12 Important Quotes From Ron Paul's Speech On Non-Aggression
Hardcore libertarians should be very pleased with Ron Paul's farewell speech, in which he cited government's monopoly on violence as the root of society's problems. Throughout the speech Dr. Paul constantly referenced violence and expressed hope that through the liberty movement, many in society would come to understand and adhere to the non-aggression principle. I never thought I would see the day that Ron Paul or anyone else for that matter would give a nearly hour long speech touting the merits of the non-aggression principle in front of Congress. This speech has the feel of one that will stand the test of time, as Dr. Paul made many eloquent points as well as ominous predictions.Don't have time for the full speech? Well today's your lucky day, because we've cut a little highlight package for you. Without further delay and in no particular order, here are 12 important quotes from Ron Pau's non-aggression speech.
1. A grand, but never mentioned, bipartisan agreement allows for the well-kept secret that keeps the spending going. One side doesn’t give up one penny on military spending, the other side doesn’t give up one penny on welfare spending, while both sides support the bailouts and subsidies for the banking and corporate elite.
2. Without an intellectual awakening, the turning point will be driven by economic law.
3. The great news is the answer is not to be found in more “isms.” The answers are to be found in more liberty which cost so much less. Under these circumstances spending goes down, wealth production goes up, and the quality of life improves.
4 Our job, for those of us who believe that a different system than the one that we have had for the last 100 years, has driven us to this unsustainable crisis, is to be more convincing that there is a wonderful, uncomplicated, and moral system that provides the answers.
5. Is there any explanation for all the deception, the unhappiness, the fear of the future, the loss of confidence in our leaders, the distrust, the anger and frustration? Yes there is, and there’s a way to reverse these attitudes. The negative perceptions are logical and a consequence of bad policies bringing about our problems. Identification of the problems and recognizing the cause allow the proper changes to come easy.
6. Too many in high places of authority became convinced that only they, armed with arbitrary government power, can bring about fairness, while facilitating wealth production. This always proves to be a utopian dream and destroys wealth and liberty.
7. The immoral use of force is the source of man’s political problems.It is rather strange, that unless one has a criminal mind and no respect for other people and their property, no one claims it’s permissible to go into one’s neighbor’s house and tell them how to behave, what they can eat, smoke and drink or how to spend their money.Yet, rarely is it asked why it is morally acceptable that a stranger with a badge and a gun can do the same thing in the name of law and order. Any resistance is met with brute force, fines, taxes, arrests, and even imprisonment. This is done more frequently every day without a proper search warrant.
8. There is no other choice. Claiming there is a choice of a “little” tyranny is like describing pregnancy as a “touch of pregnancy.” It is a myth to believe that a mixture of free markets and government central economic planning is a worthy compromise. What we see today is a result of that type of thinking. And the results speak for themselves.
9. To develop a truly free society, the issue of initiating force must be understood and rejected. Granting to government even a small amount of force is a dangerous concession.
10. The idealism of non-aggression and rejecting all offensive use of force should be tried. The idealism of government sanctioned violence has been abused throughout history and is the primary source of poverty and war. The theory of a society being based on individual freedom has been around for a long time. It’s time to take a bold step and actually permit it by advancing this cause, rather than taking a step backwards as some would like us to do.
11. The ultimate solution is not in the hands of the government.The solution falls on each and every individual, with guidance from family, friends and community.
12. I have come to one firm conviction after these many years of trying to figure out “the plain truth of things.” The best chance for achieving peace and prosperity, for the maximum number of people world-wide, is to pursue the cause of LIBERTY.If you find this to be a worthwhile message, spread it throughout the land.
