Praise of Ron Paul’s Budget Plan
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Sometimes when we go through our own transformations in life–a change of perspective or a change of opinion–we project that personal change we’ve gone through on to other people. Over the course of the last couple of years, I’ve went from being a fairly staunch conservative to being a libertarian for various reasons. As I’ve changed, I can’t help but to notice a change in other people as well. It’s almost as if there’s a mass exodus from neoconservativism to paleoconservatism or libertarianism.
I do realize that maybe I’m just projecting my own transformation on to others in general. Maybe there is no mass exodus. Maybe I’m the only who has changed and I’m just seeing libertarianism and similar views in other people because I’m now looking for them. However, I’m not so sure anymore.
I nearly spit a mouth full of coffee all over the place yesterday when I first heard the great Rush Limbaugh–neocon, adamantly Republican, war-supporting, crony capitalism-endorsing Rush Limbaugh–actually praise Ron Paul’s budget plan. Let’s be honest, Ron Paul is the only one with a real budget plan. I’ll link to it in the show notes but he’s got the numbers all there and he intends to drastically cut spending across the board. I know some of the other candidates talk about cutting spending in their daily rhetoric, but Ron Paul actually has a plan and you can read it for yourself. The numbers are fantastic.
Rush Limbaugh went out over the airwaves to millions of people and was actually honest about the sustainability of our current budget and, like I said, admitted Ron Paul is the only one with a real plan to do something about it. Here’s what he said.
I’ve got an article here from The New American which talks about the cheers and jeers Ron Paul’s budget plan has received.
For decades Paul has been arguing that federal spending must be slashed, and on Monday, October 17, he laid out just how he intends to do that if elected President in 2012: Eliminate agencies, end foreign aid, repeal reams of regulations, cut military spending, reduce the federal workforce, and freeze mandatory spending. His expected results: $1 trillion in immediate cuts, followed by a balanced budget in three years. “Bold” — the word most commonly used to describe Paul’s proposal — is, perhaps, an understatement.
Both supporters and detractors praised Paul for being specific in what he would cut.
Cincinnati’s Fox19 station, for instance, said Paul’s plan “is the only full budget plan proposed thus far that proposes balancing the budget with actual cuts. Not, using fuzzy math with ‘cuts’ in defense spending that wasn’t going to be spent.”
“The contrast between the so-called super committee’s goal and Paul’s plan shows how pathetic official Washington’s gestures of fiscal responsibility are,” observed Jacob Sullum. “Paul’s detailed numbers refute the myth that the budget cannot be balanced without raising taxes while challenging his opponents to put up or shut up.”Even Bloomberg, in an otherwise negative editorial, commended Paul for “commit[ting] real numbers to paper” and for being evenhanded in selecting which items to cut.
Observers also agreed that Paul’s budget plan is a shot across the bow of the other GOP candidates.
“Take that, slackers!” exclaimed the Christian Science Monitor. “We’re looking at you, Herman Cain and Mitt Romney. Paul’s pie charts are much tougher than yours.”
Let me skip down in the article.
Rush Limbaugh stunned himself and his audience by declaring, “Ron Paul has a good idea,” namely “genuine, big spending cuts” rather than “fooling around the margins.”
Likewise, National Review’s Kevin D. Williamson argued that Paul “does a real public service by reminding conservatives that, while we are rightly hesitant about radical proposals, tinkering around the edges is not going to get it done in the long term. The age of unpleasant choices is upon us.”
That last comment is absolutely right. We cannot go on spending like we have. We just can’t do it. I had a friend a few years ago that had to declare bankruptcy after a year of racking up credit card debt and continually taking out payday advance loans. That’s the state of our nation. We spend money we don’t have and we are continually paying interest on loans. Sorry, folks, but it just can’t go on forever. Someone has to step in, make some unpleasant decisions that will likely upset a whole lot of people, and get this country financially back on track. It has to be done.
Take a look at Ron Paul’s budget plan when you get a chance and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment on CandCShow.com or call the listener feedback line at 916-J-Sarber. 916-572-7237. Or better yet, join the “Black This Out” campaign. Have you heard about this? It’s a pro-Ron Paul movement that pokes fun at the fact the media has pretty much ignored the man. Ron Paul supporters are putting a black bar across their eyes on their Facebook, Twitter, and other profile pictures across the Internet. I actually went ahead and did it myself this afternoon.
I do want to add a quick disclaimer though. Obviously, I’m a Ron Paul supporter. But please understand, I do not live and die by the man. As a matter of fact, I’ve said repeatedly that I don’t believe the fate of the nation relies on any election. I think that’s a bit naive. But if you want more on that go listen to episode 60 or episode 72 of this podcast.
“Moral Foundations | 074 Coffee & Cigarettes” Transcript
Ron Paul’s Bold Budget Plan Draws Cheers, Jeers | The New American | 20 OCTOBER 2011
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/9442-ron-pauls-bold-budget-plan-draws-cheers-jeersRON PAUL “PLAN TO RESTORE AMERICA” | Ron Paul 2012
http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/ron-paul-plan-to-restore-america/
About The Author
Jeremy Sarber
I'm the pastor of one of the most blessed churches in all the world. I'm married to the most wonderful woman to walk the face of the earth. I'm host of possibly the most unconventional podcast on the Internet. I am thankful because I deserve none of it. Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Email
