I’m not endorsing any political agenda or campaign, I don’t look to the political system as the solution to many of our problems at all and, as a rule, I am strongly of the opinion that we need fewer rules and regulations, not more. But I really can’t find anything wrong with this:
Introducing the American Traveler Dignity Act
I warned at the time of the creation of the TSA that an unaccountable government entity in control of airport security would provide neither security nor defend our basic freedom to travel. Yet the vast majority of both Republicans and Democrats then in Congress willingly voted to create another unaccountable, bullying agency– in a simple-minded and unprincipled attempt to appease public passion in the wake of 9-11.
…The solution to the need for security at US airports is not a government bureaucracy.
Yes, Mr. Paul is a politician. But methinks he might actually be a pretty decent human being as well. None of the others that I am aware of on either side are speaking the truth – or have a record of doing so – about these things.
Even with authentic, trustworthy leadership, though, we cannot shirk our individual responsibility as ordinary citizens to protect and preserve our own rights and liberty. What do you all think – can we find trustworthy representation and leadership anywhere within the political sector today?
if there were more politicians like Mr. paul, the USA would be a friendlier place to live.
And.. we wouldn’t have the TSA grabbing our ass before we got on a plane and hear, “We are the gov’t, we can grab what we want serf”
Mr. Paul, How about a new job in NYC. We have idiots representing us.
Politicians are intrinsically incapable of resolving any problems. I resonate with opinions that oppose implementing even more regulations to counteract the overkill we have now. The encroachment of corporate statehood is mind boggling.
Here’s a recent video of Ron Paul speaking to the House of Reps on the issue. I find it less than encouraging though that he seems to be the only person speaking on behalf of Americans. It’s almost as if he is allowed to stay in Washington so the public will think they have someone in their corner.
I wish we had more people in Congress who conduct themselves the way Ron Paul conducts himself. But to be honest, I wonder just how effective he is. He has introduced hundreds of bills over his Congressional career but only one (audit the Fed) ever developed any momentum.
At the moment (just before Christmas) I see a number of bills being introduced. Why? That just gives the pols an opportunity to earmark them and add to the paper and then when they get sufficiently thick provide an excuse to not read it.
There should be only ONE bill – that politicians and their families have to live by the same laws and rules they make for the rest of us to live under. Would these procedures exist if Hillary and her precious darling daughter, or Laura and her precious darling daughters, or Michelle and her precious darling daughters had to go through this kind of scrutiny every time they traveled?
I have to agree that the politicians will not get to the crux of the matter. We the people are going to have to solve this problem by resistance.
I think that’s true, Susan, and on that note I do believe Ron Paul is quite effective. He may not get much traction on a lot of the bills he introduces in the Congress, but he has steadily been connecting with the hearts and minds of regular people for years. In that arena, his influence is gaining momentum, and really that’s where it matters most anyway. The political process is not the solution – we need less legislation, not more. Sometimes I think he introduces all those bills to draw attention to the issues more than anything. Even if he got anything through, the system would adapt and find other channels to press ahead with its expansive agenda – if the Constitution itself can’t limit the government, no bill Ron Paul introduces will either. It’s all about hearts and minds and I suspect he might actually understand that, which would make him a very rare breed of statesman.
Michael, I never thought of Ron Paul that way, LOL, so if he is winning our hearts and minds that would in a way make him the “Princess Diana of the U.S. Constitution.”
I have supported his Texas Congressional campaigns for more years than I can remember. I leafletted precincts for him here in California before the 2008 primary, and I would do it for him again. I did wince at some of his campaign literature, though. Reading it gave some people a MEGO (my eyes glaze over) reaction; it really wasn’t tailored for people with the attention span of a five year old, which is what most of us are like these days. He will be taking over the subcommittee on monetary policy, which is a great thing.
Yes, that is a great thing – and it’ll be a major test of his true mettle. I do think he’s a good man, but I wonder whether it’s even possible for anyone to be a good politician.
It’s funny, I was just talking with someone about that MEGO problem myself. There seems to come a point when, if you pay too much attention to too many things, you lose touch with the world around you. Most people don’t pay that much attention. Weren’t you the one, Susan, saying something about bread and circuses? I find four minute sound bites on CNN to be extremely difficult – 40 page rants are more up my alley. But, again, there’s that MEGO thing! Master the sound bite, and you can become President of the United states and/or write a bestseller. Otherwise, you can blog.