By: Murray Sabrin
If you have been watching the GOP presidential debates, you know there are eight candidates still in the race. (Alan Keyes would make nine but no one takes him seriously anymore.)
In last Wednesday’s CNN YouTube Debate, American submitted questions on video, which were then screened by the cable network. Some of the questions focused on the Bible, the Confederate flag, and other irrelevant issues.
In light of the financial crisis gripping the country, the plunging value do the U.S. dollar overseas, the unsustainability of the federal government’s entitlement programs, the nearly five year occupation of Iraq, the on again off again drumbeat for war with Iran, one would think the producers of a presidential primary debate would have chosen questions that would address the issues that have the greatest impact on the American people’s freedom, liberties, and prosperity. And, of course, there is no more important question than war and peace.
Instead, CNN hosted a debate that was a great disappointment, especially since the so-called top-tier candidates received most of the air time. Nevertheless, several candidates gave revealing answers aimed at spinning their positions to attract votes from the GOP base.
Senator McCain got rave reviews from the mainstream media because of his forceful support of the Iraq invasion and his unflinching support for the surge which he claims “is working.” Just ask the troops, he asserted during the debate. McCain was in Iraq on Thanksgiving and claimed that the troops told him “they just want to win.” Win what?
Saddam Hussein is dead, the infrastructure is in shambles, sectarian violence continues, American troops still patrol the streets playing the role of foreign policemen, and McCain still thinks the American invasion of Iraq was a vital strategic initiative in the “war on terror.” And the cost of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are approaching $2 TRILLION.
Also, Senator McCain accused the only anti-war candidate on the stage, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, that his “isolationist” policies were responsible for the rise of Hitler!!!!!
Dr. Paul refuted McCain’s idiotic statement by pointing out that he is an advocate of nointerventionism, a proponent of trade, diplomacy, cultural exchanges, i.e., peaceful relations with other nations. In short, a policy that the Founders argued to be in the best interests of the country in order to stay out of endless conflicts overseas.
Senator McCain should drop out of the race before he embarrasses himself, his family and the people of Arizona, again and again in his ranting and ravings. He should check himself into a VA hospital so the good doctors can determine what parallel universe he is living in, because the senator from Arizona thinks America has enemies everywhere. Paranoia is a serious condition.
Yes, we were attacked on September 11, 2001, not because we are Americans, but as former Bush administration officials, astute foreign policy analysts and bin Laden himself has said, U.S. intervention in the Middle Ease caused retaliation against America’s interventionist foreign policy. In other words, on 9/11 we were not attacked by Iraq or any other nation, but by a criminal gang. Ron Paul has made this point throughout the campaign. McCain should do his homework. “Blowback” occurred on 9/11.
Rudy Giuliani was on the defensive in the debate, because of his pro-illegal immigrant policies as mayor and his support in the past for comprehensive gun control. Despite Rudy’s so-called leadership during and after the September 11th attacks, the shining armor of “America’s mayor” is getting tarnished for too many reasons to enumerate here.
Suffice it to say, in a question about restoring America in the eyes of the Muslim world, Rudy gave a Ron Paul type answer. His Honor said America should trade, have cultural exchanges with the Muslim world, because the Muslim highjackers on 9/11 do not represent the Muslim people or the Muslim religion.
So why does Rudy refer to the hijackers and their movement as “Islamofascism” since they do not have a state? Why does he refer to the terrorists as “Islamic terrorists”? Why doesn’t he identify them as Middle Eastern terrorists? Or, Saudi Arabian terrorist, since virtually all the terrorists were from Saudi Arabia?
Rudy is the candidate of fear, corruption, and a proponent of the welfare-warfare state. In short, he may be the worst candidate the GOP could nominate for president.
However, Mike Huckabee is doing his best to become the worst candidate in the GOP field. He invokes Scripture to support the welfare-warfare state. He raised taxes as governor, which earned him an F from the Cato Institute’s ranking of governors in 2006. He wants to abolish the IRS and replace with a “Fair Tax,” a huge sales tax to maintain the failed welfare-warfare state. That’s why the mainstream media are going gaga over Huckabee. He is one of them, an all around interventionist.
What little time Ron Paul had to speak at the CNN YouTube debate he used to tell the truth about the continuing assault on our liberties, our pocketbooks, and the disastrous interventionist foreign policy that has caused the loss of international goodwill we had after 9/11.
The pro-war seven and their supporters in the GOP presidential primary may think they have the high ground. But the reality is that the welfare-warfare state is bleeding the American people dry. And only Ron Paul is telling the truth about taxes, spending, paper money and foreign affairs.
Murray Sabrin, Ph.D., is professor of finance in the Anisfield School of Business, Ramapo College of New Jersey, where he is executive director of the Center for Business and Public Policy (www.ramapo.edu/cbpp.) He also writes for www.usadaily.com and www.njvoices.com.