaign. The current campaign by Ron Paul is focused on the citizens of America. The Ron Paul campaign has more money in the bank than any other candidate because of their principle to spend frugally and only where needed. They don't throw mud, and there's a friendliness and sense of humor in everything.

Many people say that Ron Paul is radical. But perhaps that's what we need in America today. Today, it takes a "radical" person to stand up for the truth. And I admire that.

Still, others say that although they agree with him completely, he has no chance to win. Unfortunately, this mindset has hindered so many people. A Presidential race is not a game. As was said so wonderfully this weekend, we should not be picking the "best bet". We should be picking the right person for the job. And just think, if everyone who said "he can't win", actually voted for him – well, he just might win =)

I'm not asking you to cast your vote for Ron Paul right now. But I am asking you to consider him. Read about him, listen to him, or talk to me about him. My intention is not to "convert" as many people as possible to my side… my intention is to spread the news about this amazing man: a man who advocates our liberty, our freedom, and a man who stands up for the truth. November, 1988 was just the beginning for Ron Paul. 2008 will continue to see him spread truth. And even if he does not win, perhaps the American people will hear what he has to say, and realize that we really do need more politicians like him; that we really do need liberty and limited government.

Praise God