Ron Paul: Bombs and Bribes 10/5/09

http://www.house.gov/paul
http://CampaignForLiberty.com

What if tomorrow morning you woke up to headlines that yet another Chinese drone bombing on US soil killed several dozen ranchers in a rural community while they were sleeping? That a drone aircraft had come across the Canadian border in the middle of the night and carried out the latest of many attacks? What if it was claimed that many of the victims harbored anti-Chinese sentiments, but most of the dead were innocent women and children? And what if the Chinese administration, in an effort to improve its public image in the US, had approved an aid package to send funds to help with American roads and schools and promote Chinese values here?

Most Americans would not stand for it. Yet the above hypothetical events are similar to what our government is doing in Pakistan. Last week, Congress did approve an aid package for Pakistan for the stated purposes of improving our image and promoting democracy. I again made the point on the floor of the House that still no one seems to hear: What if this happened on US soil? What if innocent Americans were being killed in repeated drone attacks carried out by some foreign force who was trying to fix our problems for us? Would sending money help their image? If another nation committed this type of violence and destruction on our homeland, would we be at all interested in adopting their values?

Sadly, one thing that has entirely escaped modern American foreign policy is empathy. Without much humility or regard for human life, our foreign policy has been reduced to alternately bribing and bombing other nations, all with the stated goal of promoting democracy. But if a country democratically elects a leader who is not sufficiently pro-American, our government will refuse to recognize them, will impose sanctions on them, and will possibly even support covert efforts to remove them. Democracy is obviously not what we are interested in. It is more likely that our government is interested in imposing its will on other governments. This policy of endless intervention in the affairs of others is very damaging to American liberty and security.

If we were really interested in democracy, peace, prosperity and safety, we would pursue more free trade with other countries. Free and abundant trade is much more conducive to peace because it is generally bad business to kill your customers. When ones livelihood is on the line, and the business agreements are mutually beneficial, it is in everyones best interests to maintain cooperative and friendly relations and not kill each other. But instead, to force other countries to bend to our will, we impose trade barriers and sanctions. If our government really wanted to promote freedom, Americans would be free to travel and trade with whoever they wished. And, if we would simply look at our own policies around the world through the eyes of others, we would understand how these actions make us more targeted and therefore less safe from terrorism. The only answer is get back to free trade with all and entangling alliances with none. It is our bombs and sanctions and condescending aid packages that isolate us.

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[Blackjack555]

If Texas happens to secede from the Union, Ron Paul should be it's President.

[Bankingcartel]

This dude makes so much sense, he makes ALL other politicians look like the true idiots they are.

[pugdogy]

Ron Paul has got my vote :)

[AwisemanisStrong]

See NWO Solution

[JohnBreadForger]

Or maybe you understand it without reading the book. Ron Paul seemed to and he's not a god or anything.

[elitebanktyranny]

Everyone should read Ron Paul's book End the Fed.

It really is amazing. If you think you understand what's going on you don't... until you read this book.

[acidhead43]

Everybody loves Ron Paul except for the WSM(Wallstreet Stream Media) and those who believe the WSM

[brokerdavelhr]

lol, how childish - is that the best attack you can make on this guy? keep up the bs my friend, believe me, he has already been proven right over and over.

PS - where is this racist attack coming from anyway?

[Ocheck86]

BOOO to you!!!!! you racist republican go make love with your sister

[beenmessaged]

Read " The Revolution: A Manifesto" . Do it now, before its too late for you and me.

[beenmessaged]

I'd say, go back to sleep, but you my friend are dangerous, as you sleepwalk. The only legitimate critic of Ron Paul is , he has to stay on your side of the fence a little.