US Rep. Ron Paul: Iran is the next Neocon Target

[sabra]

http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2006/tst041706.htm

Sanctions against Iran


April 17, 2006

As the drumbeat for military action against Iran grows louder, some members of Congress are calling to expand the longstanding U.S. trade ban that bars American companies from investing in that nation. In fact, many war hawks in Washington are pushing for a comprehensive international embargo against Iran. The international response has been lukewarm, however, because the world needs Iranian oil. But we cannot underestimate the irrational, almost manic desire of some neoconservatives to attack Iran one way or another, even if it means crippling a major source of oil and destabilizing the worldwide economy.

Make no mistake about it: Economic sanctions are acts of aggression. Sanctions increase poverty and misery among the very poorest inhabitants of targeted nations, and they breed tremendous resentment against those imposing them. But they rarely hurt the political and economic elites responsible for angering American leaders in the first place.

In fact, few government policies are as destructive to our economy as the embargo.

While embargoes sound like strong, punitive action, in reality they represent a failed policy that four decades of experience prove doesn't work. Conversely, economic engagement is perhaps the single most effective tool in tearing down dictatorships and spreading the message of liberty.

It is important to note that economic engagement is not the same thing as foreign aid. Foreign aid, which should be abolished immediately, involves the US government spending American tax dollars to prop up other nations.

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cross posted @ http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/04/18.html#a7953

[enid602]

1. Halliburton

Lucky for Halliburton they shuttered their unmarked Teheran office a couple of years ago.

[snappyturtle]

2. Thanks! Interesting article.

Economic engagement even sounds "hopeful"......why CAN'T we do something positive for a change instead of making the whole world hate us?

[bryant69]

3. This makes sense; but unlikely to fly in this context

Even in Europe, it seems like theirs a desire to punish Iran for behaving badly.

It reminds me a little of the whole argument over training and rehibilitating criminals (i.e giving them job training and skills to get work honestly) vs. punishment and confinment. Obviously one of the best emotional attacks against those who favor rehabilitation is "So you want to reward criminals for breaking the law? What about all the good kids who don't break the law, what do they get?" Stupid argument, I know, but emotionally it works.

Bryant
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