Today's Letters: Ron Paul is in touch with real American people

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published October 17, 2007

GOP hopeful floats on despite odds Oct. 15 

As far as Ron Paul goes, your paper just does not get it. You are so blinded by big business and big media, that you do not see this man, who is in touch with the real American people and has the country's best interests in mind, not the lobbyists'.

The reporter shows mostly negative quotes throughout the article. Why not simply write an article showing Dr. Paul's agenda and how he gives back a portion of his salary each year to the U.S. Treasury, and that he does not participate in the Senate's pension plan or health care, to which us real American people do not have access?

I'm a small business owner, and Dr. Paul is the change in Washington America needs. You write about all the problems these career politicians have, but you just keep supporting them. Why?

It is time your paper takes the lead and stops following what the big media tell you to write. How about giving us an unbiased comparison of all the candidates and let us decide, instead of pushing us toward a candidate you already have in mind.

Allen Jernigan, Seminole

GOP hopeful floats on despite oddsOct. 15, story

An out-of-focus profile

I have seen Republican congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul speak many times, I am very familiar with his voting record, I have read his books and I have been attending local campaign events and have come to know many of his supporters. However, I do not recognize the man or his campaign in your Oct. 15 article.

The grab bag of nutty positions used to describe Ron Paul's views does not match Ron Paul's or mine. For the record, the appeal of Ron Paul is based on his philosophy of lower taxes, less government, civil liberties, adherence to the U.S. Constitution and a noninterventionist foreign policy. This may or may not fit your philosophy, but it is a defensible outlook with a long tradition in the Republican Party.

According to the very latest national poll (USA Today/Gallup, Oct. 12-14), Ron sits at 5 percent in the polls and has more than $5-million in the bank. This may or may not be top tier, but it is certainly not "bottom tier" nor an "also ran" with "no shot."

Philip Blumel, Atlantis

GOP hopeful floats on despite oddsOct. 15, story

Essence was missed

This article misses many important and easily discovered facts which point to Dr. Ron Paul's great character, personal qualities, political skills, substantive conservative platform and unprecedented support. No effort was made to assess the real potential or meaning behind this campaign.

The article painted Ron Paul supporters, among whose number I proudly count myself, as wing nuts and undesirables. I have met more wonderful people through the Ron Paul campaign in a very short time than I have in any other way.

Ron Paul is an imperfect messenger, but his message is liberty, prosperity and peace. He seems to be a Christian in the true sense, though some of us appreciate that he does not wear his faith on his sleeve or swagger with false moral pride. He attempts to live an exemplary life and lead with thoughtful remarks and purposeful action. Would that we had more leaders like him!

You have damaged the trust of your readers and failed to serve your community with this article, and ultimately I believe you will hurt your bottom line.

Steven Talcott Smith, Boca Raton

He's a light of truth

Aaron Sharockmans' piece Monday on Ron Paul was more than upsetting to me. As a supporter of Rep. Paul for the presidency, I have seen him speak in person, met him and have read his most recent book. In 20 years in the House, he has held the line on taxes and spending, and stays close to the Constitution he swore to defend. This is a far cry from the way he was described in this article.

Ron Paul is like the light of truth on a dull and rainy day. His supporters are varied, but we are not kooks, or racists, or fringe people. We love our country, our Constitution and our liberty. The reason he is placed at the edge of the stage is that he makes the war-mongering crazies uncomfortable. He points out the illogic of their positions with surgical expertise. After all, he is a doctor!

Michael Henderson, St. Petersburg

President Bush pops in for lunch Oct. 13

Overlooked opposition

Funny how Melanie Ave's article about President Bush's visit to Pinellas Park conveniently left out the part about how, with 48 hours notice, 75-plus anti-Bush protesters (taking the day off from work) representing various St. Petersburg grass roots organizations greeted the president at the St. Petersburg/Clearwater airport.

The signs there included "Jail to the Chief," "Impeach Bush," "Tax breaks for the rich, body bags for the poor," "Torture is terrorism."

By mentioning only two signs (with one supposedly anti-Bush and one pro-Bush) the impression given is that half of Pinellas County supports his visit, which is far from the truth.

Hooray for the St. Petersburg Times for proving once again it is the biased media arm of the Bush administration. Don't you feel special.

Marianne Huber, St. Petersburg

Puzzling words

I read your Page 1A headline Monday morning, BCS ranks Bulls No. 2. I didn't know what it meant nor did I think it was worth my while to read the article to find out.

I wish the St. Petersburg Times would go back to pretending that it is a great newspaper.

Carl Bertolino, Palm Harbor

[Last modified October 16, 2007, 20:57:31]