When Did Liberty Become So Popular?

Freedom vs. Liberty Debate Divides the GOP

The concept of liberty is America’s best friend, but lately it has been under siege by a barrage of attacks from people that made “freedom fighting” and “Iraqi liberation” popular. Conservatives who touted the importance of the “patriotic duty of Americans” and “fighting the War on terror” for the sake of freedom have been dazed by an unlikely opponent.

2008 U.S. Elections - Liberty Matters

At some point in the political discussion, the feisty Texan Ron Paul entered the scene and shook up the establishment, if only for a moment. His days may be numbered if certain media outlets have their way, but it’s important to take a look at what the man symbolizes and how he helped awaken the liberty dragon that has been soundly sleeping for hundreds of years. Not since the days of our founding fathers has the message of liberty and freedom been so strong in the United States.

When is liberty dangerous?

Ann Althouse recently asked whether Ron Paul’s introduction into the political discourse is a good thing for government and whether Ron Paul’s stance is “dangerous.” The conclusion that some came up with was not surprising: They’re crazy, extremists, radical nut-jobs and therefore insignificant to the political discourse, please move along.

My Conclusion is very different, I guess that makes me a nut-job. It’s OK, I’ve been called much worse! It’s more dangerous to support government that errs on the side of security out of fear of the unknown than it is to push for government that errs on the side of liberty out of fear of the known.

Americans seeking Revolutionary Change

What pro-Bush Republicans do not recognize about Ron Paul and the rise of the libertarian thought, is that it’s not just the “freedom” message that has won people over, it’s so much more. What Ron Paul brings to the table is the idea of “real change”, not just a change of direction with our foreign policy and social spending.

His political philosophy is built on a foundation of reason rather than emotion. Ron Paul believes that our government has become our own worst enemy. Encouraging strong nationalism and even using fear tactics to achieve policy goals is now the norm in Washington. Congress is highly dysfunctional as a result.

Americans are angry with their poor leadership and broken government, frustrated by the scandals, and tired of promoting War. Some Americans would even take it a step further: radicals have exploited God and Country in order to achieve political goals and they must be stopped! The ‘neo-conservative’ wing of the GOP hijacked not only the party, but our government in the process. Their vision of America has fundamentally altered the way our nation functions and not everyone is on board with this brave new direction.

Big government is a poor solution to world problems, especially when the government is corrupted by politicians who disregard our Constitution

Ron Paul is unique on the GOP side because of his anti-War stance and his interest in preserving civil liberties. In my view, Ron Paul gives Americans hope that the GOP has not lost all grip on reality. I’d take it a step further: Ron Paul’s anti-War stance and his message on promoting liberty has given Americans a reason NOT to hate the GOP.

The Ron Paul movement isn’t about Ron Paul at all! Ron Paul provides a solution for a number of Americans who do not feel a connection with the establishment. His candidacy has become a vehicle for a strong movement that will counter the pro-War and fascist-thinking establishment. Aside from traditional libertarians and Democrats who enjoy seeing the GOP squirm, below are examples of the kind of Americans that have become enamored by Ron Paul’s “crazy” movement:

1. Apathetic Americans who are strongly against the War. Believe it or not, there are many Americans that still don’t care about government, but they know in their hearts that War is a bad idea and believe generally that Government is evil.
2. Liberals who believe freedom is the hallmark of our nation and insist it must be preserved at all costs. (e.g. ACLU card-holders)
3. Individuals who believe government is bloated and the GOP has “lost its way”.
4. Americans that believe government is corrupt and not interested in doing good unless it involves helping corporations make money.
5. Americans who believe corporatism has served to destroy government as a function of “the people” and both Democrats and Republicans have fallen in love with big government.

The reasons for supporting a libertarian or anti-Establishment candidate are not overly complicated. As Ron Paul has said in the past, “the message of Freedom resonates well with the people.”

“Freedom Sells” and Evil Must Be Reigned In

The neo-conservative movement is losing its grip on the GOP. Many of its supporters feel threatened by individuals who support a nation inconsistent with their values.

This crop of conservatives are quick to call dissenters “un-American,” but the truth is that most people just want government to get out of their lives. We aren’t looking to pick a fight, but if that’s what it takes to take “BIG BROTHER” down, then a fight is what you’ll get. Whether you agree with libertarian thinking or not, you have to admit that big brother is becoming a problem. He is big and fat and out of control!

“Republicans have lost their way”

This is one area where I strongly agree with Ron Paul.

The Republican party used to stand for something very different than it does now. Conservatism used to be more commonly associated with “limited government” and efficient and proper spending. The landmark political battles of the past had to do with whether social spending was getting out of control and even the neo-con movement simply was about providing for the nation’s defense.

The idea of accepting wars of aggression to “combat terrorism,” using torture as a legitimate interrogation tactic — even outside the scope of the Jack Bauer scenario, and fighting for the “freedom” of others when we choose to deny it at home is unacceptable to many Americans.

After Bush took office, everything that we knew about the GOP’s values turned out to be fraudulent. The way non-partisan Republicans see it, is that the GOP had power and happily abused it. Republicans showed no restraint under President Bush and they acted as a rubber stamping Congress — something you should now expect from the incoming crop of Democrats. In their private lives, let’s just say that Republicans don’t seem to practice what they preach! (tapping toes, pimping hoes, big brother)

Corrupt government has turned Americans sour and angry.

Only a decade ago, the GOP had the opportunity to change the United States forever. To a certain extent (because of court appointments and 9/11) permanent change has been achieved. That said, the sky was the limit for the GOP and the party blew it!

There are some ardent GOP supporters that would argue “America would never elect a Democratic president, unless they want to see their kids blown up by terrorists.” They say it with a straight face and therein lies the problem with the 21st century edition of the Republican party. There is a blind faith in this ‘way of thinking’ that is now threatened by a ‘better way of thinking’.

What’s the solution to this perceived problem?

Libertarians and some Democrats know that turning the government over to Democrats isn’t going to achieve anything other than maybe ending the war sooner. Ending the war, or at least the likelihood of doing so sooner, will be the issue that turns the government over to the Democrats. Many GOP supporters will go down with the ship because they continue holding out hope that 2008 will NOT be a referendum on the Iraq War.

Because politics is highly polarized, the extremes are convinced that their party will win the 2008 election, but only one side has momentum going for it right now and the other is oblivious to it. Like in 2006, one party will be caught sleeping at the wheel and it’ll be too late for Republicans once they snap out of their slumber.

Democrats will have full control of our government in 2008

People who turn to Ron Paul are cognizant of the Republican decline and they aren’t interested in seeing Democrats take full control of government. Democrats will likely abuse government the way Republicans did and there is little that can be done about it at this point. It comes down to choosing the lesser of two evils: Support an unjust war by sending our soldiers (uncles, cousins, kids and friends) off to die in order to help “liberate” Iraqi citizens OR sooner end the war and risk Democrats overspending on programs like Health Care, Education, and Porous borders.

Republicans underestimate war fatigue in America

Many Americans would rather see their property destroyed by terrorists than have government in the hands of people who pander to corporations and encourage big government, restricted liberties and invasions of privacy. I myself would rather die in a terrorist attack than have my liberty stripped away from me by my own government, and I’m not alone.

The biggest threat to freedom is a government that is corrupt and uses fear to achieve policy goals. To submit to a terrorist-like government in order to defend against a terrorist organization (Al Qaida) is cowardly and NOT the American way.

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Fred Soto is an Attorney and Entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley.
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