This describes my feelings right now:
A bit torn on Ron Paul. After doing a little more self-educating on the candidates I'm now on the line between Paul and Huckabee. If you'd like to try to sway me in either direction, feel free to voice your opinions in the comments.
I went to the local Republican forum today. I had never been to one before but it was pretty much how I expected it to be. Romney's table had cookies and brownies. McCain didn't have a table at all, just 3 or 4 people standing behind signs. Paul had a bunch of hippies and face painting. Huckabee's table was perhaps, no, make that exactly, how a campaign would be presented in a Hollywood movie, complete with small children running around with his bumper stickers on their clothes. Giuliani and Thompson both had a very subtle presence.
The hippies scared me away from Paul's table and in the end I left with about 10 Huckabee bumper stickers and we currently have a Huckabee sign in our yard.
My mom and cousin.
Welcome. I am Huckabee supporter and If you have any questions I will try to answer them. I blog a good bit on him so fire away. As any candiadte They rarely line up with me 100 percent. MIke is no exception which is fo course a good thing because I can't start beliving I am the KNOW ALL of how things should be run. But on 90 percent of things andmy core convictions Mike I think is pretty great.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, fire away
I guess you're welcoming me to being a Huckabee supporter and not welcoming me to my own blog, lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm definitely going to check out your blog and I'll let you know if I have any questions.
I'm curious as to what things you disagree with Huckabee on, if you don't mind sharing.
I remember taking an English 102 class where we were discussing the importance of being specific in our terminology, in regards to writing essays and speeches. The professor mentioned that politicians love being vague in their words, so as to appeal to a broader audience. For example, a politician could say, "I believe in education. I believe in a healthy economy. I believe in prosperity for our country," without ever explaining what that means or how to go about reaching that. Ever since that class, I've always been weary of that aspect when politicians talk. It's especially poignant this year when sound bytes rule the airwaves.
ReplyDeleteSo when I see Dr. Paul explain precisely the problems that our country faces, namely the devaluation of the dollar and the threat to our civil liberties, and when he proposes that our government needs to dramatically reduce in size and scope, I pay attention. Now, it's one thing to talk and another thing to put your money where your mouth is. So I look at his 10+ year record in Congress and the specific resolutions he has suggested, I'm impressed once again. The Ron Paul issues page is a great resource to read Dr. Paul's writings.
At the heart of Dr. Paul's message is the idea that to fix our nation's problems what we don't need is more government intrusion, especially at the federal level. What we need is our liberties and the ability to take care of ourselves and the responsibilities that come with that. Everyone can benefit from that: students, grandparents, hippies, and the rest of the scope that makes up our country.
When Big Government gets involved, those liberties are threatened at the point of a gun, even if they think the laws they propose are good for you. In the end, who is the best judge of how you live your life? Some politician in Washington? Or yourself?
That's what I believe Dr. Paul is fighting for.
Ok things I disagree with Governor Huckabee on
ReplyDeleteI guess his talk of signing a nationwide smoking ban does not thrill me. What does that mean? Pipes, Cigars? Many of his supports I think kind of draw back on that one for Federalism reasons etc and sort of overreaching. I can see numerous problems with it. So that is one
I am a tad more moderate on the illegal immigration issue than some Republicans. I want strong borders, kno wwho is here and such. However I was not thrilled with some of the rethoric coming out. Mainly I am concerned about seperating families and such. Huckabee has moved a tad righ on that for my taste but in the end a compromise will have to be done.
I like his Fair Tax idea even though I am not compeletly sold on it yet. However a good dicusion could take place. I would like to hear what he has planned in the very likely possibiility that it will not pass
ON the whole that is it. I am impressed with his views and I was very impressed with how he governed Arkansas. A state that is a lot more complicated to govern than many people know
JH
LOuisiana
David, I definitely agree with being specific and I do like that about Paul. I think it's his idea of less government that scares me though. While I agree we don't need more government intrusion, I don't think we need so much less either. Also, while I absolutely would love to have option to opt out of social security (since those are age won't get anything back from it anyway) in favor of making investments for myself, many (dare I say most?) will not do that, they will waste their money and then we'll have bigger problems with welfare than we do now. Some people (you and I included) can handle the responsibility of making our own decisions when it comes to thing like this (and I'll throw educational decisions in there as well) , but I'm fearful of an America where most citizens cannot do this. Have you seen the movie "Idiocracy"?
ReplyDeleteJH, thank you for sharing. I think I'm probably on the same page as you when it comes to the immigration situation, though I haven't done much research on Huckabee's views on the issue.
And I think I'm actually in favor of the smoking ban.
So while I like many of Paul's ideas, I just don't see them working or at least not quickly by any means. I think ideas so "revolutionary" would take 10-20 years to play out. Right now I'm for Huckabee, that could change of course, though I don't see it changing before the primary; if Paul happens to become our Republican nominee however, I will definitely cast my vote for him, though I'm fairly certain I'll vote Republican no matter who the nominee turns out to be.
Why do we need a national law banning smoking in public places?
ReplyDeleteSame reason as for the other laws against poisoning people. I'm a big fan of the 18th amendment too, so this could start a whole other topic.
ReplyDeleteI'm for whomever will not deport my dad,my brothers and sisters and my stepmom.
ReplyDeleteWhich looks to either be Obama or Clinton at this point.
All the republicans are looking towards some strict immigration tactics and as a mexican...i can't agree.
Especially since I crossed the river and the border 20 years ago.
Now legal.
But Then again, maybe Huck (with Chuck Norris's approval) wills sway me or maybe Ron Paul will give me a gun. I like guns.
Well I know there is a lot of young people that support Ron Paul but there are a lot of older people that support him too. I'm almost 50, a veteran, Married for 26 yrs, Father of 2, Grandfather of 1. I look into the reality of trading 1 tax for another as a cop-out. What we need to do is stop the bleeding of our countries finances going to support other nations while we do without here. We have serious issues before us and what we decide today will impact our children's and grand-children's future. It is irresponsible to pass a debt on to our children when they have no voice to speak for them. Its time to put the needs of our own ahead of the desires of others. Ron Paul is good for the citizens and good for business. His plan will reduce the nation debt, provide benefits for those that are dependent on government without devaluing the dollar, and allow free markets to expand. No one can understand how his plan works by listening to a small sound bite. You need to do this for yourself. If you do this you will not have a problem with your decision. Its all up to how much you put in to educating yourself on the issues. Ron Paul is not going to blow smoke your way. I have found him to be the most honest, trustworthy, statesman like individual running. In case you have not noticed he does not slam the other candidates like some of the others have. He talks facts and issues with a track record that is unmatched by the rest. Good Luck and may God Bless you in this difficult decision.
ReplyDeleteIf we don't do what Dr. Paul advocates the welfare state and Social security will collapse and then no one will have any benefits. Even if it takes 10 or more years for his plan to fully work hadn't we better start now? What is the benefit of waiting?
ReplyDeleteI urge you to research Huckabee's track record. When choosing a candidate one thing that has always made my decision is; does the rhetoric match the record. When it comes to this of all the candidates one man stands alone Dr. Ron Paul! No one in modern times has the exemplary record of doing what he says he will, all the rest pale in comparison.
Wow, all of a sudden 4 new comments on a post that's 3 weeks old, and all from Ron Paul supporters. (I only approved 2 as the other 2 were just links telling me to "look at this," if you aren't a bait and switch don't dress up like one).
ReplyDeleteFirst, don't assume I'm not educating myself (reference: "No one can understand how his plan works by listening to a small sound bite." What are you talking about?). Just because I'm leaning a different way than you doesn't necessarily mean I'm leaning the wrong way and I'm not going to tell you that you are either. From these last two posts I gather that both of you are making your decision base on your personal ideals which may be very different from mine.
Please, if you want to share your opinion on why you're voting for a certain candidate, do so. Tell me why, tell me what your requirements are and how you believe he will fulfill them. Don't tell me to research it, I already am.
Honestly, I have 2 days until I vote in the primary and I'm still uncertain who I'm going to vote for. FairTax is the main fault I find with Huckabee, because I don't think it's fair in the least. Doesn't Paul support it as well?
To give a little more insight into how I choose who to vote for, I'll say this: I don't. I don't choose who to vote for so much as I choose who not to vote for; I pick the lesser of the evils. Romney still has a chance to get my vote, if it weren't for his stance on abortion ("against abortion except"), he would have it.
[...] all of a sudden 4 new comments on a post that’s 3 weeks old, and all from Ron Paul supporters. (I only approved 2 as the other 2 were just [...]
ReplyDeleteIf you have researched Huckabees track record like you say then you will know what he is saying now doesn't match his record, it has changed like most politicians. So even if you like what your hearing how can you trust him to stick to it?
ReplyDeleteNo Ron Paul does not support the Fair Tax because it adds a 23 percent national sales tax for starters. He supports zero income tax , cutting spending and changing our monetary system to sound money which is the root of all our problems. Again if you had done your research as you claim you would know this. I am not trying to chastise you here just wondering why you wouldn't know this.
As for why I am voting for Ron Paul first and foremost is his proven record of honesty and Integrity. He is the only one who understands the the economic issues and has a plan to fix it. He was just endorsed by to prominent economist recently which you can read on his website.
Also he is the only candidate addressing the issue of our civil liberties we now have warrantless searches, loss of habeas corpus, secret imprisonment, government spying, sneak and peak searches without our knowledge etc. in the name of fighting terrorism. These are blatantly unconstitutional and very dangerous precedent if we let them stand.
I also have teenage sons 19 and 16 I don't want them off fighting no win political wars for oil and profiteering. The rabbit hole goes much deeper then most people realize but the things I mentioned are righ there for all to see. All the other candidates offer the same things with little if an change despite what they say. Dr. Ron Paul is the only one offering real change and the only one we can trust to do as he says based on his record of doing that for 30 years!