Do Ron Paul critics even understand the issues when they call him a kook?

of course they don't, i doubt if they have even taken the time to researcher the candidate the news tells them to vote for

Sure, I have a degree in economics. In additional to Marx, I have read Smith, Mises, Hayek, and many others.

I am certainly aware of the Austrian school of economics and have visited the von Mises institute in Auburn.

There are positive aspects to the gold standard. I doubt very many economists will dispute this. What most of us do believe, however, is that the potentially negative aspects of it outweigh the positive ones.

Do you know why 'Helicopter' Ben Bernanke got this nickname? He suggested the Fed might buy a fleet of blackhawk helicopters to distribute new money directly to the entire population. Currently, it has to work its way through the system and those both familiar and best positioned receive great benefit from this while those at the opposite end might chiefly receive inflation. (This is oversimplified, of course.)

The point is that economists are aware of the arguments, but the gold standard carries with it two particularly large problems. Firstly, it leaves devaluation as the only monetary option for dealing with a currency crisis or attack. There are historical examples that will demonstrate the problem with this. You don't even have to look exclusively at currencies backed by gold (which takes you further in the past), you can sometimes get reasonable examples from those pegged to the dollar. The key feature is that devaluation is the only method of intervention available to the central bank.

Secondly, the immense trade deficit of the United States would cause a massive bullion flight. The gold standard might, therefore, seem like a decent way to reign in foreign liabilities, but in realistic terms... saturation bombing NYC would be less harmful to the American economy and average American consumer.

Ron Paul says he wants to trade with and travel to foreign nations, just not invade them. Perhaps John McCain did understand the difference between non-interventionism and isolationism. I say this, my friends, because the gold standard would necessitate either sealing off trade with protective tariffs to preserve our bullion backed currency or constantly devaluing and issuing new currency. The resultant value of US currency on the FOREX would be such that you wouldn't be able to buy very much were you to try and travel abroad.

EDIT: I also don't think Ron Paul is a kook. I think built a platform around issues that deserve real debate rather than around trying to become President. He's trying to remind the GOP of its philosophical roots. Whether or not he would actually try to implement his platform without some level of pragmatic compromise were he to become President will never be known.

Ron Paul supporters are the ones who do not understand the first thing about economics. Libertarianism is great in philosophy, but philsophies are not always the truth.

The reason there are regulations on industries is to make sure that people do not always get the shaft. We do not put regulations on industry to hurt ourselves, we do it to protect ourselves. If there were no regulations then industries could once again monopolize. We know for a fact this is not good for the people. Industries could choose whatever minimum wage they want if we deregulated to the point Ron Paul is discussing. Industries could spend as much money as they pleased on lobbying, which from the way Washington looks right now is not working at all.

Industry needs regulation and guidelines. Ron Paul is not a kook and I respect him for standing up for what he believes in. If all politicians had as much conviction as Ron Paul we would not have to worry about honesty in government. But the fact is his economic philosophy has already been tried and it fails.

As a Ron Paul supporter I find this question a bit offensive. I have many freinds who are liberal that do have an extended knowlwge of economics. I disagree with their opinions and I highly recommend they read Austrian Economics.

So don't blanket all anti-Paul types, many are very well educated with a differing opinion on economics. I do see a problem with calling Paul a kook... he isn't... it's just the same insults you used in this question. We shouldn't lower ourselves to the mudslingers level... whoever you support.

Ron Paul 08

Edit: TONYPEGE-

I would argue with you here, corporations are products of Government protection and subsidies. When Corporations take over they support big government policies. I see a dangerous alliance between Big Government and Corporate Socialism.

Please read Austrian Economics and understand that in a truly lassize-faire economy, corporations would not even be a problem.

I am a Democrat. I like Ron Paul. I don't agree with him on all the issues but I like that fact that he is consistent. He says what he believes not what he thinks people want to hear. I do agree with him on Iraq and having less government in our business. The first time I noticed him was when I took a Election survey and I matched him more than everyone except Brownbeck or whatever his name is. The one who left already. I would vote for him if it was him and Hillary for sure.

human beings call him a kook by means of fact he tells the actual certainty. human beings have not common what has been happening in this u . s .. they have been used to each of the lies the govenment has been asserting, so whilst the reality comes, they do no longer recognize it. I do think of the yank human beings have forgotton what freedom truly skill. i'm giving my maximum suitable for Ron Paul to develop into President. i do no longer think of he will win by means of fact whilst one elementary guy has a threat, like I pronounced in the previous, human beings have heard the governments lies for see you later that they are used to them. in the event that they hear something diverse, they think of that's incorrect.

you're right Tony, but don't forget that these conservatives also parrot their PARENTS, rather then spend any time studying and learning to formulate their own agendas. Can anyone tell me how to end all this conservative - liberal- in - out -up- down or whatever labeling of candidates and get down to seeking out THE TRUTH. I must say that the name calling is indicative of the present generation's trouble with earnest, honest and POLITE debate. can't these knuckleheads learn to get off their lazy asses and seek out their own answers.

Conservatives are just parroting Fox News talking points.

I agree with libertarian civil rights stand completely.

I disagree with liberatrian economics because I believe in strongly regulated capitalism. Corporations are the strongest entities in the world now, stronger than governments, and will control governments if allowed. Just look at the money trails in US elections.

I am part of the liberatarian left (civilly libertarian, economically liberal)

Ron Paul has my vote. I love his ideas with one exception. He's draconian in his anti-abortion stance. Still, he's the harshest Iraq critic on either side of the fence so I can forgive him.

I don't think they do, people keep saying he is an isolationist, despite the fact that he says he wants open dialouge, and fair trade with all countries.