Letsallwrite’s Weblog

         At first glance, the glossy front cover of The New Republic tells you to expect politics. Blue, red, black, and white all make it look quite patriotic. In a collage layout on the cover are eight pictures of the front-runners of the presidential race. A smiling Mitt Romney is looking content next to an even happier Mike Huckabee. An angry Fred Thompson is raising a finger in the air as if he desperately wants to command attention. Below him is a joyful Hilary Clinton complete with big hair and pearls. Barack Obama has big lips, large ears, and a closed left eye. A white-haired John McCain is saluting with his left hand. Not included on the cover: Ron Paul. 

       As part of the mass media, magazines play a great part in determining our views presidential candidates. Compared to other politically charged magazines, The New Republic has done many in-depth articles on most, if not all, of the presidential front runners with an intimacy that no other publication has done. Although they’ve only written about a handful of stories on Ron Paul, they’ve caused their share of controversy to his campaign.

      I wouldn’t go so far as to say that Ron Paul is important to me, but his involvement in the campaign will greatly impact the next wave of libertarian politicians. Although it should be obvious that Ron Paul has no chance whatsoever at the presidency, he has started a sort libertarian movement among young voters that are dissatisfied with the direction the country is going in and would much prefer a limited, constitutionalist government. He has paved the way for more grass root movements to emerge with a sense of confidence that they can make a difference.

       Although Ron Paul might not seem to be so relatable, chances are anyone can agree with at least one thing he’s said in the past. Young people might agree that the war on drugs in outrageous because the government has no right to tell us what is and is not good for us. Older adults struggling to get by might like his idea that high taxes don’t benefit the common people and, under a Ron Paul administration, will lower taxes and never again raise them. Parents worried about their children’s education would see light in Ron Paul’s idea to take away the government’s control of education and put it in the hands of the parents and the states.

        Even if Ron Paul’s ideas seem outlandish compared to other frontrunners that have a real shot at becoming president, his ideas are quite different and some even welcomed in a time when people seem to have lost all faith in their government and country. What other Republican do you hear talking about limited government? His biggest problem might be that he’s not so mainstream friendly. Some of his ideas are not the norm. Most people don’t want their dollars to be replaced with gold coins, to get rid of most government departments such as the Department of Education and the Department of Homeland Security, or to make it legal for everyone to use and sell drugs. They want to play it safe. People would have to take a big risk if they voted for him to be the next president, and in these uncertain times, I just don’t think they’re up for it.