United Liberty

After years in the political wilderness, the paleo-conservative (what some would call libertarian) ideas and views of Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) are quickly becoming mainstream:

With the economy still struggling and political divisions deepening, Paul’s ideas not only are gaining a wider audience but also are helping to shape a potentially historic battle over economic policy — a struggle that will affect everything including jobs, growth and the nation’s place in the global economy.

Already, Paul’s long-derided proposal to give Congress supervisory power over the traditionally independent Federal Reserve appears to be on its way to becoming law.

His warnings on deficits and inflation are now Republican mantras.

And with this year’s congressional election campaign looming, the Texas congressman’s deep-seated distrust of activist government has helped fuel protests such as the tea-party movement, harden partisan divisions in Washington and stoke public fears about federal spending and the deficit.

While many may disagree with Dr. Paul on foreign policy, his economic beliefs have helped fuel a resurgence in interest of Austrian school economists, like Ludwig von Mises and F. A. Hayek.

If Dr. Paul’s economic beliefs can be embraced even more in mainstream politics, the better off we will all be.