I'll put my gold vs your bonds any day :p

Iowa is irrelevant. No one will be talking about Ron Paul come Feb.

no state is irrelevent

Depends on the context. In the election, most are irrelevant, including California and Texas. All but about 10 are completely irrelevant.

any poll from any state is a message that influences opinions

I'll admit Ron Paul's (add Kucinich's) level of sincerity represents perhaps the highest standard of authenticity found anywhere within the political machine. It's no surprise both of them are often seen on the same page in spite of being on opposite sides of the isle and... I admire them both for that. That said I tend to agree with many Ron Paul supporters who suggest his campaign is more an opportunity to nationally broadcast his ideals as opposed to a serious run for presidency, not to mention unless he'd be willing to "update" some of his antiquated, hence in my opinion unworkable ideals so as to be aligned with current reality I see him capable of (at least potentially) plunging the US of A back into the dark ages, the latter point truly besides the point.

Case in point. I tend to believe he's sincere when he says he'd deep six the IRS... "immediately", which on it's own settles my argument. Where do you suppose might be General Dynamics stand on this, who funding is suddenly at risk. Add Lockheed Martin. General Electric.. oh fuck it... how about we take a gander at this little list.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_defense_contractors

huh, big list. And that's only the Top 100

Add Big Banking, Finance. Add K street. Oh let's not forget... Add DEA, Add Law Enforcement (and CIA), the Judicial System, the privatized penal system should anyone dare suggest we end the war on drugs.

It's not difficult to comprehend that in the event Ron Paul is somehow miraculously elected Prez, like every other Prez in recent decades you can be sure Ronnie gets a little sit down and a chit chat. Main topic of discussion?...

Don't fuck around.

Final Analysis. Option 1) Ron Paul will never be President. Option 2) Ron Paul IS elected president. Doesn't live to see 6 months in the WH.

Gangster; perhaps you should re-read Ron Paul's platform because it doesn't call for the immediate removal of the IRS.

Also you are being intellectually dishonest in saying that Ron Paul supporters do not believe this is a "true run".

If you want to have an opinion that is fine; but don't go making crap up.

Usually you spend some time writing your posts; this one looks rushed and a little confused.

deadcode -- {{perhaps you should re-read Ron Paul's platform because it doesn't call for the immediate removal of the IRS. }}

my comment is not based upon "opinion" or speculation but on Ron Paul's statement during one of the debates... During the debate in question he did not respond with statements suggesting... curtail its reach/power or --- eliminate it progressively over time etc. etc. but with the statement..."immediately"... His explicit answer not mine. If this conflicts or demonstrates some "slippage" between what he says in debate versus his written mandates (I'll take your word that it does) this represents more of an issue to his advisers and supporters i suppose than to me. In any case my point is/was that Ron Paul's overall positions aren't much of a mystery to anyone and unequivocally go up against or more importantly directly threaten the deeply entrenched monster of influence and power(s) that's held our political systems hostage for a very long time now, namely the fractional reserve and the IMC. Since the "the economy = ENERGY (an often ignored or misunderstood item) one may as well add to that Big Oil. While I agree with many of his platforms on principle, should any president actually try to single handedly carry out what he's suggesting the fucking Mossad would happily take him out in a heart beat if no one else did.

you added -- {{ Also you are being intellectually dishonest in saying that Ron Paul supporters do not believe this is a "true run". }}

Am I?.. How's that. First of all, I'm not makin shit up my friend. I'm not suggesting that "all" or even the MAJORITY of RP's supporters feel that way. I am suggesting there exist knowledgeable supporters and academics who do in fact support his views while at the same time have expressed this very same thing.

The question remains... What does Ron Paul secretly in his mind think about this. To be factual, one can only speculate. What isn't speculative is the following. Ron Paul in my opinion is no dummy and intelligent, which also suggests that... he's fully aware of what I'm talking about given his intimate understanding of how this shit works first hand, which in turn suggests that Ron Paul also "knows" as president he would be forced to either acquiesce and live to see another day or join the long list of other hamstrung presidents who could pontificate much but do little to change much of anything. Anyone who thinks otherwise is horribly naive, Ron Paul supporters included.

What's needed FIRST is an educated "majority" when it comes to the voting population, who could in turn represent a real threat to the current establishment by way of strong participatory government as opposed to being asleep at the wheel as it has been a very long time. This would represent true power beyond anything we could ever hope to bestow upon a president hoping "they" can do it "for us". Fact is they can't. OWS is a representation that much of the populace has become irritated and fed up, however, irritation with having a dent placed in one's consumerism is not to be confused or equated with being educated and capable enough in being able to parse out the crap our lawmakers vomit up on a regular basis. I'm quite sure none of this represents anything new to Ron Paul, so I have to ask myself, what are Ron Paul's true intentions. Add to that where is Ron Paul most effective as in... Where he is now ?.. currently stirring the pot or quite simply removed via any number of ways should he actually succeed in a "true run".

As a start it really gets down to ... Election reform. As was recently discussed here at kdice...Get the fucking money out it. And it'll take congress standing up to the plate on this, essentially shooting themselves in the foot. And I've no doubt Ron Paul knows this as well. And it'll take an educated populace not some president to make it happen, over time.

I'm of the opinion that as it stands most people remain in the dark and are unwilling to accept or believe the worst is yet to come. It's my opinion that the latter stages of this collapse needs to run it's course (add to that addition transfer of wealth yet to come)and through sheer force cause the general population to look beyond it's own self interests and look to the larger picture which encompasses us all as a species both locally and globally.

"Gangster; perhaps you should re-read Ron Paul's platform because it doesn't call for the immediate removal of the IRS."

From Ron Paul's website: Ron Paul supports the elimination of the income tax and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

To provide funding for the federal government, Ron Paul supports excise taxes, non-protectionist tariffs, massive cuts in spending.

Summary: So, instead of rich people paying more in taxes, Ron prefers we as a nation pay inherently unfair excise taxes - making booze and cigarettes even more expensive. Sounds like a dick, then again I'm not 100 years old so maybe that was reasonable when RP was a kid.

"Also you are being intellectually dishonest in saying that Ron Paul supporters do not believe this is a "true run"."

He means the sane ones. The fanatical/crazy supporters think he can win. I'd draw a distinction here. I'm sure members of the Green party thought Nader could win too. Generally that's not what his intelligent, politically minded, supporters thought though.

"If you want to have an opinion that is fine; but don't go making crap up."

You're taking way too much offense to the accurate, albeit disparaging, criticism of Ron Paul. It's kind of funny lol.

"Usually you spend some time writing your posts; this one looks rushed and a little confused."

Looked well thought out to me, it even had some wikipedia in there. I think you're just another typical fervent Ron Paul supporter who can't fathom/stand any criticism of the man - or even a reality check on the likely course of his potential presidency. You're worse than the inner city Obama fanatics.

Don't get me wrong, I think Ron Paul would've been an excellent presidential candidate 100 years ago. in 1912 he'd definitely have given Taft, Teddy and Wilson a run for a money. But unfortunately we don't live in the early 20th century - and none of Ron's antiquated policies make sense anymore in the 21st century.

Even you dead must realize the gold standard is just as much a failure as a currency as fiat currency can be. Both are inherently scarce - one is subject to a national bank, the other is subject to mining conglomerates. Neither have any real practical value, granted gold has some applications in scientific industry and use as decor - but in the same vain fiat currency is equally valuable to wipe your ass with or recycle into new paper.

There in lies the rub aye?

Hope I enlightening you some today deadcode.