Ron Paul delivers disturbing reality check

The recent explosion and fallout from Ron Paul’s appearance in the Republican debate (see here, here, here, here for just a taste) has been instructive, and, I think, useful.
While some may argue that Paul’s points were delivered inelegantly and that he lacked political astuteness, there’s no doubt that he has provoked discussion within a political sphere that has actively worked to avoid discussion, thought, or knowledge. And that’s a good thing.
The dust-up has given him visibility, and that’s also a good thing. It’s possible, just possible, that his presence in the race will help to underscore the fact that the authoritarian cabal that has been running the Republican party of late has very little connection to conservative principles of liberty and limited government, and has, in fact, completely repudiated them. There are a lot of conservatives out there who believe in these principles but have been in denial regarding the massive betrayal perpetrated by Republican leadership in cahoots with opportunistic special interests.
Hearing a Republican in the race say the things Paul is saying is unsettling. And that’s a good thing.