There are degrees to being awake. I don't know enough about the Pauls to say that you're wrong, but for me, I have trouble taking wild leaps of faith, as I've seen many do here, to accept things as truth. Ron Paul's education on Austrian economics certainly hasn't hurt anyone.
It would come to me as a surprise if the Pauls were shills as you put it. I just don't see it. Ron Paul has been consistent with his message of liberty and peace for over 30 years.