Ron Paul Blues...

Republican Congressman Ron Paul is an odd character in the strange brew of Republican Presidential candidates. Being the only Republican in the bunch that was against the war in Iraq, has consistently voted against spending increases, is Pro-life, and anti-tax, one wonders why despite his low polling numbers he wasn't allowed into the debates in Iowa:

The Texas congressman, who has struggled to top 1 percent in national polls, wasn’t invited to a forum of presidential candidates Saturday in Des Moines. The gathering is sponsored by the Iowa Christian Alliance and the watchdog group Iowans for Tax Relief.

Instead of grumbling, Paul’s campaign decided to hold its own party _ in the same hall as the forum. They’re calling it a celebration of life and liberty.

Campaign spokesman Jesse Benton said it has been frustrating to be excluded, especially since Paul has consistently opposed abortion and is known nationally for his advocacy of lowering taxes.

"It’s just a little head-scratching," Benton said.

"Head-scratching" To say the least. Precious little has been said from the other candidates on the old GOP principle of getting the state out of our lives. In the last decade of the Bush presidency that principle was pushed aside to make way for "Big Government Conservatism."

So the question has to be asked: just what is left of the old republican party of the 1990's? The one that advocated so clearly principles of individual responsibilty and individual rights? Where are the tax cutters? Where are the department slashers? Where are the rebels of the "GOP revolution"?

They're all gone. Ron Paul, a noted Christian libertarian, is all that's left from that era.

All that's left in the Republican party is law and order, and a toleration of social conservative causes.

For two organizations that would find the most to agree with Ron Paul on to lock him out their debate is not only troubling... it seems suicidal.