Former Texas Rep. Ron Paul says a yearlong economic boom under President Trump is a bit of an illusion and that debt, inflation, and inequality could cause turmoil that benefits a hardcore nucleus of libertarians. The libertarian Republican leader told the Washington Examiner that Trump could face a strong challenger in the 2020 GOP primary, especially if things are really much worse."
The big opening for us is the fact that this system is coming apart. Were on the verge of something like what happened in 89 when the Soviet system just collapsed, he said. Im just hoping our system comes apart as gracefully as the Soviet system.
Paul doesnt believe the U.S. will break into separate countries, but instead expects a rethink of monetary policy and an end to what he considers a U.S. empire overseas.
We have ownership of these countries, but its not quite like the Soviets did, he said. I think our stature in the world and our empire will end, and thats when, hopefully, the doors will be open and [people will] say, Hey, maybe these libertarians have some answers to this.
Paul said the countrys feeling a lot better, but its all on borrowed money and that the whole systems an illusion built on corporate, personal, and governmental debt. Its a bubble economy in many many different ways and its going to come unglued, he said.
The former congressman for years has presented issues in stark terms, refreshingly so for supporters and with an alarmist edge in the eyes of detractors.
Paul rose to prominence with 2008 and 2012 GOP presidential bids, running on an anti-war, pro-civil liberties message. When his son, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., appeared well positioned for a 2016 presidential run, news outlets declared the country was experiencing a libertarian moment.
The appearance of the libertarian movement has been set back partially because of Trump, but intellectually weve been doing well, Paul said, describing a large "hardcore nucleus" of conference-attending enthusiasts.
Although broadly critical of Trump, Paul likes the president's talk about removing government regulations and implementing tax cuts.
Trumps being a good cheerleader. Hes a cheerleader for Wall Street, and I keep my fingers crossed, maybe lowering some of the taxes will help, certainly lowering the regulations. But I think the problems are so deep and structural, he said.
Paul said he's disappointed with Trump's foreign policy, especially his approach toward North Korea and his support for Saudi Arabia's military role in Yemen.
I think the foreign policy is a total disaster. Trumps approach sounds good one day but the next day hes antagonizing everyone in the world and thinks we should start a war here and there," he said.
Domestically, Paul views Attorney General Jeff Sessions as a threat to civil liberties and said he would be delighted if Trump fired him, though hes not hopeful the replacement would be better.
The former congressman said he continues to view the U.S. as being on a path to fascism on a long historical arch featuring authoritarian policies of Presidents Lincoln and Wilson.
This time when we have a permanent war on terrorism theres no backing off and with the war on immigrants, and the borders, he said. Anybody who thinks were not doing too badly has not been flying on an airplane lately. Thats about as authoritarian-fascism as you can get.
Paul said government policies that steer money to the wealthy create understandable anger among poorer Americans pointing to the success of Sen. Bernie Sander, the Vermont socialist, in his 2016 campaign for the Democratic nomination. Paul said a libertarian answer, halting inflation and "crony capitalism," would result in more freedom.
We as libertarians have some work to do before [voters] are going to accept a true- blue libertarian, he said, but I think moving in that direction and having a popular candidate [in 2020] is very possible.
"If they only hear our message, I know they would choose liberty and sound money and freedom and peace over the mess we have today," Paul said.
Poster Comment:
We as libertarians have some work to do before [voters] are going to accept a true- blue libertarian, he [Ron Paul] said.
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