As
Ron Paul's 2012 Presidential bid is drawing to a close, his
supporters are struggling with the disappointment of defeat coupled
with his son Rand's endorsement of Mitt Romney. It's been difficult
and confusing for those who have invested their time, sweat, and
money; but there are many reasons to be optimistic.
Ron
Paul will send hundreds of delegates to Tampa for the Republican
National Convention. They will have considerable power to shape the
Republican Party platform, and they will make plenty of noise.
Liberty minded citizens have taken over many state and local
Republican Party committees and leadership positions, establishment
politicians like Richard Lugar are being picked off, and the Liberty
message has become a regular part of political discourse in America.
Granted,
this Revolution may not be exactly what they've been hoping for, but
it is a Revolution nonetheless. Ron Paul and his supporters have
changed the political landscape dramatically, and for many years to
come. However, this is no time for them to rest on their laurels. In
order to be fully successful, the Liberty movement must recognize
current reality, regroup, and redouble its efforts; and as hard as it
may be to stomach, an Obama victory in November may provide the best
opportunity to realize that success.
This
theory is based on the very likely scenario that our economy will
either not improve, continue on its downward path, or take a dive
that will make the last crash look like a pimple on a penguin. Given
the unsustainable debt, the European
financial crisis, and the fact that neither production nor savings
are showing any significant signs of improvement, this is not just
speculation.
According
to Peter Schiff, “It's
a 100 percent chance.” That's a pretty bold prediction, but Schiff
has made some pretty bold predictions in the past, and has been spot
on! He
correctly predicted every major economic event in recent history,
including the dot-com bubble, the housing bubble and crash, and the
2008 financial crash.1
Schiff
is not alone in thinking that 2013 or 2014 will see the next big
economic turndown. Investor Jim Rogers, who also warned us of the
last crash, agrees. “If you are not worried about 2013, please get
worried.”
2
Now
here's the rub. Whoever is the next President will take the blame for
the crash in the eyes of the media and the general public. More
importantly, the perceived economic philosophy of that President will
be blamed. Regardless of reality, either capitalism will be seen as
the culprit; or socialism will be seen as the culprit.
There
will be no perceived nuances about the cause of the crash. Crisis
produces extremes. Self preservation in the face of crisis causes
people to circle the wagons, joining with people and ideas with which
they agree. This effect will only be amplified by people's natural
tendency, even under normal circumstances, to seek information that
they agree with.3
To make matters worse, the very structure of the Internet, especially
social networking sites, keeps contrary ideas in the background.
The
Internet is building a bubble of "yes men" around you.
For instance, everyone's favorite social networking site, Facebook,
is filtering your friends according to how much you agree with them.
It's not some crazy conspiracy theory, it's a computer algorithm.4
So
let me repeat (in bold). The
perceived economic philosophy of the President who presides over the
crash will be blamed for the crash.
If
Romney presides over the next crash, capitalism will be the villain.
The drumbeat will be loud and clear for MORE government, more
regulation, more stimulus, more money printing, and more debt. It
will be a major blow to the Liberty movement and to Freedom itself,
and increased statism will be the inevitable result.
On
the other hand, if Obama presides over the next crash, socialism will
be blamed, and the reaction will be against statism. The message of
reduced governmental spending, regulation, and debt will be
legitimized and amplified; and those who have been beating the
Liberty drum will be in a position to put their ideas into action
with increased public support.
The
already increased influence and infiltration of Ron Paul supporters
into Federal, state, and local governments, as well as the GOP party
apparatus, will provide a springboard for their vision of a peaceful, free, and prosperous society.
Other
factors could play into the Paulista's hands as well. A war with
Iran, revelations from a Fed audit, increased drone surveillance,
attacks on Internet freedom, and the European financial crisis are
just a few examples of wild cards that could showcase the benefits of
a Paulean philosophy.
So
should Ron Paul supporters vote for Obama? The answer to that question resides in the image to the left. Should Ron Paul supporters vote for Romney? The answer is a
resounding “No!” The Liberty movement has nothing to gain, and
everything to lose with a Romney Presidency.
I
realize that the thought of a second Obama term will be a hard thing
for Paul supporters to stomach, but I suggest that they write in Ron
Paul or vote for Gary Johnson, hope for an Obama victory in November,
keep a bucket nearby, and continue working to further
the cause of Liberty.
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I agree and well said!
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