“The Revolution: A Manifesto” written by Dr. Paul on the run up to his campaign for President in 2007-8, is a great primer to libertarian thought and a sound introduction to the political, social, and economic challenges the freedom movement faces. My path to embracing libertarian principles has been, like most other converts, perhaps the most painful thing I have ever faced under my own volition. There are very few public figures that exemplify absolute the loyalty of principle demanded by liberty. I can only think of two: Judge Andrew Napolitano and Dr. Ron Paul.
Chapter One, “The False Choices of American Politics,” uncovers the fallacy of the left/right divide in American Politics. He shows that there is practically no substantive difference between the major parties. Their disagreements lay in application of power, not in the acquisition of it.
Chapter Two and Three provide us with a brief romp through early American history, with a focus on the constitutional approach the Founding Revolutionaries took toward foreign policy. Perhaps the ballsiest part of the book occurs when Dr. Paul throws down the gauntlet demanding that the neoconservative and liberal pols either openly condemn the founding fathers or else follow them.
Chapter Four, “Economic Freedom,” is a little meatier in substance. Dr. Paul dives into the world of capitalism, declaring that America does not practice laissez-faire capitalism, but actually finds herself approaching a sort of corporatist Fascism. He appeals to Liberals in exposing the over reach of corporations that have become de facto, if not de jure, extensions of government. He then reminds “paleoconservatives” that true free trade does not require our nation to abdicate its sovereignty as it did in NAFTA and the WHO agreements.
Chapter Five, “Civil Liberties and Personal Freedom,” finds Dr. Paul ramping up the rhetoric against the Neo-conservative doctrines which seek to forever disolve the limits the constitution places on government.
Chapter Six, “Money: The Forbidden Issue in American Politics,” is my favorite chapter. In a clear and simple manner, Dr. Paul unrolls the practices of America’s central bank, the Federal Reserve, and exposes its primary goal, the systematic devaluation of our currency. That devaluation comes in the form of inflation, which is explained not as increased prices (that is simply the effect of inflation), but as an increase in the money supply. The effects of inflation, as Dr. Paul explains, are not uniform. The Fed distributes dollars to politically connected institutions where those dollars are enjoyed before the price effects of inflation are fully felt. By the time those dollars trickle down to the middle class, the value is diluted. The Fed redistributes wealth from the poor and middle class to the rich.
The final chapter, “The Revolution,” is a systematic approach, proposed in the form of a Presidential platform, that is intended for a one to two term President. He alludes to the fact that it would be impossible to fully restore the nation to its minarchal roots in eight years. However, his plan, as outlined in the book, is designed not to preempt the inevitable collapse of the American Empire, but to guide the nation in for a soft landing.
Obviously Dr. Paul didn’t win the election in 2008, and the current administration seems to be uber-neocon in ideology. I still hold out hope that Dr. Paul will run again in 2012. I have contacted his offices to offer my support. Though the nation may not be ready quite yet for an Austro-libertarian president, his campaign in 2007 advanced the liberty movement more than any single event in the last 100 years. I can only imagine what it would be like now.
