Ron Paul For President

It has been a long time since I really liked a Presidential candidate and wanted them to win instead of wanting someone else to lose. I’m angered and horrified not only by both mainstream political parties’ march to war in Iraq but by their embrace of amnesty for illegal aliens (though none of them have the guts to call it that).

Enter Ron Paul. The New York Times calls the Texas Republican “the most radical member of Congress.” He’s drawn support from disaffected Democrats and Republicans alike. He’s against the war, in favor of restoring civil liberties, in favor of enforcing immigration laws and against amnesty. He’d also like to abolish the income tax and the I.R.S. He’s actually read the U.S. Constitution and wants to apply it to the federal government.

It has been about 14 years since I have worked for a Republican candidate. I became disillusioned with the mainstream Republican and Democratic parties over the course of the last few years and have become much more libertarian.

Ron Paul has been the thorn in the side of the Republican Party this year, calling the bluff of frauds like Giuliani and Mitt Romney and standing up to the smooth lies of John McCain.

I decided to help do my part to support the Ron Paul campaign, even though he is a long shot. I joined an online “meet-up” group in the city and spent a few hours this past Friday and Monday handing out campaign literature in Grand Central Terminal.

Because he has been outspoken against the Iraq war, there are a lot of Democrats who like and respect Ron Paul. As I was walking through Grand Central’s main concourse, an Obama supporter who was holding up a big campaign sign said he hoped Ron Paul got the nomination. One Clinton supporter whispered, “Hillary, Hillary!” at me as she walked by, but in good-natured fun.

There weren’t too many negative people. One man sneered at me and said, “I believe in the Federal Reserve system.” Another woman went to take a flyer and then drew her hand away as if she had touched a hot stove. A few people asked legitimate questions about the candidate, such as if he was pro-choice or pro-life (he’s considered pro-life but takes the strict Constitutionalist view that abortion should be decided by the states) and the smear that he is a racist.

Dr. Paul isn’t perfect, no candidate is, but without a doubt he’s the only candidate standing for the Constitution and for common sense. I hope that he runs as an independent in the general election. Either way, he’s got my support and if you have the chance, please vote for him.

My Mother Owes Me Brunch

Every year, I make a bet with my mother on the Super Bowl. Even though the New England Patriots were favored to win the Superbowl this year, I bet on the New York Giants to win. I had no other choice: my mother wouldn’t let me bet on whether or not the Patriots would beat the spread. Neither of us knew the spread. So I reluctantly bet on the Giants to win the game.

I wanted the Giants to win. I’m actually a New York Jets fan, which means that just about every year is miserable for me, professional football wise. But the Giants represent New York City, or at least the New York City area (they play in New Jersey). And the New England Patriots have earned by spite by being the mainstream media’s treasured darlings, from Boston and by their screwing over the state of Connecticut. I don’t hate the Patriots like I hate the Dallas Cowboys, but I rarely root for them

I actually pay very little attention to professional sports, though I do make a habit of watching the Super Bowl, because it’s an excuse to sit on the couch, eat food and maybe see some funny commercials.

So when my mother called a few hours before kickoff, I agreed to a bet out of deference to our family tradition. My mother has wanted to meet me in Yonkers for brunch at a nice restaurant by the Hudson River. If the Patriots win, I would have to pay. Should the Giants win, my mother would pay. The Giants upset the New England Patriots 17-14.

Congratulations to the Giants for their win, and to me for my fortuitous gambling.