UPDATED:  AUG 19, 2007 

HONOR

After hotly debating and discussing the merits and faults of the presidential candidates, many of my friends and I have come to agree on one thing: we desperately need relief from the oppressiveness of the Constitution-burning, WMD-lying-to-fool-America-into-endless-war Bush/Cheney Administration.  We all know how Bush has altered and nullified our Constitution with his arrogant “Signing Statements” to bills lawfully passed by Congress, and unlawfully incarcerated Americans, with no rights to Habeas Corpus. Bush bashes our Judicial System by pardoning convicted felons like Scooter Libby who know too much, he wiretaps Americans without FISA Court approval, sneak-peaks at our bank accounts, and blatantly violates the Constitution; we know all too well the corrupt Black Hat agenda that slithers within the dark, slimy corners of the White House.  We can smell its stench from Houston.  All that said, a dear old friend, Jack Elton and I were talking about the merits and shortcomings of some of the presidential candidates, and which ones had the real stuff.  I asked him what he thought of Ron Paul.  Jack said: 

Honor.

Could it be that simple?  We have been starved for so long for a little decency in our elected leaders that we Americans feel an honor-deficiency in our souls much like a Scurvy victim feels the pangs of a Vitamin C deficiency.  So what is honorable about Ron Paul that sets him apart from the others?   Well, for starters, Paul would end the war, he says, which is more than can be said for many of the candidates who think it should go on until terrorism is no more (fat chance).  Ron Paul says he is a true fiscal Conservative who advocates conserving our resources by keeping our troops at home, avoiding conflicts all over the world, nation-building, and bringing democracy to countries of the globe (even the oil-rich ones).  Paul seems sincere about fiscal responsibility.  He gets a high five for wanting to conserve our resources by ending senseless wars. 

Yet there is more than one way of looking at a racehorse. Our government has chalked up a staggering National Debt, teetering on the threshold of almost 9 Trillion Dollars.  Bush’s obscene Tax Cuts, snatched from the U.S. Treasury and given to Super Rich Taxpayers, is reprehensible.  Bush’s lap dog Republican Congress voted to shell out 1.6 Trillion Dollars to America’s Billionaires and Multi-Millionaires.  Great balls ‘o fire, we’re at war (Bush said so) and we’re borrowing from the Chinese so our government can pay the bills and keep the dollar afloat?  But guess who voted Yes to rain even more dollars upon the rich?  That’s right, Ron Paul voted a big Yes to fund Bush’s Tax Cuts for Bush’s “Have More” rich cronies and supporters, Bush’s “Base.”  Seem honorable?  Not.  Paul helped blow a 1.6 Trillion Dollar hole in the United States Treasury!  Ba-boom!  Surprise, surprise.

A look at Paul’s voting record brings the puzzle pieces together.  Voting for people needs is something Paul rarely does, if ever.  Glance at the Project Vote Smart website:  http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm Hover your mouse on the website, press Control and click and you can view Paul’s Voting Record.   

If an honorable Congressman votes No on 85% of all bills, I got to wonder why he even bothers to show up.  Check the numerous NOs on Ron Paul’s voting record over the years.  But wait, Paul voted all Yeas ‘Y’, four times in a row.  It sticks out.  Paul voted on every single House Resolution to impeach Bill Clinton.  Well, I’ll swear.  One would think that a smorgasbord of more flagrant and Impeachable crimes could be found smack dab in the middle of Bush’s White House during the past 6 and a half years.  Ron Paul seemed avid at convicting Clinton over the blue dress, but what about Bush?  Hasn’t Bush given more probable cause for Impeachment than any other president in history?  So if Ron Paul is truly honorable, why has he not joined Dennis Kucinich to impeach Bush?  Why hasn’t Paul at least voiced outrage at Bush’s Impeachable transgressions against the American people?  He runs his campaign bashing Bush and Bush’s War.  So where is Paul when it counts?  He said he might support investigations on Impeachment. Say what?  What does Paul fail to grasp about probably cause during the wretched Bush years?  What’s it take?  Getting run over by a Mack truck on I-10?  Where’s his honor? 

Many say that issues like ending the war are nobler of purpose than social issues that are merely eternal differences between Republicans and Democrats.  Ending the war is a top priority, but why stop there?  Can’t we walk, restore our Constitution, undo Bush’s damage, and chew gum at the same time?  Yes, we can. We can pass laws to implement Universal Healthcare for the richest nation on earth.  But don’t count on Ron Paul.  He votes NO on social programs that help all Americans.  Check his voting record.  It’s simple.  If we end the war and repeal the Tax Cuts for the rich, why can’t we spend the proceeds on the public welfare as outlined in the Constitution?  Some people demonize Americans who believe in government programs that help people.  “Bleeding Heart Liberals,” they slur.  As if Americans who helped each other were the bad guys, and those who took the help were trash.  What we are talking about is much bigger than Republicans and Democrats; what we are talking about here is a basic human mindset and a state of being.  Simply stated, do we care about only ourselves and our ass pocketbooks or do we care about our friends and neighbors and our community as well?  Are we selfish, out for our own welfare or do we find meaning in sharing with others, the bounties of the earth?  Do we really need to hear ourselves called “Socialists” or “Commies” just because we feel bountiful enough to share with our neighbors and enhance the better parts of ourselves?  We need and depend on each other.  Always.

It’s certain that Bush has battered the American people and burned up that “goddamned piece of paper” he calls the Constitution, and Ron Paul appears, wearing a Superman cape just as polls flush Bush down the toilet.  But the bottom line is people who care about people is the answer.  Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton, or Jon Edwards as president could do more for all of America and Americans than all the Republicans put together.  Check out their voting records, strong in programs for the people, not no-bid contracts for Halliburton and subsidies for Exxon.  They oppose the war, too, so why settle for a baked potato like Ron Paul with no salt, no butter, and no sour cream?  I agree with Jack Elton that Ron Paul is honorable on 20% of the core issues, namely ending the Iraq War.  But he falls short on people issues.

I cannot accept that it is honorable, however, to forsake generations of Americans by limiting their futures with no government-funded programs to help them help themselves.  Check out Ron Paul’s stingy voting record on Minimum Wage bills while you’re at it.  All Americans, the common working man, the poor, all have needs.  Our youth deserve a fair opportunity to get a good education.  They are our future.  They make things work.  We must not let them down.  Voting records tell it all. 

My grandfather, Willie T. Walker, always voted a straight Democratic ticket because he said that instead of being on the money side of issues he preferred to be counted on the moral side.  Some called him a liberal.  Many called him a fortunate man who saw the difference between living a clenched-fisted life and the value of being an integral part of community, his friends and neighbors, helping them and teaching them on this, our fine journey together.  He rebuked those who would not work and taught them how.  He gave them hope.  Life seems better that way.  Grand dad had honor.  The real stuff. 

NEXT- MICHAEL FAULKNER

Last Update: 08/29/2007