From an Australian perspective a successful Ron Paul campaign would lead to major changes in American foreign policy. While wrongly described as an "isolationist" Ron Paul believes in a limited international military role and avoiding government sponsored international alignments. Rather than policing the world the Paul philosophy is for US citizens and corporations to freely trade and connect with all nations, relationships being driven by mutual benefit. While Australia has recently staged our own mini revolution; disposing of the a government which had strongly aligned itself with the current American administration's world view the Paul philosophy would see an end to complex military alliances and treaties such as ANZUS with our relationship instead focussed on trade and personal associations.
A successful Ron Paul campaign for office could have as much impact abroad as in the USA. With the United States maintaining over 100 bases on foreign soil and taking an extensive military interest in world events a renewed focus on trade and economic cooperation over military and diplomatic alignments will potentially lead to a new era of prosperity. People tend to think military might has made America the world's superpower. But it's the economic base of America which supports the military expenditure and provides a more relevant and far reaching international and cultural influence. America's economic strength is built on the initiative of business entrepreneurs past and present, not on the dubious skills of politicians and bureaucrats.
For those of us who have watched the degeneration of US foreign policy into a seemingly endless cycle of the "intelligence" agencies one decade installing a tyrannt and the next going to war to oust him, Ron Paul promises to do away with the old paradigms of "Left" and "Right" removing the heavy hand of government from international relations. Paul is the first candidate in recent memory who has looked beyond unquestioning patriotism and flag waving jingoism to logically address the causes of conflict and international displeasure with the actions of the US government and military. Many thinking people in the western world harbour similar concerns and doubts. it is refreshing to see a candidate for President addressing these issues in a logical and measured way, unafraid of the opportunistic jibes of his opposition.
20th January 2008. If you feel like it, please leave a comment at the bottom of the homepage. We're interested in your opinions on the Paul campaign whether positive or negative. A proper forum will be installed in the next few days when we get a break from working (weekend) and paying taxes.