Although the homonym has other uses, the elastic, simple and comfortable one size nearly fits all quality of these so-called “shoes,” slip rather easily into the public policy arena.

FLIP FLOP (politics): A sudden change of policy or opinion while trying to claim that both positions are consistent with each other; any change of policy for any reason whatsoever; self-contradiction; inconsistent

FLIP FLOP (footwear ) : Simple form of rubber summer footwear where there is a band between the big toe and other toes

Jon Stewart, host of Comedy Central’s Daily Show, has determined why presidential candidate Ron Paul lacks face time at the presidential debates: He does not have a record of flip flopping. Stewart did not call for the Congressman to debate in beach sandals, but thought that if he altered his position on issues, he would get more ‘face time’ as candidates argue and attempt to justify that which sticks out like a sore toe.

Paul told Stewart forget trying on a flip-flop. The Republican Congressman will maintain in the White House the same consistency he’s demonstrated in his twelve terms as a Texas Congressman. Stewart termed him “one of the world’s last consistent politicians.” And, Paul, told Stewart that if he began to vacillating, “Where would my supporters be?”

Thus, Paul’s supporters have to not simply convince people about his platform, no, they must reignite in voters a trait that has been all but lost when electing politicians to office --- meaning what they said honesty.

Paul himself believes that the reason mainstream media does not afford him more opportunity to speak relates to him not having made U-turns depriving commentators of easy verbal ammunition. Paul told Stewart that “some people don’t want to hear [his] message because it is a threat to the establishment and some do not understand what freedom is all about.” Referring to the mainstream alphabet networks, Paul opined that the commentators “don’t understand how the market works, they don’t understand monetary policy and they think we have to continue to fight wars so the media is intimidated about me having a presence on stage.”

Bottom line, the MSM and establishment has a problem with possibly electing a presidential candidate who from past experience not only talks the talk but walks the walk.

Stewart challenged Paul’s marketplace ‘regulations,’ instead of governmental regulators, asking “would you rather have people responsible to the voters or the shareholders?”

Paul explained that a free market is “stricter” than governmental intervention. The marketplace will not allow “committing fraud, stealing or hurting people.” He then referred to the federal government bailouts of institutions caught in the real estate market bubble. Though, the corporations survived , Paul stated, “the middle class lost their jobs and homes” due to the federal reserve printing more dollars which “chased jobs overseas.”

Exemplifying his belief that local government works better than one centralized in Washington, D.C., Paul explained that once government gets its finger in the pie, it tends to grow. He referred to a one percent income tax growing and growing. He also asked whether people would want agencies such as The Pentagon, CIA, or TSA inserting their regulations into our everyday lives.

“You have more control over government if its local. We’re not efficient in Washington. We run up debt,” Paul told Stewart.

Although Paul’s numbers have improved, he told Stewart , “we’re on the verge of an explosion” due to the nation’s “foreign policy in shambles” and “big economic trouble.” The Texas Congressman explained that “I’m an economic message and America is sick and tired of perpetual war.”

Eight to fifteen percent poll numbers do not concern him. “We don’t have to immediately convince 51% of the voters. You do need a hard core of people who understand, volunteer and work hard.” Simply put, the hard core supporters have now reached a level where they can begin “persuasion. Once you get the 10% you have the numbers and we’re on the verge of an explosion.”