Why does everyone seem to hate Ron Paul so much?

Question

I'm not a Republican, but I would have voted for him over McCain any day. He seems fairly diplomatic and polite. This is a trait most politicians do not possess anymore. I am not saying I would vote for someone based on how "nice" they are, but he definitely seemed to be standing up for our rights.

He advocates a foreign policy of nonintervention, having voted against actions such as the Iraq War Resolution, but in favor of force against terrorists in Afghanistan. He favors withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the United Nations, citing the dangers of foreign entanglements to national sovereignty. Having pledged never to raise taxes, he has long advocated ending the federal income tax, scaling back government spending, abolishing most federal agencies, and removing military bases and troops from foreign soil; he favors hard money and opposes the Federal Reserve. He also opposes the Patriot Act, the federal War on Drugs, No Child Left Behind, and gun regulation.

It feels like an open-minded stance is looked at as insanity in our culture.

Answer 1

I would have voted for him.  He had the second most votes last night.  He is popular in the North West.

Answer 2

I like Ron Paul, but I do disagree with him on some of his ideas. While I think we should tell the UN to take a hike, and that we do get involved in too many skirmishes abroad....his stance is too extreme. It would isolate us to our detriment. Trade is absolutely a worldwide thing and we have to remain on that stage in order to stay prosperous. I think Paul has some good ideas and would have voted for him, but he would have to balance some of them out for me to feel totally comfortable. I think the main reason i passed on him in the primaries was his isolation ideas. The rest I like.

Answer 3

I am a Republican, have been for decades, and didn't know any principled politicians were left until I discovered Ron Paul.  (Kucinich is ok too, but needs remedial reading lessons on the 10th amendment.)

I'm not alone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Iosk7R-G...

We won't vote for McCain.

Answer 4

Most of his ideas do make a lot of sense and are certainly better than the two major parties ideas.  Most people are resistant to real change and are not open minded enough to look into different viewpoints.

I've noticed most people who argue against Ron Paul and his ideas make very hollow generalizations not even backed up by any sort of fact.  Also most people have little knowledge of government, history or economics so they don't really understand the reasoning behind his ideas.

Answer 5

I don't care for him much because he clearly lost in the primary, but won't let it go and support the candidate Republicans picked.  He wasn't even close, yet he still feels entitled to have his own rally at state conventions and the RNC.  (Hillary had a lot more reason to keep going then him, but she bowed out with grace.)  

Answer 6

I don't know. This past week when he held his convention that drew 10,000 people is the first time I took a really close look at him---I'm a Democrat. He seems like he would like to take the Republican party back to the days when they weren't being held by the nuts by special interest groups. I didn't agree with many things he said but I gained a respect for him and feel the he would be a real asset to the party if Republicans took him more seriously. I could live with him being president a lot more than scary and reckless McCain or Evangelical Palin.  

Answer 7

That's the very reason there are write-in votes.  You can vote YOUR conscious!

Answer 8

The reality is EVERYONE has a special interest of one sort or another.  Paul would eliminate pandering to special interests, economic or otherwise.  The status quo outright fears change on that level, left and right.