A shocking report: Inside the Ron Paul conspiracy

Maybe you've heard rumors about an explosive newspaper expose on a major political figure that would rock the political world just as the presidential voting is about to begin.

We haven't either.

But we do know that today is when this newspaper blows the top off of the Ron Paul Conspiracy, that vast unorganized protest movement that has silently become one of the more interesting political phenomena of the current election season.

A Times reporter -- we'll call him James Rainey to protect his identity -- has managed to penetrate the Paul presidium.

In his story he recounts for the very first time the shockingly ordinary details of a movement of thousands of disparate, dissatisfied people, some of whom want an end to the Iraq war, an end to gun controls and the IRS, an end to laws banning marijuana and a return to the gold standard, whatever that means.

These Paulites believe the government has been hijacked by a bevy of big interests that threaten the freedoms of ordinary Americans. They're not going to take it anymore. Locally, they're even organizing a re-enactment of a brazenly defiant act, the BostonTea Party, except it'll be in Santa Monica and won't involve tea or white people dressed as Indians. And the protestors promise not to leave anything foreign floating in the water.

These committed partisans, bonded by their suspicion of authority and venal influences like the mainstream media that ignored them until they did something, have united behind a 72-year-old...

Air Force vet and ob-gyn from Texas who has managed to win 10 elections to the House of Representatives as a Republican with two first names and strongly libertarian leanings.

This man believes that U.S. sovereignity is threatened by many things, especially including consistently ignoring the Constitution and by a planned mystery superhighway that would unite with a ribbon of inexorable cement all three North American countries--Mexico, the United States and that other larger one on top that can only afford to have three downs in its football games.

Apparently he's not talking about I-15, which already does that.

"Rainey's" account describes how this man's followers appear to be ordinary citizens with jobs and family by day. But at night they gather openly in chat rooms and living rooms to plot how to promote a tiny unassuming man whom they call reverently Dr. Paul. With little central direction but tons of commitment, idealism and passion, Dr. Paul's followers do everything they can think of to mobilize voter support.

They patrol the internet day and night seeking Paul slights to right. They stand on windy interstate bridges holding inflammatory signs saying: RonPaul2008.com.

Even as you sleep at night some of the 1,200 Paul meet-up groups are handwriting letters to all 700,000 independent Iowa voters urging them to consider their long-shot leader. A couple of weeks ago Paulites raised $4.2 million on the internet in one day, a near-record, and a sum they intend to more than double on Dec. 16, the anniversary of that rebellious tea party. How's that for insignificance?

As one result, the ultra-lean Paul organization has been able to buy advertising in New Hampshire and to pump its poll numbers up near double-digits in some places. Rainey's story describes the commitment of one Ron Paul meet-up group in Southern California and the regular folks who drive it with their political beliefs and energies.

Few professionals -- well, to tell the truth, no one -- actually gives Paul any chance of winning the Republican nomination. But then up until Yorktown back in the 1700s, all the smart Vegas money was on the British.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Vince]

When is the rest of the mainstream media going to start reporting the actual news of Ron Paul. In the Free world (internet) he is totally dominating. In a world where we are served up what the MSM wants us to see...nothing.

[Steve Charb]

The MSM rarely mentions Ron Paul. The Internet has nothing but good things to say about him. The MSM should criticize Ron Paul and his ideas. The Ron Paul hysteria is already out of control... if you oppose Ron Paul, his cult accuses you of "hating freedom" and "hating the Constitution".

Mainstream media, time to start taking Ron Paul seriously. And not necessarily in a good way.

[Steve]

Go Ron Paul. The others are mostly crooks and liars.

[G Harmer]

I HAVE BEEN A DEM. FOR 27 YEARS.
I have now registered as a Republican so I can vote "RON PAUL".
PARTY AFFILIATION CHANGE DEADLINE FOR YOUR STATE IS LISTED HERE
.
www.primarilypaul.com/ron-paul-in-the-primaries/
This provides you with...
A) PARTY CHANGE INFO.
B) VOTER REGISTRATION INFO PER STATE
This gives you the tools for deadline information.
Good luck.
..................................................HOPE FOR AMERICA

[Ken Watson]

Andrew & 'James'

A crate of Tea for you!

Thanks much for caring about our great country and its people enough to break out of the mainstream MSN malaise.

Too bad you couldn't also embark on a time-travel stint back into the 1776 rEvolution as well. We all would love to take-in your observant first-hand take on those fiery characters as well.

LIBERTY FOR AMERICA ALWAYS

Ken

[Ernie]

What will happen now that Ron Paul has been revealed for the patriot that he is? Is America ready to handle the truth? We'll see...

The Ron Paul Revolution
http://www.prezronpaul.com

[Bob]

Don't you even realize when you are writing in a biased manner?

"a return to the gold standard, whatever that means"

Maybe you are too young and were not taught in school that at one time (up until 1933), our currency didn't suffer runaway inflation and was backed by gold. Each note was a promise to pay in gold.

and

"Few professionals -- well, to tell the truth, no one -- actually gives Paul any chance of winning the Republican nomination."

This is usually an intentional misdirection technique, leading the reader in the direction of dismissing the candidate. Granted you did add a decent caveat after that statement.

I don't know if you just know who is writing your checks and don't want to bite the hand that feeds you, or if you just buy into all that bias and propoganda and prefer to go along with the crowd instead of writing honestly.

I will give you credit for being fair in most of the article, but just wanted to point out the few biases I picked up on.

[view]

I am a democrat, and I plan on voting for Ron paul if he makes it past the primary or becomes independent because there is other person that speaks on the interest that so many american believe, that once again this country is being run by special interest groups and big corps instead of everyday hardworking americans.

[Once from Glendale]

Why do I support Paul?
1. Maybe because I agree with the gold standard thing.

2. Maybe because I read some of his articles at lewrockwell.com several years ago and thought, "I wish he was running for office".

3. Maybe because of his stance on Iraq.

4. Maybe because much of the corporate media, and even the Republican party are against him, mostly purposely ignoring him. Go underdogs!

5. Maybe because I trend Libertarian and for individual responsibility.

6. Maybe it is for his respect, in my view, for the Constitution of the United States.

7. Maybe it is because he has a profession outside of politics; and it is not as another attorney.

But mostly it is because he has a whiff of honesty I don't see anywhere else. And his supporters are kooks? Married father of two, with a mortgage and steady job. Only kooky in a few parts of the country.

[Gregory Richards]

Help reinstate the constitution by joining me in voting for Ron Paul.

Power to the People!

[Carson]

I've been reading Ron Paul's book.

He has been preaching the same message for decades.

Many of the other candidates seem to blow in the wind of public opinion.

[Rich Stadler]

Ok, now let's assume that Paul does become the next President.... how in the world do you think that this guy would pass any piece of legislation with this liberal do nothing congressional gridlock standing in the way? I forsee a Ron Paul as president who accomplishes absolutely nothing except for maybe the lone success of pulling our troops out of Iraq. (sorry but as a true conservative that's not enough for me) Come on now and ask yourselves what this congress would do with a real movement to actually cut taxes or (gasp) eliminate the IRS or the federal reserve? Noble ideas but the notion of actually accomplishing any of it started with our local and state elections. These are the ones who continue to sell us out... and what have we (or can we still) do about them? If American patriots aren't willing to stand up and declare war ourselves against this oppression we might as well hand over our guns and procede for the precipace like all the others.

[Dale Legan]

AWESOME !! Go Ron Paul.

Ron Paul Will Win.
Lets keep signing up voters for the primaries and Spam the Primaries with living breathing paulbots..

[Andrew Goddard]

A fair take on a truly authentic American phenomenon. I've donated to his campaign, re-registered as a republican, and plan on doing some sign-waving myself. Go Ron Paul 08!

[Carson]

Quote: "...return to the gold standard, whatever that means."

It would mean that the interest that we pay to a cartel OUTSIDE of our government, to borrow our own money, couldn't end up going to finance things like One World Order.

That and the idea that there would be some system to fix the amount of currency. That way if you earned a dollar and decided to save it for later, it might still retain some value.

[dea]

You can laugh all you want, your last line says it all.

[Nomen Nescio]

Dr Ron Paul will be one of the - if not *the* - greatest President this country will have ever seen.

If you haven't checked him out, please do so. Start local, at an LA Obama supporters website:

http://www.obamala.com

Yes, that guy is genuine. Dr Paul is pulling support from across the political spectrum.

Find out why, and you'll be as passionate as the rest of us.

*****

LA Times, and in particular James Rainey, and Andrew Malcolm: THANK YOU!! Thank you for being so fair to Dr Paul. He really deserves it.

[Carlos Rodrigues]

Thank you so much for taking the time to discuss Ron Paul, especially in a positive light. It is truely disheartening to see the lack of media attention toward candidates that would otherwise dominate the election if they weren't side-lined by the media's "top tier" candidates. This continuously SELECTION needs to be replaced by a true ELECTION. I only hope that there will be more coverage and exposure like you and Rainey have done so wonderfully. Frankly, there will come a time when the media can no longer ignore our movement, but it sure helps to see some people catching on sooner rather than later. Until Dr. Paul gets some strong nationwide recognition, let us all continue to dedicate our time and effort to spreading the truth that is Ron Paul. Anyone that hasn't been to meetup dot com should consider doing so; it's not only good for the community, but it's a great socializing experience!

Ron Paul 2008! http://www.teaparty07.com - $10 million in 24 hours!

[Doja for Ron Paul]

Thank you for writing this wonderful article about Ron Paul. Hes the only one talking about the NAU,NAFTA,National ID and several lother issues that will change the meaning of freedom entirely. People need to look into the Texas Trans Corridor! Bilderberg group is quit scary! Endgame was really informative! I didnt know federal Income tax was unconstitutional until I watched Aaron Russos documentary America Freedom To Fashism! R.I.P. Aaron! Please wake up America and join the Ron Paul revolution and remember fear is a form of control. Be strong and together we can trully be free! Those whose sacrifice liberty for freedom end up with neither!!!! Ron Paul 2008

[Jamie Zhou]

Planned mysterious highway? Ron Paul conspiracy? God, get a sense of decency and good sense. We're American citizens doing our honorable best to get someone elected. It's this kind of reporting that marginalizes us and our very ordinary beliefs in things like fiscal discipline and individual rights, and our support for a candidate who just happens to be the most upfront and intelligent politician we've seen in a long while. Show some respect, please.

[JT]

Bravissimo! LA Times......

Here are a couple of videos to help everyone see where we really are........ CHENEY

He never mentioned that before........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbnpN07J_zg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BEsZMvrq-I

[Steve Moyer]

Money needs competition. I agree. But if the competition is still based on the rule of violent force rather than voluntary cooperation, then it's likely to fail as well. Money is a failed system because it fails to prioritize human NEED over human GREED.

That's my difficulty with Ron Paul in a nutshell. He fails to address the fundamental flaw of Republican ideology ... that SOME PEOPLE DESERVE TO BE WEALTHY and SOME PEOPLE DESERVE TO BE POOR and that this is related to their activities in life.

The truth is much more complex and nefarious. Some people live off of the labors of others. This is the essential truth of capitalism and the "American Dream." Do you want to get wealthy so you can sit back and do whatever you want? That means that others will be taking care of your needs, right?
Why should they do that? Because if they don't you will hurt them using the "gun of government" to enforce poverty upon them.

That's what money is when you analyze it properly: the rule of violence to enforce privilege for the few at the expense of the many. Is Ron Paul challenging this "rule of violence" by proposing gold currency? No, I don't think so. I think he's changing the focus from one type of "control currency" to another type but still failing to address the failure of money as a system to provide for human needs, global sustainability and the promotion of virtue in human affairs.

Money is evil. It's evil because it is unnecessarily destructive of virtue, the environment and human civilization. Money makes us compete unnecessarily with each other to achieve dominance and control. That's not virtue.

There are a number of reasons why our money is failing. One of them is that it is based on greed rather than need. Suppose we went over to the Middle East and said "We want to serve your just needs." What would we be doing? Education. Health care. Communication. Transportation. Those kinds of things.

But money tells us we must go there and prevent them from using another currency, like the Euro, to sell oil to the world. It's about the "money hegemony" and "the capital rule" more than about "freedom and democracy."
You can almost translate "freedom and democracy" into "money and capitalism" when you think about Iraq. There is more involved there, but those are the big issues. U.S. foreign policy is designed to assure that the U.S. dollar is used as the Reserve Currency of the world and that Capitalsim, not communism or socialism, is the rule enforced in Muslim countries.

The gigantic fear of Islam as a religion is that it is a "higher authority" than money. Money wants all power to itself. "Let the Free Market decide."
There is no such thing but those who advocate "free market economics" are advocating the "rule of money" which is advocating the "status quo" which is an economic system which preserves the status of the few at the expense of the money.

War and unnecessary conflict is the natural outcome of such a system.

We need a new economic system. In order to get it we need an Article V Convention ( read the Constitution ) . http://foavc.org

This is why I have called Ron Paul a "sham candidate." He needs to call for a Convention. Congress won't create a new economic system. The President can't do it by himself and it wouldn't be right even if he could.

The problem IS the system.

Blessings!

Steve Moyer

[Pam T]

Oh my gosh! Shocking! I was ready to read a hatchet job of my hero and was instead treated to a clever piece full of back-handed compliments (don't get me wrong, I am not criticizing, I thought it was very effective.)
I note there are a few of us Ron Paul supporters who didn't get it, but that's OK, too, those of us that did are enjoying this immensely.
Thank you, and keep up the good work!
RON PAUL for PRESIDENT 2008!!!
Pam T

[DD]

I am glad you did this article and yes there are plants in the campaign. I think I know one. But the beauty of this country as it was intended by our forefathers was to give freedom to people to be what they want to be. I am a professional who is highly educated and supports their family. You will find that we are regular people who actually have varying opinions, but agree on one thing. That is Dr. Ron Paul. It is a shame that it has taken us so long to recognize this man. Life matters even if he is an older candidate and his is genuine. Remember when we respected our elders? Many of those things you mention are actually true. You would have to live in hole to miss some of them. This country has gone in the wrong direction and if we do not wake up then we will be in the same predicament as our environment.

While I don't know anything about the "Tea Party" you mentioned to take place in CA, I do know that the people I have seen in this campaign are genuine when it comes to their concern about this country. Yes, the elite have had their fun and now we want them to step back. Think about it- If we have the governor from NY as a president- do you really think he will walk away from the special interests to improve our lives? No one could possibly think that if they had the facts.

Yes the media is slanted! Yes- the Federal Reserve is unfair- Yes they have plans to chip Americans- The super highway is already being built in Mexico- and yes there are people without a conscious. I for one do not want the same good old boys in the white house. Policing the world is not America's job- of well- if we go by Bush's new agreement- the North American Union.

[Sascha]

Frankly, I suspect that Mr.Paul's support is all on Web, the kind which grows into a digital frenzy and then dies whenever exposed to the sun and the rain.
And anyway, while I warmly approve of his stance on Iraq, his outlook on the world looks very bookish and abstract.
Best of luck.

[Jeugenen]

DAWN OF THE AMERICAN REFORMATION, AND END OF THE ERA OF THE UGLY AMERICAN

This Ron Paul Libertarian rebellion is an escalation and re-orientation of the American Cultural War, by the American People, against the rising governmental tyranny by Neo-Con Republicans and Neo-Lib Democrats.

It is sweeping across America like a wildfire - ignited by the illegal and unnecessary invasion of Iraq. It raises many crucial questions, such as:

Where does the American Constitution give my government the right to sacrifice precious American wealth and blood, in interests of domestic and foreign lobbies?

Where does the American Constitution give my government the right to allow my nation to be invaded and permanently occupied by illegal aliens?

Where does the American Constitution give my government the right to support the sacrificial killing of children, by their own mothers?

Where does the American Constitution give my government the right to discriminate against traditional religious practices in public schools, universities, marriage institutions, armed forces, and governmental offices?

This creeping governmental tyranny, driven by perverse special interests, has now been going on for so many decades, like the illegal alien invasion, that the impending American Reformation is regarded with fear and loathing, by those who are to lose their illicit gains.

Like Gandhi, Ron Paul is drawing his intrepid volunteers from the full spectrum of humanity; and World is cheering him on to victory.

[sarz]

I am writing this from India. I have been following Ron Paul for a while now, especially after the late Aaron Russo featured him in his America: From Freedom to Fascism. It seems to me you Americans are well on the way to winning your country back. I noticed a funny thing on Google News the day after the Republican debate. Out of the hundreds of articles on the debate, there was hardly any link mentioning Ron Paul. Yet at the bottom of almost any article one actually went to, no matter who the reporter favoured, the discussion was usually on the whole very civil and overwhelmingly in favour of Ron Paul. Congratulations, Americans. Keep it up.

[Rhonda]

Joe T.,

Your December 1st statement about Ron Paul and the "free" market is correct except for one thing. We are so far down into the abyss right now, that it will take someone such as Dr. Paul to put the brakes onto it all. Maybe in a different period of time, you are correct since that is where much of our present problems stem from now---greed, monopolies, and control due to that unregulation as you say, but since Dr. Paul has the people listening to him and seeing something in him like no other politician, and he appears to be for the people, then we need him and his ideas presently or else what is killing us now will continue. The good that he generates outweighs anything that you might see as being detrimental to our national health.

Although this regime in office now seems to do anything it wants, Dr. Paul's elite will not be that way. He will have problems with Congress because history says that the opposite party of the administration always gives the administration problems (except this one maybe for the first time in our history) and it will not be easy to get done all that you say. I suggest you think of the entire picture, the good things also. Tnx.

[Marjorie Miller]

Thank you Andrew Malcolm and LA Times Publisher for allowing it to be printed. This is the first time I've been impressed with the MSM in this presidential election. WOW. Not a boring read either, very funny and very informative at the same time. A positive piece about Ron Paul. This must be a conspiracy!!!

Seriously, another former democrat for Ron Paul here. The democrats have betrayed us. They have become accomplices. They were voted in to investigate and stop Bush and Cheney and instead they pick this time to argue about children's health care and cigarette tax, while American assets are being sold off to the highest bidder, just like what happened in Russia in the 90s - and we laughed at the Russian people for being stupid, like it could never happen to America. That's the serious conspiracy we need to be talking about before it's too late, and what Ron Paul is trying to stop.

And thank you for the hope of your last line.

BTW, here's an idea for your next column: Why have they moved the primary campaigns to the Christmas holidays? Doesn't this seem a little like what they did on Dec 23, 1913, when they passed the Fed Reserve/IRS act during Christmas when no one had time to pay attention? A conspiracy?...

Tho the word conspiracy may be overused, remember all it means is 2 or more people with a secret, nefarious plot. With the definition at hand, perhaps it is underused compared to it frequency in occurance...

[Sandra]

Ron Paul supporters are NOT normal everyday people. The main stream media tells me that RP's consistently high poll numbers are totally due to internet gurus or very high teck people. Is that true?

Well I am almost 70 and do not think I qualify as a guru or high teck. I really am a regular person. The problem is that my generation actually read the Constitution that Bush calls a "Goddam piece of paper"! We have not only read it, we BELIEVE in it.

Ron Paul is the only candidate who also seems to believe in it and think our country should adhere to those priniciples. I do not agree with RP on every single issue. But, I certainly would rather have an honest American in our highest office instead of the low quality of the last few residents of the white house. They have been a shameful bunch and have actively encouraged this illegal invasion and handing over US sovereignty to the UN and WTO.

Our treaties are a bad joke meant only to deceive citizens, enrich an elite few, and to steadily erode individual freedoms.

When we all vote in 2008 we should fire everyone in the house and senate who is up for election. And we should take great care to put a person in the white house who respects and loves his/her country above all others.

So far, Ron Paul is the only one who qualifies.

[Michael Snyder]

WOW!!! I've never seen any political blog gain such a set of legs! Perhaps the “powers that be” who are covering this election like it was a sporting event might want to take note.
We’re tired of the same old! We don’t only care about the “front runners”. As a matter of fact we’ve had a belly-full of their constant lies and mud-slinging.
If America votes in any of the “front runners” so favored by the Fourth Estate not only will we have missed a golden opportunity; but we will still be losing our sons & daughters in Iraq at the end of their terms.
It’s important to remember our Founding Fathers were considered the “lunatic fringe” in their day.

[Robert Moore]

Isn't it a lot of fun to write a positive article about a true American patriot? I mean, you will definately sleep better tonight.

[Ben]

I think Andrew, et al, assume Dr. Paul does not have a chance because the model they depend on says so - but, the model is broken. Social networking is a contemporary phenomenon. There is no way to predict how it will affect the primary process.

Polls are dated. Egg will be on many faces after there are actually VOTES - how they will have to explain the folly of their ways.

[TruthgoneWild]

Andrew Malcolm,

Did you actually think your opinion matters? While you sit back in your leather chair and sell your soul to the devil, the people are creating history, and you will only be known as a traitor.

Ron Paul = Constitution

Anti Ron Paul = Anti Constitution

Anti Constitution = Anti American

Anti American = Traitor

Got it, fool?

(Strong words for someone who hides behind a fake name.)

[L. M. Indy Schneider, L.Ac.]

Great headline, Andrew!

As another guy with two firs names, you probably feel some solidarity with Ron Paul.

[Operation Northwood]

Well Mr. Andrew, if you infiltrate the RON PAUL REVOLUTION and didn't end up joining it, You have some issues!!!

[Kris]

Andrew, you rock! Please dismiss those who comment with no sense of humor, obviously they don't realize that you were poking fun at just about everything. Great writing!

[Lisa Cate]

FINALLY a candidate to vote FOR instead of having to settle for 'the lesser of two evils' when voting! Ron Paul is clearly the most intelligent candidate in the race. He would make a better & more economical President than either Hillary or Rudy. He is going to get my vote for sure! After learning of his positions on a variety of issues I don't see how I could vote for any of those big spenders with an excellent candidate like Ron Paul running. Let's vote for a President to put the USA First for a change...

*** RON PAUL '08***

[anon]

to ron paul supporters.

he doesnt like government yet he wants to spend government money to build a wall, only to be torn down later like Berlin.

Hes against abortion because he wants government interfering with our lives.

idiot Paulites.

[Dixie McKie]

In this article you write, "A couple of weeks ago Paulites raised $4.2 million on the internet in one day, a near-record, and a sum they intend to more than double on Dec. 16, the anniversary of that rebellious tea party." Who set the record and what was it?

(Hillary Clinton $6 million-plus)

[David]

I just love the Internet. It's almost impossible to hide information. The CFR used to be very secretive about their plans for the New World Order and even their members in the media agreed to keep it out of the news. Then they became so convinced they had the public asleep they got bold and started to talk about it openly, believing nobody would pay any attention to them. Now the public is finding out about these plans and are outraged. This has forced these promoters of the destruction of our national sovereignty, to scramble, to hide what they are doing, and get their lackeys to lie and tell us it's our imagination, that is, until we go back to sleep, they hope. Not going to happen, the cat is out of the bag and the word is spreading every day, person to person.

[dan]

"to ron paul supporters.

he doesnt like government yet he wants to spend government money to build a wall, only to be torn down later like Berlin.

Hes against abortion because he wants government interfering with our lives.

idiot Paulites.
"

he wants to build a wall in order to defend our borders from the mass of illegal immigrants coming into this country. we have to defend our own borders.

he is personally against abortion, but feels the federal government should not be involved, and that it should be up to the individual states to decide.

[Jonathan DeWitt from So California]

It's interesting to find so much common ground that overides a few personal issues, that so many people begin to unite under Ron Paul. I have had several friends give me the run down on Paul, and from my own research--which he challenges "the people" to invest time into by saying his own statements are constitutional--he seems to have integrity.

Yes nation, we should examine the constitution, not be too lazy, and see if our government, ngos, ect., really are playing by the rules WE WANT, not what THEY WANT. Obviously, by CENSORING FREEDOM OF SPEECH in FLORIDA (check youtube or any articles, our last resort), their is a power imbalance favoring a policed state rather than a state by the people. Remember not all states run the same rules, but apparently Florida has breeched the constitutional enumerated powers. (i think its enumerates, unsure? look it up and be informed.)

Do they justify this silencing by claiming that freedom of speech in this manner is a terrorist activity AND CAN ONLY SUGGEST AUTHORITY over the citizens to protect us? Awfully interesting that the US political economy and administrastion has infiltrated the media, government (cheney's correlation with oil at the least), and has chosen to silence Paul. Paul, who generates enough ripples in a suggestive authoritarian decision-based democracy, who influences Mr. Andrew to hint at a his abilities to induce a "tea party"--suggesting what Mr. Andrew? That the majority of non-governmental citizens will fight for our rights to retract the rights of government and corporation imposition? That these "citizens" will understand that TV can have a cultivating effect in making "citizens" predictable and manipulateable? This cannot be!?

Although NGOs and corporations have been practising "neo-colonialism/new-imperialism" by moving into less-developed nations and exploiting their work force, reducing a consistent global labor ethics. This reduction suggests that Americans are either unaware, powerless, or against economically based ethics in other nations. We have anti-child labor laws here, why are our corporations established in the US not having these laws enforced in Lesser-developed countries? Why is our labor force diminishing and more and more corporate establishments spreading, destroying our local industries and the insular communities within US territory?

Anyone can look this up and compare the effects of NGOs on Less-developed countries with the American economy and see a controversy. Whether either side is right, the controversy exists positing a genuine contemplation that citizens should be aware of. Why aren't they? Because media dictates what should be seen, and who controls the media?

[zotzabyte @ yahoo dot com]

Posted by: John Reed | December 01, 2007 at 02:32 PM:
zotzabyte, it's not the job of the government to provide you with a
comfortable life. that's your responsibility. stop looking for handouts and
earn your living like a paulite... i mean normal person.

John,
No, it's not government's job to provide the sick, underage, elderly,
disabled, and dying with a comfortable life. It is, however, a choice that
all societies have to make, and one that history judges them and their
consciences by. How well societies treat those who are least capable of
defending and caring for themselves is, in large part, how your children and
future generations and societies will judge you and determine what they say
about the moral fiber, ethics, character, morals, level of understanding,
and social justice of contemporary American society.

Before you go off judging me as some drug-addled degenerate drouput and lazy who just doesn't want to work, consider that I used to be a VERY
conservative Republican, at least until the Religious Right hijacked the
party in 1988. I backed Ford, Reagan, and Bush 41. In '91 I became
disabled with a list of problems WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY longer than it's worth writing about or that I'm sure you even care about. It was
THEN that I finally saw the light, being on the other side of the coin, and
saw that Republicans don't care the least about other human beings. They
only care about people who are working about paying taxes. They are very
afraid that there may be some who aren't pulling their fair share, even if
they are sick, elderly, disabled, mentally ill, or homeless veterans.

They're the very same people today who literally walked on top of the sick
and dying in the streets of New York City in the 1920s and used their
walking sticks to poke them with (true true, read it in the history books).

So the question is not whether I am willing to work or not, the question is:
Do you and those like you have a soul, and a moral compass, and is there an
atom in your body that has the least bit of empathy at all for other human
beings? If you are a Christian, do you follow what it says on how to treat
society's sick, disabled, underage, and dying?

Maybe you didn't understand at first. I CAN'T work. I would if I could but
I can't. In case you don't understand that concept, re-read that.
What you need to understand is that there's a big difference between lazy,
shiftless, longhaired no-goods & malcontents panhandling for change on the
street and the genuinely disabled (and that's assuming you care a whit about
the disabled, which you've already incidated you do not).

Besides, if I did work, I would lose eligibility for the prescriptions and
medical care I need to keep me alive. Perhaps you don't want me to remain
alive though. Another thing to consider is that once we're on disability,
we're in a permanent trap under Social Security laws and unable to earn a way out of it. We are not allowed to have assets over $2,000. Assuming we are able to work and earn enough to support ourselves (the govt says that's about $500 per month[!]), we then lose not only our average $600 per month benefit amount, but our medical and prescription coverage too. All bank accounts have our Social Security number attached to it, and they check all bank accounts in the U.S. for our number, so there's no way to hide any assets if we were inclined to go that route. If we were capable of starting and running our own business (assuming we could get the money somewhere to do that), there would be no way to do so and continuing to receive medical care and prescriptions. So there really is no other option for us unless people donate to us, or the law is changed, thus my original question.

I suppose we could cheat the system, and I hear they do that in what I'd
refer to as "high-crime areas", but I have no idea how to do that since I
don't think like a criminal, and I have no desire to sell drugs either, so
that is also out.

You have no idea how disabled I am sitting on the other side of your computer, however if you could see me in person and knew my history, you'd know that it was my workaholism and working 110 hours a week that originally started off the long progression of disabling conditions. I would give anything to be able to have a normal life and job again. Even those things you take for granted or that seem like a pain are things I would love to have back... meeting other people, making friendships, conversing with other people, the interaction with people and co-workers, the feeling of accomplishing something, putting money away for a rainy day, planning for retirement, buying something nice once in a while, the whole struggle to get ahead, buying a second house, etc.,... those are all gifts that you probably don't even think about but which I would give anything to be able to have again.

Instead, I am housebound and bedbound 99% of the time. The amount of
physical pain I've been through is inconceivable to you. The best years of
my life are already gone. The friendships, travel, education, business,
cars, houses, opportunities, business associates, etc., are gifts to you
from life which I was never able to gain, and will never be able to.
My hopes and dreams and joie de'vivre are gone, and having only $600 per month to live on pretty much guarantees will never be gained in the future either.

Do you have hopes, dreams, and plans for the future?
We don't.
We can't. Think about that.
We are forgotten lives. Human beings that very few people care about, and
even less think about or are aware of. So if not for the government, we would either be dead or suffering in ways so far beyond your comprehension that it's not only impossible to put it into words, it would be impossible for you to comprehend even if we could. I know I couldn't have before all of my travails began. The levels of physical pain I have endured over the years make me scream and yell outloud in my sleep, and still do even though I'm on more painkillers than a terminal cancer patient. And that's just the physical pain, I won't bother you with the emotional pain it's caused. If you think reading this is a drag, you don't know how lucky you are simply to have your health and to be able to participate in life like everyone else. And you will probably never know either, not unless you get a chance to walk in my shoes someday or happen to know someone who became totally disabled at a young age.

Let's say a member of your family suddenly became disabled and could no
longer work, say they became a quadraplegic with very limited mobility,
bedridden the majority of the time, with high levels of chronic intractable
pain, and could operate a computer only by voice command. Would you say to them "Get a job!"?

Anyway, I live in a very conservative area in an important swing state, and I think your reply tells me everything I need to know about Paulists, thank you very much. So I guess I don't need to tell you I'll be voting for someone else in both the primary and general elections (I vote by absentee ballot since I can't make it out of the house, just in case you were wondering).

You know, it's funny... even when I was at my most conservative and rabidly Republican, I still, unlike you, believed in supporting the disabled.

[Paul]

"These Paulites believe the government has been hijacked by a bevy of big interests that threaten the freedoms of ordinary Americans. They're not going to take it anymore."

I'm sorry mate, but if you just can't see this yourself you're blind.

[tito bandito]

The truth is the truth people. Ron Paul is low in the numbers. We need to get more Registered Republicans to just listen to Ron Paul. The more you listen to him, the more he sounds like Ronald Regan.

We are starting to hit the doors here in Florida. We are going door to door to get more Republicans on board.

You need to be very respectful and look very conservative when meeting people.

Get your meetups in your towns to do the same. Hit the doors people! Get RP up in the polls and nominated!!

12/16/07 Make History!!

Go! Go! Go!

[Ray L]

Ron Paul won me over, if you read about him and do what is right, you will be won over also.

[James M. Briggs]

I-15 doesn't go to Mexico. It merges with I-5 approximately 15 miles north of the border.

(Thanks. Point is a major highway already connects all 3 countries and we're still the United States.)

[Keith]

Why is it that we gat less than half the news coverage of Mitt Romney yet beat him in every after debate poll sans SC and every straw poll sans Michigan ( I think) RRomney cheated in Iowea and there is video evidence of him cheating in Illinois and San diego. PEOPLE DON'T VOTE FOR SOMEONE THAT CHEATS AT A STRAW POLL!!!!

[Kenny]

John Reed,

I'm a disabled person, too. My condition list may not be as long as yours, but in fact, I've seen too many so called "disabled" people like myself who choose not to work simply because they choose to be lazy. Yes, that is the truth. Not everybody needs SSI. I used to get SSI when I was unemployed and still in school and now I have a full-time job with a decent income. I didn't need SSI back then but I got it because I could. Most of my peers had to work part time and they were annoyed I just sat back and earned $600 a month for doing nothing. The point is the Social Security system is broken.