With each new stage of the campaign to the Republican nomination, Ron Paul has been tagged with a new label (sometimes multiple labels at the same time) Let’s take a look at some of the labels so far – Racist, Anti-Semite, Anti- Gay, Anti- American, Anti-Elderly, Anti-Environment, Isolationist, Anti-Military, “Fringe Candidate”, “CRAZY” – Yet he continues to gain strength and support.  Why?  The answer is very simple… they have yet to tag him with the correct label – which is that he is just “RIGHT”!

If you have not been paying attention to the race, or have just been looking at the faces, right now you are probably getting ready to stop reading, right?  I can relate, because a couple of months ago, I was in that same place.  Ron Paul is a long shot – not even a credible candidate, right?  Sure… until you listen to what he is saying.

The Wrong Labels

The majority of the labels Ron Paul has been tagged with have everything to with his stance that freedom demands responsibility, both personally and governmentally.  These labels also have to do with his unshakable belief in the rights of an individual to make decisions for themself. 

His views, beliefs and platform are shared by some of the most well-respected leaders and thinkers in history, and have been thoughts and ideas that have guided the majority of Americans for the past 200 years.  They are constitutional ideals, but have been twisted by the “mainstream” media and “establishment” of both parties.

Social Labels

Racist?

Ron Paul has been labeled a “Racist” for his stance to repeal affirmative action, believing that all people, regardless of color should take responsibility for themselves and stand on their own efforts and hard work.  There was another great thinker of the 20^th century who believed this same thing – Martin Luther King – whose famous quote stated his dream that one day the United States would be a place where his children would be:

“…judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character” – Martin Luther King – August 28, 1963 

The stance that Ron Paul has taken holds true that quote by the Reverend Martin Luther King.  Citizens should be judged on their actions and efforts, not pandered to or coddled due to the color of their skin.  

Anti-Semite?

He has been labeled as an “Anti-Semite” for his belief that the United States should end foreign aid to countries, including Israel.  Israel and these other countries have there own governments, economies, and military, and are capable of making decisions for themselves.  Moreover, these countries would benefit economically from the United States focusing on healing and strengthening our own economy.   Though we will always keep our unique and special relationship with Israel, Ron Paul’s stance would allow Israel and other countries to take responsibility for themselves, rather than being ’micro-managed’ by the United States.   One of the greatest Israeli leaders in history, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated the same thing directly to the United States Congress

“You don’t need to do nation building in Israel, we’re already built -You don’t need to export democracy to Israel, we’ve already got it -and you don’t need to send American troops to Israel… WE DEFEND OURSELVES! ” – Benjamin Netanyahu- May 24, 2011

Anti-Gay?

He has been labeled as “Anti-Gay” for both his support of the Protection of Marriage Act and for his belief that states should be able to determine for themselves and their own sovereignty whether marriage between same-sex couples is permissible.  His support of the Protection of Marriage Act is a direct expression of his personal beliefs – beliefs that the majorities of the people in his district are well aware of and continue to elect him on.  His vote is in keeping with his responsibility to his constituents. Moreover, his position that the individual states should be able to decide on their own regarding same-sex marriage is in the highest standards of his oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States as stated by the 10^th Amendment that -

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people”  – 10^th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

Anti-Environment?

Ron Paul has been labeled “Anti-Environment” since he would eliminate the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, allow for the expansion of offshore drilling while eliminating federal subsidizing of that drilling, allow for mining on federal lands, and has expressed doubts and concerns regarding the assumption of man-made global warming. Ron Paul has always been an unshakable proponent of state’s rights, and his stance would allow states to create their own environmental monitoring and protecting agencies – a much more effective way to quickly assess and address environmental concerns in a specific area.  By eliminating federal subsidies going towards offshore drilling companies, and removing the regulations and bureaucracy of that drilling, Ron Paul would encourage drilling companies to lower the cost of the oil, and reinvest in their own companies to innovate safer and more effective ways to drill.  By allowing the mining of federal lands, the United States would decrease its dependency on foreign energy sources, while helping to strengthen our own economy.  There is still much controversy surrounding man-made climate change, and Ron Paul’s stance is a scientific one – skepticism until proven.  He is not alone in that sentiment as demonstrated by the signers of the Oregon Petition

“There is no convincing evidence that human release of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases is causing, or will cause in the future, catastrophic heating of the Earth’s atmosphere or disruption of the Earth’s climate.” – Oregon Petition, from the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine, signed by over 17,000 international scientists including more than 2000 of the world’s leading climatologists, meteorologists and planetary/atmospheric scientists

I realize that if you have read thus far you are at least somewhat interested in this article.  Part 2 of this article will be posted within the next 2 days.  Quite frankly, there may end up being a ‘Part 3′ for this article if Ron Paul continues to be tagged with new labels… Keep Watch and check back for Part 2, or sign up for the Political Watchman below to get an email when we post new articles!