Post Ron Paul: Where do we go now?

Don’t assume that Ron Paul is going to ride off into the sunset, with his cowgirl, Carol, at his side. He made it clear during his light hearted exchange with Jay Leno that he isn’t finished with us. And I, for one, am not finished with him either.

If Romney wins, Senator Rand Paul’s trajectory would be on hold and in 2016, Ron Paul, the father, would be the best primary challenger to a Republican establishment president, owned by the FED and the few.

Who else would have the guts to do it? And the media, who under normal circumstance would pan him, might let him have more than 89 seconds, just to have some fun – and some ratings – in an otherwise boring re-nomination process. Another run would help educate even more and fatten the Liberty Movement for Senator Rand Paul and the future in 2020.

Besides, this would be the best way to stand up to the corruption and dishonesty of the Republican establishment who runs the party like National Socialists. To let the abuse of Tampa go unanswered would be a mistake. “Remember the Maine.”

Is Ron Paul too old? Not for me. Konrad Andenauer , Germanys greatest leader of the last two centuries was in power at age 87. Michelangelo began painting the Sistine Chapel at age 71, he was still at it when he died at age 89. The Biblical account of Moses has him beginning his long journey, leading the Israelis from slavery, at age 80. Let Ron Paul lead us out of slavery at age 80.

Here’s a toast to Ron Paul, 2016.

But what do we do now? And more urgent, how should we vote in the 2012 presidential election?

The good news is that as befits the Liberty Movement, I don’t have to make that decision. Each one of us will do that as we want. But here are some of the arguments I am hearing.

1. Vote to re-elect Barack Obama?

The reasoning goes that an Obama win would help bring the Republican establishment to its knees and make them more willing to make room for a Liberty Movement candidate next time. Isn’t this the best response to their brutal exclusion of the duly elected Ron Paul delegates to the RNC in Tampa? Haven’t they asked for it? Hasn’t Bill Kristol and John Sununu made it clear that they do not think they need us and in any case, they do not want us, under any circumstances?

The problem is that Obama’s reelection would likely bring the country to its knees as well. Even if a manipulated currency created a temporary bubble the long term damage could be catastrophic. America could go so deep into the sleep of socialism that it might never awaken. Voting for Obama to create an opening for a Liberty candidate in 2016 might make logical sense to some but it would take the courage of that Utah mountain climber who cut off his hand to get himself free. Some of us just don’t have the stomach to do it.

2. Vote for Mitt Romney?

If he wins it will delay Rand Paul’s possible rise and may actually end much of what we have accomplished. Many of our issues, audit the fed, for example, may be co-opted by Romney, who understands the polling data but is owned by the bankers. Of course, he won’t have a “real” audit but it will appear to address the issue and take the steam out of our cause. Likewise, the wars may eventually wind down out of financial necessity, as Dr. Paul has said will happen. For me, voting for Romney is like kissing your sister. There is just no future in it.

3. Write in Ron Paul’s name?

This was what I was going to do but who would ever know the final number? It would give me some personal satisfaction, and amuse a few poll watchers, but otherwise mean nothing. No one would get the message. There is even a chance that my ballot could be disqualified and all the other viable Liberty candidates I voted for would lose my support as well.

4. Vote for Virgil Goode?

He is the former congressman from Virginia who is running as a candidate of the so called Constitutional Party. Some say he will get 5% of the vote in his home state. The Republican Elitist Fascist operation, that worked against us in Tampa, is now hot on his trail, trying to get him off the ballot. But even if he survives and even if he realizes his most ambitious plans, he will only be on the ballot in 25 states. What’s the use?

5. Vote for Gary Johnson?

Why not? No one will know. A good showing will put the GOP on notice that they had better be respectful to the Liberty Movement and make room for it. They made it clear they didn’t want us. Shouldn’t there be consequences?

If the showing is small, well, they were lucky it was Gary Johnson, not Ron Paul. No harm done.

If Obama wins? Rand Paul can make a run in 2016. If Romney wins? Ron Paul can challenge him and if the GOP cheats again, and makes it clear they will not allow a free process, he could take on the mantle of the Libertarian Party one more time. And this time, boosted by bigger numbers and a wider knowledge of the issues, have an impact.

Consider this, if Ron Paul were the Libertarian candidate right now, some polls have him winning 17% of the vote, which would land him in the national debates and change the course of the country.

Bottom line? I haven’t decided yet but I would like to hear your opinions, without profanity please. Or join the discussion at: http://www.facebook.com/DougWeadOfficial