On his FB page, a Catholic blogger, who might be considered a theocon, asks why some Catholics are so enthusiastic about Ron Paul, disagreeing with him primarily on foreign policy, I believe. Another Catholic, associated with Ignatius Press, argues that Ron Paul has an incorrect view of the state in his desire to reduce social programs. Those who attempted to defend Congressman Paul's position by appealing to subsidiarity were told they their understanding of subsidiarity is incorrect.

With respect to the latter -
1. The modern understanding of subsidiarity may be more of a prudential guide developed in reaction to the growth of the modern state but at variance with the proper organization of human society as laid out in political science. See my other posts on subsidiarity.

2. The Constitution does not give the Federal Government for such social programs; Ron Paul would not abolish them outright, but would have a sufficient period for transition, using money saved from the "defense budget" to fund those programs.

3. The only long-term solution, political and economic, to the current crises is decentralization and localism. Re-emphasizing the states is the first step on that path. Perpetuating the power of the National Government will only delay the implementation of a real solution and may exacerbate the effects of collapse.

Perhaps such Catholics are being realists with respect to the national constitutional order as it actually exists, and would concede that the old constitutional order, as we understand it, is dead, if it ever existed. Nonetheless, they must realize that their advocacy of the current order is wrong-headed because the current order is not sustainable.

Alas, the first Catholic is the one who criticizes Obama for temporarily refusing to authorize the Keystone Pipeline and thus not being sufficiently concerned with American jobs or American energy independence. Such Catholics, despite their erudition, are just ignorant of our energy predicament.

MICHAEL LEONARDI, The Great Pipeline Scam
BRIAN J. HOREJSI, The Politics of Tar Sands