In Final Address, Ron Paul Declares ‘Our Constitution Has Failed’


In a 52-minute address that will likely be his last in Congress, Texas Representative Ron Paul has declared America’s Constitution a failure.

“Our Constitution, which was intended to limit government power and abuse, has failed,” the Republican representative said. “The Founders warned that a free society depends on a virtuous and moral people. The current crisis reflects that their concerns were justified.”

ABC News reports that for Libertarian-leaning Ron Paul, the “current crisis” includes the recession as well as government breaches in authority and restrictions on individual liberty. Paul, 77, is retiring from Congress at the end of the current term after severing several stints, adding up to 23 years, in the House of Representatives. He has been in Congress consecutively since 1997.

“This may well be the last time I speak on the House Floor, Paul began. “At the end of the year I’ll leave Congress after 23 years in office over a 36 year period. My goals in 1976 were the same as they are today: promote peace and prosperity by a strict adherence to the principles of individual liberty.”

According to The Blaze, Paul’s remarks seemed to acknowledge that he fell short of success in those goals.

“In spite of my efforts, the government has grown exponentially, taxes remain excessive, and the prolific increase of incomprehensible regulations continues,” Paul said. “Wars are constant and pursued without congressional declaration, deficits rise to the sky, poverty is rampant and dependency on the federal government is now worse than any time in our history.”

One of the things Paul laments in his farewell address to Congress is the lack of morality and the decline of religion among Americans. This, he claims, is part of why our Constitution has failed.

“The Founders were convinced that a free society could not exist without a moral people,” Representative Ron Paul said.” Just writing rules won’t work if the people choose to ignore them. Today the rule of law written in the Constitution has little meaning for most Americans, especially those who work in Washington DC. Benjamin Franklin claimed “only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.” John Adams concurred: “Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Paul, who’s son Rand Paul currently serves as a US Senator from Kentucky, has inspired a generation of voters and politicians but still has failed to generate mainstream support in three presidential bids. With his time in Congress winding down, Paul seemed resigned to the fact that neither side of the aisle had heard his message. Just as he had throughout his career, however, Paul delivered in nonetheless.

“I have come to one firm conviction after these many years of trying to figure out ‘the plain truth of things.’ The best chance for achieving peace and prosperity, for the maximum number of people worldwide, is to pursue the cause of LIBERTY. If you find this to be a worthwhile message, spread it throughout the land.”

What are your thoughts on Ron Paul’s farewell address? Has our Constitution failed?

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