Where Do You Stand?

Michael Kinsley: “Is it too much to expect a politician running for president to have what the voters perhaps don’t? Call it a theory of government, or a framework for analyzing issues. Ron Paul, the curmudgeonly godfather of libertarianism and the actual father of Kentucky senator Rand Paul, says in the foreword to one of his son’s books: “The sole purpose of government is to protect our liberties.” Paul’s framework is pretty clear, and it rules out most of what the government does. He would privatize the Washington Monument if he could… Many people like to call themselves libertarians, but few would go as far as Ron Paul.”

“But at least you know where Ron Paul stands. Is there a similarly pithy summary of Hillary Clinton’s philosophy? Not where she stands on Issue A or Issue B but a philosophical framework that would predict where she might come out on some as yet unknown Issue C, which will inevitably blindside us during her presidency? Except for a vague notion that she is soothingly left of center, I have no idea where she would stand. What about the other people running or mentioned for president in either party? For that matter, what about the voters? What about you?”