This table expresses in dollars the total
campaign contributions that each candidate has received from individuals who
marked “Air Force,” “US Marines,” “USMC,” “Army,” “Navy,”
or some other such permutation of letters as their employer that gives the
appearance that they are a member of the armed services. The “veteran”
column was derived by looking for “retired ______,” “______ retired,”
or anything containing the word veteran, with the exception of Veterans’
Affairs (or the like).
What conclusions can be drawn from this
surprising, exciting information? One might jump to the conclusion that the
troops are tired and demoralized and angry to be fighting in the desert sand,
and willing to leap on the only Republican candidate who wants an immediate
end to the war. But that’s an insufficient explanation, since veterans favor
Ron Paul as well.
Our military forces have a strong tradition of
valorization and an implicit belief that they have served to protect the
freedom of private citizens in the United States. So profound is this belief
that it ranks as the #1 reason that veterans and active duty say they joined
(even though education ranks as the #1 reason prior to enlistment).
This culture of pride in service particularly
to safeguard American liberties and freedoms — regardless of whether it is
true or not — disinclines those in service to contribute to candidates like
Romney and Giuliani who want to expand Executive power and increase spying on
Americans. This is why Ron Paul and John McCain are the clearest front-runners
in terms of contributions. Well, that and the fact that McCain was a Captain
in the Navy and Ron Paul was a flight surgeon.
Or … (one final thought) … does it run in the
other direction? Does the military favor Paul and McCain because they were
military, or do Ron Paul and John McCain have a favorable set of values for
military servicemen and women because they themselves have served?
-----------
Also, a recent Ron Paul campaign letter stated this:
I talked about all our ideas: marching out of
Iraq just as we marched in; no more meddling in the Middle East;
bringing the troops home, from hundreds of expensive bases all over the world,
so that we could have the money we need for the transition to freedom in
social programs, and to abolish the personal income tax and
the IRS. They are not compatible with a free society.
In a Ron Paul administration, we would also repeal the Patriot Act and
the Military Commissions Act, restore habeas corpus and stop the spying on
Americans. No more eavesdropping on our emails and bank accounts, our
phone calls, home and businesses. No national ID -- just the bracing freedom
of the Constitution.
We must have sound money, and not a giant counterfeiting machine called the
Federal Reserve that causes recessions and inflation. We must have
private property rights, with no pollution or other attacks on property.
We should enforce the Second Amendment, and all the Bill of Rights.
We can have privacy for us, not secrecy for a corrupt bureaucracy.
It is all within our grasp, the restoration of the republic and our
sovereignty-no UN, no North American Union, no Nafta, no WTO, no World Bank,
no IMF. Just federalism, free enterprise, peace, prosperity,
and the kind of future we all want for our families, ourselves, and our fellow
Americans.
To
See Congressman RON PAUL 20 years ago, talking about Liberty as he still
does click on yellow "TV/Videos" button above,
and watch the most recent TV show, now available world wide. Then click
on "Brian & P J" it comes up about 45 minutes into
the TV show. This is archival
footage found no where else. And it is proof, that Dr. & Cong. Ron
Paul has been consistant pro-constitution , pro- Liberty for 20 years...
RON PAUL VIDEO'S.... http://www.apfn.org/apfn/ronpaul.htm
