Ron Paul’s farewell address to Congress is the best “State of the Union” address I have ever heard from an American politician.  Some of the wisest words come from leaders as they step down from their positions, not as they acquire them.  This is worth hearing every minute of.

Here is a full transcript of the address

Hightlights:

“We Need an Intellectual Awakening”

“Why have we allowed the federal government to regulate commodes in our homes?”
[note: A commode is what some people call a toilet]

“The great news is the answer is not to be found in more ‘isms.’”

“Neither the government nor individuals have the moral right to initiate violence against another yet we are moving toward the day when both will claim this authority.”

“Sadly, many religious groups, secular organizations, and psychopathic authoritarians endorse government initiated force to change the world.”

“The problem we have faced over the years has been that economic interventionists are swayed by envy, whereas social interventionists are swayed by intolerance of habits and lifestyles. The misunderstanding that tolerance is an endorsement of certain activities, motivates many to legislate moral standards which should only be set by individuals making their own choices. Both sides use force to deal with these misplaced emotions. Both are authoritarians. Neither endorses voluntarism.  Both views ought to be rejected.”

“If you find this to be a worthwhile message, spread it throughout the land.”

I don’t believe in Libertarianism any more than I believe in Capitalism.  I believe that true freedom is not just freedom from government control but also from enterprise tyranny.  Ron Paul is a special kind of “liberty” defender.  He doesn’t just talk on bad governing; he talks on bad business.  In this country, governments and corporations are beginning to own the people.  If we can successfully dismantle the excessiveness of the powers, it also takes dismantling enterprises built on fraud and poison.

There’s been a lot of talk about secession recently.  That’s ok.  But I wonder: Don’t you have to have a true union to secede?  This country is certainly not united.  We’ve built our tower too high, and now we’re speaking different tongues to one another.

When I became a member of the Kingdom of Christ, I seceded my from my American identity.  So perhaps I am not at liberty to tell this country what to do.  Besides, if the hearts of the people do not like it, no amount of laws will work, and no amount of trade will create prosperity.  These are the roads of authoritarianism and materialism.

Ron Paul is one of the few men in the American Congress worthy of much honor.  He will be missed.  Who will fill his shoes?