LAKE JACKSON, Texas—In Washington last month, Republican Rep. Ron Paul sat down for breakfast with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. The same day, Mr. Paul's wife, Carol, sporting an apron bearing the slogan "End the Fed," was in her Texas kitchen melting chocolate chips for her Easy Oreo Truffles.

The Pauls' new microwave turned the chocolate from silken to sludge. Mrs. Paul shrugged and stirred in butter and milk, then used the mixture to coat several balls made of cream cheese and crushed Oreo cookies. "They're gorgeous!"...