Principles

It was years ago, but I once went to a Republican party Presidential caucus right here in town, considering myself, after all, a Republican.  I left and never returned because I realized very quickly that I didn't share much at all with some of the doomsday loudmouths who ran the show.  You might say I didn't believe the world was flat. 

I've been to only one Democratic caucus here.  I went in 2008 because I believed in Obama.  At that event I felt more at home, but I don't know that I'll ever go back.  I like my independence, quite frankly.

It's caucus time in Iowa, although the bus traffic through town seems to have waned dramatically.  This year lots of front-runners aren't pressing the flesh like they used to when we nearly had to put up additional traffic signs.  No more.  We're no less Republican up here in the northwest corner of Iowa, and the scramble for votes is more wild and zany than it's ever been.  You'd think there'd be a revolving door on the town, but the hot shots rarely show. 

Rick Santorum was here last night, but otherwise it's been awhile since we've had a candidate pay a visit.  I think the 24/7 news channels have made old-fashioned retail politics, well, old-fashioned.  Newt's ahead in Iowa even though he hasn't been in all that many church basements.  The only two old-fashioned baby-kissing stompers are Santorum and Bachmann, both of whom barely register single digits these days.

About the only signs I see around town herald the candidacy of Ron Paul, whose loyal troops have kept him in the teens since long before the Ames straw poll.  I'm not sure how good Christian folks can so heartily support a die-hard libertarian when the gospel of libertarianism is, at its core, almost Darwinian--only the strong survive.  Rugged individualism has a glorious past in this country, of course, starting with Ben Franklin's alter ego, Poor Richard.  Bootstraps ideology has its own viral attraction, but I just can't square much of the libertarian creed with the New Testament.  I'm not one to make claims about WWJD, but I have a ton of trouble believing Jesus, given everything he said about the poor, would slap a Ron Paul sticker on his SUV.  But what do I know?--there are probably many more good Christians on Ron Paul's side than mine.  Or so it seems.

But I like him--Ron Paul, that is.  The man heartily stands for something.  In a field that now includes a gentleman incapable of seeing his own two-faces, as well as another who's a serial adulterer, Ron Paul stands immoveable in the silliness, an actual true believer, the Statue of Liberty in the harbor of madness. 

What's more, he pulled out the fanciest, juiciest berry pie he could yesterday and tossed it directly into the fat face of a man Newt called "an American icon."  Iconic Donald Trump is throwing his own little caucus party, it seems, where he's planning to strong-arm the questions at his own private presidential debate.  All the candidates are expected to genuflect, of course.  I'm sorry, but in my book, this particular job-creator is the original All-American horse's ass.

Ron Paul says he's busy that night, not coming.  Yahoo!  "The selection of a reality television personality to host a presidential debate that voters nationwide will be watching is beneath the office of the Presidency," his office said yesterday, "and flies in the face of that office's history and dignity."

Won't somebody here say AMEN?

If Ron Paul dares to take on America's chief fat-cat buffoon, he'll do just fine with Iran's hate-mongering mullahs.  And there's more:  "Mr. Trump's participation as moderator will distract from questions and answers concerning important issues. . ."  

I'm liking this guy.  

And then this:  "Mr. Trump's participation will contribute to an unwanted circus-like atmosphere."  

Nailed it.  Just plain nailed it.  

I might just look for a yard sign myself, one of those neat Ron Paul banners.  I wouldn't vote for him, but, my word, you got to like him.  He's a man of principle.