What we're watching

With the Republican "debates" in full swing on the mega-network cable "news" networks, I asked my wife if she'd care to watch. I got a resounding "No!" as she surfed to the Australian Open Tennis matches. I went to the small tv to switch to "Comedy Central." So we both watched our favorite shows, rather than the Republican standup comedians. Why? Because the candidates claw each other rather than offering detailed plans for changing our defunct and out-of-control money driven, corporate run political system.

However, I couldn't resist. Watching the Pillsbury Doughboy, the Rich Kid from Boston, or the escapee from the cuckoo's nest, Santorum, and the grand old man from Texas, I had to wonder, what could happen if one of these guys actually won the White House in 2012?

The escapee would want bigger evangelical government, stop abortions, and re-introduce the Defense of Marriage Act. (These are problems which need immediate attention?) The Doughboy would write so many executive orders on his first day in the Oval Office, the paper flurry would boggle all agencies. And, blockbuster bombs would inundate Iran, followed by an Arab uprising that would make the Egyptian Tahir Square look like a Sunday picnic in the park. The Rich Man would have to call his friend Bibi in Tel Aviv to see what he should do next.

And the old man that the pundits and moderators ignore? Ron Paul? His candidacy is based on issues, not sound bites. He is actually, sometimes not gently, tugging the other candidates toward his positions, and amassing delegates to shape the Party platform come August. He is the only challenger with the true vision of a smaller government.

Unlike the three flip-floppers, who speak out of both sides of their mouths, Paul has a long, consistent record in Congress, all in protest of the current shape of the government and the malicious defamation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

An current outline of his campaign platform can be seen at
www.ronpaul2012.com

Ron Paul's time has come in light of the unpopularity of the Afghan and Iraq wars. Federal spending now in the TRILLIONS was driven by the wars, Medicade drug program and the reaction to the "too big to fail" bank bailouts. The Republican House Budget Plan by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis, stands at 4.7 TRILLION, while Paul, if elected, would reduce spending in his first year to 1 TRILLION. Paul would phase out the current income tax system, replacing the income, capital gains and death taxes with a flat tax. He would veto any unbalanced budget that Congress passes. He promises to stop the foreign adventurism he says costs 1 trillion a year by cutting committments where we have deployed military forces in 135 nations abroad. He would wage no war without Congressional declaration. The savings in foreign aid payouts would go to restoring Social Security, and transition it to a system of private savings protected from government mandates. He would do away with the "unconstitutional Patriot Act" he says is misnamed and misleading.

It doesn't take a PhD to see Paul's positions appeal not only to the young, but to senior citizens on either side of the political spectrum.

Just imagine: Audit the Fed? End the wars? End Patriot Act snooping? Get government out of our bedrooms? Conservative or mainstream ideas?

If Paul wins, the Bachmann's, Palin's, Perry's, Cain's, McCain's, Gingrich's, et al, might gain admittance to the Cuckoo's Nest, or at best, a spot on late night comedy central's Improv stage.