Ron Paul, 2008 GOP Presidential Hopeful, And His Unique Platform
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Republican Presidential hopeful Ron Paul served on the House Banking committee, from 1976 to 1984, where he was a strong advocate for sound monetary policy and an outspoken critic of the Federal Reserve’s inflationary measures. Dr. Paul returned to Congress in 1997 to represent the 14th congressional district of Texas and presently serves on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
While displaying unwavering advocacy of pro-life and pro-family values he also believes in a small federal government and that the federal government should only have the authority to prosecute three crimes: Treason, counterfeiting, and piracy. He firmly believes that all other crimes should be subject to individual state legislation.
One of his biggest battles in Congress, however, has been his fight to lower or abolish federal taxes, spending and regulation, while actively promoting a return of government to its proper constitutional levels. Paul’s consistency in voting his conscience has even prompted one of his congressional colleagues to say, “Ron Paul personifies the Founding Fathers ideal of the citizen-statesman, making it clear that his principles will never be compromised, and they never are.” While another colleague observed, “There are few people in public life who, through thick and thin, rain or shine, stick to their principles. Ron Paul is one of those few.”
While a Republican by party affiliation he is most definitely a libertarian by choice and opposes capital punishment and supports the abolition of all federal anti-drug legislation having personally co-sponsored bills that would legalize medical marijuana and allow the use of industrial-grade hemp. Of great importance to this reviewer, however, is the fact that Paul is one candidate who opposes the civil liberty abuses that were enforced as part of the Patriotic Act after 9/11.
His libertarianism further shows in his opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment which he opposes on the grounds that states that choose to recognize same-sex marriage should be allowed to do so without federal interference. However, he supports the Defense of Marriage Act, and opposes the extension of federal marriage benefits to include same-sex couples.
His state right tendencies even extend to decisions regarding abortion where Paul openly opposes federal laws banning or restricting abortion and birth control, but supports state control of these same issues under the Tenth Amendment.
Nevertheless, Paul’s desire to secure U.S. borders remains a key topic in his 2008 presidential campaign as he openly opposes the North American Union proposition and its proposed integration of Mexico, the United States of America, and Canada. Further, Paul opposes illegal immigration as well as amnesty for illegal immigrants and has introduced legislation that would amend the Constitution to stop giving automatic citizenship to babies who are born in the United States to non-citizen parents, which has been in effect since the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868. (Paul Offers President New Tool in the War on Terrorism. Rep. Ron Paul, official website)
Brief Overview of Congressman Paul’s Record:
- He has never voted to raise taxes.
- He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
- He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
- He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
- He has never taken a government-paid junket.
- He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.
- He voted against the Patriot Act.
- He voted against regulating the Internet.
- He voted against the Iraq war.
Congressman Paul introduces numerous pieces of substantive legislation each year, probably more than any single member of Congress
Congressman Ron Paul of Texas enjoys a national reputation as the premier advocate for liberty in politics today and is the leading spokesman in Washington for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies based on commodity-backed currency. He is known among both his colleagues in Congress and his constituents for his consistent voting record in the House of Representatives and he never votes for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution.
While the jury is still out Ron Paul sounds like a viable candidate to me. I wish him the best of luck in the GOP primaries as he is definitely the least dangerous of other candidates in that race.
[tags]2008 Presidential Race, GOP candidates, Ron Paul, Texas Representative, Patriot Act, Illegal Immigration, abortion, limited Federal government, state rights, North America Union,federal marriage act, libertarian[/tags]
11 Comments
goldenequity
June 20th, 2007
at 2:28pm
Why does Ron Paul want to repeal the Federal Reserve Act and abolish the Federal Reserve system?
Watching this film is like taking a College level course in World Economics and American Civics!
The Money Masters
The Money Masters
http://www.ronpaulaudio.com
reflections
June 20th, 2007
at 3:24pm
Dear goldenequity
Thank you for adding a link to more information on Ron Paul. I am sure it will be of interest to other viewers of this blog.
Have a nice evening. Jackie
bret
June 20th, 2007
at 3:48pm
Feel free to come join us at ronpaulforums.com. Some other good places for information: FreeMe.tv, the Ron Paul Library (check Google for the link), and lots of others.
Spread the word, that is the most important thing any of us can do.
marc klink
June 20th, 2007
at 4:22pm
While I am not going to vote for him in the general election, I do think he is the candidate the people who claim to be ‘Republicans’ should be supporting. He is what Republicans used to be. He sounds much like many famous Republicans [ and I'll bet he carries a picture of Barry Goldwater in his wallet!] It is funny how much of the things this man is for do simply make sense.
I can’t imagine what it would be like to see some of the many extraneous laws we have today get repealed [because many no longer apply or make sense in todays world] but I certainly would like to try!
reflections
June 21st, 2007
at 4:21am
Dear Bret
Thank you for the invite. I will be gone for a few days but will take you up on your offer when I return. Have a good day. Jackie
reflections
June 21st, 2007
at 4:22am
Dear Marc
I will also be voting Democratic but Ron Paul sounds like a sound candidate for me since he doesn’t strictly adhere to the Bush agenda.
I hope to hear from you when I return in a few days. Have a good day. Jackie
Shawn
June 21st, 2007
at 5:24am
Republicans will continue robbing the working class, windening the gap between rich and poor.
That’s why I’m a Democrat. Ron “Sean Jean” Paul is a lamer.
Steve
June 21st, 2007
at 8:35am
With respect, Ron Paul’s opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion rights makes a mockery of his supposedly principled commitment to libertarianism. As with too many other straight white men who describe themselves as libertarians, his libertarianism fixates on straight, white male issues: guns, drugs, taxes, and motorcylce helmet laws. Too often, however, these guys have no problem whatsoever with government interfering with other people’s liberty, as in dictating who gay people may marry or what decision a woman must make in the event of an unwanted pregnancy. Ron Paul’s so-called libertarianism is hardly principled or deserving of an iota of respect from true libertarians. As far as I can tell, it’s only guiding principle is that we should allow straight white boys to be straight white boys, but continue to regulate the hell out of everyone else’s personal lives, especially their bedrooms.
Crystal
July 2nd, 2007
at 9:17pm
I just wanted to drop a line on here…
I was reading up on all of the information I could get on Ron Paul…
I must say…I am not a …republican…or a democrat…
I am trying to pick…THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB…
I am not one to simply put everything in neat little piles so easily…
Because life is not ever a neat little pile…EVER…
I have watched many videos about him and only hope he can TRY To help us back from the edge of no return…
I have been on the internet watching every documentary I can that deals with people who call them selves TRUTH TELLERS…(they are heros in my eyes)
I dont have any personal family that is ,or has been involved in the war or 911…
But I have tears roll down my face from the pain I feel for all the horrible things that have, and are going on in the world…
We need to ban together as AMERICANS and try to do what we can to right some of the wrongs that are going on in the world.
It is our DUTY AS HUMAN BEINGS…
I am openminded enough to know if we do ban together WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE…
I think we should end this war and bring our troops home where they belong…(back to their families)
WAKE UP PEOPLE…
AMERICA IS IN A HORRIBLE MESS…
ONE LAST THING…
To steves post June 21,2007…
Go back and read what Ron Paul ACTUALLY SAYS ABOUT GAY MARRAGIES…
HE SAYS HE THINKS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT GET TO DECIDE…THAT THE DECISION SHOULD BE MADE BY THE “STATES”
THEMSELVES…
We need to pay attention to every word and NOT MISINTERPRET…
he is not opposed to gay marriage per say…It should be decided by the STATES THEMSELVES…
I am not trying to judge or be hard on anyone here…
If I can just help one person see the light I will be happy…
I am just a single mom struggling to get by…(with 2 kids)
I have a permenant disability of the brain and spine…
I just wish I could help in some way…
And feel maybe this message will…
Just open your eyes and look around people…
We need some drastic changes…
That is all I am asking…Crystal…
reflections
July 3rd, 2007
at 5:15am
Dear Crystal.
I admire you. My daughter is a single mom and also struggling to make it so I can imagine how difficult it must be for you. Your choice to have your children is admirable to begin with and I just pray that you are blessed by your choice.
I am glad that you took the time to respond to my Ron Paul article. I really think that he sounds like a sane choice. Something that will be novel after the last 8 years. I also agree that it is past time to bring our fighting men and women home. There has been way too much cost in the way of human lives for an unnecessary war.
Have a good day and again thank you for your input. Jackie
Richard Cooper
January 5th, 2008
at 7:39pm
Hey Steve: Are you aware that Ron Paul voted against the Defense of Marriage Act which President Clinton I signed? Are you aware that he opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment?