The Pauls Aren't Liberterians, They Are State's Righters

[DemocratSinceBirth]

What's the difference if your freedom is abridged by the state or federal government?

[Ohio Joe]

1. The Pauls are douchebags - nt

[Auntie Bush]

2. +1000

[and-justice-for-all]

8. +1001..nt

[BiggJawn]

14. +1002

[Liberal Veteran]

3. When the state does it, it's ordained by Gawd. If the Feds do it, it unanerucab!

That's as near as I can tell from the libertarians.

[Yavin4]

4. That's True

Real Libertarians hate government intervention on any level.

[Igel]

5. Those would be anarchists.

I've never known a libertarian to be opposed to all government. Just most government, and the more centralized the government (without a damned good reason for the centralization) the more they oppose it. They want local control and fear the concentration of power that central control entails because such power tends to find new uses that they object to; greater power allows for greater abuse and greater consequences from policy error. They tend to think pretty poorly of most policy makers and figure that the policy makers will usually screw up because the policy makers aren't much better than the average citizen when push comes to shove.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. Who Decides How Much Government Is Enough?

Once you stipulate a certain amount of government is necessary to ensure order people will divide to as how much.

And what's the difference if Joe Six Pack wants to smoke crack and can't because his state prohibits it but the federal government is silent on the matter or prohibits it?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. I'm Not Crazy About Hiring Prostitutes Or Taking Meth

But what's the difference if the federal or state government prohibits me from participating in those activities.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

6. Ron Paul fits the Palaeoconservative mould

n/t

[Ter]

11. No he doesn't, that would be Pat Buchanan

Paul is a right-leaning Libertarian. Paleo's are similar on foreign policy and wars, but they are much, much more conservative on abortion, God, and gays. Paul is pro-life, but doesn't want it banned federally (state's decision). He says marriage should be between a man and a woman, but states can legalize it if they choose, and also recently voted to repeal DADT. Paleo's also are a bit more racist, talking about how their culture is superior.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

13. Respectfully disagree

Paul shares palaeocon leanings on immigration, GLBT issues, women's rights, abortion, death penalty and religion. His anti-free trade stance (protectionism) goes against the core beliefs of right-libertarianism, but is a traditional palaeocon stance.

Paul describes himself as a strict 'constitutionalist' which is pretty far away from right-libertarianism, but fits within the mould of a palaeocon.

[Ter]

15. I agree they are similar

Perhaps the word to describe Paul is a paleo-libertarian. I could be wrong, but on the death penalty, I think Paul opposes it. Pat I know loves it. As for religion, I don't see Paul being anymore pro-religion tan the average Republican, maybe less. On the other issues you mentioned, Paul is certainly to the right of a Democrat on those issues, but nowhere's near hard-right like a paleo-con is. Even Rick Santorum is far, far to the right of Paul on abortion and especially GLBT issues. Paul is slightly to the right of Obama on GLBT. He voted to repeal DADT. No paleo-con would vote for that. Imagine what Pat Buchanan would have done!

Saying that, they are very similar on other issues. Both scream NWO, both hate the Patriot Act, and are anti-war. Neither are supporters of Israel, although Pat openly blasts it more. Paul says they can do whatever they want, it's their business.

[modey3]

10. Ron Paul isn't a Libertarian

States Rights isn't apart of the Libertarian platform. That will never change. This is coming from a Libertarian. Right now, there is a debate within the Libertarian Party about how much government is necessary. Believer it or not there are Libertarians who believe in a regulated healthcare system or a single payer system.

[Ter]

12. They can call themselves what they like

You can't be a libertarian if you support government healthcare or gun control. Abortion is where there's some sway. Some will argue Roe vs. Wade should be overturned and let the states deal with it. Some say no law should stop a woman from getting one anywhere.

[modey3]

16. Not All Libertarians Are the Same

I know quite a few Libertarians who only believe in the Social Libertarianism and aren't sold on the Cato or Von Mises Institute part of the Libertarian Party Platform.