As a continuation of explaining how Knysna (and South Africa) are affected by world politics and recession, i share with you an article about Ron Paul, a candidate for the US presidency, which i wrote for my personal, less publicly “presentable” blog.

Simply, if you don’t believe that US politics and money markets affect us here in Knysna, then you are an idiot. It’s way past time that the general public stopped being fearful, ignorant ostriches with their heads buried in the sand.

It’s unlikely that Ron Paul will win but that’s acceptable in the light of the fact that he’s seeking to give new ideas a bigger platform. He’s more about a movement than himself.

Despite my admiration, you should take note that i have issues with him. I totally disagree with his combination of church and government. He may even be a touch racist and homophobic (whereas i’m not at all). But when looking at his competition, who are bought and paid for by the banks and oil companies, he looks saintly.

If anything should grab your interest, it’s that he wants the destruction of the federal bank, global withdrawal of US troops, and the eradication of personal tax – yes, you read correctly, no tax on individuals. These 3 things alone would change the planet.

What’s even more amazing is that he’s still in the Republican race for president despite half the candidates having dropped out. in fact, generally, he’s the third most popular, an amazing fact considering his radical ideas. Obviously, there’s growing support for real change. And there’s practical hope that that can be achieved in our lifetimes.

TROOPS WITHDRAW FROM AFGHANISTAN shouts the headline of the New York Times. On CNN, a Cuban wife steps off the new ferry, between Cuba and Miami, to kiss her husband for the first time in 2 decades. 4 months later, the United Nations votes for recognition of the statehood of Palestine.

In a world accustomed to bad news, most readers will laugh mockingly yet secretly hope for those scenarios to be true. We all want a more peaceful planet because it means a more reliable future for our families and selves.

However, current reality features a political elephant in the global room. The United States of America’s parody of democracy not only affects the 135 countries that house American troops in over 900 military bases but union members in Madrid and rapping youngsters in Knysna. Whether financially or culturally, as opposers or supporters, the USA affects everyone. Like most countries, the common US citizen is a bystander whilst politicians, furthering their own agendas, influence the world’s state of health. And we are a ball rolling towards a steep staircase.

A country is its leader. Corruption at the top filters to the bottom. For too long, US politicians disobeyed their constitution which, in some form or another, was exported to the world so that the US became, ironically self-proclaimed, the de facto guardian of human rights…everywhere. And the Western world accepted – Hollywood, banks, insurance companies and our own corrupt politicians told us to.

Reality is that Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq are monuments to military failure. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have died. The United Nations flounders. President Eisenhower, in 1961, famously warned that, “In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes.” No one paid heed. For too long, US politics has been for sale. The real rulers of the USA are the banks and energy companies. Clinton, Bush etc. were presidents in name only.

The US needs a real leader. Us, the world, needs them to get one. We need an American President who does what he says, a genuine man who will make election promises and be the first in decades to fulfill them. We need a man who is brave enough to speak the truth that no one wants to hear. That man, and leader, is Ron Paul.

Ron Paul believes in real democracy. His actions and statements as a senator speak for themselves. He has publicly held the same views for 3 decades. He (the only one) does not change his position in order to get more votes. He believes that his country would be better off if it upheld its own democracy by stopping unconstitutional wars and pursuing a healthier financial marketplace. The world would be better off too.

President Ron Paul would stop the USA’s interventionist wars that only breed more hostility towards Americans, destabilizes countries and supports corporate war profiteers. He’d close notorious Guantanamo Bay and other prisons that have challenged the independence of foreign countries and, in practice, advocated to them that torture is okay. He concurs with world sentiment that trade should be opened with Cuba. He wants the US to withdraw from the United Nations which would mean one less veto vote that has constantly denied the will of the world. What would shock most is that he believes that drugs should be legalized but that’s in line with the Global Commission on Drug Policy Report (June 2011) that proves that the War on Drugs has hopelessly failed and instead given power to the criminal to create more crime whilst overburdening the prison system with addicts and low level pushers who need help. These policies have been aped by most countries.

President Ron Paul would install a firm monetary policy that would stabilize the US nationally and consequently assist in stabilizing the world markets. His plan includes $1 trillion in cuts.

He is firmly opposed to the Federal Reserve (Fed), the central banking system of the US which is almost 15 trillion dollars in the red. The Fed deserves special mention for is not governmental and will not allow a public audit. It is privately owned by corporations who have been given the the power to print the dollar and set interest rates. They have failed in their main duty which is to regulate inflation. Essentially, this mega corporation was a major cause of the US housing bubble and then utilized taxpayer’s money to prop up corrupt banks. The world needs a President opposed to it because what happens to the dollar, the global currency, affects all. No country’s economy should be dictated to by private business and, as history has shown, corporate greed at the expense of the common citizen.

Running parallel, how can money be printed without backing? Printing paper that can be re-loaned until the vast majority is digital is an absurd system out of touch with reality. It’s a system that only supports the banks who then reduce the public salary by charging them interest on money that their government never printed. Ron Paul believes in the gold standard, or at least a more modernized version that is backed by minerals. The route to that is filled with obstacles but at least Ron Paul is prepared to broach the issue and believe in legal, real value money. He opposes income tax and believes that working hard and saving is the right of every man which is a wonderful value to export.

At the age of 76, Ron Paul’s election campaign is surprisingly more in touch with the youth than any of his opponents. A politician who respects the youth as the future is more likely to make a positive contribution to the future.

As important as Ron Paul’s creed is that of his opponents. For example, Mitt Romney is an “establishment man”. He’s a huge supporter of the Federal Reserve and his election campaign receives more donations from Wall Street bankers than anyone else. On the Democrat’s side is the double-talking Barack Obama who never upheld his election promises, consequently leading to the deaths of more innocents via continued war, cluster bombs and a surge in the use of unmanned drones. He’s drained the power of whistle-blowing and defied US Congressional vote. He has empowered thieving bankers not only by the Wall Street bailouts but by letting them get away with it.

As John Garver, nephew of Rick Santorum (another political opponent) said, “Ron Paul seems to be the only candidate trying to win the election for a reason other than simply winning the election.”

Ron Paul wants real change versus his opponents wanting to band-aid gaping problems and maintain the current status quo that benefits the few, reduces national liberties and promotes a disrespectful, interventionist foreign policy for profit.

The world needs Ron Paul to become the President of the USA.