Ron Paul supporters turn blind eye

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -George Santayana

It's no secret Republican presidential nomination hopeful Ron Paul is a favorite of Neo Nazis (screenshot a and screenshot b ). It's also been reported he has received thousands of dollars in donations from these groups. White Nationalist website owner Don Black has famously stated he has "several dozen members" working on Ron Paul's campaign (link), a claim Ron Paul has not publicly disputed. Evidence suggests many are working toward being delegates (screenshot). Still such disturbing info has had no effect on many of Ron Paul's dedicated supporters. While they apparently seem content to work side by side with Neo Nazis in achieving the shared goal of putting Ron Paul in the White House, how would they react if an actual Nazi supported Ron Paul from beyond the grave? I went undercover on a Ron Paul supporter site to find out.

I gathered excerpts from this speech (link) which Hitler's deputy Rudolf Hess gave on 14 August 1934, shortly before the 19 August referendum in which 90% of the voters approved Hitler’s increased powers. I changed key words like "Hitler" and "Germans" to "Ron Paul" and "Americans" and posted it on the message board. The results were a bit disturbing. Not only did it get 43 'likes' almost immediately but it received multiple comments including one that suggested "with the right orator this could be a very moving speech ... a rallying cry." The comments were not by newer members of the site but by long time veterans from Paul's 2008 campaign. People who like to call others misinformed and ignorant. Not one of them recognized that this was actual Nazi propaganda! Furthermore, I intentionally claimed Ron Paul was a member of the U.S. Army (he was in the Airforce) but for some odd reason not one person noticed. Dissapointing given that many of Ron Paul supporters present themselves as being part of an intellectual elite.

After reading the newly edited Hess speech I got chills after noticing the many similarities in campaign talking points, echoed by Ron Paul supporters all over the internet. Emphasis on the candidate(s) military record? Check. Accusations the candidate is being ignored by the media? Check. Called nutty by the "status quo"? Check. Claims the candidate has made predictions that have come true? Check. Claims he has dedicated his life to his country? Check. Claims the candidacy is part of a broader movement? The list goes on.

Don't get me wrong. Despite both men's fondness for holding large rallies, I'm not making a direct comparison between Hitler and Ron Paul. The two differ greatly on foreign policy. But it's hard to ignore how all the similarities in campaign talking points is a bit spooky. Certainly when one considers who some of Ron Paul's big supporters happen to be.

If you like to write about U.S. politics and Campaign 2012, enter "The American Pundit" competition. Allvoices is awarding four $250 prizes each month between now and November. These monthly winners earn eligibility for the $5,000 grand prize, to be awarded after the November election.