Ron Paul certainly is a candidate worth discussing, particularly among Catholics. (I wish I had reasons to applaud our Catholic brother in the presidential race; unfortunately, that won't be happening).
I looked at every Republican candidate very closely, and I credit my Catholic education as a guide throughout the entire process. No one candidate really appealed to me on objective grounds - their ideas, proposals, philosophy, and past accomplishments did not satisfy what I believed was necessary in a president. Then I encountered Ron Paul, both in person at the NH Durham Debate (9/5) and on the Internet. He is honest, principled, and reasonable once you understand where he is coming from on the issues. In short, Ron Paul is a statesman, not a politician.
That doesn't mean I wholeheartedly endorse everything he stands for. I don't believe any of us could do so with any candidate running. Ron Paul, however, cuts to the core of every fundamental issue facing America today: too much government, too little personal responsibility. He understands very well the principle of subsidiarity; his approach to foreign policy is informed, intentionally or not, by Catholic social teaching and the just war theory; he respects the primordial role of parents as the primary educators of their children; and he is undoubtedly an advocate of the culture of life - his own practice as an OB/GYN proves that.
Read what he says about John Paul II ("Theolgy, not Politics")...that is not a politician speaking, but a statesman. When I read a speech from Pope Benedict XVI pleading for more diplomacy among nations, I wondered if our Holy Father consulted Ron Paul's website before writing it! He is grounded in a world view that many believe is antiquated, yet I believe those principles would bring more peace and stability to the world, particularly the Middle East.
Yes, often he becomes the target of ridicule - his fellow presidential candidates laugh at him at debates, the news media follows through with any and every slander piece they can hash up again - but when one looks through these distractions and discovers the principles driving his political life and his candidacy, one can only admire his conviction.
My fellow Catholics, who you support or vote for - if you haven't already - is your personal choice, and I'm not writing to persuade you. Just look closer at Ron Paul. Compare and contrast him with the "front-runners" who, in my opinion, leave more to be desired. And in the end, please make YOUR choice YOUR OWN...do not vote for the media darling, or the poll favorite, or based on likeability or electability or "change-ability" - vote for the candidate your conscience informs you to vote for.
Peace to you all,
Scott N.