Ron Paul on Firing Line (1988)

I was watching some Firing Line videos on YouTube yesterday. Today, I'm watching William F. Buckley's 1988 interview with Ron Paul, who was the Libertarian candidate for President at the time. A professor also cross-examines Paul. The topics include Paul's view that the CIA and the income tax should be abolished, as well as Paul's issues with President Ronald Reagan's governance.

It's a good discussion. I can see Buckley's point that an institution (such as the CIA) making mistakes is no reason to abolish that institution. As the professor states, medicine does not work all of the time, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't ever be used. Buckley also asks why Paul supports other taxes, but not the tax on income. Paul addresses why he thinks that the CIA and income tax should be abolished----because government power corrupts----but most of his arguments are based on examples of the institutions' mismanagement or abuse.

What especially stood out to me was Buckley's introduction of Ron Paul, in which Buckley said that he was deluged with letters to have Ron Paul on the show. So Ron Paul supporters were passionate back then!

Enjoy:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4