Is there a cult of personality being developed around Ron Paul?

I used to be a Ron Paul fanboy. I was so thrilled with him. I was like, finally some politician is telling the TRUTH! I was interested in what he said and the like but now as I've come to see it I tend to now disagree with him on a few issues. First of all, I want to point out the cult of personality around Ron Paul. I subscribe to the newsletter from www.RonPaul.com. I still like what he has to say.

But, I get weary about these people. He talks about how the federal reserve has problems and just because we're in a crisis he says we should abolish it and automatically people are like on the net "OMG RON PAUL SAYS WE SHOULD DO IT WE MUST ABOLISH IT! RON PAUL SPEAKS TEH TRUTH".

Ron Paul is somewhat conservative. I understand he has less faith in political institutions like the federal reserve. I however, do not think we should abolish it-- rather I believe we should change the system from within and put it under more slight regulation from financial advisers- not government- but regular people who would be able to assess the markets to tell what it's going to be like on any particular day.

Ron Paul talks about blowback-- and on this I would have to agree. I agree with his noninvtervention stance on foreign policy. I however, do not believe we should not interfere with anything-- but rather-- we should take a stance if we do diplomacy first, that fails, then we do more diplomacy, that fails more, and if the other nation refuses to listen to us, then, we intervene... but taking non intervention to the extreme would be a bit too much for me.

I like what Ron Paul has to say about freedom. I got his book. One thing I have to question is Ron Paul bots say he's all about freedoms but he supports unjust laws-- that's what he says in his book.

Going back to the gold standard wouldn't make much of a difference in my view. Financial problems would still happen. What we need is to develop a new theory besides Kenesyan economics to help us get out of this that would not encourage deficit spending.

However, I think what he says is rational, and, I agree with him on a couple issues. But, I have to question all of these Ron Paul bots, and these other people that worship these people in politics that speak the truth. I stopped being a Ron Paul bot after I did reading about political ideology and politics in general and about politics and then-- I basically found out my views and my own truth. I am more liberal now than I used to be. But, I know the truth as it is to me.

I don't need someone to sell me the truth like Ron Paul. I think he's in the know like he rest of them.

I'm really worried about these Ron Paul fanatics as much as I am worried about these Obama Democrats.

Look, I consider myself a liberal anti-war green pro-education pro-choice Democrat, I don't bow down to any elite, just because they speak a particular truth.

I'm just worried at people who just because someone in the media says something that disagrees with the establishment worship that person.

Am I wrong for worrying about the cult of personality developing around Ron Paul and these other types? It just scares me.

[edit on 28-1-2009 by Frankidealist35]

"Being" developed? There is a full-blown cult of personality around the man, with some people practically washing his feet with their hair. Maybe someday he and Lyndon LaRouche can become co-dictators of the world.

Hey, stranger things have happened.

I like the man and agree with alot of his ideals. In the end though, he is just a man, like me. I don't think he's a messiah, I don't think his word is law. He has his flaws like everyone else does. I think the Ron Paul bots act this way because they do not have guidance in their own lives, so they see him as a leader figure, an avatar if you will.

It's like when your kindergarten teacher actually agrees with you for the first time and you get all obsessed with him/her, then after a few days youre back to your daily teacher student relationship after she/he gives you a grade on a coloring you failed at (I don't know how you fail at coloring but its possible)

Ron paul? hahahahaha,No. Obama? obviously. Calling Ron Paul a cult of personality is like saying that 'The Unseen' by Quasimoto is the best CD ever. Pretty much no one has ever even heard the CD, so its a moot point.

Cults of personalty are media creations, and if you think back about six months, he was in the middle of the stupidest media blackout TPTB could create.

Now people who read his book allow him on their talk shows to talk about monetary policy, something he knows about.

Have you ever agreed with anyone 100%? Im not sure its possible.

One of the worst things a candidate can do is explain their position, because there is a 50/50 chance the vote you are going for will disagree with your stated position.

Any one who is blindly gung ho behind anything and or anyone is a lemming and will gain nothing of value in life.



[edit on 28-1-2009 by drsmooth23]

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
He talks about how the federal reserve has problems and just because we're in a crisis he says we should abolish it and automatically people are like on the net "OMG RON PAUL SAYS WE SHOULD DO IT WE MUST ABOLISH IT! RON PAUL SPEAKS TEH TRUTH".

I thought he was talking about the problems with the federal reserve for the last 10+ years. Just because you didn't notice what he had to say until you felt the nation had already descended to a bad place doesn't mean he wasn't saying the same thing all along. RP was always anti-fed and always advocated abolishing the system.

I enjoy how you try to paint his anti-fed stance as a recent creation of his in response to the economic crisis. This is classic obfuscation.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
Ron Paul is somewhat conservative. I understand he has less faith in political institutions like the federal reserve. I however, do not think we should abolish it-- rather I believe we should change the system from within and put it under more slight regulation from financial advisers- not government- but regular people who would be able to assess the markets to tell what it's going to be like on any particular day.

His assertion is that the act of running a counterfeit operation is always illegal and immoral regardless of whether the government does it or not. To counterfeit is to devalue currency.

It doesn't matter how much oversight you provide. The fact that the government and its agents are allowed to devalue the money you earn (and by extension devalue your previous labor) is criminal. I can't see a way that it isn't.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
Going back to the gold standard wouldn't make much of a difference in my view. Financial problems would still happen. What we need is to develop a new theory besides Kenesyan economics to help us get out of this that would not encourage deficit spending.

A better economic model already exists. It is called "Austrian" economics.
mises.org...

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
I am more liberal now than I used to be. But, I know the truth as it is to me.

This is a lie. There is only one truth. Socialism, regardless of what you name of your ideology, is wrong.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
Am I wrong for worrying about the cult of personality developing around Ron Paul and these other types? It just scares me.

Aren't you just saying that anyone with a voice scares you? You pretty much said the same thing about Obama as you said about Ron Paul:

"I like some of his ideas but his supporters seem nuts so I don't trust him."

So basically, you are emotionally paralyzed by uncertainty.

Jon

reply to post by LeTan

I think the Ron Paul bots act this way because they do not have guidance in their own lives,

Wrong. In my eyes, he is for those who do not like the guidance of our current government. Saying people don't have guidance in their lives for being the reason they support RP is ridiculous.

I like him as well. Do i hang on every word? No. Do i get a "newsletter" as the OP does? No.

To OP: Are you worried that people will become what you were? As you stated, you were a big RP fan.

I agree with a lot of what he says as much of it is true. He talks about things most politicians won't touch and then is made to look the fool by much of the MSM.

People are looking for something to believe in and let's face it...there are few options out there.

Also, would you mind posting who you think some of the "bots" are who post on ATS? Maybe we could add a "-bot" after their profile name?

I've posted multiple threads featuring RP. Am i one of these bots you mention?

I want smaller government, i want less spending, i want less taxes. I want no war.

RP falls in line with that. It's as simple as that.

reply to post by David9176


Alright...

These bots just post youtube videos of what he says and then praise Ron Paul for speaking the truth.

I think he is no different from the rest of the people in power.

He just represents some other view.

Ron Paul is ONE OF THEM. He is a REPUBLICAN. He is NOT an independent so he would be a hypocrite by bashing one party and not the other or by bashing his own party when he contributes to the problem

Abolishing the federal reserve would not solve anything. It would only create more chaos.

Ron Paul to me is nothing more than a disinformation agent by the shadow government. I believe they are aware of his existence and I think he is aware of their existence so he is just acting like this because he is a detractor from the rest of them.

But, do you really think Ron Paul is different from them?

He is a libertarian and while I agree that people should have economic and social freedom I disagree with much of the libertarian platform.

People just like him because he is different from other politicians. But he is no different from the average libertarian.

As for the fed, I was pointing out how people only want it abolished because the economy is in a crisis... I am not really worried about what Ron Paul has always thought.

Yes, I am slightly worried that people will become what I was. I used to envy any politician who told the truth.

Now I'm not quite so gullible. I think lots of these RP supporters are kind of quick to judge things like the economy. The problem is not so simple as abolishing the fed. The problem is far deeper than that IMO.

[edit on 28-1-2009 by Frankidealist35]

reply to post by Frankidealist35

These bots just post youtube videos of what he says and then praise Ron Paul for speaking the truth

I must be one of them.www.abovetopsecret.com...

I used to envy any politician who told the truth

That's the problem my friend. The fact that people "HAVE" to envy a politician who tells the truth. They all should! It's their job.

As for the fed, I'm not a financial genius. I don't know exactly what should be done. But i know what i see, out of control spending, huge deficits, and a massive influx of money being pumped into the system that will bring inflation.

We continue to dig ourselves into a hole...actually it's not a hole anymore...it's more the size of the Grand Canyon now.

It has to stop. If there is a voice out there, whomever it is, that is speaking out against this, I will support them in this cause.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
Ron Paul is ONE OF THEM. He is a REPUBLICAN. He is NOT an independent so he would be a hypocrite by bashing one party and not the other or by bashing his own party when he contributes to the problem

He did bash his own party, quite regularly in fact, during the primaries and in the run up to the election. He was pretty vocal about the need to get rid of the socialists (ie. neocons) from the republican party.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
Abolishing the federal reserve would not solve anything. It would only create more chaos.

Abolishing the federal reserve would provide a stable monetary base for one thing.

I find it quite funny that I am being "educated" about the outcome of abolishing the fed from that someone who didn't even know that there have been alternatives to keynesian economics for almost a century.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
He is a libertarian and while I agree that people should have economic and social freedom I disagree with much of the libertarian platform.

Like?

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
People just like him because he is different from other politicians. But he is no different from the average libertarian.

I forgot you can read minds. You might find that you can relate to other people better if you don't set up a straw-man argument just to inflate your own ego. You might just find that some of the people who support Ron Paul understand more than you do.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
As for the fed, I was pointing out how people only want it abolished because the economy is in a crisis... I am not really worried about what Ron Paul has always thought.

There you go being psychic again. I started wanting to abolish the fed under the Clinton "boom" when I first learned about the fed. Immediately, I could see the criminality based on what was written about the fed. It took me years before I was finally convinced that it was all true.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
Now I'm not quite so gullible. I think lots of these RP supporters are kind of quick to judge things like the economy. The problem is not so simple as abolishing the fed. The problem is far deeper than that IMO.

Let me guess. This is where you start some liberal sophism about the need for government oversight and control of corporations, right? I heard this all before, look where these ideas have gotten us.

Jon

Originally posted by Voxel

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
Ron Paul is ONE OF THEM. He is a REPUBLICAN. He is NOT an independent so he would be a hypocrite by bashing one party and not the other or by bashing his own party when he contributes to the problem

He did bash his own party, quite regularly in fact, during the primaries and in the run up to the election. He was pretty vocal about the need to get rid of the socialists (ie. neocons) from the republican party.

If he was legit in bashing his own party he would run as an independent. He would abandon his party if he was that adamant against them.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
Abolishing the federal reserve would not solve anything. It would only create more chaos.

Abolishing the federal reserve would provide a stable monetary base for one thing.
That's debatable.

I find it quite funny that I am being "educated" about the outcome of abolishing the fed from that someone who didn't even know that there have been alternatives to keynesian economics for almost a century.

I know there are other schools of thought but the ones I've come across seem like they wouldn't consider all of the consequences of their ideas.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
He is a libertarian and while I agree that people should have economic and social freedom I disagree with much of the libertarian platform.

Like?
Like their stance on drugs, their stance on big government or small government, their stance on education... etc.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
People just like him because he is different from other politicians. But he is no different from the average libertarian.

I forgot you can read minds. You might find that you can relate to other people better if you don't set up a straw-man argument just to inflate your own ego. You might just find that some of the people who support Ron Paul understand more than you do.
I was just saying that people like him for what he has to say but he just has a point of view that most libertarians have. So... why give him credit for the libertarian school of thought?

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
As for the fed, I was pointing out how people only want it abolished because the economy is in a crisis... I am not really worried about what Ron Paul has always thought.

There you go being psychic again. I started wanting to abolish the fed under the Clinton "boom" when I first learned about the fed. Immediately, I could see the criminality based on what was written about the fed. It took me years before I was finally convinced that it was all true.
I disagree. A financial crisis can happen with or without the federal reserve. You need to look not that long ago in history and you will find that it was the stock market crash that started the great depression happened without a central bank.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
Now I'm not quite so gullible. I think lots of these RP supporters are kind of quick to judge things like the economy. The problem is not so simple as abolishing the fed. The problem is far deeper than that IMO.

Let me guess. This is where you start some liberal sophism about the need for government oversight and control of corporations, right? I heard this all before, look where these ideas have gotten us.

Jon
No... I am not slightly liberal. I don't believe the government should control everything but I also don't believe in the opposite extreme where the government should have no influence on things. I believe the government should just work, and, yes, I do believe in the need for governmental oversight, NOT for the control of corporations. I am for the free market but I see no REAL reason other than just as a reaction to things to abolish the fed.

thjat's what i hate

people find one thing with RP they don't agree with and chastize him for it


what two peoploe agree 100% on everything??? nobody

look for similarities over differences

and he is 99% better than everyone else besides maybe kucinich

and ron paul is done and has no chance of re-election----but the grass roots movement he started is continuing and moving forward

he started it and people are running with it

many have got involved in local clubs,,,township gov't ,,county and state etc
most rp supporters are way more informed than most and actually research the issues and such

i personally don't agree with him on us investing our ss and 401k' in the markets ,,, but i don't dwell on that all day

i look at what i do agree with ,,which is most of his platform and go

[edit on 28-1-2009 by shortywarn]

reply to post by shortywarn


I'm just pointing this out there because a lot of people just seem to love Ron Paul because of his views on the federal reserve. I admire him for the other things he says. I am not particularly for abolishing the fed... but some of his fanbots are too extreme for my tastes.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
reply to post by shortywarn

 

I'm just pointing this out there because a lot of people just seem to love Ron Paul because of his views on the federal reserve. I admire him for the other things he says. I am not particularly for abolishing the fed... but some of his fanbots are too extreme for my tastes.

can not the same be said of obama and even bush

do you know the millions who voted for him without even knowing what he really stands for except he was black and wanted "change"

what about the bush lovers who swear by him and refuse to even admit where he went way off course

hahahahahaha

You say RonPaul has a cult of personality being developed around him.

Have you ever met an Obama supporter???

Way worse in comparison

ron pauls movement is about his ideas, and his ideas are based on the constitution and the founding fathers. they arnt really "his" ideas. people just belive in the constitution so they join his movement. in order to have a "cult of personality" you have to have a "personality" to base it on in the first place. ron paul seems like a nice guy and i agree with his positions on many things but, ron paul and personality dont really go in the same sentance. ron paul is pretty light in the personality department.

now barak obamas movement is about barak obamas personality and image not much else. THAT is a CULT of PERSONALITY. when you find video of children singing praises to ron paul then well talk hahaha.

please watch this clip from howard stern

obama supporters don't even know where he stands and easily tricked because he has no clue

they even think palin is his vp

pathetic

i guarntee every rp supporter knows issues and why,,, not just i love ron paul

besides people like RP because they understand what he's saying and why,,,he's obviously not just spouting off what people want to hear

[edit on 29-1-2009 by shortywarn]

reply to post by Frankidealist35


Yeah probably to a certain extent, but this is probably because he has a lot of good ideas, I doubt he'd ever start a church over it, but maybe he'd attempt to start a new party.

At first I didn't like Ron Paul because pretty much the first thing Americans heard him say in the mass media that played over and over was his statement on 911 being our fault, while I don't agree with him on that at all, the media knew it was his weakest statement and they ran with it, pretty much every other thing he's ever said I've agreed with, although I haven't heard everything he's said, so if he has said any other wierd stuff I don't claim to agree, but generally speaking his stance on the constitution, keeping jobs in the USA, going against the wasteful mindset of washington insdiders, okay maybe his stance on Israel differs with me, but he has a lot of good ideas, he reminds me of Ross Perot, perhaps that's why the media blackballed him, because they didn't want him to take votes away from Obama like Perot did with Bush in the early 90s. And it's pretty obvious the medias favorite from the beginning was Obama.

a ron paul church,, sure why not,,, i might actually go!!!!!


remember family guy and peter with --the church of FONZ!!!!!

i'm laughing thinking about it

Like their stance on drugs, their stance on big government or small government, their stance on education... etc.

Well, the war on drugs is going swimmingly. We sure are taking it to those drug lords and getting rid of drugs and drug use in this country. Legalise it and maybe Mexico won't go under because of all the violence being inflicted there by drug runners. Government, do I really need to say anything? Let's just let it get bigger and take more of our freedoms away. Like they haven't done enough damage. As for education just go look at the clip above from the Stern show. This country is full of idiots. All school does is make them malleable idiots who will blindly follow whatever/whoever they are told to by the MSM, like, oh, say, Obama.

Whatever..........