I’ve written a lot in this column about the current battle for the Republican nomination because it has been a constant roller coaster ride. However, recent events such as Mitt Romney barely beating Rick Santorum in the Iowa Caucus and Ron Paul nipping at the heels of Romney in New Hampshire and South Carolina have changed the dynamic of the campaigns, messages, and debates.

Anyone who has watched the 15 debates between the candidates has seen a lot of posturing. However, the topic of foreign policy separates Ron Paul from the rest of the pack. Paul believes that America should pull all of its troops from the multiple bases around the world, end the current conflicts, and return the Department of Defense to the meaning of its name – defense instead of nation building.

He believes, and correctly so, that the foreign policy of America is costing billions of dollars a week and reversing the trend of nation building would not only bring our troops home but would help reduce the deficit.

In addition, he supports the idea that the removal of American troops from our bases around the world and in current conflicts would reduce the anti-Americanism currently in the hearts of millions around the globe. Paul is the only candidate advocating this reversal of a century-old foreign policy and the other Republican candidates have used it as a way to make Paul sound eccentric and radical.

While I would love nothing else than for all of our troops overseas to come home and return to their families, I don’t think Paul’s unequivocal stance of “all or nothing” would do America good in the long term both domestically and abroad.

First, there are strategic reasons that many of our bases are staffed and positioned where they are. That being said, there are several that are protecting ideologies of World War I and should be closed in order to free up staff and funds for current and future conflicts.

In the area of improving America’s international image and making us safer, I have to agree with Dr. Paul. We would be safer for a brief period of time and enjoy a short jump in popularity around the world. However, it would not be long before the bad guys around the world took advantage of the huge vacuums of military leadership and protection that America currently provides. It would be a matter of months before our troops were sent in to regain abandoned territory or political influence.

Regardless of the outcome, Ron Paul is sure to continue to drastically alter the debate and ensure that his small government, Constitution-based policies are included.

The last bite…

Courtney and I recently traveled to San Antonio where we enjoyed a few days off. We got a tip on Facebook to visit the Pioneer Mills Restaurant in South San Antonio. Yep, you guess it, THE Pioneer of Pioneer biscuit, pancake, and waffle mix! Needless to say, we had biscuits and gravy, pancakes syrup, and eggs benedict with apple wood smoked bacon!! I give biscuits and gravy from the pioneers of biscuit mix 5 (out of 5) crumbs!

Buddy Boe, a resident of Garyville, owns a public relations and program management company and is well known on the local political (and food) scenes. His column appears Wednesdays in L’Observateur.