The Cult of Ron Paul

As I drove by Northpark Mall last night on my way home I passed a small group of Ron Paul supporters waving signs and generally having a good time showing their support for Mr. Paul.  The fact that the Texas primary isn't for a couple of months didn't seem to matter to them.  I have seen them there before and I have to wonder what they are hoping to accomplish?

Ron Paul, who is more a libertarian than a Republican, is a perennial candidate for President.  He began his quest running on the Libertarian ticket in 1988. He ran again as a Republican in 2008 and is currently in the race for the nomination in 2012, though he is overshadowed by the two front runners Gingrich and Romney.

From a policy standpoint, Paul is pretty extreme, especially when it comes to social issues.  He believe s a fetus should have all the rights of an individual from the moment of conception.  He is notoriously blunt when it comes to matters like sexual harassment.  Mr Paul says in one of his books, "Why don't they quit once the so-called harassment starts? Obviously the morals of the harasser cannot be defended, but how can the harassee escape some responsibility for the problem? Seeking protection under civil rights legislation is hardily acceptable."   I suppose he doesn;t understand that some people who are harassed need to keep working to support their family, pay bills etc.

He has a weird idea of monetary policy that consists of abolishing the federal reserve and returning to something akin to the gold standard.   Nice idea but about 100 years too late.

I feel pretty sure I will be attacked by Paul supporters for saying anything about him that smacks of calling hims a fringe candidate, but so be it. 

Paul supporters have all the trademarks of Ayn Rand fans.  They believe in the absolute power of laissez-faire capitalism and ignore the fact that that particular idea is what got us the housing bubble and current financial crisis.  Laissez-faire capitalism is pretty much where China is today, with the singular exception of free elections.

These folks seem very driven, so I am surprised that they can't seem to muster sufficient support for Paul to win a nomination. I admire their optimism, but I just worry about their blind devotion.

OK Let the flaming begin. 

Santorum Gives Up On Florida

Seeing the handwriting on the wall, Rick "Frothy Mix" Santorum has left the Sunshine State for the cooler climate of his home.  Seeing an inevitable loss to either Gingrich or Romney, Santorum has decided to pull up stakes in Florida and save his meager campaign chest for future primaries.

His next best shot at the nomination will come in Arizona and Michigan which hold primaries at the end of February.  My guess is he will call it quits before then.  His lagging poll numbers and dwindling funds make his victory very much a long shot.  Even with the backing of the evangelicals and a few remaining Tea Party folks, Santorum's campaign looks pallid and on the verge of collapse.

Santorum Says Gays Don't Have Equal Rights "Because they are not healthy for society"

Why do I get the feeling Rick "Frothy Mix" Santorum would be a strong supporter of Eugenics? 

In a recent public appearance he told a woman who asked why her gay son didn't have the same rights as every other American, that certain rights are reserved for people who perform activities that are "healthy for society."

 "There are certain things that government does that gives people privileges in order to promote activity that are healthy for society and are best for society, and those things we promote would give people advantages or benefits, government benefits because we think that is healthy activity. Mothers and fathers coming together, forming healthy marriages, having children and raising those children. Every American child has the right, and the government should support the right to have and know their mother and father and be raised by their mother and father."

I suspect if a bill ever came before Congress to sterilize "undesirables", Santorum would be leading the charge.  This kind of thinking is outdated and frankly un-American.  The idea that LGBT people are "unhealthy" is groundless and just plain bigotry.  Enough said.

Hate-Filled Pastor, "God hates soft men"

Sometimes people get so angry they almost become comical, almost.  Take the case of Rrv. Ken Hutcherson of Kirkland, Washington.  He doesn't like "the gays" and has said so many times.  He even calls on his god to justify this hatred.  "God hates soft men", said the football star turned pastor. Just so his congregation didn't mistake his meaning he went on to say, "If I was in a drugstore and some guy opened the door for me, I'd rip his arm off and beat him with the wet end."

Nice!

The reason this hate-filled Reverend has come to the forefront is the pending legislation for Same-sex marriage in Washington state.  Speaking about the state's governor,Christine Gregoire, Hutcherson compared her to the man who assassinated Lincoln.

"She might as well change her name to John Wilkes Booth because what she’s doing now is trying to put a bullet in the head of one of the greatest traditions that has ever existed and has built our society, and that is marriage between one man and one woman."

This kind of blind hatred and overheated rhetoric is a disgrace to the teachings of Jesus and I am appalled that this guy claims to be speaking for God.

I guess the extravagant grace of God can extend to him as well, but I wonder if he will be able to understand it.