Chris Christie Running for President??

http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/Christie-presiden…

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is reconsidering his decision not to enter the 2012 presidential race — and he says he will let top Republican donors know within days about his plans, Newsmax has learned

How does this change the race? Will you guys vote for him?

 

Christie isn't ready. Romney or Perry are going to get the nod. Republicans will solidify their control of the House and I PRAY take the Senate. Obama is going to be one and done. Sadly it is one too many, but whatever.

 

You know, everyone I meet these days is a Ron Paul supporter (a very encouraging thing, imo), YET, when I see the polls I see him being crushed by Romney and Perry. Makes me wonder if Dr. Paul's supporters are actually even going out to vote for him..

 

Perry's support is fading. Romney is going to be a hard sell due to his health care plan in MA, support for TARP, and the general perception of him as an empty suit.

Paul has the most solid base out of any candidate. His numbers are only going to rise.

It's an uphill battle with the media blackout on the good doctor but the right conditions may surface to push him ahead.

A Paul vs Obama debate would be priceless. He would destroy Obama in the eyes of his base.

 
MNT:
Perry's support is fading. Romney is going to be a hard sell due to his health care plan in MA, support for TARP, and the general perception of him as an empty suit.

Paul has the most solid base out of any candidate. His numbers are only going to rise.

It's an uphill battle with the media blackout on the good doctor but the right conditions may surface to push him ahead.

A Paul vs Obama debate would be priceless. He would destroy Obama in the eyes of his base.

The thought of a Paul Obama debate makes me wet. Obama would get slaughtered. Sadly, the media blackout isn't Paul's biggest problem, it's the fact that this country is so uneducated and ignorant that hurts him the most.

 

Not only does Ron Paul have zero chance to get the GOP nomination, his policy ideas are absolutely moronic and irresponsible, from his position on the Federal Reserve all the way to his position on Iran. Ron Paul has solid base of support--it's virtually all people under 30, and most of that support is among college students. I was at CPAC 2010 where Ron Paul won the straw poll--his supporters were there like flies on sht and all of his supporters are moronic, ignoramus college students who don't know what the flying fck they're talking about. I am so fcking sick of hearing about Ron Paul. He's the most unserious candidate since Pat Buchannan in 1992. Jesus fcking Christ!

Array
 
Virginia Tech 4ever:
Not only does Ron Paul have zero chance to get the GOP nomination, his policy ideas are absolutely moronic and irresponsible, from his position on the Federal Reserve all the way to his position on Iran. Ron Paul has solid base of support--it's virtually all people under 30, and most of that support is among college students. I was at CPAC 2010 where Ron Paul won the straw poll--his supporters were there like flies on sht and all of his supporters are moronic, ignoramus college students who don't know what the flying fck they're talking about. I am so fcking sick of hearing about Ron Paul. He's the most unserious candidate since Pat Buchannan in 1992. Jesus fcking Christ!

I don't even....

 
Virginia Tech 4ever:
Not only does Ron Paul have zero chance to get the GOP nomination, his policy ideas are absolutely moronic and irresponsible, from his position on the Federal Reserve all the way to his position on Iran. Ron Paul has solid base of support--it's virtually all people under 30, and most of that support is among college students. I was at CPAC 2010 where Ron Paul won the straw poll--his supporters were there like flies on sht and all of his supporters are moronic, ignoramus college students who don't know what the flying fck they're talking about. I am so fcking sick of hearing about Ron Paul. He's the most unserious candidate since Pat Buchannan in 1992. Jesus fcking Christ!

I don't even know where to begin...

Unlike you obvioulsly, I vote on what I believe, not on who is going to win/get nomination.

 
txjustin:
Virginia Tech 4ever:
Not only does Ron Paul have zero chance to get the GOP nomination, his policy ideas are absolutely moronic and irresponsible, from his position on the Federal Reserve all the way to his position on Iran. Ron Paul has solid base of support--it's virtually all people under 30, and most of that support is among college students. I was at CPAC 2010 where Ron Paul won the straw poll--his supporters were there like flies on sht and all of his supporters are moronic, ignoramus college students who don't know what the flying fck they're talking about. I am so fcking sick of hearing about Ron Paul. He's the most unserious candidate since Pat Buchannan in 1992. Jesus fcking Christ!

I don't even know where to begin...

Unlike you obvioulsly, I vote on what I believe, not on who is going to win/get nomination.

Did you even read what was said? Have you ever taken a serious look into Ron Paul's policy stances? They aren't "conservative"--they are not even on the circle of political belief systems. They are ludicrous, from top to bottom. The idea of a U.S. gold standard in today's global economy is so economically idiotic that it's breathtaking that I'd even have to say it. The idea that the U.S. Congress should be "auditing" the Fed should terrify you. Do we really want incompetent congressmen (which is the overwhelming majority of congressmen) making politically motivated Fed policy? The idea that Iran, which is run by Sharia Muslims--the proverbial Africanized (killer) bees of Islam--and believes that starting a global war to annihilate the Jewish people will bring back the return of the 12th Imam (Sharia Islam's messianic figure) to institute global Islamic dominance, should be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons because it's only fair demonstrates how insane Ron Paul is. He is a totally unserious candidate who is so far out of step with mainstream Republican party beliefs that he has no chance of winning any states AT ALL whatsoever. He has not demonstrated an ability in his entire career to organize a winning national coalition, mostly because the lion's share of his support is among inexperienced 20-somethings with mountains of student debt.

Array
 
Virginia Tech 4ever:
Not only does Ron Paul have zero chance to get the GOP nomination, his policy ideas are absolutely moronic and irresponsible, from his position on the Federal Reserve all the way to his position on Iran. Ron Paul has solid base of support--it's virtually all people under 30, and most of that support is among college students. I was at CPAC 2010 where Ron Paul won the straw poll--his supporters were there like flies on sht and all of his supporters are moronic, ignoramus college students who don't know what the flying fck they're talking about. I am so fcking sick of hearing about Ron Paul. He's the most unserious candidate since Pat Buchannan in 1992. Jesus fcking Christ!

I know you are going to get flamed for that post but I have to say I agree with some it. Ron Paul is just an unserious candidate in many people's minds. They listen to him and get all pumped up because they like the limited government aspect of most of his ideas and his support of states' rights...but at the end of the night he comes across as a crazy person and he will never be elected. What people say out in public isn't necessarily the way they vote.

I think he gets a ton of support from people, like college students, who are either idealist or who don't have a ton of life experience and as much as I think people should be responsible for themselves, it just isn't going to happen...so the government is required but it's many people's hope that it can stay extremely limited. Another issue with Paul is that craziness I mentioned before. People tend to become more realistic as they get older and I think many people realize that we may not be able to maintain our national security if we take an isolationist approach with our military. Now that doesn't mean there are some potential cuts or base closures that could occur but I think Paul's stance is a bit radical for most people's taste. I think there is also a question surrounding the soundness of his gold standard theory. I've heard, and I haven't conducted research so it's basically hearsay, that the Constitution doesn't actually specify that gold and silver are the only legal tender...which I believe is a claim Paul makes (or something very similar to that).

Anyways, I'm not trying to bash him, just attempting to provide the perspective of non Wall Streeters.

Regards

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
 
cphbravo96:
Virginia Tech 4ever:
Not only does Ron Paul have zero chance to get the GOP nomination, his policy ideas are absolutely moronic and irresponsible, from his position on the Federal Reserve all the way to his position on Iran. Ron Paul has solid base of support--it's virtually all people under 30, and most of that support is among college students. I was at CPAC 2010 where Ron Paul won the straw poll--his supporters were there like flies on sht and all of his supporters are moronic, ignoramus college students who don't know what the flying fck they're talking about. I am so fcking sick of hearing about Ron Paul. He's the most unserious candidate since Pat Buchannan in 1992. Jesus fcking Christ!

I know you are going to get flamed for that post but I have to say I agree with some it. Ron Paul is just an unserious candidate in many people's minds. They listen to him and get all pumped up because they like the limited government aspect of most of his ideas and his support of states' rights...but at the end of the night he comes across as a crazy person and he will never be elected. What people say out in public isn't necessarily the way they vote.

I think he gets a ton of support from people, like college students, who are either idealist or who don't have a ton of life experience and as much as I think people should be responsible for themselves, it just isn't going to happen...so the government is required but it's many people's hope that it can stay extremely limited. Another issue with Paul is that craziness I mentioned before. People tend to become more realistic as they get older and I think many people realize that we may not be able to maintain our national security if we take an isolationist approach with our military. Now that doesn't mean there are some potential cuts or base closures that could occur but I think Paul's stance is a bit radical for most people's taste. I think there is also a question surrounding the soundness of his gold standard theory. I've heard, and I haven't conducted research so it's basically hearsay, that the Constitution doesn't actually specify that gold and silver are the only legal tender...which I believe is a claim Paul makes (or something very similar to that).

Anyways, I'm not trying to bash him, just attempting to provide the perspective of non Wall Streeters.

Regards

Never thought I would agree with you on something cph- great post.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 

For the record, in the 2008 campaign, at this point (which would be Sept 2007), Giuliani and Fred Thompson were the leaders for the GOP primary, with McCain trailing way behind. Yet he still managed to catch up and take the nomination. Just because Perry and Romney are the leaders right now does not mean in any way they will get the nomination. Any one of the others is perfectly capable of coming back in this race; odds of someone new joining and succeeding are pretty low, but its certainly possible.

Also remember, Obama was pretty far behind Hilary at this point as well, and pulled off a come from behind victory in the primaries. Just because the media spoon feeds one candidate to the public this early in the race does not mean that he or she will be successful come primary season.

looking for that pick-me-up to power through an all-nighter?
 

Auditing the FED would completely fuck up the financial system..........imagine what would happen to the church if there was legit proof that there is no god

"One should recognize reality even when one doesn't like it, indeed, especially when one doesn't like it." - Charlie Munger
 
cplpayne:
Auditing the FED would completely fuck up the financial system..........imagine what would happen to the church if there was legit proof that there is no god

Auditing the Fed (not all caps it's not an acronym) will not fuck up the financial system. Bernanke lowering rates to 0% to try and reinflate housing and equity values at the expense of the purchasing power of the US Dollar will. It is funny as shit to me to see that people think legitimate accounting methods and a real check on the people with a printing press are what is the problem. It is about on par with saying that letting Enron fail was a disaster because it might stem the rise of frivolous corporate lifestyles.

The United States does not deserve Ron Paul as its President, and even if it did it is too late anyways because this house of cards is about to collapse like none of us have ever seen. It has been ugly to see the 8 Republican debates where they have done nothing but play the cookie game while imagining the ghost of Ronald Reagan. Until there is real discourse up in this bitch about preventing the freeloading elderly who refuse to die from taking 50% of our paychecks, the role of the US as the international policeman, and the future of the US Dollar in a world of growing "non-USD" global trade, consider the shell game in its final days. But don't worry guys, debating whether gays should butt fuck with engagement rings on as the welfare-warfare state simultaneously bleeds us dry is totally rational.

Look up the cookie game if you need to ask.

 
Jesse.Livermore:
cplpayne:
Auditing the FED would completely fuck up the financial system..........imagine what would happen to the church if there was legit proof that there is no god

Auditing the Fed (not all caps it's not an acronym) will not fuck up the financial system. Bernanke lowering rates to 0% to try and reinflate housing and equity values at the expense of the purchasing power of the US Dollar will. It is funny as shit to me to see that people think legitimate accounting methods and a real check on the people with a printing press are what is the problem. It is about on par with saying that letting Enron fail was a disaster because it might stem the rise of frivolous corporate lifestyles.

The United States does not deserve Ron Paul as its President, and even if it did it is too late anyways because this house of cards is about to collapse like none of us have ever seen. It has been ugly to see the 8 Republican debates where they have done nothing but play the cookie game while imagining the ghost of Ronald Reagan. Until there is real discourse up in this bitch about preventing the freeloading elderly who refuse to die from taking 50% of our paychecks, the role of the US as the international policeman, and the future of the US Dollar in a world of growing "non-USD" global trade, consider the shell game in its final days. But don't worry guys, debating whether gays should butt fuck with engagement rings on as the welfare-warfare state simultaneously bleeds us dry is totally rational.

Look up the cookie game if you need to ask.

You're right--the United States deserves a lot better than a senile old whack job as its president. The stated purpose of the Fed-audit movement is NOT Fed transparency--it's to end the Fed and then to move the United States onto a gold standard. Hermain Cain, former head of the Kansas City Fed, pointed out that in principle he supports a gold standard but that in practice it makes absolutely no sense. You'd have to pay off America's $14.5 trillion debt first before you could move to the gold standard. In addition, if the United States were to unilaterally move to a gold standard, the value of the USD would sky rocket and would crush American exporters. It would be a devastating blow to the U.S. economy. In addition, the 19th century was replete with instances of deep recessions that took many years to climb out of because of the limitations of the gold standard and its inability to adjust interest rates in response to different economic situations. As f*cked up as the economy is today, it was far worse for far more people under the gold standard.

In addition, while I agree that America: World Police needs to be ratcheted down and that we could find a lot of savings in the porked out military we have, Ron Paul's foreign policy beliefs are just crazy--we should cut the military to bare bones, support Iranian development of nuclear weapons, cut all support to Israel, pull out of NATO, pull out of the UN, and pull out of the Middle East entirely (where do we get our oil from???). These positions are on the extreme fringe and border on isolationism. That the commander-in-chief would see the United States return to a pre-World War I philosophy is a little mind-boggling.

The problem with Ron Paul supporters is that they're 18-years-old and have no grasp of economic or world history or of the realities that the world faces.

Array
 
Jesse.Livermore:
Until there is real discourse up in this bitch about preventing the freeloading elderly who refuse to die from taking 50% of our paychecks
what are we supposed to euthanize them?
Making money is art and working is art and good business is the best art - Andy Warhol
 

Remember the ultimate purpose of the primary is to find someone who wins, someone who beats Obama not find the best candidate to your tastes.

Ron Paul and Chris Christie could both bring moderate democrats to the other side. Mitt Romney cannot, therefore Romney never will be able to beat Obama. Ron Paul is also a bit out there though so he could shun a lot of those same voters right away with a stance on one topic or so.

 

Huh? Did you read ANYTHING else that was posted regarding Iran, the Fed, or about his general foreign policy? Not a SINGLE Ron Paul supporter on this thread has yet responded to me with a SINGLE bit of information, fact, logic, etc. I've gotten about 3 "Wows" and your bullshit. Do you have anything tangible to add? Would you like to defend a Fed run by politicians or the gold standard or Sharia Muslims having nuclear weapons or pulling out of NATO or making idiotic claims about how a border fence on the Mexican border could be used to keep Americans in like in Soviet Berlin? Anything? Anything at all? Please, PLEASE defend the gold standard in 2012 America. I'd LOVE to hear this defense. Love it. Or are you just another 21-year-old Ron Paul supporter?

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Best Response
Virginia Tech 4ever:
You're right--the United States deserves a lot better than a senile old whack job as its president.

The audience of this site is sophisticated enough to see through this desperate smear.

Virginia Tech 4ever:
The stated purpose of the Fed-audit movement is NOT Fed transparency--it's to end the Fed and then to move the United States onto a gold standard.

The purpose of HR 459 is to conduct a thorough audit of the Fed. This includes transactions with foreign central banks/governments, transactions made under FOMC, and decisions related to monetary policy. Considering untold trillions were lent in secret, it's not surprising auditing the Fed now receives growing bipartisan support. The original bill that passed the House in 2009 was supported by all Republicans and over 100 Democrats. Now that this is politically popular of course, the Republican presidential candidates have been parroting Paul's message. Perry, Romney, Gingrich, and Bachman are all calling for the resignation of Bernanke and the implementation of a strong dollar policy.

The Federal Reserve's manipulation of interest rates is a form of price fixing and equivalent to central economic planning. As demonstrated throughout history and most notably with the collapse of the USSR, central planning does not work in the long run.

Ideally, the Federal Reserve would be ended. However, Dr Paul is not advocating for shutting the Fed down overnight. He realizes the necessity of a transition period to prevent great panic in the markets. His contention is to strip the Federal Reserve of its monopoly control of the money supply to allow for competing currencies. This allows market forces to spontaneously determine an alternative to the Federal Reserve note (similar to the way gold first derived its utility as money). The alternative does not necessarily have to be gold or silver. However given the choice, it is likely people will prefer to transact in a currency that does not continually lose its purchasing power. "Free" money is essential to a free market.

Virginia Tech 4ever:
Hermain Cain, former head of the Kansas City Fed, pointed out that in principle he supports a gold standard but that in practice it makes absolutely no sense.

Herman Cain, a TARP supporter and Bush 43 cheerleader, also previously opposed an audit of the Fed because, in his words, "the Federal Reserve is already audited." Why should a former employee of a cartel be entrusted as an authority on a policy that if enforced would threaten the cartel's hegemony? I'll stop here since basically your argument is to take Herman Cain's word on it.

Virginia Tech 4ever:
You'd have to pay off America's $14.5 trillion debt first before you could move to the gold standard.

That's incorrect. The debt can be renegotiated in light of the change in purchasing power. If the dollar is redefined in terms of gold, the ratio of gold to dollars would be reevaluated in relation to the supply of gold on deposit and dollars in circulation. The price of gold as a non-monetary commodity would be irrelevant if gold is actually money. A gold backing in conjunction with a full reserve system allows the purchasing power of money to be far more independent from political and special interest control than the current Federal Reserve system.

Money created out of thin air cannot simply paper over deteriorating economic conditions without making a subsequent group poorer.

The rate at which the government is adding to an already insurmountable debt burden is staggering. The proposed spending cuts are nonexistent and the deficit will continue to expand at an alarming rate of at least one trillion dollars a year. The default will likely occur either through an honest restructuring or by paying back our creditors in heavily depreciated dollars. Do you honestly think the government is going to impose the austerity necessary so foreign bond holders won't have to take a haircut?

Virginia Tech 4ever:
In addition, if the United States were to unilaterally move to a gold standard, the value of the USD would sky rocket and would crush American exporters. It would be a devastating blow to the U.S. economy.

A strong dollar nor a commodity backing is not bad policy. Quite the contrary. Why should Americans be reduced to a lower standard of living to further promote reckless government spending, artificially encourage consumption over savings, trigger speculative booms, prop up failing institutions, and misallocate resources to nonproductive areas of the economy? Considering our depleting manufacturing base, we should incentivize the repatriation of dollars here to rebuild savings, increase investment, and ultimately increase productivity. If lasting prosperity is to return, the economy must be divorced from its dependence on artificially cheap money however politically unpopular that may be. Interest rates cannot remain this low indefinitely. Obviously, regulations and taxes must be reformed as well.

Higher rates will drastically decrease the ability of the federal government to borrow. This is necessary to starve the beast and enact real reform. The politicians are more concerned with their own self-aggrandizement than doing what is best for the country. They'll never impose the fiscal prudence necessary until it's too late.

Virginia Tech 4ever:
In addition, the 19th century was replete with instances of deep recessions that took many years to climb out of because of the limitations of the gold standard and its inability to adjust interest rates in response to different economic situations.

This is a myth. See Rothbard's doctoral dissertation The Panic of 1819 and the later A History of Money and Banking in the United States.

The Panic of 1819 was precipitated by the charter of The Second Bank of the United States in 1816 under the pretext to curtail inflationary discretions by smaller regional banks. The central bank did not provide relief from inflation but instead acted as an extraordinary agitator. The Panic of 1837 & 1857 saw great credit expansion beyond actual deposits on reserve resulting in speculative and unsustainable investment manias. The build up to the Panic of 1873 saw the adoption of the fiat greenback along with familiar stimulus measures aiming to subsidize railroads and other capital intensive projects. The gold standard was then only reinstituted in 1879. Under the gold standard, the 1880s saw wages rising 23% with prices falling which drastically increased the standard of living for the average person. The Panics of the 1890s can largely be attributed to the loss of confidence in gold due to the inflationary Free Silver movement and runs on banks. The Panic of 1907 was sparked yet again by unsound banking practices stemming from fractional reserve lending.

The tinkering of interest rates cannot create prosperity or resolve fundamental imbalances. Recessions are necessary to rid the system of failures and malinvestment to make way for more efficient uses of land, labor, and capital. The duration of a recession is often in proportion to the extent the government attempts to intervene in the process. See the often forgotten and largely historically misread Depression of 1920 which lasted only 14 months due to the market being allowed to run its course relatively unhindered. The fiscal budget was cut and the money supply was not expanded.

Virginia Tech 4ever:
As f*cked up as the economy is today, it was far worse for far more people under the gold standard.

Under a gold standard during the Industrial Revolution, the United States enjoyed the most prosperous and rapid period of growth in its history. This period lifted many Americans out of poverty and built the middle class. Americans benefited from a prolonged period of falling consumer prices as a result of increased productivity and a stable currency.

The fact remains that we are the beneficiaries of a standard of living we do not deserve as dictated by our current productivity. We are able to live far beyond our means as our creditors foolishly continue to lend us money and accept depreciating dollars in repayment. This cannot exist in perpetuity. Eventually, our creditors will decide to cut their loses rather than continue to throw good money after bad.

Virginia Tech 4ever:
In addition, while I agree that America: World Police needs to be ratcheted down and that we could find a lot of savings in the porked out military we have,

We can agree here.

Virginia Tech 4ever:
Ron Paul's foreign policy beliefs are just crazy--we should cut the military to bare bones

To provide context, Ron Paul's 2008 and current 2012 campaign received more donations from active duty military personnel than all other candidates combined.

Dr Paul's foreign policy is common sense. He does not want to "cut the military to bare bones." He wants the military to be focused solely on the national security of the United States. His policy is to avoid entangling alliances and intervening in the affairs of other nations when it is not vital to our national security.

He does not want to sacrifice American blood and future tax dollars plus interest unless we are defending our country. He states we should only go to war with a declaration from Congress as clearly outlined in the Constitution.

This is in stark contrast to the lunacy supported by his contemporaries of waging acts of war in six countries and maintaining a military empire around the world.

Virginia Tech 4ever:
, support Iranian development of nuclear weapons,

His stance on Iran as a country is neutral. He would prefer Iran not have a nuclear weapon but is not willing to wage war or put sanctions on Iran as long as they continue to not threaten our national security. The outlandish propaganda and hysteria on "Iran's NonExistent nuclear weapons" is very similar to the same bold-faced lies the Pentagon, Bush administration, and the media used to sell preemptive war with Iraq.

The continued irresponsible mismanagement of our nation's fiscal house poses the single greatest threat to our national security, not a country with a third-rate military 5000 miles away. The sooner we realize this and take action, the safer we are.

Virginia Tech 4ever:
cut all support to Israel,

He has never said he intends to cut support to Israel. His stance is to trade and be diplomatic with all nations.

He wants to cut ALL foreign aid, not just to Israel. An interesting point is that the United States currently gives more in foreign aid collectively to Israel's enemies than it does Israel. In ending foreign aid entirely, Israel would be better off. Israel also has over 300 nuclear weapons and one of the strongest militaries in the world. She is fully capable of defending herself. Foreign aid is a form of socialism at best and outright corruption/profiteering at worst.

Most importantly, we simply can't afford it anymore. We are the largest debtor nation in the world. If foreign nations are so inclined to seek our financial aid, they should just lobby China or our other creditors directly.

Virginia Tech 4ever:
pull out of NATO, pull out of the UN,

Where does the Constitution authorize the federal government to cede Congressional power to a world-governing body such as the UN?

Robert Taft, one of the most respected and influential Republicans in the 20th century, did not want the US in NATO. Is he too a member of the lunatic fringe?

Virginia Tech 4ever:
and pull out of the Middle East entirely (where do we get our oil from???).

Are you suggesting the only way to satisfy the country's demand for oil is to wage preemptive immoral wars of conquest and nation build thereafter? Are we supposed to continue doing this under the facade of "promoting democracy" and "liberating people" from those evil tyrants? No, I'm not referring to benevolent dictators we lavish with billions in foreign aid who are beloved by their people like Hosni Mubarak. I'm also excluding the noble Pervez Musharraf, the military dictator who staged a coup of an elected government. The list goes on...

Virginia Tech 4ever:
These positions are on the extreme fringe and border on isolationism. That the commander-in-chief would see the United States return to a pre-World War I philosophy is a little mind-boggling.

A foreign policy of peace is not fringe in the slightest. It's the vision of the founding fathers and prior to WWII, was a defining principle of the Republican party. There is nothing conservative about trillion dollar unconstitutional wars (without actually paying for them to add), an empire of 900 military bases around the world, and giving billions in foreign aid.

The establishment incorrectly labels Paul's foreign policy as "isolationism." The correct term is non-interventionism. America's reputation is in poor standing in the world. To fail to understand the reasons why and continue this foolish foreign policy will only further isolate us and create more enemies.

Free trade and diplomatic relations foster good relations among nations while keeping them engaged within the world. Perpetual war creates the greatest circumstances to expand the federal leviathan and erode our civil liberties. We can achieve more in peace than through the use of force.

Virginia Tech 4ever:
The problem with Ron Paul supporters is that they're 18-years-old and have no grasp of economic or world history or of the realities that the world faces.

My experience with Ron Paul supporters is they have a comparatively deep understanding of political and economic history. Most are independent thinkers, capable of critical analysis, and able to ferret through media distortions. It seems you are projecting here and do not grasp just how dire the circumstances the country is in.

Ron Paul supporters are the most diverse among the candidates. His message unites people from all factions. It's profoundly ignorant to collectively stereotype them like that. The fact that many of his supporters are young should be ENCOURAGING to a Republican party that is struggling to garner support among youth voters. After all, they are the future of the party and should be embraced. He routinely speaks to overflow crowds on college campuses. No other candidate comes even close

If RP supporters are so moronic and should be supporting instead a far more qualified, prescient, credentialed, and honest candidate, then please by all means clue us in as to who this great statesman is we've all seemed to overlook.

 
MNT:
[To provide context, Ron Paul's 2008 and current 2012 campaign received more donations from active duty military personnel than all other candidates combined.

Dr Paul's foreign policy is common sense. He does not want to "cut the military to bare bones." He wants the military to be focused solely on the national security of the United States. His policy is to avoid entangling alliances and intervening in the affairs of other nations when it is not vital to our national security.

He does not want to sacrifice American blood and future tax dollars plus interest unless we are defending our country. He states we should only go to war with a declaration from Congress as clearly outlined in the Constitution.

The problem with this approach is 'war' is no longer clearly defined. We no longer line up shoulder to shoulder and march toward the enemy. It only takes one side to wage a war and the battle is unconventional and asymmetric. Lining the castle walls with soldiers just isn't going keep America safe, we've seen that we have many enemies from within and maintaining a strong military is essential. Again, that doesn't mean there isn't much room from improvement, because there is, but I think Paul takes it to an extreme that many people aren't comfortable with.

MNT:
His stance on Iran as a country is neutral. He would prefer Iran not have a nuclear weapon but is not willing to wage war or put sanctions on Iran as long as they continue to not threaten our national security. The outlandish propaganda and hysteria on "Iran's [nonexistent] nuclear weapons" is very similar to the same bold-faced lies the Pentagon, Bush administration, and the media used to sell preemptive war with Iraq.

The continued irresponsible mismanagement of our nation's fiscal house poses the single greatest threat to our national security, not a country with a third-rate military 5000 miles away. The sooner we realize this and take action, the safer we are.

This is a somewhat naive perspective. Our threat from Iran isn't necessarily an actual attack on our country from them, it's the fact they are a state sponsor of terror and hold radical views about exterminating a race of people. We can't allow a country with such extreme views to obtain nuclear weapons because it's clear they lack the rational decision making skills to not allow them to fall in the wrong hands.

Ultimately I'm not too concerned with the situation because just about the time you hear a credible story about Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon or the ability to make one, you will see a large, Portabella shaped cloud hovering over Tehran, providing shade and respite from the desert sun...courtesy of Israel, of course.

Regards

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
 

I sit on the opposite end of the political spectrum of many of you on here (socially very liberal, fiscally slightly left of center). Just wondering why all of you seem to write off Huntsman? To me, he seems like the only one in the race that stands a legitimate chance in the general election. Is he not conservative enough for the Tea Party crowd? Is he tarnished because he worked for the Obama admin?

If he can get a strong showing in NH I could see him making a run.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 
duffmt6:
I sit on the opposite end of the political spectrum of many of you on here (socially very liberal, fiscally slightly left of center). Just wondering why all of you seem to write off Huntsman? To me, he seems like the only one in the race that stands a legitimate chance in the general election. Is he not conservative enough for the Tea Party crowd? Is he tarnished because he worked for the Obama admin?

If he can get a strong showing in NH I could see him making a run.

Mormon. Not conservative enough for the "yee-haw" (Tea Party) republicans. Questionable views on energy policy and China from the the "yee-haw" lens.

‎"Until and unless you discover that money is the root of all good, you ask for your own destruction. When money ceases to become the means by which men deal with one another, then men become the tools of other men. Blood, whips and guns or dollars."
 
duffmt6:
I sit on the opposite end of the political spectrum of many of you on here (socially very liberal, fiscally slightly left of center). Just wondering why all of you seem to write off Huntsman? To me, he seems like the only one in the race that stands a legitimate chance in the general election. Is he not conservative enough for the Tea Party crowd? Is he tarnished because he worked for the Obama admin?

If he can get a strong showing in NH I could see him making a run.

I agree. Hunstman is extremely popular (as much as Obama) among undecided voters. He even seems to attract Democrats, so winning the general election shouldn't be too much of a problem for him in this economy. Problem for Hunstman, however, interestingly, is getting the Republican nomination, which often goes to the "most conservative candidate" (in quotes because how much of a joke that label's become; the most conservative candidate is actually Ron Paul, who is currently being crushed in the polls by Romney, Perry, and even Bacmann).

 

MNT; epic my friend, I couldn't have said any of that better.

‎"Until and unless you discover that money is the root of all good, you ask for your own destruction. When money ceases to become the means by which men deal with one another, then men become the tools of other men. Blood, whips and guns or dollars."
 

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