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Many American voters who maintain allegiance to the Republican Party and who hold traditional "conservative values" are upset and disheartened with the recent ascendancy of Arizona Senator John McCain (R-AZ) towards Republican nomination. I understand and sympathize with their frustration and despair. I find many of McCain's positions unpalatable and, though Huckabee is great on the moral issues, I dislike his big-government spending and support for the Iraq war.
Faced with a likely contest between McCain and Illinois Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), rudderless Republicans are jumping like rats off the sinking Republican ship, grabbing pieces of flotsam and jetsam to stay afloat, drifting around the political sea, and searching for more trustworthy ships to hang their hats on. Some have decided not to vote at all in the November general election. Some others will vote for Obama, perhaps a few will pull the lever for Ralph Nader. An increasing number of others have decided to go into the shipbuilding business themselves: write your preferred candidate on the ballot, who has too little corporate backing or media attention to win election, but who stands for your values and will keep building on such grassroots support until he can eventually set sail himself.
This is what I have decided to do: completely disregard the candidates' chances of winning election, search the entire field (at Project Vote Smart), and vote for the candidate who best represents me on the issues.
As a Catholic who was raised a traditionally-minded Republican and am now an independent who despises the corrupt two-party system, I believe that Dr. Ron Paul is the only true Republican running for the presidency. When I wrote a piece on the two-party system last June, I did not even know who Ron Paul was. I have since found out much about him through the Internet, and I am very impressed. He actually has not dropped out, and I commend his willingness to stick with the campaign in spite of obstacles from the Washington mega-corporate media establishment and a resulting paucity of delegates.
–The most important issue facing the US today is not terrorism, but abortion. As many innocent people as died on 9/11 are killed every day, legally–one million a year.–
I would encourage all American voters who identify as Republicans and/or conservatives to take a good look at Ron Paul. He is the only candidate who is pro-life, 100 percent. He is the only candidate Gun Owners of America rates 100 percent. He is the only candidate who plans to abolish the Federal Reserve and personal income taxes. His campaign has received more donations from active-duty members of the US Army, Navy and Air Force than McCain, Huckabee, Clinton and Obama put together (see Ron Paul's blog). He plans to secure the border and bring intelligent immigration reform. He encourages home schooling and opposes No Child Left Behind as a wasteful federal program. He opposes the enormously costly Iraq war (as I, Senator Brownback, and many Republicans now do). Finally, the aged Barry Goldwater has endorsed Ron Paul for president.
I disagree with Paul on eliminating foreign aid and withdrawing from the UN, but I agree with him on almost everything else.
The Republican Party is finished unless it unites behind a genuine candidate such as Ron Paul. Continuing to throw its support behind the "most electable, least objectionable," "lesser of two evils" candidate will get it nowhere. It is a firm, unwavering commitment to principles that attracts the American people, especially the younger generation. Without a return to principle, the party will shrink and wither.
Lately I've been wishing that Dr. Paul would run as a third party candidate, since he certainly could do that if he desired. However, I respect and have come to accept his commitment to the Republican Party and his refusal to give ground to big-government pseudo-Republicans.
If his health remains good, Dr. Paul can use the next four years to continue gathering support and campaigning for the presidency on the Internet. In 2012, his chances for winning the Republican nomination could be significantly improved.
I know it is difficult to vote for someone whom you know is not going to win the presidency, but believe me, your conscience will thank you–the sense of accomplishment is tremendous. I did it alone in November 2004, and now my Dad, Mom, sister and some friends are all going to vote for Ron Paul next week in the March 4, 2008 Ohio primary election.
Vote Ron Paul!
