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Yes, because Paul is a Republican... You fucking idiot.
Gary is cool though, what's your point?
You need to expand your level of thinking on this.
A libertarian president would do far more vetoing in this day and age, than he would getting bills pushed through congress.
Congress isn't libertarian enough to be getting bills through. The reason libertarians want a libertarian president is so that he can stop government expansion.
It will be a while before libertarian ideas are legislated in congress. It probably wouldn't even happen during a first term.
And you're not even a libertarian, so why are you so adamant about what's best for libertarians?
Yes, because Paul is a Republican... You fucking idiot.
Gary is cool though, what's your point?
I've explained this to you before and I guess I'll have to explain it again.
All of his career, Ron Paul's base has been Libertarians. Anyone who has supported Paul on this board before this election cycle was a Libertarian. In 1988, Paul ran on the Libertarian ticket after bashing Reagan. (He later walked back on the Reagan bashing in order to garner more votes.)
You need to expand your level of thinking on this.
A libertarian president would do far more vetoing in this day and age, than he would getting bills pushed through congress.
Congress isn't libertarian enough to be getting bills through. The reason libertarians want a libertarian president is so that he can stop government expansion.
It will be a while before libertarian ideas are legislated in congress. It probably wouldn't even happen during a first term.
And you're not even a libertarian, so why are you so adamant about what's best for libertarians?
I'm not adamant about what's best for Libertarians. I just find it amusing when Libertarians throw their support behind Ron Paul alone while doing their best to ignore the elephant in the room, which is Johnson.
You need to expand your level of thinking on this.
A libertarian president would do far more vetoing in this day and age, than he would getting bills pushed through congress.
Congress isn't libertarian enough to be getting bills through. The reason libertarians want a libertarian president is so that he can stop government expansion.
It will be a while before libertarian ideas are legislated in congress. It probably wouldn't even happen during a first term.
And you're not even a libertarian, so why are you so adamant about what's best for libertarians?
I'm not adamant about what's best for Libertarians. I just find it amusing when Libertarians throw their support behind Ron Paul alone while doing their best to ignore the elephant in the room, which is Johnson.
Dude..
It's ok to be a member of a party and still take issue with things your party is doing that you don't agree with.
I'm a registered republican. Not because I'm nutcase loyal to the party, but because I consider myself to be conservative on many issues and the republican party is still the party on the local level to achieve those issues. I vote for republicans locally every election, because there's some damn good conservatives out there.
It's the national scene that he fucked it up for the party.
It's time to grow up, and wise up, Rob.
I like Johnson, but Paul has decades longer of a conservative voting record. So they stand for mostly the same things, just Paul has been doing it longer so he'll naturally get more support.
It's true Paul has today what would be considered a libertarian idealogy, but that same idealogy is what the republican party was formed on. So either label can be placed on Paul be it republican or libertarian, an argument can be made for either being the more correct term.
I edited out the "he" it was a typo.Dude..
It's ok to be a member of a party and still take issue with things your party is doing that you don't agree with.
I'm a registered republican. Not because I'm nutcase loyal to the party, but because I consider myself to be conservative on many issues and the republican party is still the party on the local level to achieve those issues. I vote for republicans locally every election, because there's some damn good conservatives out there.
It's the national scene that he fucked it up for the party.
It's time to grow up, and wise up, Rob.
I have no problem with someone being a member of a party and taking issue with things your party is doing that you don't agree with. I never said otherwise, that's your assumption.
I'm unsure who your saying in terms of the national scene when you say "he", I assume Reagan.
I'm fine Paulie. All I'm doing is having a discussion with Avory since he doesn't seem to understand the importance of Libertarians when it comes to Ron Paul.
List of legislation sponsored by Ron Paul - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Foreign policy[edit] NoninterventionKosovo, 19992000: Prohibits the Department of Defense from using troops in Kosovo unless specifically authorized by law.[2]
Constitutional War Powers Resolution of 2001. H.J.Res. 27, 2001-03-06. Repeals the 1973 War Powers Resolution entirely, prohibiting presidents from initiating a war without a formal declaration of war by Congress.[3]
Iraq Resolution declaration of war. Motion in re H.J.Res. 114, 2002-10-02. In order to prevent Congress from yielding its Constitutional authority to declare war to the executive branch, which does not Constitutionally hold that power, gives Congress the opportunity to declare war on Iraq, rather than merely "authorizing" the president to deploy forces without a declaration of war.[4] Paul said that he would not vote for his own motion, but that if his fellow members of Congress wished to go to war in Iraq, they should follow the Constitution and declare war.
Iran and Syria: H.Con.Res. 43, 2007-01-23. Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should implement Recommendation 9 of the Iraq Study Group Report. Urges the President to implement Recommendation 9 of the Iraq Study Group Report, recommending direct diplomatic engagement with Iran and Syria toward constructive results.
Sunset of Public Law 107-243 Act of 2007. H.R. 2605, 2007-06-07. Establishes a sunset clause for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002. As one of six Republicans to vote against the Iraq Resolution (which authorized military force for stated purposes without declaring war), Paul also inspired the founding of a group called the National Peace Lobby Project to promote a resolution he and Oregon representative Peter DeFazio sponsored to repeal the war authorization in February 2003. His speech, 35 "Questions That Won't Be Asked About Iraq",[5] was translated and published in German, French, Russian, Italian, and Swiss periodicals before the Iraq War began.[6]
Constitutional War Powers Amendments of 2007. H.J.Res. 53, 2007-09-25 (cosponsor). Replaces the 1973 War Powers Resolution with law ensuring the "collective judgment of both the Congress and the President" in use of war powers.
[edit] International organizationsFurther information: United States withdrawal from the United Nations
American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2009. H.R. 1146, 2009-02-24, originally H.R. 1146, 1997-03-20. Ends U.S. participation and membership in the United Nations and its activities.
World Trade Organization, 1999-2000: Withdraws U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization.[2]
The American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2009 (ASRA) is U.S. House of Representatives bill 1146 (H.R. 1146) of the first session of the 111th Congress, "to end membership of the United States in the United Nations" (U.N.). The bill was first introduced on March 20, 1997, as H.R. 1146, to the first session of the 105th Congress (the American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 1997); it was a legislative effort to remove the U.S. from the UN.[7] Paul reintroduced the bill on February 24, 2009[8]
The bill was authored by Ron Paul to effect U.S. withdrawal from the United Nations. It would repeal various laws pertaining to the U.N., terminate authorization for funds to be spent on the U.N., terminate U.N. presence on U.S. property, and withdraw diplomatic immunity for U.N. employees.[9] It would provide up to two years for the U.S. to withdraw.[10] The Yale Law Journal cited the Act as proof that "the United Statess complaints against the United Nations have intensified."[11]
In a letter to Majority Leader Tom DeLay of April 16, 2003,[12] and in a speech to Congress on April 29, Paul requested the repeatedly-bottlenecked issue be voted on, because "Americans deserve to know how their representatives stand on the critical issue of American sovereignty."[13] Though he did not foresee passage in the near future, Paul believed a vote would be good for "those who don't want to get out of the United Nations but want to tone down" support; cosponsor Roscoe Bartlett's spokeswoman similarly said Bartlett "would welcome any action that would begin the debate".[12]
It had 54 supporters in the House in its first year.[7] It was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and was never released for a vote.
National Review cited the ASRA as an example of grassroots effort "to educate the American people about the efforts of foreign tyrants to disarm them".[14] Supporters approved of its intent to end financial ties to the UN, its peace-keeping missions, and its building in New York City.[15] A report by Herbert W. Titus, Senior Legal Advisor of the Liberty Committee, concluded that "the American Sovereignty Restoration Act is the only viable solution to the continued abuses of the United Nations."[16]
On its front page, the Victoria, Texas, Advocate, a newspaper in Paul's district, expressed pride for the Act in the face of what it called several undeclared "United Nations wars".[17]
Henry Lamb considers it "the only way to be sure that the U.S. will win the showdown at the U.N. Corral", considering that without withdrawal, U.N. claims of diplomatic immunity and Congressional subpoena power threaten each other, as in the oil-for-food scandal.[10]
Critics say it "undoubtedly paints a bull's-eye across the entire country".[18] Tim Wirth, president of the United Nations Foundation, finds the bill contrary to United States interests: "This piece of legislation has been brought by Ron Paul every year over the last 20 [sic] years and it never goes anywhere."[12]
A policy review of U.S.Canada relations describes the Act as reflecting "extreme views," but indicative of a majority pro-sovereignty view in Congress, expressed in tighter border and immigration policy, unilateralism in foreign policy, and increased national security focus.[19]
Similar U.S. legislation includes Ron Paul's proposal to end U.S. contributions to the United Nations and affiliated agencies, which had Republican support but failed as an appropriations amendment by a vote of 74;[20] and Roscoe Bartlett's proposal to cut a $100 million payment to the U.N., based on General Accounting Office claims that the U.S. has overpaid by $3.5 billion (the UN claimed that it was owed $1.3 billion).[21]
The 2002 Republican Party of Texas platform explicitly urged passage of the ASRA; withdrawal from the U.N. had been on the platform at least since 1998.[22]
Both houses of the Arizona legislature introduced legislation petitioning Congress to pass the ASRA (HCM 2009 in 2004, SCM 1002 in 2006);[23][24] in 2007 similar legislation passed the Arizona Senate (SCM 1002 in 2007), but with the focus changed from the ASRA to Virgil Goode's Congressional resolution not to engage in a NAFTA Superhighway or a North American Union (H.Con.Res. 487, now H.Con.Res. 40).[25][26]
The John Birch Society recognizes the ASRA as a reflection of its efforts since 1962 toward U.S. withdrawal.[7] Their publication New American sees Nathan Tabor's anti-U.N. book, The Beast on the East River, as a building block toward ASRA passage,[27] which it advocates because "the U.S. military is currently being used as the enforcement arm of the United Nations."[28]
In 2000, Tom DeWeese's American Policy Center said it delivered to Congress more than 300,000 signatures from petitions in support of the Act.[29]
An organization calling itself the Liberty Committee also organized a nationwide petition drive asking Majority Leader Tom DeLay to schedule the bill for a vote.[30]
[edit] Borders and immigrationTerror Immigration Elimination Act of 2007. H.R. 3217, 2007-07-27, originally H.R. 488, 2003-01-29. Limits the issuance of student and diversity immigrant visas in relation to Saudi Arabia, countries that support terrorism, and countries not cooperating fully with United States antiterrorism efforts.
Birthright citizenship: H.J.Res. 46, 2007-06-13, originally H.J.Res. 46, 2005-04-28. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to deny United States citizenship to individuals born in the United States to parents who are neither United States citizens nor persons who owe permanent allegiance to the United States. Clarifies the Fourteenth Amendment in accord with Paul's opposition to birthright citizenship.
Trans-Texas Corridor: H.R. 5191, 2008-01-29. To prohibit the use of Federal funds to carry out the highway project known as the "Trans-Texas Corridor".
[edit] TerrorismPolice Security Protection Act. H.R. 3304, 2007-08-01, originally H.R. 1410, 1997-04-23 (Law Officer's Armor Vest Tax Credit Act of 1997). Creates tax credit for law enforcement officers who purchase armor vests.
Anti-Terrorism Act of 2007. H.R. 3305, 2007-08-01, originally H.R. 2896, 2001-09-14. Proposed immediately after the September 11, 2001, attacks, permits pilots and navigators of aircraft, and law enforcement personnel detailed to aircraft, to carry firearms.
Marque and Reprisal Act of 2007. H.R. 3216, 2007-07-27. To authorize the President to issue letters of marque and reprisal with respect to certain acts of air piracy upon the United States on September 11, 2001, and other similar acts of war planned for the future.
[edit] Economy[edit] TaxesTax Free Tips Act of 2009. H.R. 779, 2009-01-28, originally H.R. 4408, 1998-08-05. Provides that tips shall not be subject to income or employment taxes.
Public Safety Tax Cut Act. H.R. 3303, 2007-08-01, originally H.R. 3124, 1999-10-21. Creates tax credit for police officers and professional firefighters, and makes public safety volunteer benefits nontaxable.
Cost of Government Awareness Act of 2007. H.R. 3601, 2007-09-19, originally H.R. 4855, 2000-07-13. Eliminates employer withholding tax and replaces it with monthly installment payment of income tax by employees, finding that withholding taxes are inherently deceptive and unfair and that they "hide the true cost of government from taxpayers, making tax increases more feasible".
Taxpayers' Freedom of Conscience Act of 2009. H.R. 1233, 2009-02-26, originally H.R. 1548, 2003-04-01. To prohibit any Federal official from expending any Federal funds for any population control or population planning program or any family planning activity.
Property tax: H.R. 4293, 2007-12-05, originally H.R. 5860, 2006-07-20. Creates income tax deduction for real property taxes.
Abolition of income tax: H.J.Res. 23, 2007-02-07. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to abolishing personal income, estate, and gift taxes and prohibiting the United States Government from engaging in business in competition with its citizens. Repeals the Sixteenth Amendment, income tax, estate tax, and gift tax, and limits the government only to Constitutionally authorized enterprises. Paul had proposed similar legislation in 1999-2000 and in 2001.[2]
Lutetium oxide: H.R. 962, 2009-02-10, originally H.R. 3731, 2007-10-02. To suspend temporarily the duty on lutetium oxide, an ingredient in laser crystals.
Tax Relief for Transportation Workers Act. H.R. 1097, 2009-02-13, originally H.R. 5991, 2008-05-07. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief for obtaining transportation worker identification credentials.
[edit] InflationAffordable Gas Price Act. H.R. 2415, 2007-05-21, originally H.R. 4004, 2005-10-06. To reduce the price of gasoline by allowing for offshore drilling, eliminating Federal obstacles to constructing refineries and providing incentives for investment in refineries, suspending Federal fuel taxes when gasoline prices reach a benchmark amount, and promoting free trade.
Make No Cents Until It Makes Sense Act. H.R. 4127, 2007-11-08. To amend title 31, United States Code, to prohibit the further minting of 1-cent coins until the Secretary of the Treasury and the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System certify in writing that there is not a surplus of 1-cent coins already available for use in transactions, and for other purposes. The U.S. Mint currently spends $.014, which is more than the face value, for each copper-clad zinc U.S. cent it produces.[31] Paul joked, "We can't even afford a zinc standard anymore."[32]
[edit] Sound money/Federal ReserveCoinage Act of 1983. Called for new legal-tender gold and silver coins. Ahead of its time, this Act anticipated the successful Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, which led to the minting of American Gold Eagles.[32]
Gold standard, 1983: Attempted to reinstate the gold standard.[32]
Coinage legislation, 1984: Sought to require Congressional approval of any new coinage and paper money designs, and formal retention of all test notes from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.[32]
Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act. H.R. 833, 2009-02-03, originally H.R. 1148, 1999-03-17. Abolishes the Federal Reserve Board and its banks and repeals the Federal Reserve Act.
Honest Money Act. H.R. 2756, 2007-06-15, originally H.R. 2779, 2003-07-17. Repeals 31 U.S.C. 5103, the legal tender law that currently mandates acceptance of Federal Reserve notes as legal tender, in accord with hard money policy.
Sunshine in Monetary Policy Act. H.R. 2754, 2007-06-15, originally H.R. 4892, 2006-03-07. Requires the Federal Reserve Board to continue to publish the M3 monetary aggregate on a weekly basis. The Federal Reserve ceased publishing M3 statistics as of March 23, 2006, explaining that it costs a lot to collect the data but does not provide significantly useful information.[33]
Free Competition in Currency Act of 2007. H.R. 4683, 2007-12-13. Strikes sections 486 and 489 of title 18, United States Code, due to "prosecutorial abuse".[34] The Code sections effectively restrict private minting, and were cited by the FBI as justification for its November 2007 raid of Liberty Services, and its seizure of property allegedly including nearly two tons of precious metals and copper much of which had been independently minted by Liberty Services with Paul's image.[35] Paul commented, "If we don't do something about the dollar, the market will. I would like to legalize competition in currency."[32]
Tax-Free Gold Act of 2008. H.R. 5427, 2008-02-13. To provide that no tax or fee may be imposed on certain coins and bullion. Prohibits taxation on gold, silver, platinum, palladium, or rhodium bullion and transactions, and state taxation on gold and silver legal tender currencies and instruments in interstate or foreign commerce.
Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009. H.R. 1207, 2009-02-26. To reform the manner in which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is audited by the Comptroller General of the United States and the manner in which such audits are reported. Ensures the audit results are available to Congress,[36] and includes the Fed's "discount window", its funding facilities, its open market operations, and its agreements with foreign bankers.[37] Proponents state that the Fed has never been audited by Congress since the Fed's creation in 1913.[38][39] The Federal Reserve states that "the financial statements of the Federal Reserve Banks and the Board of Governors are audited annually by an independent outside auditor."[40] Paul says that the present audit process exempts the Fed's "most crucial activities".[41]
Significant advocacy for the Transparency Act has ensued. At a rally in Bloomington, Indiana, outside the office of Baron Hill (D-IN), a Young Americans for Liberty petition encouraging Hill to vote in favor of the bill circulated among a crowd of 200; Hill did not comment to YAL, according to member Meredith Milton.[42] The advocacy group Campaign for Liberty (CFL) encourages members to petition representatives to cosponsor the Transparency Act,[43] sponsoring hundreds of pro-bill rallies in cities like Boone, North Carolina;[44] Peoria, Illinois;[45] Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;[46] and (CFL regional conference) St. Louis, Missouri.[47]
Glenn Beck of Fox News mentioned the Transparency Act while discussing ways for the average person to remind Congress, "Hey, you work for me".[48] During Beck's April 15 show from his rally at the Alamo in San Antonio, Pat Gray interviewed a local supporter of the Transparency Act, drawing cheers from the crowd.[49] A blogger on The Motley Fool website called the bill "the first attempt at a true audit of the Federal Reserve since its inception in 1913" and affirmed Paul's Congressionally published column describing his legislation.[50][51]
Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009. H.R. 1348, 2009-03-05. Requires the Federal Reserve to publish information on financial assistance provided to various entities during the bailout of 2008; creates a website listing all banks that have borrowed from the Fed since March 24, 2008, and the amount, terms, and "specific rationale" of the loans. U.S. Senate sponsor Bernie Sanders (I-VT) commented, "I have a hard time understanding how you have put $2.2 trillion at risk without making those names available." Fed chair Ben Bernanke had told Sanders that publishing the names would make the banks feel stigmatized and potentially reluctant to borrow further.[36]
[edit] Social SecuritySocial Security earnings limit repeal (cosponsor): Repealed the earnings limitation on Social Security. Seniors now continue working after retirement without being penalized.
Social Security Beneficiary Tax Reduction Act. H.R. 161, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 2723, 1997-10-23. Repeals the 1993 increase in taxes on Social Security benefits.
Social Security Preservation Act of 2009. H.R. 219, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 219, 1999-01-06, cosponsored since H.R. 857, 1997-02-27. Invests the Social Security surplus "trust funds" in marketable interest-bearing obligations and certificates of deposit, essentially insuring the integrity of the surplus.[2]
Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act. H.R. 162, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 4790, 2002-05-22, cosponsored since H.R. 761, 1999-02-12. Makes Social Security and Railroad Retirement Board payments nontaxable.
Social Security for Americans Only Act of 2009. H.R. 160, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 489, 2003-01-29. Limits Social Security benefits to U.S. citizens and nationals.
[edit] Constitutional rights[edit] Freedom of religionReligious Freedom Amendment. H.J.Res. 78, 1997-05-08 (cosponsor). Clarifies the "right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience" to include the right of prayer in public schools and other public property, and to prohibit state establishment of religion or requirements to participate in prayer.
Hostettler amendment (Ten Commandments display): H.Amdt. 278, 2005-06-15 (voted in favor), amending H.R. 2862, 2005-06-10. Defunds the southern Indiana U.S. District Court judgment Russelburg v. Gibson County, which had directed the removal of a Ten Commandments display on the county courthouse lawn.[52] The district judge later reversed himself, holding that the Indiana display met the Supreme Court of the United States's test described in Van Orden v. Perry, handed down two weeks after the Hostettler amendment.[53]
See We the People Act.
[edit] Freedom of associationNational ID (amendment): Prohibited funding for national identification numbers.[2]
Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2009. H.R. 220, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 220, 1999-01-06 (Freedom and Privacy Restoration Act). Protects Social Security number confidentiality, prohibits uniform national identifying numbers, and prohibits imposition of federal identification standards.
TV Consumer Freedom Act. H.R. 3602, 2007-09-19, originally H.R. 1078, 1999-03-11. Requires consent for signal retransmission, eliminates must-carry requirements, terminates Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandates for television features and functions, and clarifies retransmission rights of satellite carriers.
Freedom to Bank Act. H.R. 1419, 2009-03-10, originally H.R. 6297, 2006-09-29. Ends laws and regulations which deny decision-making opportunities and communication control to bank account holders. States in its long title that such laws "treat the American people like children".
[edit] Right to keep and bear armsSecond Amendment Protection Act of 2007. H.R. 1096, 2007-02-15, originally H.R. 2721, 1997-10-23. Defends law-abiding citizens' Second Amendment rights to own firearms.
National Park Second Amendment Restoration and Personal Protection Act of 2007. H.R. 1897, 2007-04-17. Prohibits firearm regulation within the National Park System. Based on 2006 legislation by Senator George Allen.
Citizens Protection Act of 2007. H.R. 2424, 2007-05-22. Repeals the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 as amended.
See also the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2007.
[edit] Habeas corpusSee American Freedom Agenda Act.
[edit] Limited governmentTerm limits, 1970s: Paul was the first member of Congress to propose term limits legislation in the House,[54] one of several bills considered "ahead of their time" by Texas Monthly magazine.[2]
Market Process Restoration Act of 1999. H.R. 1789, 1999-05-13. Repeals United States antitrust law (which limits cartels and monopolies), with intent to restore market economy benefits.
To repeal the Military Selective Service Act. H.R. 424, 2007-01-11, originally H.R. 1597, 2001-04-26, cosponsored since H.R. 2421, 1997-09-05. Abolishes the Selective Service System, prohibits reestablishment of the draft, and forbids denial of rights due to failure to register.
Eminent domain: Prevented the Department of Housing and Urban Development from seizing a church in New York through eminent domain.[2]
International Criminal Court (ICC): Barred ICC jurisdiction over the U.S. military (2002 amendment).[55]
Global tax: Barred American participation in any U.N. "global tax" (2005 amendment).[55]
Surveillance: Barred surveillance on peaceful First Amendment activities by citizens (2006 amendment).[55] Individual privacy may be an area of Paul's greatest influence, and he has long worked tirelessly against forms of what he considers to be federal snooping.[2]
Sunlight Rule. H.Res. 216, 2009-03-05, originally H.Res. 709, 2006-03-02. Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to ensure that Members have a reasonable amount of time to read legislation that will be voted upon. Prohibits votes on legislation from occurring until ten days after its introduction, with the intent of giving lawmakers enough time to read bills before voting on them; allots 72 hours for House members and staff to examine the contents of amendments. Paul charged his fellow legislators with voting for the Patriot Act in 2001 without reading it first; more than 300 pages long, it was enacted into law less than 24 hours after being introduced.[56]
Congressional Responsibility and Accountability Act. H.R. 3302, 2007-08-01. Prohibits federal rules and regulations not enacted into law by Congress, if they result in job loss or exceed specified costs to individuals, corporations, or all persons in aggregate.
American Freedom Agenda Act of 2007. H.R. 3835, 2007-10-15. To restore the Constitution's checks and balances and protections against government abuses as envisioned by the Founding Fathers. Proposes to "bar the use of evidence obtained through torture; require that federal intelligence gathering is conducted in accordance with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA); create a mechanism for challenging presidential signing statements; repeal the Military Commissions Act, which, among other things, denies habeas corpus to certain detainees; prohibit kidnapping, detentions, and torture abroad; protect journalists who publish information received from the executive branch; and ensure that secret evidence is not used to designate individuals or organizations with a presence in the U.S. as foreign terrorists."[57]
See also the limited government and income tax abolition amendment.
[edit] States' rights[edit] We the People ActWe the People Act. H.R. 539, 2009-01-14, originally H.R. 3893, 2004-03-04. Forbids all federal courts from hearing cases on abortion, same-sex unions, sexual practices, and establishment of religion, unless such a case were a challenge to the Constitutionality of federal law. Makes federal court decisions on those subjects nonbinding as precedent in state courts,[58] and forbids federal courts from spending money to enforce their judgments.
Because it forbids federal courts from adjudicating "any claim involving the laws, regulations, or policies of any State or unit of local government relating to the free exercise or establishment of religion", secularists have criticized the bill as removing federal remedy for allegations of state violation of religious freedom.[59] As an example of potential for violation,[citation needed] Article 1 of the Texas Constitution provides the (currently unenforced) requirement that office-holders "acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being". The Democratic Underground online community published the holding that the bill would give state sexual-orientation laws special immunity.[60] The bill is comparable to other jurisdiction stripping legislation such as the Constitution Restoration Act.[61]
Paul told Congress, "The best guarantor of true liberty is decentralized political institutions, while the greatest threat to liberty is concentrated power."[61] In April 2006 the Traditional Values Coalition encouraged its contacts to lobby their representatives for passage;[62] the bill was also endorsed by columnist Rev. Chuck Baldwin,[61] and cosponsors include Roscoe Bartlett, Tom Tancredo, Sam Johnson, Walter Jones, Jr., John A. Sullivan, John Duncan, Jr., and Ted Poe.
[edit] AbortionSanctity of Life Act of 2007. H.R. 2597, 2007-06-06, originally H.R. 776, 2005-02-10. For the purposes of statutory construction over the jurisdictional limitation imposed, declares that "human life shall be deemed to exist from conception". Removes federal court jurisdiction over abortion cases arising from state laws and effectively negates Roe v. Wade as binding legal precedent.[63] Such a law returns to each state the power to decide whether or not abortion should be allowed, banned, or regulated.
See also Taxpayers' Freedom of Conscience Act of 2007.
[edit] Stem-cell researchCures Can Be Found Act of 2009. H.R. 1654, 2009-03-19, originally H.R. 3444, 2005-07-26. Provides tax credits for qualified stem-cell research or storage and for donation of umbilical cord blood.
[edit] Capital punishmentOpposes federal use of capital punishment.[64][65]
[edit] EducationTeacher certification (amendment): Prohibited funding of federal teacher certification.[2]
Family Education Freedom Act of 2009. H.R. 1951, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 1816, 1997-06-05.[66] Provides tax credits to families towards spending on any type of children's educationrelated expenses, public, private, or homeschool.
Education Improvement Tax Cut Act. H.R. 1952, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 936, 1999-03-02. Applies a $5,000 tax credit per child for donations to any school in support of scholarships or academic or extracurricular programs.[67]
Teacher Tax Cut Act of 2009. H.R. 1949, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 937, 1999-03-02. Provides all elementary and secondary school teachers with a $1,000 tax cut.
Hope Plus Scholarship Act of 2009. H.R. 1953, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 2410, 2001-06-28. Includes qualified education expenses within the Hope Scholarship Credit.
Professional Educators Tax Relief Act of 2009. H.R. 1950, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 2411, 2001-06-28. Gives all K12 school librarians, counselors, and other personnel the same $1,000 tax credit as the Teacher Tax Cut Act.[68]
Make College Affordable Act of 2009. H.R. 1954, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 401, 2005-01-26, cosponsored since H.R. 1631, 1999-04-29. Creates full tax deduction for higher education expenses and interest on student loans.
Education Professional Development Tax Credit Act of 2007. H.R. 4078, 2007-11-05. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow elementary and secondary school teachers a credit against income tax for professional development and training expenses.
[edit] Sexual orientation legislationMarriage Protection Act of 2007. H.R. 724, 2007-01-30, originally H.R. 3313, 2003-10-16 (cosponsor). To limit Federal court jurisdiction over questions under the Defense of Marriage Act. Explicitly permits states to continue making a public-policy exception when deciding the status of same-sex relationships independently of the decisions of other states, as states have in fact been permitted to do in the case of incestuous marriages.[69]
[edit] EnvironmentA bill to repeal the Soil and Water Conservation Act of 1977. H.R. 7079, 1980-04-16.
Dredging: H.R. 7245, 1980-05-01. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to remove federal jurisdiction from dumping in private (non-navigable) waters, and from state dumping permit programs; permits applicants, rather than the Secretary of the Army, to specify disposal sites when requesting permission to discharge dredged or fill material into interstate navigable waters.
Fisheries: H.R. 3735, 1998-04-28. To disapprove a rule requiring the use of bycatch reduction devices in the shrimp fishery of the Gulf of Mexico. Annuls federal mandates that require private fisheries to reduce catches of non-targeted species at their own cost.
Environmental Protection Agency: H.J.Res. 104, 2000-07-13. Disapproves an EPA rule published on 2000-07-13, relating to proposed revisions to its pollutant discharge reduction program, federal antidegradation policy, and water quality planning and management regulations.
Lake Texana dam: Transferred ownership of the Lake Texana dam project from the federal government to Texas.[2]
San Jacinto disposal area: H.R. 4829, 2007-12-18. To authorize the Secretary of the Army to convey the surface estate of the San Jacinto Disposal Area to the city of Galveston, Texas.
To provide for the transfer of certain Federal Property to the Galveston Historical Foundation. H.R. 2121, 2009-04-27, originally H.R. 6440, 2008-07-08.
Energy Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Automobile Tax Credit Act of 2009. H.R. 1768, 2009-03-26, originally H.R. 6441, 2008-07-08.
[edit] Health[edit] Health reformQuality Health Care Coalition Act of 2009. H.R. 1493, 2009-03-12, originally H.R. 1247, 2003-03-12. Exempts health care professionals from antitrust laws in their negotiations with health plans and health insurance issuers.
Comprehensive Health Care Reform Act of 2009. H.R. 1495, 2009-03-12, originally H.R. 1287, 2003-03-13. Strengthens health savings accounts and credit for health care costs, carries forward unused health benefits, and repeals threshold on medical expenses deduction.
Seniors' Health Care Freedom Act of 2009. H.R. 164, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 580, 2005-02-02, cosponsored since H.R. 2867, 1999-09-14. Facilitates private contracts under Medicare.
Nursing Home Emergency Assistance Act. H.R. 1494, 2009-03-12, originally H.R. 4002, 2005-10-06.
Treat Physicians Fairly Act of 2009. H.R. 1497, 2009-03-12, originally H.R. 4872, 2006-03-02. Creates tax credit to medical care providers against income tax for uncompensated emergency medical care, and deduction to hospitals for such care.
Enhanced Options for Rural Health Care Act of 2007. H.R. 1899, 2007-04-17, originally H.R. 6154, 2006-09-21. Gives specific permission for rural health facilities designated as critical access hospitals to offer assisted living services without losing their designation.
[edit] Tax cutsPrescription Drug Affordability Act. H.R. 163, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 3636, 2000-02-10 (Pharmaceutical Freedom Act). Creates prescription drug tax credit and facilitates import and Internet sale of such drugs.
Cancer and Terminal Illness Patient Health Care Act. H.R. 4684, 2007-12-13, originally H.R. 4265, 2000-04-13. Assists those suffering from cancer and other life-threatening illnesses by waiving the employee portion of Social Security taxes.
Child Health Care Affordability Act. H.R. 1496, 2009-03-12, originally H.R. 4799, 2000-06-29 (Family Health Tax Cut Act). Creates income tax credit for medical expenses for dependents.
Freedom From Unnecessary Litigation Act of 2009. H.R. 1498, 2009-03-12, originally H.R. 1249, 2003-03-12. Creates tax credit for the cost of insurance against negative outcomes from surgery, such as against malpractice of a physician.
Evacuees Tax Relief Act of 2008. H.R. 7055, 2008-09-24, originally H.R. 4066, 2005-10-17.
Phosphoric acid: H.R. 961, 2009-02-10, originally H.R. 3732, 2007-10-02. To suspend temporarily the duty on phosphoric acid, lanthanum salt, cerium terbium-doped, compounds which have medical uses.
[edit] Alternative HealthMedical Marijuana Patient Protection Act. H.R. 5842, 2008-04-17, cosponsored since H.R. 2592, 2001-07-23 (States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act). Protects authorized medical marijuana patients and protects state-legal farmers against federal raids. Lets states choose their own stances on medical marijuana regulations, and permits further study, regulation, and use by reclassifying the plant medically.
Parental Consent Act of 2007. H.R. 2387, 2007-05-17, originally H.R. 5236, 2004-10-06 (Let Parents Raise Their Kids Act). To prohibit the use of Federal funds for any universal or mandatory mental health screening program.
Health Freedom Protection Act. H.R. 2117, 2007-05-02, originally H.R. 4282, 2005-11-09. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regarding health claims of foods and dietary supplements. Authorizes specific health claims to be made about saw palmetto, omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and calcium. Establishes government burden of proof in false advertising cases.
Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults. H.R. 5843, 2008-04-17 (cosponsor).
[edit] AgricultureAg and rural legislation: Cofounded Congressional Rural Caucus, a bipartisan group which promotes legislation to help the agriculture industry and rural communities.
Agriculture Education Freedom Act. H.R. 1955, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 3626, 1998-04-01. Makes nontaxable the sale of animals raised and sold as part of an educational program.
Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2009. H.R. 1866, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 3037, 2005-06-22. Excludes industrial hemp from the definition of marihuana for Controlled Substances Act purposes, thereby giving the states the power to regulate and permit farming of hemp. The measure would be a first since the national prohibition of industrial hemp farming in the United States. Paul joined prominent liberal Democrats in urging this proposal. He contends that it would help North Dakota and other agriculture states, where farmers have requested the ability to farm hemp for years.[70] The Economist wrote that his support for hemp farming could appeal to farmers in Iowa.[71]
Seafood: H.Con.Res. 125, 2007-04-23 (cosponsor). Recognizing the health benefits of eating seafood as part of a balanced diet, and supporting the goals and ideals of National Seafood Month.
Unpasteurized milk: H.R. 778, 2009-01-28, originally H.R. 4077, 2007-11-05. To authorize the interstate traffic of unpasteurized milk and milk products that are packaged for direct human consumption between states permitting its sale.
[edit] Ballot accessVoter Freedom Act of 2007. H.R. 3600, 2007-09-19, originally H.R. 2477, 1997-09-16. Establishes the right of ballot access for candidates with timely petitions containing 1,000 signatures.
List of legislation sponsored by Ron Paul - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Foreign policy[edit] NoninterventionKosovo, 19992000: Prohibits the Department of Defense from using troops in Kosovo unless specifically authorized by law.[2]
Constitutional War Powers Resolution of 2001. H.J.Res. 27, 2001-03-06. Repeals the 1973 War Powers Resolution entirely, prohibiting presidents from initiating a war without a formal declaration of war by Congress.[3]
Iraq Resolution declaration of war. Motion in re H.J.Res. 114, 2002-10-02. In order to prevent Congress from yielding its Constitutional authority to declare war to the executive branch, which does not Constitutionally hold that power, gives Congress the opportunity to declare war on Iraq, rather than merely "authorizing" the president to deploy forces without a declaration of war.[4] Paul said that he would not vote for his own motion, but that if his fellow members of Congress wished to go to war in Iraq, they should follow the Constitution and declare war.
Iran and Syria: H.Con.Res. 43, 2007-01-23. Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should implement Recommendation 9 of the Iraq Study Group Report. Urges the President to implement Recommendation 9 of the Iraq Study Group Report, recommending direct diplomatic engagement with Iran and Syria toward constructive results.
Sunset of Public Law 107-243 Act of 2007. H.R. 2605, 2007-06-07. Establishes a sunset clause for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002. As one of six Republicans to vote against the Iraq Resolution (which authorized military force for stated purposes without declaring war), Paul also inspired the founding of a group called the National Peace Lobby Project to promote a resolution he and Oregon representative Peter DeFazio sponsored to repeal the war authorization in February 2003. His speech, 35 "Questions That Won't Be Asked About Iraq",[5] was translated and published in German, French, Russian, Italian, and Swiss periodicals before the Iraq War began.[6]
Constitutional War Powers Amendments of 2007. H.J.Res. 53, 2007-09-25 (cosponsor). Replaces the 1973 War Powers Resolution with law ensuring the "collective judgment of both the Congress and the President" in use of war powers.
[edit] International organizationsFurther information: United States withdrawal from the United Nations
American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2009. H.R. 1146, 2009-02-24, originally H.R. 1146, 1997-03-20. Ends U.S. participation and membership in the United Nations and its activities.
World Trade Organization, 1999-2000: Withdraws U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization.[2]
The American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2009 (ASRA) is U.S. House of Representatives bill 1146 (H.R. 1146) of the first session of the 111th Congress, "to end membership of the United States in the United Nations" (U.N.). The bill was first introduced on March 20, 1997, as H.R. 1146, to the first session of the 105th Congress (the American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 1997); it was a legislative effort to remove the U.S. from the UN.[7] Paul reintroduced the bill on February 24, 2009[8]
The bill was authored by Ron Paul to effect U.S. withdrawal from the United Nations. It would repeal various laws pertaining to the U.N., terminate authorization for funds to be spent on the U.N., terminate U.N. presence on U.S. property, and withdraw diplomatic immunity for U.N. employees.[9] It would provide up to two years for the U.S. to withdraw.[10] The Yale Law Journal cited the Act as proof that "the United Statess complaints against the United Nations have intensified."[11]
In a letter to Majority Leader Tom DeLay of April 16, 2003,[12] and in a speech to Congress on April 29, Paul requested the repeatedly-bottlenecked issue be voted on, because "Americans deserve to know how their representatives stand on the critical issue of American sovereignty."[13] Though he did not foresee passage in the near future, Paul believed a vote would be good for "those who don't want to get out of the United Nations but want to tone down" support; cosponsor Roscoe Bartlett's spokeswoman similarly said Bartlett "would welcome any action that would begin the debate".[12]
It had 54 supporters in the House in its first year.[7] It was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and was never released for a vote.
National Review cited the ASRA as an example of grassroots effort "to educate the American people about the efforts of foreign tyrants to disarm them".[14] Supporters approved of its intent to end financial ties to the UN, its peace-keeping missions, and its building in New York City.[15] A report by Herbert W. Titus, Senior Legal Advisor of the Liberty Committee, concluded that "the American Sovereignty Restoration Act is the only viable solution to the continued abuses of the United Nations."[16]
On its front page, the Victoria, Texas, Advocate, a newspaper in Paul's district, expressed pride for the Act in the face of what it called several undeclared "United Nations wars".[17]
Henry Lamb considers it "the only way to be sure that the U.S. will win the showdown at the U.N. Corral", considering that without withdrawal, U.N. claims of diplomatic immunity and Congressional subpoena power threaten each other, as in the oil-for-food scandal.[10]
Critics say it "undoubtedly paints a bull's-eye across the entire country".[18] Tim Wirth, president of the United Nations Foundation, finds the bill contrary to United States interests: "This piece of legislation has been brought by Ron Paul every year over the last 20 [sic] years and it never goes anywhere."[12]
A policy review of U.S.Canada relations describes the Act as reflecting "extreme views," but indicative of a majority pro-sovereignty view in Congress, expressed in tighter border and immigration policy, unilateralism in foreign policy, and increased national security focus.[19]
Similar U.S. legislation includes Ron Paul's proposal to end U.S. contributions to the United Nations and affiliated agencies, which had Republican support but failed as an appropriations amendment by a vote of 74;[20] and Roscoe Bartlett's proposal to cut a $100 million payment to the U.N., based on General Accounting Office claims that the U.S. has overpaid by $3.5 billion (the UN claimed that it was owed $1.3 billion).[21]
The 2002 Republican Party of Texas platform explicitly urged passage of the ASRA; withdrawal from the U.N. had been on the platform at least since 1998.[22]
Both houses of the Arizona legislature introduced legislation petitioning Congress to pass the ASRA (HCM 2009 in 2004, SCM 1002 in 2006);[23][24] in 2007 similar legislation passed the Arizona Senate (SCM 1002 in 2007), but with the focus changed from the ASRA to Virgil Goode's Congressional resolution not to engage in a NAFTA Superhighway or a North American Union (H.Con.Res. 487, now H.Con.Res. 40).[25][26]
The John Birch Society recognizes the ASRA as a reflection of its efforts since 1962 toward U.S. withdrawal.[7] Their publication New American sees Nathan Tabor's anti-U.N. book, The Beast on the East River, as a building block toward ASRA passage,[27] which it advocates because "the U.S. military is currently being used as the enforcement arm of the United Nations."[28]
In 2000, Tom DeWeese's American Policy Center said it delivered to Congress more than 300,000 signatures from petitions in support of the Act.[29]
An organization calling itself the Liberty Committee also organized a nationwide petition drive asking Majority Leader Tom DeLay to schedule the bill for a vote.[30]
[edit] Borders and immigrationTerror Immigration Elimination Act of 2007. H.R. 3217, 2007-07-27, originally H.R. 488, 2003-01-29. Limits the issuance of student and diversity immigrant visas in relation to Saudi Arabia, countries that support terrorism, and countries not cooperating fully with United States antiterrorism efforts.
Birthright citizenship: H.J.Res. 46, 2007-06-13, originally H.J.Res. 46, 2005-04-28. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to deny United States citizenship to individuals born in the United States to parents who are neither United States citizens nor persons who owe permanent allegiance to the United States. Clarifies the Fourteenth Amendment in accord with Paul's opposition to birthright citizenship.
Trans-Texas Corridor: H.R. 5191, 2008-01-29. To prohibit the use of Federal funds to carry out the highway project known as the "Trans-Texas Corridor".
[edit] TerrorismPolice Security Protection Act. H.R. 3304, 2007-08-01, originally H.R. 1410, 1997-04-23 (Law Officer's Armor Vest Tax Credit Act of 1997). Creates tax credit for law enforcement officers who purchase armor vests.
Anti-Terrorism Act of 2007. H.R. 3305, 2007-08-01, originally H.R. 2896, 2001-09-14. Proposed immediately after the September 11, 2001, attacks, permits pilots and navigators of aircraft, and law enforcement personnel detailed to aircraft, to carry firearms.
Marque and Reprisal Act of 2007. H.R. 3216, 2007-07-27. To authorize the President to issue letters of marque and reprisal with respect to certain acts of air piracy upon the United States on September 11, 2001, and other similar acts of war planned for the future.
[edit] Economy[edit] TaxesTax Free Tips Act of 2009. H.R. 779, 2009-01-28, originally H.R. 4408, 1998-08-05. Provides that tips shall not be subject to income or employment taxes.
Public Safety Tax Cut Act. H.R. 3303, 2007-08-01, originally H.R. 3124, 1999-10-21. Creates tax credit for police officers and professional firefighters, and makes public safety volunteer benefits nontaxable.
Cost of Government Awareness Act of 2007. H.R. 3601, 2007-09-19, originally H.R. 4855, 2000-07-13. Eliminates employer withholding tax and replaces it with monthly installment payment of income tax by employees, finding that withholding taxes are inherently deceptive and unfair and that they "hide the true cost of government from taxpayers, making tax increases more feasible".
Taxpayers' Freedom of Conscience Act of 2009. H.R. 1233, 2009-02-26, originally H.R. 1548, 2003-04-01. To prohibit any Federal official from expending any Federal funds for any population control or population planning program or any family planning activity.
Property tax: H.R. 4293, 2007-12-05, originally H.R. 5860, 2006-07-20. Creates income tax deduction for real property taxes.
Abolition of income tax: H.J.Res. 23, 2007-02-07. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to abolishing personal income, estate, and gift taxes and prohibiting the United States Government from engaging in business in competition with its citizens. Repeals the Sixteenth Amendment, income tax, estate tax, and gift tax, and limits the government only to Constitutionally authorized enterprises. Paul had proposed similar legislation in 1999-2000 and in 2001.[2]
Lutetium oxide: H.R. 962, 2009-02-10, originally H.R. 3731, 2007-10-02. To suspend temporarily the duty on lutetium oxide, an ingredient in laser crystals.
Tax Relief for Transportation Workers Act. H.R. 1097, 2009-02-13, originally H.R. 5991, 2008-05-07. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief for obtaining transportation worker identification credentials.
[edit] InflationAffordable Gas Price Act. H.R. 2415, 2007-05-21, originally H.R. 4004, 2005-10-06. To reduce the price of gasoline by allowing for offshore drilling, eliminating Federal obstacles to constructing refineries and providing incentives for investment in refineries, suspending Federal fuel taxes when gasoline prices reach a benchmark amount, and promoting free trade.
Make No Cents Until It Makes Sense Act. H.R. 4127, 2007-11-08. To amend title 31, United States Code, to prohibit the further minting of 1-cent coins until the Secretary of the Treasury and the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System certify in writing that there is not a surplus of 1-cent coins already available for use in transactions, and for other purposes. The U.S. Mint currently spends $.014, which is more than the face value, for each copper-clad zinc U.S. cent it produces.[31] Paul joked, "We can't even afford a zinc standard anymore."[32]
[edit] Sound money/Federal ReserveCoinage Act of 1983. Called for new legal-tender gold and silver coins. Ahead of its time, this Act anticipated the successful Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, which led to the minting of American Gold Eagles.[32]
Gold standard, 1983: Attempted to reinstate the gold standard.[32]
Coinage legislation, 1984: Sought to require Congressional approval of any new coinage and paper money designs, and formal retention of all test notes from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.[32]
Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act. H.R. 833, 2009-02-03, originally H.R. 1148, 1999-03-17. Abolishes the Federal Reserve Board and its banks and repeals the Federal Reserve Act.
Honest Money Act. H.R. 2756, 2007-06-15, originally H.R. 2779, 2003-07-17. Repeals 31 U.S.C. 5103, the legal tender law that currently mandates acceptance of Federal Reserve notes as legal tender, in accord with hard money policy.
Sunshine in Monetary Policy Act. H.R. 2754, 2007-06-15, originally H.R. 4892, 2006-03-07. Requires the Federal Reserve Board to continue to publish the M3 monetary aggregate on a weekly basis. The Federal Reserve ceased publishing M3 statistics as of March 23, 2006, explaining that it costs a lot to collect the data but does not provide significantly useful information.[33]
Free Competition in Currency Act of 2007. H.R. 4683, 2007-12-13. Strikes sections 486 and 489 of title 18, United States Code, due to "prosecutorial abuse".[34] The Code sections effectively restrict private minting, and were cited by the FBI as justification for its November 2007 raid of Liberty Services, and its seizure of property allegedly including nearly two tons of precious metals and copper much of which had been independently minted by Liberty Services with Paul's image.[35] Paul commented, "If we don't do something about the dollar, the market will. I would like to legalize competition in currency."[32]
Tax-Free Gold Act of 2008. H.R. 5427, 2008-02-13. To provide that no tax or fee may be imposed on certain coins and bullion. Prohibits taxation on gold, silver, platinum, palladium, or rhodium bullion and transactions, and state taxation on gold and silver legal tender currencies and instruments in interstate or foreign commerce.
Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009. H.R. 1207, 2009-02-26. To reform the manner in which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is audited by the Comptroller General of the United States and the manner in which such audits are reported. Ensures the audit results are available to Congress,[36] and includes the Fed's "discount window", its funding facilities, its open market operations, and its agreements with foreign bankers.[37] Proponents state that the Fed has never been audited by Congress since the Fed's creation in 1913.[38][39] The Federal Reserve states that "the financial statements of the Federal Reserve Banks and the Board of Governors are audited annually by an independent outside auditor."[40] Paul says that the present audit process exempts the Fed's "most crucial activities".[41]
Significant advocacy for the Transparency Act has ensued. At a rally in Bloomington, Indiana, outside the office of Baron Hill (D-IN), a Young Americans for Liberty petition encouraging Hill to vote in favor of the bill circulated among a crowd of 200; Hill did not comment to YAL, according to member Meredith Milton.[42] The advocacy group Campaign for Liberty (CFL) encourages members to petition representatives to cosponsor the Transparency Act,[43] sponsoring hundreds of pro-bill rallies in cities like Boone, North Carolina;[44] Peoria, Illinois;[45] Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;[46] and (CFL regional conference) St. Louis, Missouri.[47]
Glenn Beck of Fox News mentioned the Transparency Act while discussing ways for the average person to remind Congress, "Hey, you work for me".[48] During Beck's April 15 show from his rally at the Alamo in San Antonio, Pat Gray interviewed a local supporter of the Transparency Act, drawing cheers from the crowd.[49] A blogger on The Motley Fool website called the bill "the first attempt at a true audit of the Federal Reserve since its inception in 1913" and affirmed Paul's Congressionally published column describing his legislation.[50][51]
Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009. H.R. 1348, 2009-03-05. Requires the Federal Reserve to publish information on financial assistance provided to various entities during the bailout of 2008; creates a website listing all banks that have borrowed from the Fed since March 24, 2008, and the amount, terms, and "specific rationale" of the loans. U.S. Senate sponsor Bernie Sanders (I-VT) commented, "I have a hard time understanding how you have put $2.2 trillion at risk without making those names available." Fed chair Ben Bernanke had told Sanders that publishing the names would make the banks feel stigmatized and potentially reluctant to borrow further.[36]
[edit] Social SecuritySocial Security earnings limit repeal (cosponsor): Repealed the earnings limitation on Social Security. Seniors now continue working after retirement without being penalized.
Social Security Beneficiary Tax Reduction Act. H.R. 161, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 2723, 1997-10-23. Repeals the 1993 increase in taxes on Social Security benefits.
Social Security Preservation Act of 2009. H.R. 219, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 219, 1999-01-06, cosponsored since H.R. 857, 1997-02-27. Invests the Social Security surplus "trust funds" in marketable interest-bearing obligations and certificates of deposit, essentially insuring the integrity of the surplus.[2]
Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act. H.R. 162, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 4790, 2002-05-22, cosponsored since H.R. 761, 1999-02-12. Makes Social Security and Railroad Retirement Board payments nontaxable.
Social Security for Americans Only Act of 2009. H.R. 160, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 489, 2003-01-29. Limits Social Security benefits to U.S. citizens and nationals.
[edit] Constitutional rights[edit] Freedom of religionReligious Freedom Amendment. H.J.Res. 78, 1997-05-08 (cosponsor). Clarifies the "right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience" to include the right of prayer in public schools and other public property, and to prohibit state establishment of religion or requirements to participate in prayer.
Hostettler amendment (Ten Commandments display): H.Amdt. 278, 2005-06-15 (voted in favor), amending H.R. 2862, 2005-06-10. Defunds the southern Indiana U.S. District Court judgment Russelburg v. Gibson County, which had directed the removal of a Ten Commandments display on the county courthouse lawn.[52] The district judge later reversed himself, holding that the Indiana display met the Supreme Court of the United States's test described in Van Orden v. Perry, handed down two weeks after the Hostettler amendment.[53]
See We the People Act.
[edit] Freedom of associationNational ID (amendment): Prohibited funding for national identification numbers.[2]
Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2009. H.R. 220, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 220, 1999-01-06 (Freedom and Privacy Restoration Act). Protects Social Security number confidentiality, prohibits uniform national identifying numbers, and prohibits imposition of federal identification standards.
TV Consumer Freedom Act. H.R. 3602, 2007-09-19, originally H.R. 1078, 1999-03-11. Requires consent for signal retransmission, eliminates must-carry requirements, terminates Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandates for television features and functions, and clarifies retransmission rights of satellite carriers.
Freedom to Bank Act. H.R. 1419, 2009-03-10, originally H.R. 6297, 2006-09-29. Ends laws and regulations which deny decision-making opportunities and communication control to bank account holders. States in its long title that such laws "treat the American people like children".
[edit] Right to keep and bear armsSecond Amendment Protection Act of 2007. H.R. 1096, 2007-02-15, originally H.R. 2721, 1997-10-23. Defends law-abiding citizens' Second Amendment rights to own firearms.
National Park Second Amendment Restoration and Personal Protection Act of 2007. H.R. 1897, 2007-04-17. Prohibits firearm regulation within the National Park System. Based on 2006 legislation by Senator George Allen.
Citizens Protection Act of 2007. H.R. 2424, 2007-05-22. Repeals the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 as amended.
See also the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2007.
[edit] Habeas corpusSee American Freedom Agenda Act.
[edit] Limited governmentTerm limits, 1970s: Paul was the first member of Congress to propose term limits legislation in the House,[54] one of several bills considered "ahead of their time" by Texas Monthly magazine.[2]
Market Process Restoration Act of 1999. H.R. 1789, 1999-05-13. Repeals United States antitrust law (which limits cartels and monopolies), with intent to restore market economy benefits.
To repeal the Military Selective Service Act. H.R. 424, 2007-01-11, originally H.R. 1597, 2001-04-26, cosponsored since H.R. 2421, 1997-09-05. Abolishes the Selective Service System, prohibits reestablishment of the draft, and forbids denial of rights due to failure to register.
Eminent domain: Prevented the Department of Housing and Urban Development from seizing a church in New York through eminent domain.[2]
International Criminal Court (ICC): Barred ICC jurisdiction over the U.S. military (2002 amendment).[55]
Global tax: Barred American participation in any U.N. "global tax" (2005 amendment).[55]
Surveillance: Barred surveillance on peaceful First Amendment activities by citizens (2006 amendment).[55] Individual privacy may be an area of Paul's greatest influence, and he has long worked tirelessly against forms of what he considers to be federal snooping.[2]
Sunlight Rule. H.Res. 216, 2009-03-05, originally H.Res. 709, 2006-03-02. Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to ensure that Members have a reasonable amount of time to read legislation that will be voted upon. Prohibits votes on legislation from occurring until ten days after its introduction, with the intent of giving lawmakers enough time to read bills before voting on them; allots 72 hours for House members and staff to examine the contents of amendments. Paul charged his fellow legislators with voting for the Patriot Act in 2001 without reading it first; more than 300 pages long, it was enacted into law less than 24 hours after being introduced.[56]
Congressional Responsibility and Accountability Act. H.R. 3302, 2007-08-01. Prohibits federal rules and regulations not enacted into law by Congress, if they result in job loss or exceed specified costs to individuals, corporations, or all persons in aggregate.
American Freedom Agenda Act of 2007. H.R. 3835, 2007-10-15. To restore the Constitution's checks and balances and protections against government abuses as envisioned by the Founding Fathers. Proposes to "bar the use of evidence obtained through torture; require that federal intelligence gathering is conducted in accordance with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA); create a mechanism for challenging presidential signing statements; repeal the Military Commissions Act, which, among other things, denies habeas corpus to certain detainees; prohibit kidnapping, detentions, and torture abroad; protect journalists who publish information received from the executive branch; and ensure that secret evidence is not used to designate individuals or organizations with a presence in the U.S. as foreign terrorists."[57]
See also the limited government and income tax abolition amendment.
[edit] States' rights[edit] We the People ActWe the People Act. H.R. 539, 2009-01-14, originally H.R. 3893, 2004-03-04. Forbids all federal courts from hearing cases on abortion, same-sex unions, sexual practices, and establishment of religion, unless such a case were a challenge to the Constitutionality of federal law. Makes federal court decisions on those subjects nonbinding as precedent in state courts,[58] and forbids federal courts from spending money to enforce their judgments.
Because it forbids federal courts from adjudicating "any claim involving the laws, regulations, or policies of any State or unit of local government relating to the free exercise or establishment of religion", secularists have criticized the bill as removing federal remedy for allegations of state violation of religious freedom.[59] As an example of potential for violation,[citation needed] Article 1 of the Texas Constitution provides the (currently unenforced) requirement that office-holders "acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being". The Democratic Underground online community published the holding that the bill would give state sexual-orientation laws special immunity.[60] The bill is comparable to other jurisdiction stripping legislation such as the Constitution Restoration Act.[61]
Paul told Congress, "The best guarantor of true liberty is decentralized political institutions, while the greatest threat to liberty is concentrated power."[61] In April 2006 the Traditional Values Coalition encouraged its contacts to lobby their representatives for passage;[62] the bill was also endorsed by columnist Rev. Chuck Baldwin,[61] and cosponsors include Roscoe Bartlett, Tom Tancredo, Sam Johnson, Walter Jones, Jr., John A. Sullivan, John Duncan, Jr., and Ted Poe.
[edit] AbortionSanctity of Life Act of 2007. H.R. 2597, 2007-06-06, originally H.R. 776, 2005-02-10. For the purposes of statutory construction over the jurisdictional limitation imposed, declares that "human life shall be deemed to exist from conception". Removes federal court jurisdiction over abortion cases arising from state laws and effectively negates Roe v. Wade as binding legal precedent.[63] Such a law returns to each state the power to decide whether or not abortion should be allowed, banned, or regulated.
See also Taxpayers' Freedom of Conscience Act of 2007.
[edit] Stem-cell researchCures Can Be Found Act of 2009. H.R. 1654, 2009-03-19, originally H.R. 3444, 2005-07-26. Provides tax credits for qualified stem-cell research or storage and for donation of umbilical cord blood.
[edit] Capital punishmentOpposes federal use of capital punishment.[64][65]
[edit] EducationTeacher certification (amendment): Prohibited funding of federal teacher certification.[2]
Family Education Freedom Act of 2009. H.R. 1951, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 1816, 1997-06-05.[66] Provides tax credits to families towards spending on any type of children's educationrelated expenses, public, private, or homeschool.
Education Improvement Tax Cut Act. H.R. 1952, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 936, 1999-03-02. Applies a $5,000 tax credit per child for donations to any school in support of scholarships or academic or extracurricular programs.[67]
Teacher Tax Cut Act of 2009. H.R. 1949, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 937, 1999-03-02. Provides all elementary and secondary school teachers with a $1,000 tax cut.
Hope Plus Scholarship Act of 2009. H.R. 1953, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 2410, 2001-06-28. Includes qualified education expenses within the Hope Scholarship Credit.
Professional Educators Tax Relief Act of 2009. H.R. 1950, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 2411, 2001-06-28. Gives all K12 school librarians, counselors, and other personnel the same $1,000 tax credit as the Teacher Tax Cut Act.[68]
Make College Affordable Act of 2009. H.R. 1954, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 401, 2005-01-26, cosponsored since H.R. 1631, 1999-04-29. Creates full tax deduction for higher education expenses and interest on student loans.
Education Professional Development Tax Credit Act of 2007. H.R. 4078, 2007-11-05. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow elementary and secondary school teachers a credit against income tax for professional development and training expenses.
[edit] Sexual orientation legislationMarriage Protection Act of 2007. H.R. 724, 2007-01-30, originally H.R. 3313, 2003-10-16 (cosponsor). To limit Federal court jurisdiction over questions under the Defense of Marriage Act. Explicitly permits states to continue making a public-policy exception when deciding the status of same-sex relationships independently of the decisions of other states, as states have in fact been permitted to do in the case of incestuous marriages.[69]
[edit] EnvironmentA bill to repeal the Soil and Water Conservation Act of 1977. H.R. 7079, 1980-04-16.
Dredging: H.R. 7245, 1980-05-01. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to remove federal jurisdiction from dumping in private (non-navigable) waters, and from state dumping permit programs; permits applicants, rather than the Secretary of the Army, to specify disposal sites when requesting permission to discharge dredged or fill material into interstate navigable waters.
Fisheries: H.R. 3735, 1998-04-28. To disapprove a rule requiring the use of bycatch reduction devices in the shrimp fishery of the Gulf of Mexico. Annuls federal mandates that require private fisheries to reduce catches of non-targeted species at their own cost.
Environmental Protection Agency: H.J.Res. 104, 2000-07-13. Disapproves an EPA rule published on 2000-07-13, relating to proposed revisions to its pollutant discharge reduction program, federal antidegradation policy, and water quality planning and management regulations.
Lake Texana dam: Transferred ownership of the Lake Texana dam project from the federal government to Texas.[2]
San Jacinto disposal area: H.R. 4829, 2007-12-18. To authorize the Secretary of the Army to convey the surface estate of the San Jacinto Disposal Area to the city of Galveston, Texas.
To provide for the transfer of certain Federal Property to the Galveston Historical Foundation. H.R. 2121, 2009-04-27, originally H.R. 6440, 2008-07-08.
Energy Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Automobile Tax Credit Act of 2009. H.R. 1768, 2009-03-26, originally H.R. 6441, 2008-07-08.
[edit] Health[edit] Health reformQuality Health Care Coalition Act of 2009. H.R. 1493, 2009-03-12, originally H.R. 1247, 2003-03-12. Exempts health care professionals from antitrust laws in their negotiations with health plans and health insurance issuers.
Comprehensive Health Care Reform Act of 2009. H.R. 1495, 2009-03-12, originally H.R. 1287, 2003-03-13. Strengthens health savings accounts and credit for health care costs, carries forward unused health benefits, and repeals threshold on medical expenses deduction.
Seniors' Health Care Freedom Act of 2009. H.R. 164, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 580, 2005-02-02, cosponsored since H.R. 2867, 1999-09-14. Facilitates private contracts under Medicare.
Nursing Home Emergency Assistance Act. H.R. 1494, 2009-03-12, originally H.R. 4002, 2005-10-06.
Treat Physicians Fairly Act of 2009. H.R. 1497, 2009-03-12, originally H.R. 4872, 2006-03-02. Creates tax credit to medical care providers against income tax for uncompensated emergency medical care, and deduction to hospitals for such care.
Enhanced Options for Rural Health Care Act of 2007. H.R. 1899, 2007-04-17, originally H.R. 6154, 2006-09-21. Gives specific permission for rural health facilities designated as critical access hospitals to offer assisted living services without losing their designation.
[edit] Tax cutsPrescription Drug Affordability Act. H.R. 163, 2009-01-06, originally H.R. 3636, 2000-02-10 (Pharmaceutical Freedom Act). Creates prescription drug tax credit and facilitates import and Internet sale of such drugs.
Cancer and Terminal Illness Patient Health Care Act. H.R. 4684, 2007-12-13, originally H.R. 4265, 2000-04-13. Assists those suffering from cancer and other life-threatening illnesses by waiving the employee portion of Social Security taxes.
Child Health Care Affordability Act. H.R. 1496, 2009-03-12, originally H.R. 4799, 2000-06-29 (Family Health Tax Cut Act). Creates income tax credit for medical expenses for dependents.
Freedom From Unnecessary Litigation Act of 2009. H.R. 1498, 2009-03-12, originally H.R. 1249, 2003-03-12. Creates tax credit for the cost of insurance against negative outcomes from surgery, such as against malpractice of a physician.
Evacuees Tax Relief Act of 2008. H.R. 7055, 2008-09-24, originally H.R. 4066, 2005-10-17.
Phosphoric acid: H.R. 961, 2009-02-10, originally H.R. 3732, 2007-10-02. To suspend temporarily the duty on phosphoric acid, lanthanum salt, cerium terbium-doped, compounds which have medical uses.
[edit] Alternative HealthMedical Marijuana Patient Protection Act. H.R. 5842, 2008-04-17, cosponsored since H.R. 2592, 2001-07-23 (States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act). Protects authorized medical marijuana patients and protects state-legal farmers against federal raids. Lets states choose their own stances on medical marijuana regulations, and permits further study, regulation, and use by reclassifying the plant medically.
Parental Consent Act of 2007. H.R. 2387, 2007-05-17, originally H.R. 5236, 2004-10-06 (Let Parents Raise Their Kids Act). To prohibit the use of Federal funds for any universal or mandatory mental health screening program.
Health Freedom Protection Act. H.R. 2117, 2007-05-02, originally H.R. 4282, 2005-11-09. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regarding health claims of foods and dietary supplements. Authorizes specific health claims to be made about saw palmetto, omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and calcium. Establishes government burden of proof in false advertising cases.
Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults. H.R. 5843, 2008-04-17 (cosponsor).
[edit] AgricultureAg and rural legislation: Cofounded Congressional Rural Caucus, a bipartisan group which promotes legislation to help the agriculture industry and rural communities.
Agriculture Education Freedom Act. H.R. 1955, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 3626, 1998-04-01. Makes nontaxable the sale of animals raised and sold as part of an educational program.
Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2009. H.R. 1866, 2009-04-02, originally H.R. 3037, 2005-06-22. Excludes industrial hemp from the definition of marihuana for Controlled Substances Act purposes, thereby giving the states the power to regulate and permit farming of hemp. The measure would be a first since the national prohibition of industrial hemp farming in the United States. Paul joined prominent liberal Democrats in urging this proposal. He contends that it would help North Dakota and other agriculture states, where farmers have requested the ability to farm hemp for years.[70] The Economist wrote that his support for hemp farming could appeal to farmers in Iowa.[71]
Seafood: H.Con.Res. 125, 2007-04-23 (cosponsor). Recognizing the health benefits of eating seafood as part of a balanced diet, and supporting the goals and ideals of National Seafood Month.
Unpasteurized milk: H.R. 778, 2009-01-28, originally H.R. 4077, 2007-11-05. To authorize the interstate traffic of unpasteurized milk and milk products that are packaged for direct human consumption between states permitting its sale.
[edit] Ballot accessVoter Freedom Act of 2007. H.R. 3600, 2007-09-19, originally H.R. 2477, 1997-09-16. Establishes the right of ballot access for candidates with timely petitions containing 1,000 signatures.
You are exactly proving my point. I specifically wanted legislation that passed. Anyone in the House can sponsor feel good granstanding legislation. Carolyn McCarthy of NY does so every session. That isn't an endoresement. That is demagoging. None of what you posted became law. That means Paul could not work with his fellow legislators to get them behind his bills. What does that say about his ability to work with others?
As for the response that he won't go along with expanding government, fine. Why hasn't he managed to write bills that shrink gov't and get them passed? Is it because he is so far outside of the mainstream he is a one-man band? We don't need a one man band as president. That won't be an effective official.
Paul has been in the House for about 30 years with nothing except some kind of voting record and a big mouth. He is the Barack Obama of the Narco-Libertarians. We don't need another Barack Obama of any stripe. Hell, we don't need the one we've got now.
I like Johnson, but Paul has decades longer of a conservative voting record. So they stand for mostly the same things, just Paul has been doing it longer so he'll naturally get more support.
It's true Paul has today what would be considered a libertarian idealogy, but that same idealogy is what the republican party was formed on. So either label can be placed on Paul be it republican or libertarian, an argument can be made for either being the more correct term.
I would argue Paul is a Paleoconservative before he's Libertarian, but that's just me. Also, I should rephrase my post when I say Libertarians because not all Libertarians ignore Johnson. Just a good number of them.
Leadership defined not as the ability to run your mouth but to persuade others and get your point across.
This will be a short list.
You are exactly proving my point. I specifically wanted legislation that passed. Anyone in the House can sponsor feel good granstanding legislation. Carolyn McCarthy of NY does so every session. That isn't an endoresement. That is demagoging. None of what you posted became law. That means Paul could not work with his fellow legislators to get them behind his bills. What does that say about his ability to work with others?
As for the response that he won't go along with expanding government, fine. Why hasn't he managed to write bills that shrink gov't and get them passed? Is it because he is so far outside of the mainstream he is a one-man band? We don't need a one man band as president. That won't be an effective official.
Paul has been in the House for about 30 years with nothing except some kind of voting record and a big mouth. He is the Barack Obama of the Narco-Libertarians. We don't need another Barack Obama of any stripe. Hell, we don't need the one we've got now.
Leadership defined not as the ability to run your mouth but to persuade others and get your point across.
This will be a short list.
Since all government has done is grow, the only ones who have gotten legislation passed have grown government. If to you that means "qualified" then I'll take a double dose of "unqualified" please...
You are exactly proving my point. I specifically wanted legislation that passed. Anyone in the House can sponsor feel good granstanding legislation. Carolyn McCarthy of NY does so every session. That isn't an endoresement. That is demagoging. None of what you posted became law. That means Paul could not work with his fellow legislators to get them behind his bills. What does that say about his ability to work with others?
As for the response that he won't go along with expanding government, fine. Why hasn't he managed to write bills that shrink gov't and get them passed? Is it because he is so far outside of the mainstream he is a one-man band? We don't need a one man band as president. That won't be an effective official.
Paul has been in the House for about 30 years with nothing except some kind of voting record and a big mouth. He is the Barack Obama of the Narco-Libertarians. We don't need another Barack Obama of any stripe. Hell, we don't need the one we've got now.
Maybe you should try and listen when people talk to you. You're a dumb fuck Paul hater, that's it, that's all.
If Paul could have passed a good amount of his legislation then guess what, we wouldn't be in a lot of the mess we are in... In fact that would mean people supported his legislation and we might have candidates worth voting for... Instead we have dumb ass liberals like Perry to tell us we don't have a heart is we don't want tax payer money going to illegals education.
Rabbi, vote for whoever you like, Im not here to tell you to vote for Paul, I simply defend him from useless small minded conservative wanabes like you when you openly lie to attack him.
Gee I wonder how much legislation McCain helped pass... you know, the giant fucking Progressive who ran as the Republican nominee 4 years ago? See how little it means?
There is a conservative consensus in this country. Paul isn't part of it. He merely a grandstander and bullshit artist. And he has snookered a lot of you. He has no ability to govern, no demonstrated achievments at all.
You are exactly proving my point. I specifically wanted legislation that passed. Anyone in the House can sponsor feel good granstanding legislation. Carolyn McCarthy of NY does so every session. That isn't an endoresement. That is demagoging. None of what you posted became law. That means Paul could not work with his fellow legislators to get them behind his bills. What does that say about his ability to work with others?
As for the response that he won't go along with expanding government, fine. Why hasn't he managed to write bills that shrink gov't and get them passed? Is it because he is so far outside of the mainstream he is a one-man band? We don't need a one man band as president. That won't be an effective official.
Paul has been in the House for about 30 years with nothing except some kind of voting record and a big mouth. He is the Barack Obama of the Narco-Libertarians. We don't need another Barack Obama of any stripe. Hell, we don't need the one we've got now.
Maybe you should try and listen when people talk to you. You're a dumb fuck Paul hater, that's it, that's all.
If Paul could have passed a good amount of his legislation then guess what, we wouldn't be in a lot of the mess we are in... In fact that would mean people supported his legislation and we might have candidates worth voting for... Instead we have dumb ass liberals like Perry to tell us we don't have a heart is we don't want tax payer money going to illegals education.
Rabbi, vote for whoever you like, Im not here to tell you to vote for Paul, I simply defend him from useless small minded conservative wanabes like you when you openly lie to attack him.
Gee I wonder how much legislation McCain helped pass... you know, the giant fucking Progressive who ran as the Republican nominee 4 years ago? See how little it means?
You can't present a single legislative achievement and I'm the dumbfuck?
Perry is a liberal? Really? I guess Reagan was a liberal too.
I haven't lied. Nothing I have posted is unttrue. On the contrary, I shine the light of truth and the rats get their backs against the wall.
There is a conservative consensus in this country. Paul isn't part of it. He merely a grandstander and bullshit artist. And he has snookered a lot of you. He has no ability to govern, no demonstrated achievments at all.
