Ron Paul - The Best Friend Iran Has?

Presidential candidate Congressman Ron Paul may have some insightful views when it comes to economic issues, but he is nothing short of dangerous to Americans on his views of foreign policy.

A little history is helpful here to lend some perspective. Prior to America's entry into World War II, we were a nation set in "Isolationist Policy." President Roosevelt saw the need for the United States to be actively engaged in the fight against Fascism and Imperial Japan, but he knew of the American citizen's lack of interest in what was taking place in Asia and Europe.

The best Roosevelt could do on the international stage was to stop the flow of oil, steel, and other raw materials to Japan by his Export Control Act, and to support the British, Chinese, and Soviets through the Lend-Lease Program. Both of these political actions were used to husband raw materials at home while supporting our allies in their fight against Germany and Japan. While both of these acts were not acts of war, they were provocative acts to the Japanese military in their efforts to conquer Mainland China.  It was the Export Control Act that set the Japanese on a collision course with the USA that led to Pearl Harbor. The rest, as they say, is history.

With the fall of Germany and Japan, and the ushering in of the nuclear era, the United States stood alone as the world's superpower. Since 1945, like it or not, the United States has been everything from the "World's Policeman" to Peacekeeper, to Humanitarian aide giver. The days of us sitting within our borders and not influencing or affecting world policy ended with the dropping of the atomic bomb. 

 It is interesting to note that the discussions being held today on the international scene center once again on nuclear policy. With unstable regimes such as Pakistan, North Korea, and a fractured Russia sitting on stockpiles of nuclear weapons, and regimes such as Syria and Iran trying to acquire such weapons, along with the ever present threat that such weapons fall into terrorist hands, the United States can not be a disinterested observer. Our very safety demands our involvement in such important matters as nuclear weapons and who has them.

This is where Ron Paul is a menace to the safety of the United States. Ron Paul has clearly stated that, as President, he would follow the U.S. Constitution when it came to declaring war on the enemies of the USA. While I have no argument against his desire to follow the Constitution, I am concerned about his willingness to use the military. Before anyone goes apoplectic, allow me to explain: Congressman Paul has never articulated under what circumstances he would be willing to use the military to protect the interests of the United States or its citizens.

In last week's debate in Iowa, Congressman Paul was posited the question that, "If he had solid evidence Iran was going to get a nuclear weapon, a President Paul would remove the US sanctions on Iran, including those added by the Obama Administration. So to be clear, GOP nominee Ron Paul would be running left of President Obama on the issue of Iran?"

Not only did Paul not answer the question, the answer he gave was inadequate, and didn't articulate any instances under which he would use the might of the United States military or its political influence to protect its citizens. The best he could reply was that Iran wants nuclear weapons because they fear us, that we have been making them do it, therefore they need the nukes to garner more respect from other nuclear countries.

What Congressman Paul neglects to take into account are the following facts: Iran's Constitution proclaims its mission is to spread worldwide Jihad and usher in the 12th Imam and an International Caliphate. To do this, Iran would have to be willing to place itself in harm's way as a willing martyr in its desire to annihilate Israel and the United States. Their leadership of Mullah's have precisely stated their willingness to be a martyr nation, to wipe Israel off the map, and to bring down the "Great Satan", the United States. The fact that Venezuela and Iran have military ties and plans to stage military exercises in the Western Hemisphere is a cause for concern.

The United States, Israel, and the rest of Europe need to be, and are, rightfully worried about a nuclear Iran and what it means for the security of a free world. We ignore Iran at our own peril.

The American voter has to take a serious look at Congressman Paul's extreme isolationist views, and decide if such a man deserves our voting trust when the stakes are the safety and security of the lives of our families and fellow citizens. It begs this question: Is Congressman Paul, unwittingly, the best friend Iran has in its efforts to acquire nuclear weapons?

Submitted by:

Joe O'Neill