SPUTNIKNEWS – February 26, 2018: In an interview with Sputnik Ron Paul answers several questions regarding the United States national and international leadership under President Trump.
Sputnik: Donald Trump has been in office for over a year. What is your general assessment of his job as president?
Ron Paul: Mediocre; probably not worse than the other options. But I don’t think presidents really have much control. I think the deep state – the people behind the scenes and the shadow government, who control the monetary system, who control our foreign policy and the welfare state, and are connected to the media and the military-industrial complex. – I don’t think the presidency is as important as it’s made out to be.
Sputnik: Moving on to the Middle East, in your reports you’ve stated that with so many countries controlling territory in Syria, there’s very little left for the Syrians. Do you think there’s a good chance that government forces can regain control of the country?
Ron Paul: I do. I think there will always be a Syria. What it’s going to look like is the big problem. At the moment, it’s hard to predict and say that the people who have invaded — the Turks, the Israelis, the United States will leave. They’re going to have to suffer a defeat somewhere along the way. That may occur soon –another defeat like Aleppo. That might make them think differently, but it’s still a hotbed…
Sputnik: On the subject of gun control: You’ve stated that those demanding that guns be taken away don’t talk much about guns when it’s government authorities who are the ones shooting innocent people. Why do you think that’s happening?
Ron Paul: Because there are some people who believe that guns belong in the hands of the government. Those are the authoritarians. Those who believe in a free society [say] that the people should have the guns, and the government should fear the people.
Sputnik: You’ve said that tragedies like the one that happened in Florida can’t be prevented by banning guns. What measures do you see as the most effective in addressing this national issue?
Ron Paul: I think some of our problems occur because we don’t have enough guns in the right place. It’s more than just saying ‘the guns are the problem, get rid of the guns and give them to the government,’ because I don’t think that’s the solution…
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