CBS’s Schieffer: Limited Government Is ‘Anti’ Government

In an interview with obscure Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul on Sunday’s "Face the Nation," host Bob Schieffer asked the Texas Congressman: "What is it that you see that the government ought to do besides deliver the mail?" This followed Schieffer’s description of Paul’s limited government philosophy:

Well, let me -- I want to just get your take on what you think the government ought to do. You've already said your anti-war. We know you're anti-abortion. You're anti-drug administration. You're anti-Medicare. I wrote all this down. Let's see. You're anti-income tax. You want to do away with that. You're anti-United Nations. You're anti-World Bank. You're anti-International Monetary Fund. And there must be some other things that you're against.

Certainly, some of Paul’s stances could be considered eccentric, like his response to Schieffer’s question of whether Iran is a threat: "No. I think our policy toward Iran is a threat." However, Schieffer labeling all of Paul’s limited government policies as being "anti" something clearly displayed the automatic assumption by many in the mainstream media that big government is good and reducing the size of government is bad.

Paul himself responded to Schieffer’s attack and pointed out:

Look, everything that you have said you can turn that into a pro. I'm pro-Constitution. I'm pro-liberty. I'm pro-sound money. I'm pro-states rights...I want people to take care of themselves. I'm pro-free markets and private property. I'm pro-Second Amendment. So every time they say you're anti-something means you have to be pro-something...Freedom is what made America great. Not welfarism and socialism and government controls...

Ron Paul may have some strange positions, but at least he is able to acknowledge that government does not have all the answers. Meanwhile, Schieffer was waiting for the mail, but of course the post office is closed on Sunday.

Here is the transcript of the interview excerpt:

SCHIEFFER: Well, let me -- I want to just get your take on what you think the government ought to do. You've already said your anti-war. We know you're anti-abortion. You're anti-drug administration. You're anti-medicare. I wrote all this down. Let's see. You're anti-income tax. You want to do away with that. You're anti-United Nations. You're anti-World Bank. You're anti-International Monetary Fund. And there must be some other things that you're against. What is it that you see that the government ought to do besides deliver the mail?

PAUL: Look, everything that you have said you can turn that into a pro. I'm pro-Constitution. I'm pro-liberty. I'm pro-sound money. I'm pro-states rights. I'm pro-liberty. I want people to take care of themselves. I'm pro-free markets and private property. I'm pro-Second Amendment. So every time they say you're anti-something means you have to be pro-something. And I think that what is happening today is that people have lost confidence in the government. And they see that what I stand for and what our campaign stands for, this is what has made America great. Freedom is what made America great. Not welfarism and socialism and government controls and invading our homes and loss of our privacy. That is what the people don't like.