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Some presidential nominees claim they have a plan for all our problems???
I liked this article by Ron Paul. Called "I have a plan..." As election time nears, we are bombarded with political ads and speeches by candidates telling us their great plans for running the country. At the end of the recent presidential debate, for example, the Democratic nominee recited a litany of supposed cures for nearly everything that ails us, beginning each sentence with the phrase “I have a plan…” The problem is that government is not supposed to plan our lives or run the country; we are supposed to be free. That our public discourse strays so far from this principle is an unhappy sign of our times. Those who believe in limited constitutional government should worry every time a politician says, “I have a plan.” Remember, there is a simple dictionary definition for government planning of the production and provision of goods and services: socialism. No matter how much the grand planners from both political parties deny it, many of their programs and proposals are socialist. Federal taxes, regulations, welfare, subsidies, wage controls, price controls, and interest rate manipulations all represent socialist interventions in the economy. True, we do not yet have a fully socialist economy. But that is why we must be vigilant and label socialist proposals for exactly what they are, so we can maintain and expand economic freedom in America. Both history and economic theory prove conclusively that centrally-planned economies lower the standard of living for everyone except government elites. Historically, centralized economic planning goes hand in hand with hardship and bloodshed. Modern soft socialism, found in nations like Sweden and France, is beginning to implode of its own weight as governments realize they simply cannot fund cradle-to-grave programs without imposing tax rates that kill any last remnants of productive spark in their citizens. By contrast, capitalism – which is to say economic freedom – raises the standard of living for everyone in a society. But we must understand what capitalism really is. Capitalism is not a system, but rather the result of free individuals taking economic actions without interference by government. A true capitalist economy is neither planned by bureaucrats nor steered by regulators. This is why it’s so important that we resist the idea that any president should plan our economy. If we accept that government “runs” the economy, we accept a fundamental tenet of socialism. We must understand that economic liberty is every bit as important as political and civil liberties. In a truly free nation, the government acts only as a referee by protecting property rights, enforcing contracts, prohibiting force and fraud, and providing national defense. Such was the system envisioned by the Founding Fathers, who strictly limited regulatory and tax powers in the Constitution. They were tired of having their business affairs managed by the Crown, so they created a servant government that would allow freedom and capitalism to flourish. Today’s political rhetoric demonstrates that the servant has become the master. Most politicians, and too many Americans, have accepted the premise that government should plan our lives and control the economy. This subservient mindset encourages political pandering, as candidates strive to convince voters of their superior plans to take care of all of us. For a nation founded upon rugged individualism and self-reliance, the modern political landscape represents a wake-up call. Unless and until Americans begin to reclaim the mentality that made us great, we are destined to slide further into an economic and political malaise that cannot be solved by the grandiose plans of politicians.
Public Comments
- He reminds me of me. That would include even the so called "loopy parts" as well.
- Just leave people alone and everything will go well. I Remember Nixon had a secret plan to end the war. Four years later we were still fighting.
- Thanks for showing us that piece. Here is some more Ron Paul at his best: From: The Ron Paul Money Book. Published in 1991 by: Plantation publishing 837 W. Plantation Clute, Texas 77531 Page 32 The calamities that accompany monetary chaos brought dictators to power in other countries. We must prevent that from happening here. "People fight the Gold standard," said Ludwig von Misis, "because they want to substitute national autarky for free trade, war for peace, totalitarian government omnipotence for liberty. It is no coincidence that the 19th century, a time of Gold standards for the most part,was an era of peace. Nor is it a coincidence that the 20th century combines war with paper money. [End Ron Paul.] Brothers & Sisters I think are biggest obstacle in getting Ron Paul nominated is convincing Americans to go back on the Gold standard, as mandated in the Constitution. When I try to talk to people about Gold they simply look with a blank stare because there has been a thorough on going campaign to dis-credit Gold-holders, and yet I've made a 24% annualized profit holding Gold coins over the last 6 years. Ron Paul Knows Gold!!!! ********************************************************
- If they don't say "I have a plan" they will say "I have solutions"... Whats the difference in semantics here? He is right, and the world is gonna play by the book in the next few years. Politicians only tell us their plan to get elected, but never tell us their real purpose of being in the position to solves those problems... Just think about it, when does somebody, EVER offer you to solve your problem (big ones of course) for FREE? Those are not here because they feel that they have this mission to lead the US peoples, but rather here, because they need something in return of their service, but of course, they will NEVER tell you what the real price they want for it... Why they never tell us, because they think normal peoples (American peoples), cannot understand their "missions" so they keep playing with peoples minds all the way to get what they want, when they want, and if it doesn't work (like now), continue to do it anyways... Is that what the Americans call freedom... I call this subversive regime calling the end of the American way!!
- The arrogance of the founding fathers made it possible for this to happen. They were great men, but flawed. They built the greatest nation in the history of earth with a few big defects. When major government decisions are not made by the public via plebiscite, the will of the people has virtually no way to be heard save protests. Rule by the rich and the pols is the result we are left with today. Ron Paul lacks the analytical ability to see this one, but at least he is better than the rest. There is no way that the elite will make decisions that consistently benefit the masses. Incidentally, the gold standard is meaningless; gold is just a piece of metal. As long as a nation's economy is consistently growing, doesn't inflate its own currency, and has the confidence of its own citizens and foreigners, it technically doesn't matter what is backing it. You could have tons of gold, but if no one wants to do business with you, your currency will be worthless.
