In last nights GOP debate, Ron Paul appeared like the lonely messenger standing to the left of Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Santorum.  His message was not to the left, however.

Mitt and Newt occupied most of the oxygen while Rick Santorum flailed about trying mightily to distinguish himself from the Mitt and Newt show.  It is anyone’s guess which candidate was the most effective debater last night, but following the debate Ron Paul was clearly the winner in the eyes of his backers.

Paul’s message is simple and easy to remember.  Reduce the size of government, keep the government out of our personal affairs, and end our involvements overseas.  Not surprisingly this plays very well with the younger voter.  Do you wonder why?

My guess is “spending money overseas” translates into a smaller military and less chance of people getting killed.  I would also think “keeping government out of personal affairs” suggests the end of social conservatives trying to dictate personal choices on others.  “Less government”, like “less filling” might mean anything or nothing to the younger generation.

For example, if you visit the Ron Paul for President web site you can read one of his proposals.

REGULATION:

Repeals ObamaCare, Dodd-Frank, and Sarbanes-Oxley. Mandates REINS-style requirements for thorough congressional review and authorization before implementing any new regulations issued by bureaucrats. President Paul will also cancel all onerous regulations previously issued by Executive Order.

Here is where a sense of history or perspective might help.  As with all the other candidates, the repeal of these three laws and their resulting regulations is proposed in a vacuum.

The Affordable Health Care Act (ObamaCare) may be in serious need of improvements (from a cost perspective) but to repeal it and return to a system where health care can be denied for arbitrary reasons like pre-existing conditions, or put beyond reach by out of sight premiums, is scandalous.  Dodd-Frank also may need changes but to say we have not learned anything from the 2007 experience where the country’s financial sector collapsed is not a very encouraging sign.  And for anyone who can remember MCI, Adelphia, and Enron, repeal of Sarbanes-Oxley makes only sense in the context of other regulations that would hold CEOs accountable for misrepresentations their corporations may purposely make?

I am fairly certain Ron Paul supporters do not think about these three regulations this way.  I also do not think Paul supporters think through his other proposals and figure out how the Country can cut taxes and still deliver services they currently depend upon.  Instead, to them, Paul represents a repudiation of a poorly functioning system.

Never the less, Ron Paul appears genuine and like a good wine, provides hints of honesty and American virtues.  His supporters will enjoy him while he lasts.

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See more of Jack’s work at Regaining the Center