Why I admire Ron Paul supporters

When I posted the news a couple days ago that Paul had raised $6 million in a day (at the time it was $5M, final count was $6M), several commenters wondered if I supported Ron Paul. The answer is, of course, goodlordNO. I generally agree with him on a single issue (albeit an important one), and virtually nothing else. I don't think he's "crazy" and by all appearances he has tremendous integrity, sticking to principle even when it's not at all expedient (unlike the person to whom he's unfairly compared, Kucinich, who is also generally right on a couple issues but who has a completely illiberal background and voting record). But I disagree with Paul on the issues, so no, I don't like him as a candidate.

You know who I do admire, though? His supporters.* (And I'll tell you why below the fold.)The reason is, they are super active, they commit time and resources to what they believe in, and they are actively participating in the democratic process. To an annoying extent, sometimes, but their passion and grassroots activism is something to evaluate -- and perhaps emulate, to some extent -- rather than scorn. Again, I totally disagree with the goals, but it takes some effort to act on what you believe, and his supporters are definitely doing that.

It reminds me a little of a fight I got into with a friend a couple months ago about the documentary film Jesus Camp, which follows kids and their families through as they attend an evangelical Christian camp. The ideas espoused by most of the people in the film are absolutely anathema to my political views, but they were taking action in the service of what they believe in. Whatever I think of those views, I think it's important to have a real marketplace of ideas, which is why I respect people who (appropriately and reasonably) advocate positions I don't believe in. Now, indoctrination makes me pretty uncomfortable, and the aspect of imposing a belief structure upon kids is sometimes troubling, which was the perspective of my friend, who was totally horrified by the film. I'd be a hypocrite if I said conservative parents shouldn't talk about their values to their kids while also thinking that this photo is one of the coolest things I've seen this cycle.

I want to *win* the debate of ideas, and I think that when people are able to see (and take part in!) the political dialogue, the kinds of things I think are right will ultimately be persuasive. But, sometimes not. Either way, though, a democracy requires participation and action, and Paul supporters certainly don't lack in that category. To participate is to be a patriot, no matter which side of the aisle you're on.

*There are occasional reports (rumors?) that some hate groups support Paul. Those aren't the people I'm talking about, though even that stuff I'd rather have out in the open for debate than hidden as an undercurrent -- the best way to kill a virus, after all, is sunlight.