“Rand Paul isn’t a racist” is a straw man.

[kpete]

“Rand Paul isn’t a racist” is a straw man. Paul’s position, that government shouldn’t have the authority to regulate private businesses, is, to put it mildly, fucking crazy. And that’s why Paul’s in trouble.

Does Paul think Philip Morris should be able to pay children a nickel an hour to make cigarettes twelve hours a day? Does he think BP should be able to drill however and wherever they want? Does he think grocery stores should be able to sell tainted food? Does he think drug companies should be able to sell unsafe medicines? Does he think Wall Street should be able to sell whatever subprime crap they want — and then bet against it?

Because all would be perfectly consistent with government not being able to “intervene in the policies of private businesses.”

I mean hey, if your kid dies from tainted cough syrup — you just won’t buy that brand any more — and the manufacturer will go out of business. The market works! Problem solved.

more:
http://firedoglake.com/2010/05/20/david-weigels-pathetic-defense-of-rand-paul/